Corporate Open Innovation

Since Henry Chesbrough popularised the term 'Corporate Open Innovation' in 2003, many large companies have been attracted by the idea of sourcing new products externally from small businesses and individual inventors.

In theory, this enables firms to reduce costs, gives them access to a greater knowledge pool and increases potential revenue from new markets.

But how does it work in practice? This is the key question that Connect’s portfolio of corporate open innovation projects has been set up to answer.

Our work aims to discover, and then address, the main barriers and accelerators to corporate open innovation, and explore whether these stem from systems of management or more universal human interactions. 

V-JAM

V-JAM

V-JAM is investigating how a process of managed user-led open innovation can benefit corporate entities, such as Virgin Atlantic.

Open Ventures Challenge

Open Ventures Challenge

The Open Venture Challenge will create multimillion pound ventures to help fund Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.


P&G Corporate Open Innovation Challenge

P&G Corporate Open Innovation Challenge

The Procter & Gamble Open Innovation Challenge seeks to harness the potential of design companies to develop the next generation of products and services for P&G.

Corporate Connections

Corporate Connections

Corporate Connections is bringing together a diverse group of companies to encourage innovative thinking and develop shared opportunities, through a series of collaborative workshops.

Open Alchemy

Open Alchemy

Open Alchemy is encouraging firms to seek opportunities outside their traditional internal innovation streams.