Challenge
My client, a globally leading chemical conglomerate, aimed to strengthen its own innovative capabilities. To achieve this, the client wanted to understand how leading corporations in Europe foster innovation. The central question was which innovation vehicles – such as incubators, accelerators, venture capital arms, M&A departments – are used successfully and how they contribute to promoting innovation. The client was particularly interested in deriving practical strategies for its own innovation management from these insights.
Approach
To answer this question, I conducted comprehensive secondary research. I created detailed profiles of the respective key players in the European chemical industry, focusing particularly on their innovation vehicles. Each profile included an analysis of the structures and strategies of these vehicles, as well as an evaluation of their success based on public data. To provide the client with a solid basis for decision-making, a special methodology for evaluating these innovation vehicles was developed. This methodology considered not only the current successes but also the potential for future innovations.
Results
The findings and analysis provided the client with valuable insights into the innovation landscape and practices of leading European corporations. With the insights gained, the client was able to specifically further develop and adapt its own innovation strategy.
Reflecting on my contributions, Mark Reimer, currently a Director at Monitor Deloitte and the project's Manager at the time, commented, "Vera demonstrates exceptional motivation and thoughtfulness, consistently acting in the best interest of both the client and our team to deliver outstanding results."