Corporate Innovation Programs: Igniting Entrepreneurial Success

08.07.2024 Daniela Musial-Lemberg News

What can companies do to boost their innovative power? How do start-ups benefit from taking part in corporate accelerator programmes, and how do established companies benefit? In TECHimpulse, we discussed corporate programmes, creative innovations and international cooperation.

“Innovation is created through collaboration between industry, universities and start-ups,” says Alexander Kepka, Senior Research and Innovation Ecosystem Manager at Siemens AG. In our short online format TECHimpulse in mid-June 2024, we talked about what this collaboration could look like. In addition to Alexander Kepka, we discussed innovation strategies and the role of start-ups in corporate ecosystems with Alexander Schwerdt from the Plug and Play Tech Center and Dr. Niels Feldmann, head of the Manager Service Design Thinking/SUGAR programme at KIT.

Alexander Schwerdt presented Plug and Play as an open innovation platform that operates internationally with numerous partners and investments. “We are the matchmaker between industry and early-stage start-ups,” Alexander emphasised. Plug and Play’s approach helps to bring together creative ideas and partners from different industries. “Suitable start-ups are matched with the right people and resources to work together on solutions.” Plug and Play has themed locations around the world, including in Africa.

Although Siemens is not yet present on the African continent, Alexander Kepka does not rule out future involvement. There are growing markets and enormous potential for innovation. “I see intellectual and human growth potential,” he said. Alexander Kepka presented Siemens’ strategic research and innovation programme. In the Siemens Research and Innovation Ecosystem, experts work together with universities, research institutes, academic start-ups, technology incubators and customers on global challenges. There are 16 such ecosystems worldwide.

There’s a lot going on at the university level as well. Dr Niels Feldmann showed us the global SUGAR network, which brings together students from 24 universities on four continents with corporate partners. Over nine months, students work with industry partners on real innovation challenges. This is not only about different disciplines, but also about bringing young people and creative ideas together in an intercultural way.

The next TECHimpulse online event will be on the topic of “Women in Digital” on Monday, 23 September 2024.

Find all the info on TECH4Transition on the project homepage.