Innovation inside a large company can be difficult. However, the same approaches that have been effective in venture capital can be deployed internally.

1. Portfolio Approach to Innovation
Corporate Innovation Injection
External
M&A
Internal
OrganicInnovation Continuum
• Recruiting and
placing a small
number of
people to make
a difference
• Raises the
‘metabolic rate’
of the
innovation
culture
TalentAccelerator
• Solicit and
screen
applications for
start up
business ideas
around this
theme
• Conduct
intensive 4
month
accelerator
• Co-develop
• Provide seed
funding at the
end
Innovation
Subsidiary
• Ring-fencing a
small acquired
company
• Dedicate their
efforts to selling
their product
within the
company
• Has its own P&L
and determines
where they
invest
• Can eventually
have external
customers
Internal
Venture Fund
• Allocating a
small amount
of money to act
like a VC fund
internally
• Investment
thesis linked to
a strategic
theme
• Employ same
principles as a
venture fund
Strategic
Investing
• Taking minority
positions in
external
companies
• Building
partnerships
inside the
company
Incubator
• Provides an
environment to
test and learn
• Provide
sabbatical
opportunities
or build out
internal ideas
that need more
work
• Company has
right of first
refusal on
results
Whole
company
acquisitions
Within
operating
divisions
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