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Open Innovation

30 Jan

What is Technology Scouting?

by Hunter O'Donnell
in Innovation, Innovation Software, Innovation Solutions, Open Innovation, Technology, Technology Scouting
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Staying ahead of technological advancements is crucial for corporate innovators aiming to enhance their R&D and innovation programs. One effective strategy to achieve this is through technology scouting. But what exactly is technology scouting, and how can it benefit your organization?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] Define Technology Scouting [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="22px"][qodef_blockquote text="Technology scouting is a proactive approach to identifying, evaluating, and acquiring emerging technologies and expertise from external sources. It involves systematically searching for technological solutions, patents, new research, trends, subject matter experts, and opportunities that solve for an organization's near-term objectives. This process enables companies to integrate external knowledge and adjacent technologies into their internal R&D efforts more effectively." title_tag="h3" width="100%"][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height="22px"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/4"][qodef_button size="" type="" hover_animation="" target="_blank" icon_pack="" font_weight="" text="Example Report" link="//ezassi.com/technology-discovery-services/smart-packaging-tech-scouting-report/"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text] Ezassi offers Technology Scouting Software and Customized Research Reports by Innovation Analysts. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/4"][qodef_button size="" type="" hover_animation="" target="_blank" icon_pack="" font_weight="" text="Case Study" link="//ezassi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Advancing-NASAs-Technology-Scouting.pdf"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height="42px"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text] The Importance of Technology Scouting [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="22px"][vc_column_text]Incorporating technology scouting into your innovation...

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08 Jan

What is Business Model Innovation?

by Stephanie Creech
in Innovation, Innovation Software, Innovation Solutions, Innovation Strategy Services, Open Innovation, Technology, Types of Innovation
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] A Guide to Business Model Innovation [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text]Business model innovation is a competitive strategy offering organizations a way to redefine their value proposition, operational structure, and revenue streams. In this guide, we’ll explore what business model innovation entails, why it’s critical for success, and how innovation management leaders can leverage software tools and strategic services to guide transformational growth.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="30px"][vc_column_text] What is Business Model Innovation? [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="10px"][qodef_blockquote text="Business model innovation is the process of reinventing how a company delivers value to its customers and captures profits. Unlike product or process innovation, it focuses on altering the framework of business operations, including customer engagement, revenue generation, and cost management." title_tag="h3" width="75%"][vc_empty_space height="30px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][qodef_separator position="center" color="#dddddd" width="100%" thickness="2 px"][vc_empty_space height="10px"][vc_column_text] Why It Matters: [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="5px"][vc_column_text] Adapts to disruptive technologies Enhances market differentiation Unlocks new revenue opportunities [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="10px"][qodef_separator position="center" color="#dddddd" width="100%" thickness="2 px"][vc_empty_space height="30px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Key Elements of Business Model Innovation [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="5px"][vc_column_text]To succeed in business model innovation, organizations must address these core components: Value Proposition...

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30 Dec

Revolutionizing Industries: How Smart Materials Will Redefine Key Industries in the Next 5 Years

by Dave Jones
in Chemicals & Materials, CPG Industry, Defense & Aerospace Industry, Energy Industry, Food and Beverage Industry, Innovation, MedTech & Life Sciences Industry, Open Innovation, Technology, Technology Landscape
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Game-Changing Potential of Advanced Materials [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] The Future of Advanced Materials in Consumer Goods, Energy, and Emerging Technologies [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="10px"][vc_column_text]In the fast-paced world of technology, advanced materials are playing a pivotal role in reshaping industries. From consumer packaged goods (CPG) and life sciences to energy, defense and aerospace, innovations in materials science—such as self-healing polymers, bio-based materials, and nanostructures—are enabling groundbreaking applications. These materials promise lighter, stronger, and more sustainable solutions, driving innovation while addressing critical global challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and health care needs. Over the next five years, the integration of advanced materials will enhance products in sectors as diverse as packaging, renewable energy, and defense systems. This blog will explore how advanced materials are driving innovation and reshaping the future of these industries.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="10px"][qodef_separator position="center" color="#d6d6d6" width="100%" thickness="2 px"][vc_empty_space height="10px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Innovations Shaping the Future of the CPG Food & Beverage Industry Key Impact Areas: Sustainable Packaging, Enhanced Food Safety, and...

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18 Dec

Strategic Pipeline Management

by Matthew Heim
in Innovation Strategy Services, Open Innovation
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Are you one of the many innovation executives who struggle to determine which projects you should be working on first, and which ones should have the highest priority amongst others?  If so, then you are certainly not alone.  In fact, three out of five executives interviewed find this to be one of their top 5 challenges when managing their innovation pipeline.   Some innovation executives do not have a formal relationship with the business units (BU) or categories and are unable to gain a clear understanding of the potential business impact of a new development requirement.  Others struggle to determine which projects should be prioritized higher than others based on their return on investment (ROI).  Either way, there are a few simple steps that the innovation team can take that will help clarify innovation initiatives, deploy the right resources, ensure proper transitions, prioritize initiatives with the highest strategic impact, and assign...

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16 Dec

Ezassi vs Big 4 Consulting

by Matthew Heim
in Innovation Software, Innovation Solutions, Open Innovation
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Big Consulting Houses vs. Boutique Firms for Innovation The Costs and Risks of Making an Uninformed Choice [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="10px"][vc_column_text]We all know, and possibly worked with the Big 4 consulting houses, which include PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Ernst & Young and Deloitte. These firms have thousands of consultants and are designed to drive high profits through a Matrixed Organization, as well as what is known as a Leverage Model.  Think of the Leverage Model as a pyramid, with the senior-level partners at the top, managers in the middle and associates at the bottom.  As the pyramid would symbolize, there are many more junior-level resources – in fact, they are designed to hold a ratio of between 12- or 15-to-1. Having worked for two of the four big consulting houses at both junior and senior levels, I know that these firms will claim to be able to produce deliverables on virtually any topic or discipline.  Because...

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05 Dec

From Concept to Reality: Mastering the Innovation Lifecycle with Ezassi

by Stephanie Creech
in Innovation, Innovation Challenge, Innovation Software, Innovation Solutions, Open Innovation
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bringing a groundbreaking idea to life is an exhilarating journey, but it’s also one that requires strategic execution. Whether you’re a startup founder, R&D leader, or innovation manager, the transition from concept to market-ready solution involves navigating a series of interconnected stages. At Ezassi, we specialize in helping organizations streamline the idea-to-implementation process with our suite of Innovation Management Products and Services. Let’s explore how our offerings can elevate your innovation journey and bring your vision to life.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Power of Innovation Management [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="5px"][vc_column_text]Successful innovation doesn’t stop at ideation—it thrives on meticulous planning, execution, and adaptation. Without a structured approach, even the most brilliant ideas risk stalling. Ezassi’s Idea Management Software, Technology Discovery Software, and Pipeline Management Software help organizations manage every phase of innovation, ensuring ideas are not only generated but also refined, implemented, and optimized for long-term success.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Understanding the Idea-to-Implementation Process [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="5px"][vc_column_text] 1. Generating and Refining Ideas Innovation begins with ideation....

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18 Nov

Hackathon

by Stephanie Creech
in Collaboration Software, Idea Management Software, Innovation Software, Innovation Solutions, Open Innovation, Technology Challenge, Types of Innovation
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Hackathons Explained [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] What is a Hackathon? [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="10px"][qodef_blockquote text="A hackathon is an event, typically lasting a short period of time, where people come together to collaborate in order to quickly solve a problem or identify new opportunities." title_tag="h3"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text] The Origin of Hackathons: How Intensive Collaboration Became a Catalyst for Innovation [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="5px"][vc_column_text]The concept of a "hackathon" was born in 1999, thanks to pioneering developers at OpenBSD and Sun Microsystems. OpenBSD, an organization dedicated to security-focused software, coined the term during a multi-day event where developers came together to "hack" on code, working intensively to improve and secure their software. Around the same time, Sun Microsystems introduced the term at the JavaOne conference, hosting a hackathon that invited developers to collaboratively build new applications in Java. The term itself combines "hack"—referring to creative coding or problem-solving—with "marathon," representing the event's prolonged, focused effort. This fusion perfectly captures the essence of hackathons: high-energy, collaborative sessions where...

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08 Nov

Innovation Analyst for Technology Research

by Matthew Heim
in Innovation, Innovation Software, Innovation Strategy Services, Open Innovation, Technology, Technology Landscape, Technology Scouting
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Risks of Sole Reliance on LLMs and AI in Technology Discovery: Why Human Expertise is Still Essential [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="22px"][vc_column_text] LLMs and AI tools are inadequate as primary technology discovery tools. A human analyst to validate technology search results, conduct crucial subject matter expert interviews, and evaluate unique ideas from experienced, creative employees and stakeholders through open innovation challenges will prove to be the best approach to a fully developed innovation management strategy. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In today’s world of rapid technological advancements, businesses are constantly racing to identify and adopt breakthrough solutions that can give them a competitive edge. AI-driven tools like large language models (LLMs) have emerged as powerful engines for uncovering information, scouring vast data sets in seconds, and generating insights that would otherwise take weeks to gather. However, as efficient as these tools are, they can create a false sense of security in the New Product Development arena. Successful technology discovery demands...

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29 Oct

What is Open Innovation? Definition, Types, Model, and Best Practices

by Stephanie Creech
in Innovation Software, Intellectual Property, Open Innovation, Types of Innovation
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Table of Contents What is Open Innovation? Types of Open Innovation Models Examples of Open Innovation Top 10 Best Practices for Open Innovation [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height="20px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What is Open Innovation? Open innovation is a forward-thinking strategy that emphasizes collaboration and external input to drive innovation. By combining internal efforts with ideas, technologies, and expertise from outside sources, organizations can accelerate growth, develop cutting-edge solutions, and address complex challenges. Open innovation breaks down traditional boundaries, embracing collective intelligence to create value faster and more efficiently. Unlike closed innovation, which focuses solely on internal R&D, open innovation actively encourages partnerships and knowledge sharing, accelerating innovation cycles by leveraging external expertise and resources.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height="20px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Open Innovation Model: Key Features The open innovation model brings together several core principles, distinguishing it from conventional innovation practices: Collaboration: Open innovation thrives on partnerships with customers, suppliers, startups, universities, and even competitors. By working with external stakeholders, companies can benefit from broader expertise and...

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03 Oct

5 Year Innovation Forecast: Essential Technologies Shaping the Future of Business

by Dave Jones
in CPG Industry, Enterprise Innovation, Food and Beverage Industry, Innovation, Innovation Software, Innovation Solutions, Open Innovation, Technology Landscape, Technology Scouting
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[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_empty_space height="30px"][vc_column_text] Future Technology Assessments for Industry Series [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] An Analysis of the Technologies Transforming the Business Landscape [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="10px"][vc_column_text]In much the same way that Gutenberg revolutionized knowledge dissemination employing machine efficiency, today’s technological advancements are triggering a new paradigm shift across industries. Just as the printing press transformed communication and made information accessible at unprecedented levels, emerging technologies are reshaping industries like Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Aerospace and Defense, Energy, Life Sciences, Chemicals and Materials. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="18209" img_size="full"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height="10px"][qodef_separator position="center" color="#e2e2e2" width="100%" thickness="2"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height="30px"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/4"][vc_single_image image="18109" alignment="right" style="vc_box_shadow_circle"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="3/4"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1727955805851{border-radius: 2px !important;}"]"Understanding which technologies will define the future is not just about predicting trends—it's about positioning your business at the forefront of innovation. As industries evolve, the companies that recognize and adopt these disruptive technologies will not only lead but shape the future of their sectors." - Dr. Dave Jones, Chief Research Officer [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height="10px"][qodef_separator position="center" color="#e2e2e2" width="100%" thickness="2"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text] What Disruptive...

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