Innovation cooperation between small and large firms

Important results from the project

The aim was to create learning processes on concepts for innovation cooperation between small and large firms and to package experiences of concepts for further diffusion. The experience exchange was organized between 7 large firms, all of whom have developed working methods/organizational concepts to create innovation cooperation with small businesses. The learning process was based on full day workshops at the location of the large firms. By also inviting startups a complementary small business perspective on innovation cooperation with large companies was provided.

Expected long term effects

Through the host company´s open sharing of both its successes and adversities/continued challenges the workshop was at the same time a learning process for the other participating companies After six company workshops, the companies participated in a summary and reflection workshop aiming at highlighting what was learned from the process and what may be of value to spread to other stakeholders in Sweden. This workshop also included organizations that have the task of spreading new ways of working and organizational solutions to their clients or members.

Approach and implementation

In the morning, the host company presented its work and the other companies provided feedback and suggestions for improvement. The afternoon provided a small business perspective on innovation cooperation with large companies. 3-4 startups made a short presentation (pitch) and then participated in a discussion focusing on highlighting the small businesses’ needs and perspectives on cooperation with large companies. In parallel, four webinars were held within knowledge areas of priority for the participants and the webinars presented experiences from China, Norway and USA.