Innovation Hubs Insights

Our GDP may have surpassed Japan’s, but what we call innovation is still focused on 10-minute deliveries. Meanwhile, Japan is working on real breakthroughs. A forward-thinking startup has developed smart moss bricks, living building materials that absorb pollutants, generate oxygen and naturally cool the air without consuming electricity. These bricks turn walls into vertical gardens, cleaning the air and reducing urban heat, brick by living brick. This is innovation that addresses climate change, public health and sustainable living. It makes us ask: are we chasing convenience or solving real problems? #GreenArchitecture #SmartCitySolutions #LivingBuildings

What if your daily commute powered your city? 👣⚡ In Japan, that idea is already in motion. At places like Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Station, piezoelectric tiles are transforming footsteps into electricity. Every step creates a tiny electrical charge through mechanical pressure. One step? Small. Millions of steps? Meaningful. Individually, the energy is modest. Collectively, it can power: • LED lighting • Digital displays • Smart sensors But here’s what makes this truly powerful: It’s not just an energy experiment. It’s a data-driven, AI-ready infrastructure layer. Imagine combining this with AI systems that: • Optimize energy distribution in real time • Predict high-footfall patterns for smarter allocation • Integrate human-generated micro-energy into smart grids • Power localized IoT ecosystems dynamically This is where AI + smart city infrastructure converge. The future of clean energy won’t rely only on massive solar farms or wind turbines. It will also come from embedded intelligence in everyday environments. Sidewalks that sense. Buildings that adapt. Cities that learn. Japan’s experiment shows something bigger: Energy doesn’t always need to be generated far away. It can be harvested from behavior. And when AI analyzes that behavior, cities become responsive systems — not static spaces. Sustainability isn’t just about cleaner power. It’s about intelligent design. Would you walk differently if you knew your steps were powering the city? Follow Haider A. for more insights on AI, smart cities, and future tech. #AI #SmartCities #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #Innovation #FutureOfTech

This week on Corporate Venturing Insider: I sat down with Alexandra Renner (BMW Group Startup Garage)—a true practitioner of venture clienting—who has spent the last seven years translating startup tech into production-grade value across BMW’s products and processes. 💡 Alexandra’s key insight: “Start with the business unit’s real problem, then scout to that. Push less, pull more.” In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔹 Pull beats push: 70% of engagements start with BU needs; the “best startup” = best fit for a precise, co-defined challenge 🔹 Go for impact, not consensus: pilot the single highest-impact use case first, not a scattered demo across teams 🔹 Plan for conversion: ~20% of pilots succeed—so launch big (15–20+ pilots/year) to build a real success base 🔹 Make it easy to say yes: BMW’s lean startup purchasing enables single-sourcing and no-IP-touch pilot contracts 🔹 Market internally: communicate wins constantly—your BUs are your customers If you’re building or scaling a venture client function, this is a masterclass in driving adoption, generating internal pull, and moving at “mothership speed” without drowning startups in process. 👇 [Read the highlights or watch the full episode]

Accelerators and venture studios don’t just back climate tech. They build it. 🛠️ Founding teams. 🧪 Techno-economics. 📞 Customer intros. 📊 Stress-testing the first business model. Before most climate startups reach VC decks, they’ve already been forged in these early-stage ecosystems - and yet we rarely spotlight the people doing that groundwork. So we decided to change that. 📝 Today, we published the second edition of Endgame Capital’s Perspectives series: a report on the frontline of climate venture building - from labs and pilots to companies with scale potential. From methane slip in shipping, to soil microbiomes in agriculture, to closed-loop systems for steelmaking, the contributors in this edition are backing the next wave of early bets. The report includes sharp insights from: 👷🏼♂️ Maiko Schaffrath at Undaunted: Tackling climate change with innovation 🏢 Tyler Hamilton at MaRS Discovery District 💨 James Hayward at Cambridge Future Tech 🔋 Roel Van Diepen at InnoEnergy 🌱 Jean Boudillon at StartLife 🚢 Gyen Ming Angel at Prosemino 🏭 Sara Jones at Carbon13 🤖 Matthew Jaeh at Techstars 🧶 Brittany G. at Foresight Canada Each piece is short and tactical. No fluff, just a glimpse into what’s really working and where they see the next wedge of opportunity. 👇🏼 Read the report below! 👇🏼 If you’re building something in climate tech, or supporting those who are, this is the early scaffolding that shapes what comes next. Kudos to everyone who contributed and to my teammate Jinna Li & John Mairlot at Endgame Capital who helped pulled it all together. #ClimateTech #VentureStudios #Accelerators #ClimateStartups #VentureCapital #Perspectives

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐎𝐈 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟓 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 👨🏼💻 Why I Keep Showing Up When Others See No Value Have you ever been asked, Why waste time on communities when there's no immediate return? After 5 years of community building, I've discovered the secret most people miss... "जैसे दीपक से दीपक जलता है, वैसे ही एक समुदाय दूसरे को प्रकाशित करता है।" 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐎𝐈 💰 • Immediate benefits are rare – and that's exactly the point • The most valuable connections often appear years after planting the seeds • Those seeking instant gratification miss the profound transformation happening beneath the surface • Community impact compounds like interest – small, consistent investments create exponential returns 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐲 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 👀 The story of 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐤𝐚 provides a powerful parallel to community building. Initially driven by conquest and immediate power, he transformed after witnessing the devastation of war. His greatest legacy came not from quick victories but from the patient cultivation of a compassionate society – a journey that required years of consistent effort without immediate validation. "धैर्य रखने वाला व्यक्ति अंततः महान बनता है, जैसे पानी की बूंद पत्थर में छेद कर देती है।" 𝟓 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 🎯 • 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 – Create content from your experiences to multiply your impact • 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 – Choose quality engagements over quantity • 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞 – Identify 5-7 key relationships to nurture deeply • 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬 – Track lives impacted, not just immediate business gains • 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 – Design frameworks that scale your community impact 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐱 😎 The most effective community leaders aren't those constantly in the spotlight. They're the ones creating spaces for others to shine – often without recognition. This path isn't for everyone. There are easier routes to professional advancement. But true community architects understand what others miss 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 🤔 • You develop rare leadership skills impossible to learn elsewhere • You build an authentic network that supports you through any crisis • You gain perspective that makes you invaluable in any organization • You create impact that outlasts any career achievement Are you building communities for quick wins, or are you cultivating a legacy that will flourish long after you've moved on?

Most corporate innovation labs don't survive long enough to matter. They launch with beanbag chairs and big promises, then quietly disappear two or three years later, leaving behind expensive furniture and the faint smell of failed ambition. One study put it plainly: fewer than half of corporate incubators meet their strategic objectives. The innovation lab for Ingenico, a France-based giant in the payments industry, has been running for twelve years. I spent time with Romain Colnet, who has led the lab through much of its lifecycle, to understand what made the difference. A few lessons: 1. The lab started with a genuine threat, not a trend. Ingenico makes payment terminals, i.e. those devices you tap your card on at checkout. When mobile payments began to emerge, the company asked itself a hard question: what happens if smartphones make our entire product line obsolete? That's where the lab came from, an existential fear. 2. Executive ownership, not executive cheerleading. Most innovation programs report to a well-meaning senior leader who offers warm words but limited intervention. Ingenico required that every project have a single owner at the executive committee level. This is someone who can say, "I want this on my roadmap" and mean it. 3. Venture thinking in a corporate body. The lab expects projects to fail. Venture capitalists understand that, on average, six out of ten investments will fail completely. Corporate innovation labs need the same mindset. Ingenico has learned to accept that some projects won't work out, but only after testing them in the real world. "You should always try your project in the field because that's where you learn the biggest amount of useful information," Colnet advises. "Most of the time it's not what you expected, which is perfect." 4. Patience about timing. Some ideas went on the shelf for years, then came back when the market caught up. That kind of disciplined restraint is rare. My full piece is in Forbes (Link in the comments) Heed this advice from Colnet: "You should not start a lab in companies that are not accepting that you sometimes do not succeed in what you're trying. Learning is part of the process. If companies are not willing to take risks, to be bold, to move fast and to get some people that are totally thinking differently from the company, then there's a low chance you will succeed."

Should Startup Founders Prioritize Building an Online Community? This past week at the Uniting The Prairies in Saskatoon, you could directly see and feel the power of community in the startup ecosystem. Speaking to a room full of innovators about engaging remote groups, I shared why and how startups should prioritize building an online community of users, buyers, or members. Why Build an Online Community? 1️⃣ Sustainable Growth: As demonstrated by brands like the LEGO Group during their turnaround phase, engaging with a community can drive long-term loyalty and innovative ideas that are crucial for sustainable growth. 2️⃣ Immediate Feedback: Direct interaction with your community allows for immediate and actionable feedback, essential for iterative development. 3️⃣ Brand Advocacy: Engaged community members become brand advocates, organically increasing your reach and credibility. How Can Startups Approach This? ✅ Start with Clear Objectives: Define what you want to achieve with your community (support, feedback, advocacy). ✅ Engage on the Right Platforms: Choose platforms where your audience is already active and engaged. ✅ Foster Genuine Connections: Create opportunities for real engagement. Use tools like Slack for ongoing communication and Zoom events for deeper, face-to-face interactions (amongst many other options). ✅ Provide Value Consistently: Whether through insider information, direct support, or engaging content, ensure that being part of your community is beneficial. For any startup founder questioning the investment in community building, remember: the value lies not just in the immediate returns but in the enduring relationships and trust you build, which can pivotally support your startup’s journey. I hope my talk last week, literally pointing out these potentials (see image attached ha), helped show a path to startup success in today's digital age through vibrant, engaged online communities. I’d love to hear from you: How are you leveraging community for your startup or remote group? What challenges and successes have you encountered? #StartupCommunity #Community #TechStartups #UnitingThePrairies Co.Labs #CanadianStartUps #UP24 Prairies Economic Development Canada I Développement économique Canada pour les Prairies

🌍 Future Cities – Cape Town, South Africa A Smart African City Reinventing Sustainability from the Ground Up Cape Town, perched between oceans and mountains, is emerging as one of Africa’s most ambitious smart cities. With over 5 million residents and a history shaped by inequality and resilience, the city is crafting a new identity — one rooted in renewable energy, green infrastructure, water security, and technology-driven governance. ** Just Energy – Rooftop solar, battery pilots, and 500MW from local producers drive Cape Town’s shift to clean, stable power. ** Green Manufacturing – Atlantis is growing into a renewable tech hub, creating jobs and boosting the local economy. ** Water Resilience – Post-crisis, the city added groundwater, desalination, reuse, and AI-powered meters to manage supply and leaks. ** Urban Nature – Two Rivers Park and new wetlands, trees, and bioswales advance eco-justice and climate resilience. ** Circular Waste – Smart bins, composting, e-waste pilots, and recycling rewards reduce landfill and create green jobs. ** Mobility Access – MyCiTi buses, bike lanes, EV stations, and transit apps improve movement and connect underserved areas. ** Smart Governance – A citywide digital twin plus AI and sensors now guide infrastructure, disaster response, and city services. Cape Town’s approach is human-first: smarter cities must also be more just. Its Social Resilience Hubs — offering power, Wi-Fi, shelter, and education in one space — are a glimpse of Africa’s urban future. Special thank you to the ESG Real Estate Laboratory research/content team and this week's author Rodrick Robert Follow our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gK4gKDx3 Interested in joining the research internship team? info@esgrelab.com #CapeTown #FutureCities #UrbanAfrica #SmartCity #Resilience #GreenInfrastructure #DigitalTwin #InclusiveGrowth #Sustainability

Community beats capital every time. After working with hundreds of founders through Bombay Founders' Club , I've noticed something profound: entrepreneurs who invest in relationships first consistently outperform those who chase funding alone. Here's what makes the difference: • Knowledge sharing cuts learning curves in half • Mentorship prevents expensive mistakes • Peer connections create unexpected partnerships Last month, two members secured a major partnership over coffee at our workshop. Another founder completely refined their go-to-market strategy through community feedback before meeting investors. This isn't luck—it's the natural result of collaborative ecosystems. Capital without community is just money. But community without capital can still build sustainable businesses. When founders share knowledge and mentor each other, they create something more valuable than any single investment: infrastructure for lasting success. The most successful entrepreneurs don't just build better companies—they build better ecosystems that elevate everyone. How much time are you investing in your network compared to your pitch deck? #community #startups #entrepreneurship

From Knowledge Hoarding to Knowledge Sharing: The Culture Shift L&D Needs. 💡 Companies don’t have a knowledge problem. They have a knowledge-sharing problem. Think about it—when an expert employee leaves, does their knowledge stay? Or does it leave with them? 📌 Why is knowledge hoarding a problem? 🚫 Employees don’t share what they know because they fear becoming "replaceable." 🚫 Teams work in silos, making cross-functional collaboration difficult. 🚫 Companies rely on outdated documentation that doesn’t capture real insights. 🔥 How some organizations solved this: One company, struggling with high dependency on senior employees, built an internal Knowledge Exchange System where employees: 1. Recorded their expertise through short video walkthroughs. 2. Created open forums for sharing best practices and lessons learned. 3. Integrated peer mentorship programs, where employees taught each other. 🚀 The impact? ✔️ Faster onboarding for new employees. ✔️ Less reliance on single experts—knowledge was accessible to all. ✔️ Teams collaborated more effectively, breaking down silos. 💡 What’s one way your company promotes knowledge-sharing? Drop your insights below! 👇