Innovation Labs & Spaces

Innovation Hub Utopias and Dystopias: What Can Go Right (And Wrong) in Setting One Up

How TeakOrigin Survived the Death of Two Innovation Labs

How Tiffany & Co. is Turning Prototypes into Products Faster

Inside Autodesk’s SF Technology Center

Aflac Exec on Growing a Venture Capital Fund

Innovation Hub Utopias and Dystopias: What Can Go Right (And Wrong) in Setting One Up
How TeakOrigin Survived the Death of Two Innovation Labs
How Tiffany & Co. is Turning Prototypes into Products Faster
Inside Autodesk’s SF Technology Center
Aflac Exec on Growing a Venture Capital Fund

We increasingly see large companies creating an innovation lab or center as a way to cultivate and test new ideas, separate from the demands and pressures of the business units. When set up with clear goals, innovation labs can help to keep the business looking ahead, exploring new tech, defending markets, building skills among employees, and sustaining a company’s competitive advantage.

A good starting place in this section is our research report, “Innovation Labs: Getting Started. Measuring Them. Delivering Results.”

Articles & Case Studies

Chick-fil-A’s Hatch Innovation Center & the Future of Fast-Food

Innovators throughout Chick-fil-A gather at Hatch — the company’s hub for innovation — to solve common problems in the business. Get insights from the initative…

Agile AF: How Kessel Run Lab Innovates in the Air Force

In the Air Force, passing clearances reigns, slowing down projects. But, Kessel Run seeks to go from ideation to getting software to users in as fast as 88 days.

‘Office of New Urban Mechanics’ Nudges City Gov to Take Risks

Boston’s Office of New Urban Mechanics is a civic innovation incubator and R&D lab. It’s also the city’s “risk team, the failure team,” says co-founder Nigel Jacob.

How Truck Manufacturer PACCAR is Innovating for the Long Haul

Tesla isn’t alone in the ring of companies experimenting with electric, autonomous, and smarter commercial vehicles.

Inside American Greetings, Where ‘Meaningful Connections’ Are Made

Most think of American Greetings as a purveyor of greeting cards. But VP of Innovation Carol Miller says the company is in the “meaningful connections” business.

50+ Corporate Innovation Hubs in Boston and Cambridge

Boston houses a fertile innovation scene that attracts corporates who want to keep an eye on the latest research; hire recent grads; and invest in startups. See 50+ hubs here…

Research Report

Innovation Labs: Getting Started & Delivering Results

What exactly is an innovation lab? For our report on innovation labs, we talked to more than 20 executives at companies like Walmart, Home Depot, IKEA, and others.

Audio & Video Resources

Getting Innovation Started

How can teams set innovation initiatives up for success? To get best practices, we sat down with guests from Marriott, Comcast NBCUniversal, and Innosight.

Inside Autodesk’s SF Technology Center

Autodesk’s San Francisco Technology Center is an innovator’s paradise, equipped with a wide array of tools and a skilled staff to help with the prototyping process…

At Experian, Data is an Innovator’s Best Friend

How are big companies working with data? Find out how Experian’s DataLabs spread innovative data solutions across the company. Listen to the full episode here…

Partnerships at Bayer’s Innovation Center

Dr. Chris Haskell discusses how Bayer partners with startups, academic institutions, and other corporates at the company’s Innovation center.

Bringing Star Wars to Life at Lucasfilm’s ILMxLAB

What will the entertainment of the future look like? We sat down with Vicki Dobbs Beck of Lucasfilm’s Lucasfilm’s immersive entertainment ILMxLAB to find out.

Inside Cadillac’s Brand Building Initiative, Cadillac House

Opened in 2015, Cadillac House space includes a free art gallery, pop-up stores, a café, as well as the latest Cadillac vehicles. Take a look inside the space in this video.

VR, AR, and Hyper-Reality Star Wars Experiences at Lucasfilm

Vicki Dobbs Beck, Executive in Charge at Lucasfilm’s ILMxLAB, discusses Star Wars, immersive experiences, and bringing people together through story. Watch the video excerpts…

Inside Kellogg's NYC Cereal Café

At Kellogg's NYC, playing with your food is encouraged. Kellogg's launched its New York City cereal café in 2016. See how the brand connects with its customers.

Your Innovation Questions Answered

We had our members ask us anything on their minds. HYPE Innovation’s Jennifer Dunn and Scott Kirsner from Innovation Leader answered questions.

Fast Prototyping and Feedback at Shell's TechWorks Innovation Lab

Julie Ferland of the Shell TechWorks innovation lab, offers an inside at the space; the types of projects it works on; and the team Shell has assembled from outside the oil and gas industry.

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