Open Innovation: Collaborating with External Ecosystems
Corporate training to innovate through strategic partnerships. Hands‑on workshops on corporate venture, innovation scouting, startup collaboration and ecosystem management.
What Open Innovation is and why it’s strategic to accelerate innovation
Open Innovation is an innovation paradigm that extends R&D beyond company walls by collaborating with external actors such as startups, universities, research centers, suppliers and even customers to accelerate new technologies, products and business models. Unlike traditional closed innovation, Open Innovation recognizes that the best ideas and capabilities don’t necessarily reside inside the organization and can be acquired, integrated or co‑developed with strategic partners.
A corporate Open Innovation course provides methods and tools to design and manage collaborative innovation ecosystems: innovation scouting to identify startups, emerging technologies and trends; corporate venture building with accelerators, incubators and CVC funds; strategic partnerships with universities for collaborative R&D and access to talent; and challenges and hackathons to engage external communities in solving business problems.
Courses cover strategic and operational aspects: how to structure collaboration models (equity investment, licensing, co‑development, acqui‑hire), manage IP in collaborative contexts, measure the ROI of Open Innovation initiatives and overcome cultural barriers (NIH — Not Invented Here). Includes case studies (P&G Connect + Develop, BMW Startup Garage) and frameworks to adapt Open Innovation models to your company’s context.
Who the Open Innovation course is for
Designed for professionals and leaders responsible for collaborative innovation strategies and ecosystem management:
Innovation Managers and Chief Innovation Officers leading corporate innovation strategy, building Open Innovation programs, managing startup partnerships portfolios and measuring impact on pipeline and business.
Corporate Venture Builders and CVC Managers identifying, evaluating and investing in strategic startups, running corporate accelerators/incubators and facilitating integration between startups and business units.
R&D Leaders and Technology Scouting seeking emerging technologies, specialist skills and innovative solutions through collaborations with universities, research centers and deep‑tech startups.
Business Developers and Partnership Managers building and managing strategic relationships with external partners, negotiating collaboration agreements and leading co‑development of innovative products and services.
C‑level Executives and Strategic Planners integrating Open Innovation into company strategy, building a culture of external collaboration and accessing disruptive innovation to maintain competitive advantage.
Suitable for both established corporates seeking agility and access to innovation, and SMEs looking to collaborate with universities and startups to innovate without massive internal R&D.
Tangible benefits of Open Innovation for your company
Access to external innovation and expertise
Gain access to disruptive technologies, specialist capabilities and innovative ideas from startups, universities and partners without building everything in‑house, reducing R&D costs and time.
Faster time‑to‑market
Shorten the development cycle of new products and services by collaborating with agile startups and technology partners, validating solutions quickly and reaching the market ahead of competitors.
Diversified innovation portfolio
Mitigate innovation risk by investing in a diversified portfolio of partnerships, startups and collaborative projects, increasing success probability and creating strategic options for the future.
Available Open Innovation course formats
Open Innovation courses are available in different formats to fit your organization’s strategic needs:
Strategic In‑Person Workshops
- 2–3 day workshops with leadership teams on Open Innovation program design and ecosystem roadmap
- Mapping of relevant ecosystems (startups, universities, corporates) and identification of strategic partners
- Sessions on collaboration models, IP management and structuring corporate venture programs
- Ideal for executives defining Open Innovation strategy and organizational alignment
Specialist Online Courses
- Online modules on innovation scouting, trend watching and startup evaluation with structured frameworks
- Video lessons on corporate venture building, accelerator management and co‑innovation best practices
- Access to startup databases, scouting platforms and innovation‑ecosystem networks
- Flexibility for innovation managers upskilling on specific methods and tools
Blended Implementation Programs
- In‑person kick‑off to assess the current ecosystem and design a customized Open Innovation program
- Online modules on startup sourcing, technical due diligence and structured partnership models
- Coaching to launch concrete initiatives: challenges, pilots with startups, university partnerships
- 8–12 week programs for sustainable implementation with success metrics and scaling plans
Frequently asked questions about the Open Innovation course
What is an Open Innovation course?
A course that teaches how to collaborate with external actors — startups, universities, suppliers, customers — to accelerate innovation and access capabilities, technologies and ideas beyond organizational boundaries. Includes corporate venture strategies, innovation scouting, partnerships and ecosystem management.
Who is the Open Innovation course for?
Innovation managers, corporate venture builders, R&D leaders, business developers and C‑level executives looking to build collaborative innovation ecosystems with external partners to accelerate time‑to‑market and competitive differentiation.
What are the benefits of Open Innovation for a company?
Access to external technologies and expertise without massive R&D investments, reduced time‑to‑market through strategic partnerships, risk mitigation via a diversified portfolio, and creation of value ecosystems with startups, universities and corporates.
Which methodologies are covered?
Innovation scouting and trend watching, corporate venture building and accelerator management, challenge and hackathon design, strategic partnerships with startups, IP management in collaborative settings and ROI measurement.
How long does an Open Innovation course last?
From 2–3 day strategic workshops on fundamentals and best practices to 8–12 week programs to design and launch initiatives such as corporate accelerators, innovation challenges or pilots with selected startups.
How do you build an Open Innovation ecosystem?
Map the ecosystem (startups, universities, research centers, corporates), identify strategic partners aligned with your vision, structure collaboration models (equity, licensing, co‑development) and govern relationships with external actors.
Is Open Innovation suitable for any company?
Yes. Corporates gain agility and access to disruptive technologies from startups; SMEs collaborate with universities and research centers to innovate without massive internal R&D. Models adapt to available resources.
How do I choose the right provider for an Open Innovation course?
With Tableda you receive 3 personalized proposals from providers specialized in Open Innovation. Compare experience with corporate venture programs, startup networks and ecosystems, industry case studies and pick the solution best suited to your strategy.