Crowd innovation: from research results to customer-centric innovation

Promoter: Fraunhofer-Zentrum für Internationales Management und Wissensökonomie IMW | Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Optik und Feinmechanik IOF | isn – innovation service network GmbH

Our services

Initial situation and objective

The aim of the project is to improve and intensify the utilization of research results through innovative transfer methods. The development of a digital feedback tool for early validation by market players is in the foreground. This instrument should support and accelerate the existing physical feedback and communication processes between innovators and market players by integrating digital feedback applications. In this way, the feedback and communication culture between the relevant groups of people is to be decisively improved. The transferability to other contexts will be examined and considered.

To platform: Crowd Innovation

Methodology and procedure

Together with the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Financing, feedback processes and suitable incentive mechanisms were researched. Based on this, a feedback instrument was developed, which was piloted and consolidated within a regional innovation cluster. In addition to identifying concrete feedback needs, the (non-) monetary incentives of feedback recipients and providers for the long-term use of the feedback instrument were investigated empirically and theoretically. The insights into the requirements of such a feedback instrument gained during the trial and with the help of expert interviews and workshops were incorporated into its ongoing development.

Success factors and result

The platform has connected the people around the research project with relevant external partners. These are co-creators, users or investors. Their feedback helps to advance the project with fresh ideas.
New and further usable contacts, cooperation opportunities and social networks for exploitation, development and possibly financing are available and can be addressed.
Products/results have been developed based on the needs of the customers.
Crowd-based, customer-centric innovation has led to improved exploitation of research results. Research results reach the market more safely and quickly.
New impetus from business, academia and society has led to greater visibility of research and results.

Challenges in the project and currently from the customer's point of view

Challenges are suitable incentive systems for the feedback providers and the design of the systems so as not to restrict the creativity of the users. We are continuing to work on this.

Facts & Figures

Idea generation via own platform instance (SaaS)
Since end of 2019
42 Network connections
819 comments

Status 07/2024

Active User

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Ideen & Verbesserungsvorschläge

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Customer feedback

Dr. rer. pol. Robin Bürger

Director of Innovation Financing Group of Fraunhofer IMW

The digital feedback tool connecting science and business is a modern transfer instrument turning research quickly into real innovations. We have measurably increased knowledge transfer activities of the participating research institutions and successfully placed innovation projects on the market. Based on the positive feedback from the users, we are convinced of the added value of this participatory approach.

Do you feel like working with us?

Together with the experienced isn innovation managers, your ideas will be put into practice! We are looking forward to your project!

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isn - innovation service network

isn – innovation service network GmbH
Grabenstraße 231
8045 Graz, Austria