Innovation Centers of New England (ICoN)
ICoN helps Innovation Centers maximize their impact through collaboration with each other and the local innovation ecosystem.
ICoN's objective is to increase collaboration between Corporate Innovation Centers and their local innovation ecosystems
There are over 60 corporate innovation centers in the greater Boston Area
Over 60 innovation centers of Fortune 500 companies are working on solving tough challenges in various industries in the region
There are over 1000 other innovation players in the Ecosystem
Over 1000 startups focused on a range of new growth opportunities: biotech, medical diagnostics, robotics, AI, blockchain, industry 4.0,
Over 60 universities contribute to innovation by providing talent, research, and collaboration with startups and industry
Most Innovation Centers want to connect with each other but struggle to do so
Benefits of Connecting
New Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation
New Consumers, Customers, and Channel Partners
New People, Partners, and Programs
New Technology, Competence and Assets
Challenges to Connect
NIH, Confidentiality Agreements and Corporate Restrictions
Unclear Agendas and Motivation
Consumed by Day-to-Day Activities
ICoN was founded by some of the most important innovation centers to improve this collaboration
ICoN has taken the lead in creating a series of offerings to improve collaboration
Monthly Speaker Series on Emerging Opportunities and Issues
A monthly closed event during which various innovation center representatives from member centers present their views on currently pressing issues globally and in the innovation landscape from their personal and their company's, centers perspective. Speaker and location provided every month.
Co-Workout Challenge
Periodic workshops where teams from member innovation centers work together to tackle global and individual innovation center challenges. Talent from innovation centers have the opportunity to work for another member's innovation center.
Intern Exchange Program
A talent exchange program of interns from world-class universities. During the program a collective intern data pool is updated twice a year to ensure talent exchange. Participating interns receive the possibility to rotate between centers, as well as partake in social and networking events.
University Open Innovation Consulting Program
Five teams from five universities in the local area work over a eight week period to identify business opportunities for new and emerging technologies.
Professional Training
The world's experts on leadership, innovation, and professional strategies come to share knowledge with members. This provides professional growths for corporate innovation center leaders, employees, and interns.
Corporate Innovation Center Social Challenge
Challenges
NASA: Grow food in hostile environments
Obama Foundation: Affordable Healthcare for all
UN: Decelerating climate change
Annual Conference
A talent exchange program of interns from world-class universities. During the program a collective intern data pool is updated twice a year to ensure talent exchange. Participating interns receive the possibility to rotate between centers, as well as partake in social and networking events.