Local Open Innovation: How to Go from Ideas to Solutions

Abstract

Local open innovation can be used to create a powerful dynamic within a local multi- stakeholder environment. This article shares the experiences of setting up a collaborative innovation process in a regional initiative in the Netherlands. In the first phase of the pro- cess, a couple of interactive idea generating sessions have been organized. These so called Quest for Solutions sessions have not only generated a rich set of useful solutions, but they also created a positive vibe within the local community. Factors that have contributed to the success of the idea generation sessions are working around real-life problems in- volving people who are directly affected by the problem. The structure of the sessions with alternating phases of divergence, exploration, and convergence allowed for broad under- standing of the problems, exploration of potential solutions, and working towards result- oriented value statements. Key challenges in translating the ideas into solutions have been determining the value case and dealing with intellectual property. Special attention is giv- en to the notion of innovative contract design as a means of dealing with intellectual prop- erty in an environment of local open innovation.