Enabling open innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises: how to find alternative applications for your technologies

TLDR

Timely identification of out‑licensing opportunities is a critical success factor in Open Innovation, yet SMEs face particular challenges due to focused portfolios, specialized knowledge, and limited resources. The paper presents a quick, easy‑to‑use method for spotting viable out‑licensing opportunities beyond a firm’s core business. This method blends TRIZ instruments with non‑financial weighting, ranking, and portfolio management techniques. The authors developed the approach in collaboration with an Italian packaging SME.

Abstract

A critical success factor in the practice of Open Innovation is the timely identification of opportunities for out-licensing a firm's technologies outside its core business. This can be particularly challenging for small- and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs), because of their focussed business portfolio, specialized knowledge basis, and limited financial resources that can be devoted to innovation activities. The paper illustrates a quick and easy-to-use methodology for the identification of viable opportunities for out-licensing a firm's technologies outside its core business. The method uses established TRIZ instruments in combination with non-financial weighting and ranking techniques and portfolio management tools. It has been developed by the authors in collaboration with an Italian SME working in the packaging industry.