Innovation: it’s all in the micro-networks

Just a quick post to note the outcomes of  a study carried out by Cambridge’s Centre for Business Research calling for changes in Government policy towards technology commercialisation/high-tech start-ups.  It points to the significance of lead customers in development and argues there has been too much emphasis on  the  university research -driven VC models.  This resonates with some outcomes from a study that I have recently carried out [soon to be published] that shows many successful firms doing quite well on a mix of consultancy and client based work, without going down the equity funding route.  The shift towards open innovation has perhaps opened up new pathways for the micro-level interactions and network building that are so significant in developing new products and services.  I look forward to some interesting studies in this area.