Introduction

In an era where environmental and digital challenges demand innovative solutions, corporations, governments, and startups increasingly turn to open innovation. This collaborative approach enables entities to leverage each other’s strengths, from technological advancements to strategic expertise. The following case studies illustrate successful open innovation partnerships that address sustainability, digitalization, and operational efficiency, showcasing the tangible impacts of these collaborations across different industries and countries.

Case Study 1: Telefónica and Deeder (Spain, 2020)

Company and Startup Introduction

• Telefónica: A multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Madrid, Spain. Revenue (2022): €42.09 billion, with 104,142 employees.
• Deeder: A startup specializing in digital contract-signing platforms. Last funding stage: Seed, supported through Telefónica’s Wayra Builder initiative.

Background

In 2020, Telefónica launched Wayra Builder to create startups with innovative ideas and high market potential. Deeder was one of the first companies created through this initiative.

Challenge

Telefónica required a more efficient, secure way to digitize contract signing processes across its operations and for its customers.

Solution

Through Wayra Builder, Telefónica developed Deeder, a digital contract-signing platform. This solution leverages:

• Blockchain for secure, tamper-proof contracts.
• Cloud computing for easy access and storage.
• AI for document analysis and processing.

Impact

• Launch and Growth: Deeder successfully launched and continues to grow within Telefónica’s portfolio.
• Investment: Telefónica invested up to $390,000 for a 20% equity stake in Deeder.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Deeder has significantly improved contract signing speed and security for Telefónica’s clients and internal teams.

Case Study 2: UNDP and OIC Vietnam (Vietnam, 2023)

Organization and Platform Introduction

• UNDP: The United Nations Development Programme, an intergovernmental organization.
• OIC Vietnam: A government-backed open innovation challenge platform developed in collaboration with UNDP to tackle Vietnam’s development challenges.

Background

The Vietnamese government, via the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development (NATEC), launched OIC Vietnam in 2023 to promote open innovation aimed at sustainable development goals.

Challenge

Vietnam sought to connect corporations facing environmental and social challenges with tech innovators to generate solutions, especially around ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) objectives.

Solution

UNDP and NATEC collaborated to create the OIC Vietnam platform, which utilizes:

• An online portal for sharing business challenges and collecting solutions.
• AI-powered matching algorithms to link corporations with suitable tech solvers.
• Cloud-based tools for remote collaboration and solution development.

Impact

• Workshops and Engagement: The platform hosted innovation workshops in July and October 2023.
• Open Innovation Hub: A permanent innovation hub was launched on October 26, 2023.
• Widespread Involvement: Thousands of tech solvers have joined the platform to offer innovative solutions for various ESG challenges.

Case Study 3: Unilever and Ioniqa Technologies (Netherlands, 2018)

Company and Startup Introduction

• Unilever: A multinational consumer goods company headquartered in both London, UK, and Rotterdam, Netherlands. Revenue (2022): €60.1 billion, with 128,000 employees.
• Ioniqa Technologies: A startup focused on PET plastic recycling through innovative magnetic catalyst technology. Last funding stage: Series B.

Background

Unilever has long been committed to reducing plastic waste and achieving sustainable packaging solutions.

Challenge

Unilever needed an effective method to recycle colored PET plastic, a material notoriously challenging to recycle through conventional means.

Solution

Unilever partnered with Ioniqa to integrate its advanced magnetic catalyst technology, which:

• Chemically breaks down PET plastic into its base components.
• Enables re-polymerization into virgin-quality PET, suitable for new packaging.

Impact

• Scalability: The partnership is working to address the growing demand for recycled content in the 30 million metric tonnes per annum PET market.
• Sustainable Packaging: By 2019, Unilever introduced 100% recycled plastic bottles in some of its products, leveraging Ioniqa's technology which allows for the recycling of even difficult recycle PET plastic.
• Sustainability Goals: The partnership significantly contributed to Unilever’s target of making all of its plastic packaging 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.

Conclusion

These case studies highlight the transformative potential of open innovation when tackling complex challenges. By bridging gaps between corporations, governments, and innovative startups, open innovation creates solutions that are both sustainable and scalable. As we continue to address global issues like environmental sustainability and digital transformation, these collaborations offer a blueprint for impactful, cross-sector partnerships that drive meaningful change. Embracing open innovation isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential for a resilient, forward-looking future.