Cooperation produces better innovations. In particular, technological cooperation increases the chances of success for a small business. Still, some studies show that small firms have fewer innovation cooperation than large firms. In this new series of three blogs, we will talk of how collaboration has helped MeKiwi to innovate.

Earlier this year, we published a blog about how the principles of open innovation have benefited MeKiwi’s development and growth. As we have been asked a lot about this topic, we will publish a series of three blogs where we explain on a practical level how we implement innovation cooperation.

This first blog is about identifying a business opportunity. In the following entries, we will go from the project implementation phase to the launch of the product and the implementation and further development of the commissioned product.

Finding opportunities starts with getting to know people

For a start-up, the search for the first business opportunities is linked to the development of the company as a whole. In addition to the potential customer, resources are sought and identified. At this stage, the emphasis is on financial services and public services that support the development of business skills. MeKiwi has also made use of such services, for example by participating in game-related training courses organised by the Oulu University of Applied Sciences.

In practice, innovation cooperation in the business prospecting phase is about getting to know people and identifying opportunities for cooperation. Both the public sector and businesses provide opportunities for this by organising events such as training and networking events. Even informal events are very relevant to business. As Jani Kaipainen, one of MeKiwi’s founders and Innovation Director, puts it: “you meet people and then you can make things“.

To get things done, one of the resources you need to ensure is funding. Jani Kaipainen hopes that funding will be more visible in public networking events.

“There are plenty of and good ideas, but many seem to remain undeveloped because of a lack of know-how to find the resources. We should bring together users, developers and financiers from the very beginning,” says Jani Kaipainen.

Knowledge flows both ways

Open innovation research shows that networks enable the reception and exploitation of information flows. The knowledge, skills, technical expertise, sharing of advanced technology and cooperation to meet market demands channelled through the network strengthen the competitiveness of the company and reduce costs. MeKiwi has integrated the benefits of the network and resource sharing by operating in shared premises throughout its life. The current address is the business community Njetwork Inn.

MeKiw’s expertise in identifying business opportunities and starting up operations has been passed on to others by sharing at least experience, information, documents, contract templates, management expertise, financial know-how, networks and event tips, recalls Jani Kaipainen.

Information is also flowing to MeKiwi. In addition to business partners and customers, an understanding of the customer and the general situation in the industry can also be gained through public services. MeKiwi has successfully used events and projects in the Oulu innovation ecosystem to connect with end users. Projects such as Smart learning environments for the Future and CityIoT have provided opportunities to gain an in-depth understanding of users and environments. This has been used to develop educational technology solutions.

Help a friend whenever you can

MeKiwi’s business focuses on emerging technologies such as virtual reality. This requires continuous updating of skills, but this alone is not enough. For example, in addition to technological know-how, educational solutions require a varying mix of multidisciplinary knowledge. It comes from a network of partners and a network of experts. According to Samuel Kuosmasen, CEO of MeKiwi, the opportunity to take on different development projects expands when you know that you can build a good development team. Good business relationships are built on good human relationships.

Background of the study

MeKiwi was one of the companies surveyed in a study conducted as part of the Innovation Alliance’s Accelerating Operations project, which also included a master’s thesis entitled “The Innovation Process of a Startup Company in a Regional Innovation Cluster”. The key finding of the study was that start-ups can benefit from the regional innovation ecosystem at all stages of their innovation process, both by using innovation support services and by establishing meaningful networking relationships. The study divided the innovation process into three stages according to the customer-driven Design Thinking innovation process model. In this series of three blogs, we describe how we implemented the principles of open innovation in line with these three stages.

Sources:

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