Open Innovation
Open Innovation is the combination of internal and external ideas as well as internal and external paths to market to move forward the development of new technologies. Its central premise is that in a world of widely distributed knowledge, companies cannot afford to rely entirely on their own research, but should instead buy or license processes or inventions from other companies. In addition, internal inventions not being used in a firm's business should be promoted outside the company through licensing, joint ventures and spin-offs.
MBDA, with it long tradition of "internal" innovation is embracing this new approach. There is an appreciation that in recent decades commercial investment in technology has outpaced the equivalent military spending, therefore to remain at the forefront of capability, MBDA will have to consider and utilise more components and ideas from external, possibly even unconventional, sources.
To support Open Innovation, MBDA has launched the Technology Network to encourage and develop initiatives with SMEs and universities to explore opportunities for external parties to develop new ideas and concepts and bring them into MBDA’s business.
The contribution by SMEs in this approach is essential, as it complements and further extends our own existing skills. Conversely, MBDA offers the SMEs true development opportunities under a number of European projects.
