To turn a fresh idea into an implementable solution, it takes communication and cooperation between people, disciplines, and organisations. This is why SPIE cultivates a diverse ecosystem of innovation partners running the gamut from academic research through to technical teams on the ground. Discover the key participants in SPIE’s innovation network, which links internal and external partners across Europe and feeds into our structures.
External partners
Ideas form the foundation of all innovation, and research – whether in the public or private sector – is a core part of SPIE’s ecosystem. We work in close partnership with universities and academic institutes as well as R&D departments at our partners in industry and technology.
Another source of innovation is to be found in start-ups, and we actively engage with new ventures through a variety of formats such as innovation challenges posted on our collaborative SIOUX platform. Public bodies, too, are important drivers in developing and implementing new solutions: SPIE works closely with cities, regions, and local authorities across Europe to identify potential use cases and deploy innovation.
SPIE employees
With over 55,000 employees at SPIE, we are a company full of individual creativity and exciting ideas. As such, our employees are the bedrock of the SPIE innovation ecosystem. Our front-line experts identify client needs which require a different approach and work to find new solutions. In our own internal processes, too, across all areas from Finances to Human Resources, we look for ways to improve: this, too, is a motor for innovation.
To embed this approach, the Group fosters a culture which is accepting of fresh ideas and gives our employees the freedom to prototype and trial new solutions – as well as, importantly, the right to fail and learn lessons. Here, our Innovation Manifesto sets the tone and our strategic committees analyse markets trends, while tools such as our SIOUX innovation management platform and regular events allow everyone at SPIE to share their new solutions and find out about what their colleagues have developed.
SPIE innovation programmes
Taken at Group level, a challenge lies in structuring innovation and sharing it between business and country units. To achieve this transversality – and to further strengthen our innovation ecosystem – we have developed innovation programmes. With a range of initiatives, from our SIOUX innovation management platform for presenting and working on new solutions through to our Group-wide Innovation Day event and targeted training programmes, we aim to get ever better at generating, deploying, and scaling up innovation at SPIE. Our strategic committees provide access to expert networks and internal sponsorship for innovation initiatives
