Open Innovation Challenges | INAM: Innovation Network for Advanced Materials

WHAT IS OPEN INNOVATION

Open innovation can be used as a tool to complement organizations' internal R&D at strategic times during the innovation process. The use of external sources can expand the innovation potential of an organization.

Organizations use open innovation to access more diverse sources of ideas and talent. The goal is to find opportunities to solve unmet needs with the help of the right partnerships.

To do this, many companies are now implementing open innovation programs to look for other ways to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their innovation processes. We at INAM organise and host Open Innovation Challenges on behalf of our members.

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PAST CHALLENGES

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for a polymer recycling solution that provides degradation on demand and access to monomers. Crucially, they required a solution other than pyrolysis. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened in November 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on 17 November with a number of high quality applications from around the world. The INAM team vetted these applicants and their technologies, providing Continental with a shortlist of solutions to their challenge. Continental chose their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

On 16 December 2021, Continental announced a collaboration project with the winner, Low Sulfur Fuels and reported on their progress on their official website, giving the startup the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

An INAM Member, Infineon, was looking to develop a thermal interface material solution for highly reliable and best in class power modules. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened mid 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the September 26th 2021 with high quality applications from around the world. By the start of October, Infineon had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for sustainable material solutions based on rubber and plastics for fluid lines in automotive applications. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened at the end of 2020 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the 14 March with a record number of high quality applications from around the world. On 31 March 2021, Continental had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Continental will be continuing projects with the finalists and reporting on their progress on their official website, giving the startups the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

CASE STUDY: ADVANCED FABRICS
One of our INAM Members was looking for Advanced Fabrics Startups to improve their products - airbags and seatbelts. With this in mind, we launched an Innovation Challenge to find the most promising startups working on Smart & Light Fabrics.

After defining the brief, INAM organised an intensive tech scouting process. We received many applications from different parts of the world and together with our INAM Member (the Challenge organiser), we selected 5 finalists to come and pitch during a one-day event in Berlin.

3 of the 5 Finalist Startups were then chosen to run pilot projects with the company, which are now in their initial development phase. The entire Innovation Challenge, from idea to pilot projects, took 3 months, with 90% of the work done by the INAM Team.

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for a polymer recycling solution that provides degradation on demand and access to monomers. Crucially, they required a solution other than pyrolysis. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened in November 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on 17 November with a number of high quality applications from around the world. The INAM team vetted these applicants and their technologies, providing Continental with a shortlist of solutions to their challenge. Continental chose their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

On 16 December 2021, Continental announced a collaboration project with the winner, Low Sulfur Fuels and reported on their progress on their official website, giving the startup the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

An INAM Member, Infineon, was looking to develop a thermal interface material solution for highly reliable and best in class power modules. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened mid 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the September 26th 2021 with high quality applications from around the world. By the start of October, Infineon had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for sustainable material solutions based on rubber and plastics for fluid lines in automotive applications. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened at the end of 2020 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the 14 March with a record number of high quality applications from around the world. On 31 March 2021, Continental had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Continental will be continuing projects with the finalists and reporting on their progress on their official website, giving the startups the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

CASE STUDY: ADVANCED FABRICS
One of our INAM Members was looking for Advanced Fabrics Startups to improve their products - airbags and seatbelts. With this in mind, we launched an Innovation Challenge to find the most promising startups working on Smart & Light Fabrics.

After defining the brief, INAM organised an intensive tech scouting process. We received many applications from different parts of the world and together with our INAM Member (the Challenge organiser), we selected 5 finalists to come and pitch during a one-day event in Berlin.

3 of the 5 Finalist Startups were then chosen to run pilot projects with the company, which are now in their initial development phase. The entire Innovation Challenge, from idea to pilot projects, took 3 months, with 90% of the work done by the INAM Team.

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for a polymer recycling solution that provides degradation on demand and access to monomers. Crucially, they required a solution other than pyrolysis. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened in November 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on 17 November with a number of high quality applications from around the world. The INAM team vetted these applicants and their technologies, providing Continental with a shortlist of solutions to their challenge. Continental chose their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

On 16 December 2021, Continental announced a collaboration project with the winner, Low Sulfur Fuels and reported on their progress on their official website, giving the startup the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

An INAM Member, Infineon, was looking to develop a thermal interface material solution for highly reliable and best in class power modules. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened mid 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the September 26th 2021 with high quality applications from around the world. By the start of October, Infineon had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for sustainable material solutions based on rubber and plastics for fluid lines in automotive applications. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened at the end of 2020 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the 14 March with a record number of high quality applications from around the world. On 31 March 2021, Continental had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Continental will be continuing projects with the finalists and reporting on their progress on their official website, giving the startups the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

CASE STUDY: ADVANCED FABRICS
One of our INAM Members was looking for Advanced Fabrics Startups to improve their products - airbags and seatbelts. With this in mind, we launched an Innovation Challenge to find the most promising startups working on Smart & Light Fabrics.

After defining the brief, INAM organised an intensive tech scouting process. We received many applications from different parts of the world and together with our INAM Member (the Challenge organiser), we selected 5 finalists to come and pitch during a one-day event in Berlin.

3 of the 5 Finalist Startups were then chosen to run pilot projects with the company, which are now in their initial development phase. The entire Innovation Challenge, from idea to pilot projects, took 3 months, with 90% of the work done by the INAM Team.

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for a polymer recycling solution that provides degradation on demand and access to monomers. Crucially, they required a solution other than pyrolysis. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened in November 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on 17 November with a number of high quality applications from around the world. The INAM team vetted these applicants and their technologies, providing Continental with a shortlist of solutions to their challenge. Continental chose their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

On 16 December 2021, Continental announced a collaboration project with the winner, Low Sulfur Fuels and reported on their progress on their official website, giving the startup the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

An INAM Member, Infineon, was looking to develop a thermal interface material solution for highly reliable and best in class power modules. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened mid 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the September 26th 2021 with high quality applications from around the world. By the start of October, Infineon had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for sustainable material solutions based on rubber and plastics for fluid lines in automotive applications. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened at the end of 2020 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the 14 March with a record number of high quality applications from around the world. On 31 March 2021, Continental had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Continental will be continuing projects with the finalists and reporting on their progress on their official website, giving the startups the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

CASE STUDY: ADVANCED FABRICS
One of our INAM Members was looking for Advanced Fabrics Startups to improve their products - airbags and seatbelts. With this in mind, we launched an Innovation Challenge to find the most promising startups working on Smart & Light Fabrics.

After defining the brief, INAM organised an intensive tech scouting process. We received many applications from different parts of the world and together with our INAM Member (the Challenge organiser), we selected 5 finalists to come and pitch during a one-day event in Berlin.

3 of the 5 Finalist Startups were then chosen to run pilot projects with the company, which are now in their initial development phase. The entire Innovation Challenge, from idea to pilot projects, took 3 months, with 90% of the work done by the INAM Team.

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for a polymer recycling solution that provides degradation on demand and access to monomers. Crucially, they required a solution other than pyrolysis. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened in November 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on 17 November with a number of high quality applications from around the world. The INAM team vetted these applicants and their technologies, providing Continental with a shortlist of solutions to their challenge. Continental chose their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

On 16 December 2021, Continental announced a collaboration project with the winner, Low Sulfur Fuels and reported on their progress on their official website, giving the startup the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

An INAM Member, Infineon, was looking to develop a thermal interface material solution for highly reliable and best in class power modules. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened mid 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the September 26th 2021 with high quality applications from around the world. By the start of October, Infineon had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for sustainable material solutions based on rubber and plastics for fluid lines in automotive applications. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened at the end of 2020 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the 14 March with a record number of high quality applications from around the world. On 31 March 2021, Continental had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Continental will be continuing projects with the finalists and reporting on their progress on their official website, giving the startups the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

CASE STUDY: ADVANCED FABRICS
One of our INAM Members was looking for Advanced Fabrics Startups to improve their products - airbags and seatbelts. With this in mind, we launched an Innovation Challenge to find the most promising startups working on Smart & Light Fabrics.

After defining the brief, INAM organised an intensive tech scouting process. We received many applications from different parts of the world and together with our INAM Member (the Challenge organiser), we selected 5 finalists to come and pitch during a one-day event in Berlin.

3 of the 5 Finalist Startups were then chosen to run pilot projects with the company, which are now in their initial development phase. The entire Innovation Challenge, from idea to pilot projects, took 3 months, with 90% of the work done by the INAM Team.

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for a polymer recycling solution that provides degradation on demand and access to monomers. Crucially, they required a solution other than pyrolysis. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened in November 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on 17 November with a number of high quality applications from around the world. The INAM team vetted these applicants and their technologies, providing Continental with a shortlist of solutions to their challenge. Continental chose their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

On 16 December 2021, Continental announced a collaboration project with the winner, Low Sulfur Fuels and reported on their progress on their official website, giving the startup the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

An INAM Member, Infineon, was looking to develop a thermal interface material solution for highly reliable and best in class power modules. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened mid 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the September 26th 2021 with high quality applications from around the world. By the start of October, Infineon had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for sustainable material solutions based on rubber and plastics for fluid lines in automotive applications. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened at the end of 2020 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the 14 March with a record number of high quality applications from around the world. On 31 March 2021, Continental had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Continental will be continuing projects with the finalists and reporting on their progress on their official website, giving the startups the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

CASE STUDY: ADVANCED FABRICS
One of our INAM Members was looking for Advanced Fabrics Startups to improve their products - airbags and seatbelts. With this in mind, we launched an Innovation Challenge to find the most promising startups working on Smart & Light Fabrics.

After defining the brief, INAM organised an intensive tech scouting process. We received many applications from different parts of the world and together with our INAM Member (the Challenge organiser), we selected 5 finalists to come and pitch during a one-day event in Berlin.

3 of the 5 Finalist Startups were then chosen to run pilot projects with the company, which are now in their initial development phase. The entire Innovation Challenge, from idea to pilot projects, took 3 months, with 90% of the work done by the INAM Team.

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for a polymer recycling solution that provides degradation on demand and access to monomers. Crucially, they required a solution other than pyrolysis. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened in November 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on 17 November with a number of high quality applications from around the world. The INAM team vetted these applicants and their technologies, providing Continental with a shortlist of solutions to their challenge. Continental chose their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

On 16 December 2021, Continental announced a collaboration project with the winner, Low Sulfur Fuels and reported on their progress on their official website, giving the startup the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

An INAM Member, Infineon, was looking to develop a thermal interface material solution for highly reliable and best in class power modules. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened mid 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the September 26th 2021 with high quality applications from around the world. By the start of October, Infineon had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for sustainable material solutions based on rubber and plastics for fluid lines in automotive applications. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened at the end of 2020 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the 14 March with a record number of high quality applications from around the world. On 31 March 2021, Continental had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Continental will be continuing projects with the finalists and reporting on their progress on their official website, giving the startups the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

CASE STUDY: ADVANCED FABRICS
One of our INAM Members was looking for Advanced Fabrics Startups to improve their products - airbags and seatbelts. With this in mind, we launched an Innovation Challenge to find the most promising startups working on Smart & Light Fabrics.

After defining the brief, INAM organised an intensive tech scouting process. We received many applications from different parts of the world and together with our INAM Member (the Challenge organiser), we selected 5 finalists to come and pitch during a one-day event in Berlin.

3 of the 5 Finalist Startups were then chosen to run pilot projects with the company, which are now in their initial development phase. The entire Innovation Challenge, from idea to pilot projects, took 3 months, with 90% of the work done by the INAM Team.

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Polymer recycling solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for a polymer recycling solution that provides degradation on demand and access to monomers. Crucially, they required a solution other than pyrolysis. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened in November 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on 17 November with a number of high quality applications from around the world. The INAM team vetted these applicants and their technologies, providing Continental with a shortlist of solutions to their challenge. Continental chose their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

On 16 December 2021, Continental announced a collaboration project with the winner, Low Sulfur Fuels and reported on their progress on their official website, giving the startup the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

Thermal Interface Materials Open Innovation Challenge with Infineon

An INAM Member, Infineon, was looking to develop a thermal interface material solution for highly reliable and best in class power modules. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened mid 2021 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the September 26th 2021 with high quality applications from around the world. By the start of October, Infineon had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

Sustainable Material Solutions Open Innovation Challenge with Continental

An INAM Member, Continental, was looking for sustainable material solutions based on rubber and plastics for fluid lines in automotive applications. An Open Innovation Challenge was opened at the end of 2020 to startups and researchers with responses to the Brief.

Applications closed on the 14 March with a record number of high quality applications from around the world. On 31 March 2021, Continental had chosen their finalists, which subsequently pitched online in one-on-one online meetings.

Continental will be continuing projects with the finalists and reporting on their progress on their official website, giving the startups the recognition for their solutions and if successful, their finished products will be added to the Continental Product Portfolio.

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

Advanced Fabrics Open Innovation Challenge with Joyson Safety Systems

CASE STUDY: ADVANCED FABRICS
One of our INAM Members was looking for Advanced Fabrics Startups to improve their products - airbags and seatbelts. With this in mind, we launched an Innovation Challenge to find the most promising startups working on Smart & Light Fabrics.

After defining the brief, INAM organised an intensive tech scouting process. We received many applications from different parts of the world and together with our INAM Member (the Challenge organiser), we selected 5 finalists to come and pitch during a one-day event in Berlin.

3 of the 5 Finalist Startups were then chosen to run pilot projects with the company, which are now in their initial development phase. The entire Innovation Challenge, from idea to pilot projects, took 3 months, with 90% of the work done by the INAM Team.

HOW IT WORKS

Preparation

Together with you and our industry and technical experts, we hell develop a brief that is clear, concise and fulfills the needs of your R&D.

STEP

00

LAUNCH

We launch Open Innovation Challenges related to your current R&D and scout for Startups / Research Groups willing to work on this challenge.

STEP

01

APPLICATIONS

The participants apply for the challenge by explaining how their technologies can help solve the proposed brief.

STEP

02

Pitches

The best projects are selected to come and present their proposed solutions.

STEP

03

selection

One (or more) proposals are selected for pilot projects / partnerships with you.

STEP

04

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Launch Your Innovation Challenge. Request our pricing.

Get in touch to discuss how INAM can support you in solving your innovation challenges.