It is our belief that true innovation is about more than just an idea, much more in fact. Throughout history, most of the greatest innovations have come not from one person with a good idea, but instead come about through the use of networks.

In this course, we will explore the concept of innovating though the use of a strong network. We will explain the importance of this concept using numerous known and lesser known stories, and provide tools that can be used to identify and leverage your own innovation network.

We will then discuss the foundational process related to innovation, determining if your idea is worthy of growing. Most innovation courses tell you know to bring an idea to fruition; in this class we start before that decision is made, providing tools and techniques to answer the necessary foundational question for true, successful innovation: is there a market need for our idea, can your idea be produced at scale, is your idea sustainable, etc.

After completing this course, the learner will have done the following:

•       Explore innovation through history, using the story of the discovery of penicillin to frame key concepts important in learning about network innovation.

•       Explore past and current real world examples of how networks can be used to impact successful innovation.

•       Discover the importance of having a well-crafted elevator pitch and experiment to create one for your idea.

•       Discover a framework that can be used to move through a personal innovation exercise (the 10 slide pitch deck)

•       Discover the “Think-Do” cycle for innovation, and explain how this concept can build to successful innovation using experiments that lessen uncertainty