Ingenico's Innovation Lab: Keys to Long-Term Success

Ingenico's innovation lab has operated successfully for twelve years, defying the short lifespan common among corporate research units. Romain Colnet, who leads innovation at Ingenico, attributes this longevity to a focus on solving tangible business problems. The lab prioritizes addressing market needs over pursuing fleeting trends. Each project receives sponsorship from a dedicated executive, ensuring clear accountability and strategic alignment. Ingenico fosters a venture-capitalist approach, emphasizing rapid prototyping and market validation to minimize risk. Teams concentrate on quickly testing ideas in real-world scenarios. The company maintains a diverse project portfolio, balancing short-term gains with long-term development efforts. Colnet stresses the importance of field testing to gather practical insights and refine concepts. Strategic clarity, executive support, and market readiness are crucial factors for project success. Some promising ideas may require temporary postponement until conditions are favorable. Ingenico's experience offers a framework for other organizations seeking to establish sustainable innovation programs.