As part of a series of interviews with leading innovation and venture developers, Andrew Gaule, founder of the Corven Corporate Venturing Network, talks to Harmen Kielstra, open innovation leader at AkzoNobel Decorative Paints.
Gaule: Give a brief description of the purpose of your open innovation programme, when it was formed and the process in your organisation.
Kielstra: We have been open in our approach to innovation for many decades, especially in our relationships with potential suppliers.
For the past two years we have had a dedicated team reporting into the research and development (R&D) director as a consequence of a new business strategy after the acquisition of ICI Paints. All product categories,…
