This episode of our BeyonCore podcast, hosted by Matthias Walter and Natalie Lamborghini, features Peter Sandberg, an innovation strategist based in Stockholm, Sweden.

The discussion centers around co-innovation, ecosystems, and the shift from ego-driven innovation to collaborative innovation (eco-innovation).

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Co-Innovation Companies today must embrace co-innovation to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Innovation is no longer just about a single company improving its products; it’s about collaborating across industries to develop integrated solutions. Peter Sandberg works for Combient, a Swedish innovation network that includes 38 multinational companies in Scandinavia. Combient facilitates collaboration between these companies to accelerate innovation and digital transformation.

2. The Challenges of Innovation in Large Companies Many companies focus only on short-term gains, which leads to incremental innovation rather than transformative change. Founder-led companies tend to be more visionary and long-term-focused than non-founder-led corporations. Traditional corporate structures are not designed for cross-company collaboration, making co-innovation difficult. KPIs, governance structures, and risk-averse cultures slow down the adoption of co-innovation.

3. Innovation Requires a Shift in Mindset Companies must move from an egocentric (company-first) innovation model to an ecosystem-first approach. Platforms and ecosystems are reshaping business models, requiring companies to co-create solutions rather than build everything alone. The success of venture client models (corporates partnering with startups) shows a shift toward leveraging external innovation rather than developing everything in-house.

4. The Role of Storytelling and a Shared Vision

A joint narrative is critical for successful co-innovation. Collaboration is easier when there is a common goal (e.g., responding to a disruptive force like AI or competing against dominant platform players). Companies must develop a shared vision and communicate it effectively to ensure alignment across stakeholders.

5. The Impact of Rapid Technological Change The rate of technology adoption is accelerating, forcing companies to innovate faster than ever before. AI, blockchain, and platform business models are disrupting industries, requiring businesses to rethink their strategies. Nick Bostrom’s "Black Marble" concept was discussed, where innovation can be beneficial but may also pose existential risks (e.g., nuclear weapons, AI, bioengineering).

6. The Future of Co-Innovation Networks like Combient will continue to grow and evolve as more companies realize the importance of collaboration. The challenge is not just thinking about co-innovation but implementing it—breaking down governance barriers and developing structures that allow companies to collaborate effectively. The next step in co-innovation will involve rethinking how industries work together to create value beyond traditional business models. Final Thoughts & Recommendations Books: The Invincible Company (on structuring innovation within corporations). Encouragement to explore science fiction to think about possible futures and how innovation might shape society. Foresight as a critical skill—companies need to anticipate trends rather than just react to them.

The conversation concluded with an invitation to a conference in September, where Peter Sandberg will be speaking and showcasing his art, which he uses to illustrate complex innovation challenges.

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