Imagine a buzzing hub of intellectual activity, a vibrant centre where the brightest minds from all walks of life and cutting-edge research fields come together with a single, powerful goal. It’s not just a place for brainstorming sessions or theoretical discussions; it’s a dynamic environment where these brilliant individuals actively collaborate, share their unique expertise, and collectively build groundbreaking solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. This isn’t just a futuristic dream; it’s the very heart and soul of CLIC Innovation, an innovative and impactful “open innovation cluster” that’s making waves in its home country of Finland and gaining international recognition for its pioneering approach to collaborative problem-solving.
CLIC Innovation is not your typical, run-of-the-mill company. They’ve got this unique way of working called “we pick & mix.” It’s like a fancy matchmaking service for the world of research, development, and innovation. CLIC finds the right people to tackle complex challenges. They work with big businesses, top universities, government agencies, and even real-world users and civil society groups. These different groups come together under CLIC’s expert guidance to form powerful teams. They work together to solve problems that would be impossible for any single group to do on their own. CLIC is like the mastermind behind these R&D&I collaborations. They make sure everyone is on the same page, communicate effectively, and come up with bigger, bolder, and more impactful solutions. At its core, CLIC is about breaking down barriers that hold us back and creating new partnerships across different industries and scientific fields. It’s a great way to foster innovation and make a real difference. Pretty cool, huh?
They are on a mission to transform the world, one brilliant idea at a time. But they don’t just stop at bringing together a bunch of talented folks and organisations. Oh no, they’re much more than that.
CLIC believes that the most important thing is to take those amazing ideas and turn them into real-world solutions that benefit society and the planet. They’ve got a special way of doing this called the “we transform” approach. They’re experts in the art and science of open innovation facilitation. They’ve got the skills and know-how to communicate complex research findings, share valuable knowledge and intellectual property, and make the most of the different outcomes of collaborative research and development.
CLIC is like a powerful catalyst, driving the transition from promising research concepts to scalable and impactful real-world solutions. They do this by developing and nurturing innovative ecosystems, managing transformative projects carefully, and providing practical and effective tools. All of this is guided by a comprehensive and holistic framework called the “Penta helix approach.” This collaborative model emphasises the importance of deep and meaningful partnerships between five key stakeholders: academia (representing the knowledge and research base), industry (representing the practical application and commercialization potential), government (representing the policy framework and public good), civil society (representing the needs and values of the broader community), and the environment (representing the crucial ecological context within which all innovation must operate).
By engaging with all these stakeholders, CLIC ensures that the innovation they foster is not only technologically advanced but also socially relevant, economically viable, and environmentally responsible. They’re truly making a difference in the world, one idea at a time.
They’re a real force to be reckoned with in the world of collaborative innovation. And guess what? They’re not just any ordinary organisation. They’re a group of top international companies and prominent Finnish research organisations who’ve come together with a shared mission: to create and implement sustainable solutions to the pressing environmental and societal challenges facing our planet.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Greenwashing? Just talking about sustainability? That’s not enough!” Well, let me tell you, CLIC is not just about that. They’re actively investing huge amounts of money and human capital into these collaborative innovation processes. They’re not just talking the talk; they’re walking the walk.
And here’s the best part: these committed owners are united in their goal of making Finland, and by extension the entire European Union, an even more attractive and supportive environment for groundbreaking innovation. They’re attracting talent, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving economic growth based on sustainable principles.
So, if you’re an individual, a business, a research institution, or a policymaker looking for an organisation that’s genuinely committed to the power of collaborative problem-solving and the urgent need for impactful, sustainable change, then CLIC Innovation is definitely worth keeping an eye on. They’re not just making incremental improvements or thinking outside the box in a conventional sense. They’re actively building an entirely new and more collaborative playing field for innovation. They’re combining shared purpose, diverse expertise, and a commitment to tangible impact to create a brighter and more sustainable future for all.