Collaborative research involves the coordination of various parties in pursuit of the same goals. Parties may include independent researchers, institutions, organisations, or specialists within or outside of your sector or industry.

Whether you are a Chief R&D Officer or Chief Research Officer, collaborative research is often an excellent choice for R&D needs or to supplement current efforts. Collaboration can occur on many different levels, but it has delivered outstanding benefits for many companies. Here’s why.

Spanning Disciplines Stimulates New Solutions

Key enabling technologies (KETs) are intensive and multidisciplinary technologies driving profound industrial innovation and sustainability in business. Examples include artificial intelligence, digital twinning, automation, additive manufacturing, and more.

Since these technologies can be used in many industries, they may offer a way of approaching a problem that you may not have considered. Teams are also exposed to various developments, which can lead to successful collaboration without physical proximity.

Multidisciplinary Teams Can Bridge Regional Talent Gaps

Undoubtedly, some regions struggle to find the talent they need. Whether this is due to unavailability due to high demand or a lack of trained workers, a talent gap greatly deters R&D efforts.

Fortunately, collaborative research can eliminate or minimize this issue. Organisations can draw on top talent from around the world in pursuit of their goals.

Collaborative Research Can Build Skillsets

Initially, a company may lack the means to perform certain functions. However, good collaborations involve an exchange of ideas, knowledge, and skills. As a result, workers become better trained which may lead to broader capabilities and a stronger R&D team.

Collaboration Makes Economic Sense

Collaboration can save considerable time and effort. Interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral networks ensure an organization doesn’t need every resource in-house.

A good example is NASA. They invite domestic and international partners to collaborate. This helps them achieve innovative, quality results in less time.

Organisations Can Gain New Perspectives

Increasingly, organisations want access to global markets. Consequently, they need insights into their new markets for feedback and direction.

Luckily, collaborative research can open up these needed lines of communication This ensures efforts align with legislative, cultural, and organizational needs.

Organisations May Access Funding More Easily

Partnering with the right researchers may help organisations obtain funding. Those with a strong history of successful collaborations are more likely to obtain funds and smaller organisations may be able to tackle large projects that would normally beyond their means.

Alternatively, companies may be able to take on a small portion of a larger project, lowering their risk and increasing their chances of funding.

Collaborative R&D Needs Direction

Successful R&D programs need direction and exacting guidelines. Otherwise, they can become very can be costly, frustrating, and ineffective.

Fortunately, EarlyBirds makes it easy for organisations to plot R&D efforts and to test and trial quickly. Choose from one of their many methods, all offering these benefits:

• Increased productivity
• Improved operational efficiency
• Enhanced competitiveness
• Connections to the best Subject Matter Experts and innovators available
• Simplified process

EarlyBirds Skill Identification Program

Our skill identification program offers potential solutions to organisation to find and retain the best in the current talent pool.

The program is overseen by veterans in the industry with a high level of credibility and expertise that benefits all parties. It also provides actionable data-driven recommendations fuelled by cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics.

EarlyBirds Open Innovation Ecosystem

Our award-winning Open Innovation Ecosystem allows both innovation and strategic thinking in all areas of a business, whatever the technical or business challenge or potential opportunity your organisation wants to explore.

With a data pool of over 5.0 million global innovations across many industries, it is possible that solutions already exist that address your organisation’s challenges. Alternatively, your organisation can list your needs and request solutions from innovators.

EarlyBirds Ecosystem Maps

EarlyBirds’ Ecosystem Maps offer strategic value for decision-making. They empower company officers, because they provide a full picture of the possible technological advancements in specific domains. This allows them to make informed, forward-thinking decisions.

Each Ecosystem Map contains startups, scaleups, and mature companies involved in specific themes and sub-themes making it possible for organisations to plot a path towards innovation. The map also tracks numerous daily and historical news and media articles from across the world.

EarlyBirds Explorer Program

The Explorer Program is tailored towards those who need innovation as a service to supplement existing innovation programs, or to conduct innovation projects when required. It is designed to speed up the process of technological innovation for the organisation as a service.

The Explorer Program includes several features including quarterly and monthly innovation days; regular webinars to help stimulate innovation in the organisation; a focus on types of innovations; a platform enterprise license; and a nominated SME for the business.

EarlyBirds Challenger Program

The Challenger Program focuses on a single organisational or technical challenge. It looks for the most relevant innovators that meet organisational, technical, and risk requirements.

The program is run by an EarlyBirds’ Subject Matter Expert who identifies your key issues. The SME then searches the data pool to identify and curate options for further evaluation. The most suitable option is chosen and the SME drafts a roadmap of next steps, POC, trial, or implementation.

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Successful collaborative research is the result of strategic partnerships. Fortunately, EarlyBirds is highly-skilled in helping organisations spearhead or augment their R&D efforts.

Our experience includes the Food Industry, Retail, Healthcare, Operations & Maintenance, Manufacturing, Finance & Insurance, Energy, Education, Cybersecurity, Sovereign Nations, the Public Sector, and many other areas.

We can help you create an effective roadmap for your R&D program or connect you with the innovations and talent you need. We invite you to sign up as an Early Adopter or you can request a consultation for a more personalized approach.

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