Open Innovation Lab

Summary

The Open Innovation Lab is an experiential, project-based course where students design open innovation strategies with industry partners. Teams tackle strategic challenges proposed by companies at the EPFL Innovation Park, applying classroom concepts to real innovation management problems.

Content

Keywords

Open innovation, innovation management, strategy, business model innovation, innovation ecosystems, technology platforms, opportunity assessment methodology.

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

To register for this course, prior approval from the instructors is required. To obtain this approval, students must submit a one-page motivation statement by email to the teaching assistant (ehub@epfl.ch) no later than 4th September 2026.

Recommended courses

No specific courses recommended.

Important concepts to start the course

None.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Analyze organizational capabilities, innovation ecosystems, and competitive landscapes.
• Assess / Evaluate strategic opportunities and challenges for creating and capturing value through open innovation.
• Develop actionable recommendations addressing innovation-related business challenges.
• Elaborate strategic analyses and recommendations effectively to both academic and professional audiences.
• Explain the main concepts and frameworks of open innovation.

Transversal skills

• Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
• Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
• Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
• Evaluate one's own performance in the team, receive and respond appropriately to feedback.
• Make an oral presentation.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures, guest speakers, case studies, group work, company-based project, and classroom presentations. These complementary learning activities provide students with practical experience in analyzing innovation challenges and developing strategic recommendations in collaboration with the partner companies.

Expected student activities

This course emphasizes collaboration with partner companies, research activities, and regular interaction with the lecturers and the teaching assistant. Sessions include two formats. Public sessions comprise the introduction, the kick-off event with partner companies, and lectures on analytical frameworks and tools. In addition, project teams may schedule individual coaching sessions with the lecturers by appointment. Although optional, these meetings are strongly recommended.

Student teams will be formed in Session 2; therefore, attendance on Tuesday, 15th September 2026, from 3:15 to 6:00 pm is mandatory. If you anticipate any difficulties attending, please contact the teaching assistance in advance. Each team will be assigned to a partner company according to project requirements, with diversity in disciplinary background, gender, and language skills considered during team formation. To facilitate this process, students must upload their CV and grade report of their BSc and MSc studies to Moodle by 14th September.

Assessment methods

The final grade combines both group and individual assessments. Student teams develop a project report containing actionable recommendations for the partner company. Preliminary findings are presented during the midterm presentation (20%), followed by a final presentation (30%). The final assessment consists of an extended project report and executive summary submitted by 22 December (35%). Class participation accounts for the remaining 15% of the final grade. All deliverables must be uploaded to Moodle.

Supervision

Resources

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/MGT-559