This case describes a bottom up innovation initiative at a large Dutch insurance company. The case shows that bottom up innovation in large enterprises through the use of an internal community, results in lower costs and an improvement of the speed and quality of the first 2 stages of the Stage-gate process.

Bottom up innovation is the concept where ideas ‘bubble up’ from anywhere in the organisation. Employees lead the idea through the innovation process by utilising relations based upon knowledge, experience, and influence in their network and not so much by navigating company hierarchies.

This case describes a bottom up innovation initiative at a large Dutch insurance company. The case shows that bottom up innovation in large enterprises through the use of an internal community, results in lower costs and an improvement of the speed and quality of the first 2 stages of the Stage-gate process.

It also suggests that, compared to the traditional way of innovating, it increases the innovation momentum within the organisation leading to more and better quality ideas and eventually a more innovative, collaborative culture within the organisation.

Bottom up innovation is the concept where ideas ‘bubble up’ from anywhere in the organisation. Employees lead the idea through the innovation process by utilising relations based upon knowledge, experience, and influence in their network and not so much by navigating company hierarchies.

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