GE's Open Collaboration Model

OVERVIEW:This article explores General Electric's experience with open collaboration as part of its research and development efforts in markets adjacent to the company's core businesses. In recent years, GE has reached out beyond its network of global R&D centers to collaborate with new and different kinds of external partners, including start-ups and researchers, to develop new technologies and bring the resulting new products to scaled markets faster, including in clean tech and healthcare innovation. Open collaboration has become a strong platform for growth in adjacencies at GE, and the company has applied lessons learned from the experience of working with outside partners to transform the way innovation is done internally.