Lab Log

Where to start when changing the world

Laura Dowson - 06.03.2009

Our work on incubating good ideas is proving that often innovators fail by attempting too much, too soon.

It's not that we're short of ideas. Or that we believe we can't make a difference. To the contrary, our research tells us an incredible 8 in 10 people have had an idea that would have a positive impact on life in the UK. Three quarters trust that good ideas from ordinary people can make a huge difference to urgent social problems.

So how do we shift from 'yes we can' (excuse the cliché) to 'yes we do'. Depressingly, the same survey confirmed that the vast majority of us (72%) don't do anything with those flashes of social inspiration.  

Our work on incubating good ideas is proving that often innovators fail by attempting too much, too soon. Instead, we're experimenting to find out what happens when innovators get the help they need at each step in the process of taking an idea, and turning it into a service that can stand on its own two feet.

Our work with SI Camp is showing how to bring different communities together so that new ideas emerge. 'Immersive' weekends of hands-on prototyping help forge new bonds. A partnership with Health Launchpad has highlighted the importance of describing and testing a business model - an oversight of too many pilots. At Innovation Exchange, brokering access to commissioners is helping 'best in class' models secure new revenues that will sustain them and help them grow.

The good news? Incubation needn't be expensive. In fact, advice is more important. Will it change the world? We'll keep you posted.