Training young professionals in innovation with Spark
Challenge
Spark is an innovative ecosystem focused on the built environment, founded by Heijmans. Besides managing several living labs, they were also looking for a way to train young professionals in stimulating innovation ('spark') within their organisation.
Approach
Together with design agency VanBerlo, we designed and organised 4 editions of Spark Talent for trainees from a mix of companies and institutions working on innovation in the built environment. Each of the editions consisted of 4 multi-day workshops covering a critical part of the innovation process.
Result
During all editions of Spark Talent, 50+ young professionals were trained as they explored topics such as circularity, solar energy, housing and mobility.
Each trainee learned tools and methodology to form a vision, discover stakeholder needs (e.g. interviews), develop creative ideas, build prototypes, conduct business model experiments and know how to bring all elements together in a pitch.