Spark
Training young professionals in innovation
Challenge
Spark is an innovation ecosystem focused on the built environment founded bij Heijmans. Beside running a few living labs they also sought a way to train & empower young professionals to 'spark' innovation in 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 that are working to innovate 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 have been trained whilst exploring topics like circularity, solar energy, living and mobility.
Each trainee has learnt tools and methodology to form a vision, discover stakeholder needs (e.g., interviews), develop creative ideas, build prototypes, run business model experiments and know how to bring all elements together in a pitch.