Innovation scouts

Innovation scouts are responsible for discovering innovations which can be adapted, adopted or replicated within their organisation. Small and medium firms in northern Italy, such as the clothing producers in Carpi, Emilia Romagna, form consortia to fund scouts of this kind. The scouts travel to international trade fairs and conferences to identify the latest technologies, and then report back through the region’s Centres for Real Services. The Young Foundation has employed an experienced investigative journalist to play a similar role in healthcare, scanning for promising new projects, and looking in detail at which elements could be adapted or replicated.