Open Innovation in the construction industry

With B2Innovate, a digital open innovation platform, an ecosystem for medium-sized businesses, start-ups, experts, and universities just launched. Focusing on Industry 4.0, the first questions and digital business models are targeting the construction industry. Julia Staudinger from the Digital Innovation Unit, Deutsche Leasing AG, is responsible for the platform and expanding the network.

Having a digital platform is very much in vogue. Today, every company that digs into digitization launches its own platform. Often these platforms are being developed past the clients’ needs and end up being not very successful. What is different about your platform?

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JS: For us, it's all about solving problems. To achieve this, we bring companies together with experts and startups that already have solutions for specific problems. If there is no solution at hand already, we simply develop digital solutions together with the client. Ideally, this results in a new digital business model. A good platform primarily thrives on exciting content. Our good contacts in a wide range of industries - from construction companies and construction equipment manufacturers to energy providers, municipal utilities, automotive manufacturers and suppliers as well as telecommunications providers - naturally come in handy. Experts or startups can also invite further users to the platform. 

Does this mean that I can only access the platform by invitation? 

JS: Exactly. Therefore, it is currently still free of charge. 

You are still in the beta phase. How many customers or users do you already have on the platform?

JS: Currently there are about 100, but the network expands on a daily base. Also, this is not a bad rate for being live for six weeks by now. The platform is met with excitement and we are happy about that. However, honestly, the numbers are not that important. The vision is a constantly growing network. If 50 out of 100 users actively participate on the platform and two partnerships in the form of investments or joint ventures are established, the benefit for the community is higher than if 30,000 inactive users are registered and they are not interested in the content.

How do you live up to the "Open" in “Open Innovation.” Means: to what extent can clients help shape the platform?

JS: Everything is interactive. Users can submit their own contributions and comment on ideas. The results are available to the participants within the respective innovation formats. And: Active participation is worthwhile! In the current campaign on the topic of Opportunities through Corona - New challenges in the construction industry as an opportunity", we involve idea providers in a workshop format as well as feature their ideas. We are also happy to receive feedback on the platform and include it in the development of new functions and content.

What will be the next steps? Which topics are being discussed particularly hot on the platform right now? 

JS: We are currently focusing on the topics moving the construction industry: sharing options, procurement platforms, but also topics such as recycling management in construction, resource optimization, and economic efficiency. We take a good, hard look at the problems and challenges companies are facing, which solutions already exist, and where we need to consider entirely new solutions. 

We are also wrapping our heads around resource optimization, as we know it drives many companies right now. We will also involve plant operators, energy suppliers, and urban planners here. For several industry sectors, the topic is just as important. We are thus linking up with the one industry after another and everyone will benefit from a trustful exchange.

Your platform just went online. Be honest, how many "all-nighters" did you pull before that?

(Laughs). Yes, before a launch you naturally have horror scenarios of striking technology in your head. I have to knock on wood after all. Everything went smoothly for us. That's also because we have a fantastic team and very good partners! Being full hones: we didn’t have a single sleepless night before the go-live!