Death by Innovation Theater: 10 Corporate Innovation Lessons Learned by a Startup

The phrase innovation theater is almost self-explanatory. Almost. The two words tell the story about a rapidly growing phenomenon within the startup eco-system where millions of euros and dollars are being poured into creating innovation with processes, consultants and accelerator programs. Oftentimes these efforts unfortunately have the direct opposite effect. They become more for show than for concrete results. Innovation theater kills startups. It is a patient disease that creeps its way into young companies without the employees even noticing it. It is especially dangerous combined with the ever-growing popularity of partnerships between startups and corporates. This book tells the story about how innovation theater in the end killed a young startup. It is an eyewitness story told by one of the founders, who points to 10 different lessons learned and how other startups (and corporates) can avoid the death by innovation theater.