Innovation: If it doesn’t start with people, it doesn’t change the system

We built an innovation ecosystem to address one of fashion’s biggest systemic challenges.

H&M Foundation redefined who gets to be part of innovation.

Together we built a new blueprint for inclusive innovation.

And launched two market-ready digital solutions.

“The future is not something we enter, but something we create.”

How to build an innovation ecosystem powered by real-world experience

1.

Always start with lived experience, not just assumptions

2.

Design for deep, constant collaboration between external voices and internal stakeholders

3.

Combine upskilling and entrepreneur mentorship from idea to market-ready solution

Anna Rojan
Program Lead Sustainable Innovation, The DO

“This program has such groundbreaking impact, UNESCO asked us to talk about it.”

Core takeaways

 

Over communicate

When you think you are communicating as clearly as you can, try to do it even better.

Plan for zoom-out

It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. Plan for strategic reflections on the way, from the beginning.

Expectation management & shared understanding

Over-invest in role clarity and find a shared vocabulary.

Ready to accelerate your innovation?

Hauke Stachow

anna@thedo.world

Program Lead Sustainable Innovation, The DO

Reach out

There's more!

We turned Lufthansa’s global talent program into an accelerator for hands-on sustainable innovation.

150
participants from all across the organization
85%
increase in ability to lead sustainbility projects
 
 
Sustainability takes flight

We built a pan-European
executive talent pipeline for a leading pharma distributor.

50+
top talents & leaders completed the program
26
countries connected through the program
1
entire management team staffed out of participants
Putting know-how to work

We activated and accelerated change at a global leader in energy technology.

4,000
employees engaged in the movement
29
countries connected in the program
100%
board members engaged in the program
It starts with honest conversations