Once you know what innovations you’re looking for, it can be useful to think about who might help solve the problem.
That includes what kinds of approaches already exist and what sorts of companies already work in the field – but it’s also important to brainstorm what other fields could help solve the problem. Retrofitting buses for carbon neutral operations might be done by a vehicle manufacturer – but there could also be interesting approaches from industrial design, aerospace or engineering, for instance. Think broadly – would you only be open to electrifying your buses – or would retrofitting them for hydrogen or biofuel also be an acceptable approach?
Just as importantly, what support might they need to take part? Can you offer support with testing, matching partners, or a fast-track to procurement? And what sort of business model might they have?
These questions help unpack how innovators are part of the solution to your problem: whether it’s useful to have new innovators, whether they can be attracted and whether they can build a sustainable business model.