What is cross innovation?

Professional creativity meets targeted processes and methodology: find out how we create the perfect conditions for innovation work - for innovative and meaningful solutions at high speed.

Innovation rarely happens behind closed doors

Innovation makes companies more resilient, products and services more relevant, jobs more desirable and, in the best-case scenario, this world a little better. Innovations have never been as important for the economy as they are today. But they are rarely created behind closed doors. In order to create something completely new, entrenched structures and ways of thinking need to be questioned and broken down. How? With creative impulses from outside - interdisciplinary with a maximum change of perspective and at high speed. That is cross innovation.

Since 2016, we have been bringing together managers and employees from companies of all sectors and sizes with professional creative experts. In the innovation processes we design, aviation, logistics or the energy industry, for example, meet design, music, theatre, architecture, advertising or games development. Together, we develop innovative solutions for specific challenges - from concept to market launch.

Targeted methodology and process design

We create the necessary framework conditions so that interdisciplinary creativity can realise its full potential: From validated creative methods and defined success factors to open-ended processes - we design the innovation process in such a way that it is not only inspiring, but also solution-orientated and feasible. We combine unconventional approaches and ideas with strategy, enabling the development of concrete, marketable solutions.

Our success factors

Clearly define challenges

Every cross-innovation process begins with the precise identification and definition of the central problems and challenges in order to start the process with a clear design challenge.

Setting the legal framework

Cross innovation requires a safe space that provides legal certainty for all parties involved.

Involve creative experts

Collaboration with curated and visionary creative experts ensures quality, commitment, trust and cross-innovation expertise.

Accompanying at eye level with facilitation

Professional facilitation ensures open, solution-orientated collaboration. It creates the space for productive collaboration and the joint development of innovative solutions.

Develop mindset and motivation

Successful cross innovation requires openness, flexibility and the willingness to deal with ambiguity and try out new approaches. We specifically promote this mindset in all participants.

Designing a solution-orientated process

A well thought-out, customised cross-innovation process ensures that ideas are translated into specific, implementable solutions. At the same time, it is open-ended and geared towards quick and needs-based solutions.

Use customised methods

The innovation process is organised efficiently and purposefully using suitable methods, some of which are inspired by creative minds. Our variety of methods enables creative and productive collaboration.

Process results and create an action plan

At the end of the process, we prepare the results and create an action plan for the next steps so that your concepts can become reality.

Selection of our creative methods

Futures Cube

Making the future tangible instead of just talking about trends.

Embodiment

Understanding customers by experiencing their perspective.

Grid Condensation

Developing ideas through visual consolidation.

360 degrees

Developing ideas from the power of many perspectives.

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FAQ

What is cross innovation?
For us, cross innovation describes the collaboration between companies from different sectors (e.g. aviation, construction, logistics, medical technology) and the creative industries. The aim is to develop innovative solutions for specific challenges at high speed through a change of perspective and professional creativity. We are a Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
How does a cross innovation process work?
Our cross innovation process is based on the principles of Design Thinking and the Double Diamond design principle proposed by the British Design Council. Design thinking is a proven innovation methodology that combines creative, interdisciplinary energy and structure. We follow a clear process in four phases:

Setting: In the preparation phase, we clarify the objectives, framework conditions and identify the appropriate participants.

Preject: In this phase, we lay the foundations for the process, define the central challenge and create the context for the collaboration. Increasingly, we also take a strategic look into the future at this point (foresight).

Project: Together we develop new ideas, condense them into concepts and make them tangible through rapid prototypes. Iterative work helps to optimise solutions flexibly.

Eject: Finally, we support companies in implementing the solutions - with implementation plans, networking and regular updates.

The iterative and solution-orientated work brings everyone involved to new, convincing solutions with creative energy and a clear goal in mind. User-centredness, rapid prototyping and the freedom to try out new ways of thinking make this approach particularly successful.
Our company has no experience with creative methods. Is that a problem?
No! Our targeted methodology and process design as well as experienced facilitation make it easy to participate productively in the innovation process, even without prior knowledge. We ensure that every step is transparent and realisable.
What will your service cost me?
The costs depend on the type and scope of the project and the size of the company. Basically, we are a project of Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, a wholly owned subsidiary of the City of Hamburg. We are co-financed with funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). We can therefore offer our services at attractive conditions. We are also happy to provide you with a customised offer based on your needs and also offer cost-effective package solutions. Talk to us!
I have already developed innovative concepts internally. Do you also support the implementation?
Yes, we not only support the development of ideas, but also their realisation. Our approach helps to create prototypes, refine concepts and accompany their implementation in practice. We work with you to get innovative ideas ready for the market and develop the right processes for implementation. Feel free to contact us.
What preparatory work do I need to do?
For a successful cross-innovation partnership, it is important that you bring a project to the process, i.e. a question based on a problem that we translate with you into a clearly defined challenge (design challenge). We help you to focus on the right topics.
How long does a cross innovation format take?
The duration depends on the project and the complexity of your challenge. Our formats range from half-day workshops to innovation processes lasting several months, in which your company only has to participate on selected days. We design the processes to be as resource-efficient as possible and tailor the process to your needs.
How many and which employees from my company should take part in a format?
We will be happy to advise you on which groups of people from your company will benefit most from a cross-innovation process and which people make sense for the specific project. As a rule, at least one decision-maker is required and the core group should not exceed five people.
Do all formats take place in Hamburg or can I also participate remotely?
Most of our formats take place centrally in Hamburg, as we are convinced that personal exchange on site delivers the best results. Creative spaces, direct interactions and working together promote the dynamism and success of our processes. Remote participation is still possible if circumstances require it, but we recommend a physical presence in order to utilise the full potential of cross innovation.
What concrete results can I expect?
That depends on your plans and commitment. At the end of a project, you will receive tangible results: innovative prototypes, concepts for new products or services, optimised processes or strategies for a creative work culture or ideas for new business areas and models. We also draw up an action plan for the next steps. If you wish, we can accompany you all the way to market launch.

Contact persons

Dr Susanne Eigenmann
Knowledge Manager Cross Innovation Hub
040 2372435-54

Kurzbiografie

As knowledge manager at the Cross Innovation Hub, Susanne is responsible for all questions relating to the theory of innovation, cross-industry collaboration, creativity, futurology, trends and much more. She develops topics, provides background information and decision-making aids, organises discussions and communication events on all issues relating to cross innovation and is always interested in learning and exchanging ideas.

Before joining Kreativ Gesellschaft, Susanne worked as a research assistant at the University of Hamburg and as a personal assistant to the theatre director at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus. In her work as a freelancer with creative people from various sectors, such as cultural professionals and artists, she has always marvelled at how naturally, quickly and enthusiastically they create new things and move openly in new terrain. It was therefore also a wonderful development for her when she was able to help develop the Cross Innovation Hub at Kreativ Gesellschaft and be part of it, opening up the strengths of the creative industries to other sectors of the economy.

Nicole Wittek
Partner Manager Cross Innovation Hub
040 2372435-85

Kurzbiografie

Nicole Wittek is responsible for cooperation and partner management at the Cross Innovation Hub and is the point of contact for all companies and organisations that want to find out more about the potential of cross innovation with creative experts and are interested in working together.

She studied Cultural Studies, Media Studies and Business Administration at the University of Regensburg. There she played a key role in the development and management of the inner-city creative centre and helped to establish the area of cultural and creative industries promotion. Most recently, she worked in an interdisciplinary office for urban development, where she designed co-creative formats and implemented them in projects for city centre development and mobility.

Nicole has been voluntarily organising projects at the interface of culture, (creative) economy and urban development for over ten years and is a founding and board member of the association obenstadt e.V., which promotes multifunctional roof uses, and is co-initiator of the Hamburg Roof Days.

What is cross innovation?

Innovation rarely happens behind closed doors

Targeted methodology and process design