New Report Highlights Top 20 Emerging Innovations

What are the top 20 emerging technological innovations? According to CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets, an independent brokerage and investment group, there’s a diverse list of technologies, such as implantable electronics and quantum computing, and also trends, including social computing and open data initiatives, that will have significant impact over the next few years. The “Top 20 Innovations for 2020” list is part of CLSA’s very in-depth and thought-provoking report on the state of innovation and technology – “2020 Innovation: Pulling the Future Toward US.”

Nanotechnology (Source: nanodeltech.com)In addition to the top 20 innovations list, the report includes insightful analysis of how global drivers such as the economy, technology and shifting manufacturing borders are affecting innovation in many different industries. The authors also look at current inhibitors to innovation including R&D spending, VC funding, immigration restrictions and patent laws.

And if that is not enough, the report also contains company profiles on 16 innovative global organizations including tech giants Apple, IBM, Microsoft and Google, as well as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, American Express and even Schlumberger.

Last but not least, CLSA interviewed more than a dozen innovation experts (including myself) and included the transcripts in the report. I shared my thoughts on the culture in the Middle East and how it affects innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s just a small part of this impressive report that everyone with a stake in this innovation economy should study and learn from.

Click here to download a free copy of the report

 

The Global Innovation Index – Where’s the Middle East?

Why are there no Middle East countries in the top 25 on the Global Innovation Index?

The Global Innovation Index rates countries around the world according to their innovation capabilities. The latest one has Qatar at #26 and UAE at #34. There are no Middle East countries higher on the list. Why do you think this is?

Here’s one thought: A professor at INSEAD (which produces the Innovation Index) was interviewed by TheNational and when asked if Masdar makes the UAE more innovative he said it has to show results first, which could take 10 years or more. Then he goes on to say, “For quick results, you have to have focused efforts like Masdar, but you also need to build the scientific foundation. You need both; it’s not a question of either or.”

Quick results?? 10 years?? Does anyone else think this is not very quick? Also, there is the stereotype again that innovation is only about scientific achievement, and can only be accomplished by tremendous efforts and organizations like Masdar.

I don’t mean to pick on this person or on Masdar. But I think this mentality sends the wrong message about innovation.

What do you think?

Enemy inside the Gate: The Number One Barrier to Innovation in the Middle East

Broken InnovationWhat are the drivers for innovation in the Middle East? I recently asked this question of my colleagues in the social mediasphere. I wanted to better understand how people innovate in the Middle East, and compare the drivers for innovation here with that of other societies.

My question provoked many responses, several of which pointed to one underlying driver – necessity. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. However, necessity is the most basic driver for innovation. Many other societies have moved beyond necessity. [Read more...]