When the Lufthansa Innovation Hub was established in 2014, there were only a handful of dedicated innovation units within the corporate Travel and Mobility Tech ecosystem.
Kudos to our founders for leading the charge!
Over the years, this number has grown steadily, with nearly 100 standalone entities now operating in aviation alone.
What has changed over the years is the type of innovation vehicle that corporations prefer, influenced by shifts in the economic environment and the growing need for more measurable innovation impact.
- Initially, innovation units often experimented without clear direction, simply “doing something with startups.”
- Over time, Venture Building, like what we’ve done at LIH, and Corporate Venture Capital units gained popularity, especially during the late years of “cheap capital” between 2019 and 2021.
- More recently, we’ve seen a shift towards Venture Clienting. This model is often favored because it offers more direct control over innovation projects and aligns closely with strategic corporate goals, making it particularly appealing in times of financial scrutiny.
What remains constant, however, is the essential necessity of innovation itself, especially in Europe, where economic growth engines are limited.
Every company needs innovation more than ever.
So, the focus is not on whether to innovate but rather on how to innovate and with which tools.
