Case Studies

X5 Retail Group

Scouting for Chinese retail innovations

XNode worked with X5 Retail Group’s Innovation Department to scout 100 top-notch Chinese startups. The aim was to co-develop innovation solutions to automate and robotize retail processes, as well as the testing of new technologies, products, and services.

The 5 main areas of scouting were:

Solutions to streamline in-store operations
Personalization tools to enrich user experience
Solutions to optimize supply chain processes
ADAS and DMS for transportation efficiency and safety
AGVs to drive warehouse automations

100+ startups delivered

In December 2019, a total of 100+ startups were scouted with 20+ brief reports delivered.

Among the shortlisted 20+ startups, successful pilots are already underway in the scenarios of ADAS, biogas and AGV.

Pilots have the potential to roll out across X5 Retail Group’s various formats that cover 14,400 stores and comprise the brands: Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, and Karusel.

Nipa Mini Acceleration Program

NIPA | National IT Industry Promotion Agency, https://www.nipa.kr/

Goals

XNode worked with the 2 selected Korean startups on their business model localization and business partner meetings, helping them fully embedded in the market and accelerating their entry to China.

Participants

LIVE K is the Korean Culture Convergence Contents Creator. With this many show contents combined with CT such as Motion Graphic, Media Facade and Hologram, you can enjoy a perfect Korean Media Art, Holographic Show and splendid Interactive Media Show & Exhibition.
Datakobold is a subculture contents technology enterprise. We are currently serving the web-based web comics editing application ‘Boolatoon’, which aims to contribute to the creation of a sustainable creative environment and the development of the cultural industry.

Outcome

Article Recap: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/PKjhmXHBFNl56NpZJt_dKg

Oney Incubation Program

Objectives

Active exploration of 3 new business opportunities for Oney, Achieving Problem/Solution fit through rapid iteration and customer interaction, building a bankable business case to gain HQ support for follow-on investment.

XNode Solution

Oney Incubation Program: a tailor-made incubation program to rapidly explore the 3 business opportunities through a rigorous process of validation and customer interaction. After the program, 1 proposition was turned into a compelling business case with customer traction, while the other 2 proposition proved not to be viable in the market.

Kering Innovation Workshop

50+ brand managers

Kering China and APAC

2-day innovation workshop in Shanghai (powered by Fabernovel and XNode)

Goals

To gather in-depth knowledge on pre-determined topics relevant to Kering group’s strategy and get inspired by best innovation practices in different fields and industries

Participants

Various brand managers from China and the APAC region, as well as innovation team from the group

Outcome

Identified trends and inspirations not only limited to luxury industry
Potential business challenges and opportunity identified with a follow-up by adopting new ideas for innovation within respective major brands of Kering
An ideation workshop in Hong Kong for 200+ Gucci store managers

Continental China Megacity Mobility Solutions Incubator 2019

Project Objectives

Company Objectives

Adopt and apply a completely new entrepreneurial process and mindset;

Help internal teams validate their innovative ideas with real customers and leads to more launching opportunities;

Accelerate the process of prototyping and building Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to go to market faster.

Pain Points to Address

A multitude of BU’s and markets all with its own dynamics and interests;

Time-consuming and costly process for idea and concept development;

The challenge to quickly learn from the market feedback and improve iteratively.

XNode Solution

Lean Startup Methodology:

Intensive acceleration workshops over three months
Using lean startup concepts to build solid business models and test hypotheses
Rapid prototyping to develop a minimal viable prototype at the end of 3 months

Entrepreneurs-in-Residence:

Our Entrepreneur-in- Residence, Sina, an entrepreneur with experience with digital marketing and the Chinese consumer ecosystem,
Through weekly touchpoint meetings, Sina will guide the team as they work on their product, providing valuable insights and guidance

Stakeholder Engagement:

XNode will facilitate the discussion between ASI’s Europe team and Chinese team
Team will tap onto our community of external partners, investors and mentors

Michelin SAP 2019

Program Overview

Innovation is a key priority for Michelin to achieve its 2020 Ambitions. In order to achieve those ambitions, Michelin decided to set up a Corporate Innovation Board which initiated the Incubation Program Office.

In China, Michelin IPO (the innovation department) aims to build a strong portfolio of new business models and solutions in the following domains: (1) commercial fleet (2) individual consumers’ mobility needs, (3) retailers, consumer experience on food and travel

Together with Michelin IPO, XNode helped different BU :

Define and finetune innovation topic and needs
Scout and screen the best startups
Accelerate the POC projects with structured methodology and expert coaching.

Ericsson ONE Innovation Bootcamp

The big picture goal: become the toolbox for pioneers

Our mission is to create game-changers by unlocking intrapreneurs and innovators, shaping the future together.

How? By effective fostering an ecosystem of intrapreneurship

By enabling intrapreneurs to test and validate their ideas (market, product, operational) through the stages of rapid prototype, Incubation-MVP (minimum viable product) to Incubation-Industrilization ahead of moving into Ignition (acceleration).

Initial framework: 1)Ideation 2)Dragon's Den

To build a strong pipeline of projects through a careful and structured selection
From ideas to prototype: To apply the right methods and tools for these projects, in an accelerated manner, enabling them to reach a market-ready stage

This proposal outlines a full support structure to incubate and accelerate the Ericsson internal teams over a 2 months period. With our support, we aim to accelerate the proposition from idea to prototype, build a comprehensive business and investment case and validate the concept in the market to generate customer traction.

BMW Open Innovation

Objectives

Scouting top-notch Chinese start-ups for collaboration on both business and tech development with the aim to become the partner and early adopting venture client of selected startups.

Pain points

BMW did not have the connection with startups, entrepreneurs, community and network

Lack of experience in creating and managing Proof of Concepts, Pilots and Business cases together with startups

Ideation Workshop @BMW BeiJing

On Oct. 12th 2018, BMW Ideation Workshop was held in Beijing.

Together with colleague from 4 Bus（business unit）, we helped to better clarify the challenges and pain points faced by BMW

SAP Internal Incubation Program with Globalization Services

Project objectives

Helping SAP Labs China to build internal capabilities of intrapreneurship
Developing capabilities of employees in all aspects of innovation including value proposition design, business model generation, traction and business case building and finance
Increasing the success rate of SAP China Globalization Services (GS) to enter the global project pool and gain access to internal funding
Learning from the innovation eco-system in China

Our solution

Tailored-made Innovation Program: A full support structure to incubate and accelerate internal SAP teams. With our support, we accelerate the proposition, build a comprehensive business and investment case and validate the concept in the market to generate customer traction
Startup Accelerator visits and Startup Meet-ups: Visits and frequent interactions with startups accelerators and relevant startups to interact with, get inspired by and learn from relevant actors in the innovation eco-system

Innovation Consultancy

Market Analysis & Growth Strategy Research Reports

Analysis Examples

Innovation Strategy: Transformation & Implementation

Result Examples

Let's talk about your innovation goals

Case Studies

X5 Retail Group

Nipa Mini Acceleration Program

Oney Incubation Program

Kering Innovation Workshop

Continental China Megacity Mobility Solutions Incubator 2019

Michelin SAP 2019

Ericsson ONE Innovation Bootcamp

BMW Open Innovation

SAP Internal Incubation Program with Globalization Services

Innovation Consultancy

Market Analysis & Growth Strategy Research Reports

Analysis Examples

Innovation Strategy: Transformation & Implementation

Result Examples

Let's talk about your innovation goals

Case Studies

X5 Retail Group

Nipa Mini Acceleration Program

Oney Incubation Program

Kering Innovation Workshop

Continental China Megacity Mobility Solutions Incubator 2019 ​

Michelin SAP 2019

Ericsson ONE ​ Innovation Bootcamp​

BMW Open Innovation

SAP Internal Incubation Program with ​Globalization Services

Continental China Megacity Mobility Solutions Incubator 2019

Ericsson ONE Innovation Bootcamp

SAP Internal Incubation Program with Globalization Services