Case Studies

Executive Summary

Kerry Taste and Nutrition commissioned Leading Edge Only to create their own Innovation Network to source new solutions. They wanted to improve the following areas:

1. Novel probiotic / prebiotic compounds

2. Novel Clean label ingredients / compounds

3. New sources/forms of protein for nutrition or meat free applications

The Outcome

Many introductions have been made through Kerry Taste & Nutrition's Network on the LEO platform and they are looking to partner with a number of these, with the aim to deliver new products to market.

-

“LEO has connected us with innovators that we will partner with to potentially launch new products. It has also expanded our network and connectivity to start-ups which we believe will help us in future.”

Karl O’Donovan, Global R,D&A Director, Kerry Taste and Nutrition

Executive Summary

Tarmac commissioned Leading Edge Only to create their own Innovation Network to source new solutions to capture and reduce carbon from their operations. They were seeking partners to accelerate their journey to achieving net Zero Carbon, focussing on 2 key areas:

1. Cutting carbon emissions to as close to zero as possible

2. Capturing and storing or ‘offsetting’ emissions that can’t be eliminated

The Outcome

In the space of 6 weeks, LEO sourced 201 solutions for Tarmac. These solutions were then funnelled into three categories which included solutions for development, solutions for partnership and solutions for database.

-

"LEO successfully introduced us to an array of solutions that have inspired many introductions within the company and have contributed to our goal of net Zero Carbon."

Richard Frost, Head of Sustainability Innovation and Risk, CRH

Executive Summary

Tata Steel commissioned Leading Edge Only to create their own Innovation Network to source new solutions. They wanted to improve the following areas:

1. Easier to Open Steel-Cans

2. Next Generation Insulation for Construction

3. Innovative Connectors for Steel Enabled Construction

4. Protective Coatings for Steel Strip

The Outcome

LEO successfully introduced 5 relevant companies to Tata Steel over the Network Challenge period. They have since invited one to join in a UK Government grant scheme in order to continue the relationship. The remainder of the innovators are still in conversation to bring to a commercial deal.

-

“Leading Edge Only have provided relevant insight into a number of our high-level manufacturing challenges which have led to several successful conversations and partnerships.”

Pete Longdon, Manager, New Technology and Innovation, Tata Steel

Executive Summary

Virgin Atlantic commissioned Leading Edge Only to create their own Innovation Network to source new solutions. They wanted to improve the following areas:

1. Customer experience for business travellers

2. Customer experience for families

3. Bring the excitement back to air travel for leisure passengers

The Outcome

Virgin Atlantic's Challenge was posted on the LEO platform for 3 months. In that time, the LEO team sourced 35 new solutions and 15 experts for them.

-

“We are delighted with the service we received from Leading Edge Only. It was a challenging brief, but they found a number of innovative solutions that we were unaware of, and which we believe could add additional value for our customer.” 

Matt Webster, Senior Customer Experience Manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd

Executive Summary

Waitrose & Partners commissioned Leading Edge Only to create their own Innovation Network to source new solutions. They wanted to improve the following areas:

1. Customer Service Management

2. Retail Services Management

3. Customer Checkout Management

4. Stock Management

5. Partner Lifecycle Management and more

The Outcome

Leading Edge Only worked with Waitrose & Partners on a 12-month Premium license. LEO sourced a total of 55 solutions, arranged 9 innovators to pitch their ideas which led to 3 proposals and 2 shop implementation tests.

-

“Leading Edge Only provided Waitrose & Partners with a constant stream of relevant innovations across several key areas of our innovation strategy. In total we invited 9 innovators to pitch, resulting in 3 proposals and 2 shop tests being arranged. We are very much looking forward to our second year with LEO and the continued results!”

Stuart Eames, Retail Innovation Lead, Waitrose & Partners

Executive Summary

Wales & West Utilities commissioned Leading Edge Only to create their own Innovation Network to source new solutions in Real Time Operations for an ongoing project. They were seeking partners to help them develop opportunities in the following areas:

1. Greater coordination between electricity and gas networks for real time operations and forecasting of flexible gas generation.

2. Develop flexible gas generation modelling capability across network control centres optimising the sharing of relevant data sets.

The Outcome

WWU's Challenge included a complex brief, with multiple requirements that their innovators were required to adhere to. LEO succeeded in sourcing relevant innovations for them, some of which WWU were not yet aware of, including the eventual winner of this project.

-

"We wanted to reach out to potential innovators to help us develop better forecasting and modelling capacity. Leading Edge Only were able to publish our challenge statement to their networks and using them helped us select a partner who helped us address our challenge in a cost effective way."

Geraint Herbert, Innovation Network Assistant, Wales & West Utilities