Applying a multi-channel approach to magnify results

Situation

Supplementing internal research portals

Agricultural giant Corteva is three years into an ambitious 10-year plan to advance sustainability in global food systems. With over 10,000+ employees and $1 billion in annual R&D spend, the $45 billion agriscience innovator has deep resources to tap, including its own Open Innovation platform.

Corteva has maintained this open door for scientists to pitch projects, secure short-term funding for proof-of-concept projects, and access its cutting-edge technologies – including CRISPR gene editing, molecular markers, satellites and drones. But innovations in sustainability require cross-functional expertise and the involvement of stakeholders across the value chain and globe.

Action

A parallel partnering ecosystem

To support these objectives, Corteva complemented its in-house research portal with Halo’s purpose-built platform for R&D collaboration, which reaches startups and academic scientists in over 100 countries around the world who are actively looking to work with industry.

Halo leverages artificial intelligence and proprietary data on domain experts to “engineer serendipity,” expanding clients’ searches for relevant research beyond traditional publication, patent, and grant channels, as well as promoting technology and knowledge transfer between industries.

Results

Minimizing blind spots and maximizing global coverage

Within months on Halo, Corteva built a network of startups and researchers in its areas of interest spanning more than 115 institutions and 30 countries. Corteva also received 73 scoped proposals from innovators with technologies applicable to two of Corteva’s specific sourcing objectives (sensors for greenhouse gas emissions and building blocks for small molecule crop protection solutions).

External R&D networks augment internal research portals. Despite having its own portal, Corteva expanded its global reach and impact through Halo, demonstrating the value of sourcing through multiple channels. This multi-channel approach enables companies to proactively build out a network of experts within their core domains, ensuring they are prepared when a business need strikes.