IBM research: Ultimate source for new businesses

Abstract

Research organizations must have a strong balance of near-term and exploratory projects. Having a system that tracks and nurtures the development of these projects enables the organization to advance or eliminate them based on strategic milestones. IBM has developed an organization to identify emerging business opportunities (EBO) within the research organization. By teaming with researchers early in the development process, the EBO team can provide support, funding, and the business advice necessary to advance new technologies more quickly to the market. Over the past three years, IBM has taken a systematic, company-wide approach to growing these new businesses. Beginning with a handful of EBOs, the program has grown to 17 EBOs - and generated market leadership for IBM in prime growth areas like life sciences, Linux, pervasive computing, and business integration.