Meetings & Events

Confirmed Presenters

Matthew Heim, Wellspring

Chris Townsend, Wellspring

Workshop Overview

Advanced 

Given today’s speed of technology development and innovation, a growing number of companies have found it necessary to build Technology Scouting practices to scan for ecosystem trends, follow competitors’ moves, and identify promising technologies and external partners. In this workshop, we’ll walk through the many challenges that today’s tech scouting organizations face when building the necessary internal competencies and external networks. We’ll then cover best practice examples that have emerged from the field of practitioners who have successfully overcome these challenges.

Format

This workshop will be highly interactive. Each section will begin with a short presentation and/or panel discussion, and then will transition into facilitated breakouts and group work as we apply general principles and frameworks to real-world situations. Participants are encouraged to come with problems, scenarios, and topics/questions of direct relevance to their own organization. The facilitators will supply additional case stories and examples taken from real-world practicum.

Agenda Highlights

The workshop will focus on, but not be limited to, these primary topics:

• Governance and reporting. How does the tech scouting mission fit into the overall R&D / Innovation objectives? What incentives and goals will create the right conditions for success?
• Pipeline and process. How much formal structure do you need around Tech Scouting’s inputs to the R&D pipeline / Innovation portfolio?
• Portfolio coverage. What variety of levers and channels will you need to ensure sufficient volume and diversity of scouting sources? How aggressively should you curate sustainable network(s) of ecosystem partnerships to scale your scouting capabilities?
• Internal partnerships. How much cross-functional cooperation will the scouts need with business units and other functional groups?
• Staffing and talent development. To what extent should you make “tech scout” a full-time role on a dedicated team? And what is the associated career path?
• Delivery partners. How and when should you work with third-party tech scouting firms as an extension of your in-house scouting operation?

During the workshop key questions that will be addressed include:

• Does my organization even need tech scouting? If so, how formalized of a program should it be?
• What is the right mission and appropriate KPIs for our tech scouting team(s)?
• Should I build a team in-house, or rely on third-party services?
• How do I make sure the scouting team’s work has a material impact on the R&D pipeline / Innovation portfolio?
• How do I make sure our tech scouting efforts aren’t just a flash in the pan?
• What benchmarks should I use to assess the efficacy of our current tech scouting practices?

Who Should Attend

This workshop is intended primarily for corporate technology scouts and corporate R&D / Technology / Innovation leaders. However, in some cases, the workshop may also be appropriate for University leaders who interface closely with these corporate professionals. All participants should understand. that the workshop will be focused on best practices and success drivers from an industry perspective.

In order to maximize direct engagement among attendees and speakers, attendance is limited.

Online registration ended March 22 at 5 p.m. Onsite registration will be available at The StateView Hotel. 

Logistics

Meeting Location: 

NC State University
The StateView Hotel
2451 Alumni Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27606

LODGING OPTIONS 
The StateView Hotel
A Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel
2451 Alumni Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27606

Aloft Raleigh
2100 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27607
Group rate ended: March 1, 2019
3 miles from The StateView Hotel (View Directions)

Holiday Inn Express
3741 Thistledown Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27606
1.7 miles from The StateView Hotel (View Directions)

Cost

Workshops

• Members: $150 until Feb. 28/$250 after Feb. 28
• Non-Members: $300 until Feb. 28/$500 after Feb. 28

This UIDP Academy Workshop takes place immediately prior to UIDP28.