The US open innovation consultancy NineSigma is to open a European headquarters in Leuven, Belgium, and has appointed Andy Zynga, formerly with network management company Telindus to run the operation.
“We have a significant opportunity to grow NineSigma in Europe as more companies are beginning to examine the open innovation model and embrace external ideas and technologies that can truly help their businesses,” said Paul Stiros, president and CEO of NineSigma.
NineSigma Europe will offer open innovation services including process integration and innovation transaction consulting services. “There is tremendous potential in Europe for open innovation, and the fact that we already have a good number of customers in Europe is a clear indicator of the readiness of European businesses to get support for their innovation sourcing needs,” said Zynga.
“Cost competitiveness is a key issue in Europe, and accelerating the innovation cycle through NineSigma can lead to reduced research and development costs.”
NineSigma aims to improve the innovation capabilities of its client companies by connecting them with the best innovators from around the world. The firm claims its network of innovators is the largest of its kind and spans industries, geographies, and technical disciplines. Client companies include Xerox, GlaxoSmithKline, DuPont, Kraft, P&G and Unilever.