Category: Europe
Beyond the garage: How important are spaces to business creation?
Cities, and on a smaller scale, neighbourhoods and meeting places, play a significant role in promoting innovation. (Shutterstock) There is an enduring myth that many technological innovations have come out of garages, bedrooms and basements. One of the most famous garages is the one at Steve Jobs’ parents’ house where he was rumoured to have […]
A website is not enough: businesses that use digital tools without a strategic plan will struggle in a tough economy
Mr.paripat niyantang/Shutterstock Small businesses across Australia and New Zealand are facing one of their toughest periods in decades. A flat economy and shifting consumer behaviour have put pressure on already thin operating margins. A 2024 survey by business finance company ScotPac found 29% of Australian small businesses say they could face insolvency if they lose […]
Ignore the ‘ivory tower’ clichés – universities are the innovation partners more Kiwi businesses need
NicoElNino/Shutterstock When it comes to turning research into real-world success, New Zealand has a problem. Despite the country’s NZ$3.7 billion research and development spending in 2023 – a 17% jump from the previous year — too many New Zealand businesses fail to commercialise innovation. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, New Zealand ranks 21st […]
A new report card shows inequality in Australia isn’t as bad as in the US – but we’re headed in the wrong direction
Shutterstock It’s hard to remember a time the United States seemed as tense and divided as it does today. That should serve as a stark reminder of just how important it is to monitor the health of our own nation. Today, our new report card on Australia’s progress will be launched in Canberra. It assesses […]
Skin phantoms help researchers improve wearable devices without people wearing them
Skin ‘phantoms’ are an inexpensive alternative to testing on people. Diana Bachu/iStock via Getty Images Plus Wearable devices have become a big part of modern health care, helping track a patient’s heart rate, stress levels and brain activity. These devices rely on electrodes, sensors that touch the skin to pick up electrical signals from the […]
Prototypes for Humanity showcases solutions-based projects from universities around the world – in Dubai
The Museum of the Future which, alongside the Emirates Towers, hosted the Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity 2024 Exhibition. Stephen Khan, CC BY Flash cars, flashier skyscrapers, strict public behaviour laws and soaring temperatures. Social media, reality television shows and news reports on expat extravagances and holidays gone wrong ensure that Dubai has […]
Plastic-eating insect discovered in Kenya
There’s been an exciting new discovery in the fight against plastic pollution: mealworm larvae that are capable of consuming polystyrene. They join the ranks of a small group of insects that have been found to be capable of breaking the polluting plastic down, though this is the first time that an insect species native to […]
Do we need a European DARPA to cope with technological challenges in Europe?
The headquarters of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Virginia. ajay_suresh/Flickr, CC BY The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is often held as a model for driving technology advances. For decades, it has contributed to military and economic dominance by bridging the gap between military and civilian applications. European policymakers […]
New Prada-designed spacesuit is a small step for astronaut style, but could be a giant leap for sustainable fashion
For its recent Spring/Summer 2025 show, fashion brand Diesel filled a runway with mounds of denim offcuts, making a spectacle of its efforts to reduce waste. Haunting yet poetic, the “forgotten” byproducts of fashion production were reclaimed and repurposed into something artful. But the irony isn’t lost, given fashion shows like this one demand significant […]
Generative AI can boost innovation – but only when humans are in control
The key to maximizing AI’s potential lies in understanding the distinct but complementary roles that both humans and AI play. (Shutterstock) Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT or Dall-E are changing how creative work is done, particularly in industries that rely on innovation. However, AI use in the innovation process requires careful considerations. Our […]
