In our last blog post, we explored great examples of incremental innovation. Now, we’re turning our attention to breakthrough innovation and 6 great examples of it that we’ve seen.
Breakthrough innovation comes in two forms: new technology that relies on an existing business model or a new business model that utilises existing technology.
Breakthrough innovations harnessing new technology
1. The iPhone
One of the best-cited examples of breakthrough innovation on the tech front is the first iPhone. By harnessing new technology, Apple was able to bring a fundamentally new product to market, creating new demand in the process.
2. Blippar
Another great example of breakthrough innovation on the technology front is Blippar, a ground-breaking visual search app that recognises objects in the real world and then uses augmented reality to bring them to life through fresh content. The app uses machine learning to recognise its environment and has been named one of Business Insider’s most innovative companies in tech. And did we mention that this innovation is the brainchild of an ex-FreshMinder, the wonderful Jessica Butcher?
3. Dyson
No list of breakthrough innovations would be complete without including Dyson. The world’s first bagless vacuum cleaner is based on an existing business model but the company harnessed new technology to substantially improve the market offering. This same approach is what’s behind Dyson Cool, the company’s bladeless fan.
Breakthrough innovations harnessing a new business model
4. Dollar Shave Club
One of my favourite examples of breakthrough innovation which harnesses a new business model comes from Dollar Shave Club, a subscription-based business which delivers fresh razors to its members every four weeks for as little as – you guessed it – a dollar a month. Rethinking the business model surrounding shaving has proved to be lucrative: The Dollar Shave Club now has 3.2 million members and has recently been acquired by Unilever for a reported $1 billion.
5. Microsoft
Microsoft has also rethought its business model to develop a breakthrough innovation in the form of Office 365. This saw the company go from selling its Office suite as a product, paid for on a one-off basis, to offering it as a monthly or annual subscription.
6. Zipcar
Our final example of breakthrough innovation comes from Zipcar. The company re-envisioned the business model surrounding driving through its subscription service which allows members to rent a nearby car by the day or by the hour. A radical shift away from the existing car ownership and car rental business models, Zipcar is a true example of breakthrough innovation.
This blog post is part of series designed to equip insight professionals with the tools, frameworks and terminology to make their mark on the innovation process. Want to know more? Download our whitepaper on the subject here.
Read More: Change is Coming, and There’s Probably an App for That, Too