A compendium of innovation methods

There are many ways to help bring good ideas to life. Nesta works to uncover, develop and test, new ways of supporting innovation from across sectors and around the world. These techniques, tools and processes are collectively known as innovation methods.

Featured in this compendium are just some of the innovation methods we have explored over the last decade. Some, like seed accelerator programmes, we have invested in and studied. Others, like challenge prizes, standards of evidence or public sector labs, we have developed and helped to spread around the world.

Each section gives a simple introduction to the method and describes Nesta’s work in relation to it. In each case, we have also provided links to further relevant resources and inspiration on our website and beyond.

The 13 methods featured are:

1. Accelerator programmes
2. Anticipatory regulation
3. Challenge prizes
4. Crowdfunding
5. Experimentation
6. Futures
7. Impact investment
8. Innovation mapping
9. People Powered Results: the 100 day challenge
10. Prototyping
11. Public and social innovation labs
12. Scaling grants for social innovations
13. Standards of Evidence