35. Innovation Funding and Frameworks with Natalie Born

In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, host Natalie Born continues the Set It On Fire: The Art of Innovation series with Chapter 9: Funding Innovation. Joined by Moriah Hidden, Natalie explores why smart investment matters more than simply spending more, how clear constraints can fuel creativity, and how leaders can determine whether an idea should move forward, pivot, or stop. From balancing transformative, breakthrough, and disruptive innovation to using stage gates and studying the larger ecosystem, this episode offers practical guidance for funding ideas wisely and building for the future.[00:00 - 04:13] Funding Innovation: Lessons from Nokia and AppleWhy greater R&D spending does not automatically lead to better innovationHow Nokia spent significantly more while Apple created the stronger outcomeThe danger of funding a slow-moving train wreck of projectsWhy investment must be connected to strategy, focus, and customer value[04:14 - 11:28] Freedom Within a FrameworkHow organizational capabilities create useful boundaries for innovationWhy limited resources and beautiful constraints can spark creativityUnderstanding transformative, breakthrough, and disruptive innovationRecognizing when changing customer preferences require a new category[11:29 - 16:31] Stage Gates, ROI, and the Innovation EcosystemUsing customer feedback to decide whether to invest, pivot, or stopBuilding a little, learning a little, and testing demand before scalingKnowing when a promising idea has become something customers do not wantLooking beyond a single product to create value across the entire ecosystem[16:32 - 19:35] Look Back, Look Out, and Look UpLooking back to learn from mistakes and failures without repeating themLooking out to understand competitors, market signals, and the wider landscapeLooking up to plan for the future through three-, five-, and ten-year strategyHelping visionary leaders see around corners before change arrives[19:36 - End] Turning Innovation into ActionBringing intentionality to the teams, funding, and insight behind an ideaConnecting stage gates and investment decisions to meaningful executionChoosing who an innovation is for before bringing it to lifeUsing practical frameworks to move ideas from concept to funded realityKey Quotes“Funding alone doesn’t determine your success.” — Natalie Born“Oftentimes, it’s through the constraints that we get creative and through that creativity, we’re able to build the future.” — Natalie Born"If you don't disrupt yourself, you'll be disrupted by somebody who's thinking about that." - Natalie BornResources & LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliebornWebsite: https://innovationmeetsleadership.comBook & Resources: https://setitonfire.coIf this episode encouraged you, share it with a leader who wants to invest in innovation wisely, evaluate ideas with clarity, and build for the future.Be sure to subscribe to Innovation Meets Leadership for more conversations on leadership, innovation, culture, and growth.