Empowering Innovation: A Novel Startup in Educational Advisory

Abstract

This paper explores the strategic development and innovation approach of InnoBIZ Edvisory™ (IBE), a startup dedicated to enhancing organisational adaptability through educational advisory services. Rooted in frameworks by Tidd and Bessant (2020), Christensen (1997), and Schumpeter (1934), IBE aligns corporate education with innovation-driven growth strategies. By blending design thinking, agile methodologies, and evidence-based decision-making, IBE supports organisations in addressing the strategic dilemmas of "play to win," "play not to lose," and "choose not to play." The study contextualises the firm within a volatile market landscape shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruptions, and regulatory shifts. The paper identifies sector-specific gaps in innovation capabilities using a structured innovation framework and survey analysis of 34 global executives. It highlights discrepancies in design thinking readiness between management and employees across industries, revealing the need for targeted educational interventions. IBE's services - including digital transformation strategies, executive workshops, and open innovation partnerships - are positioned to bridge these gaps through tailored offerings. Findings from the Innovation Value Chain and Design Ambition Matrix confirm that IT and Technology sectors lead in innovation integration, while Industry and Manufacturing face the steepest barriers. IBE's agile focus strategy and evidence-based prototyping foster iterative learning and rapid market adaptation. The proposed innovation opportunity - an AI-enabled corporate training platform - reflects IBE's commitment to scalable, data-informed solutions. The paper concludes with an action plan prioritising strategic partnerships, incremental service innovations, and continuous client feedback mechanisms to sustain competitive advantage. Recommendations urge IBE to institutionalise cross-functional collaboration, establish KPIs, and invest in innovation labs to remain adaptive and responsive. Future research should examine emerging technologies like fog computing and evaluate sectoral nuances to refine advisory models. This work contributes to the growing discourse on innovation in corporate education and offers a replicable framework for strategic entrepreneurship in the educational advisory sector.