In our 8th episode of World Open Innovation Conversations, we speak with Prof. Saras Sarasvathy (Professor Emerita, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia), the originator of the theory of effectuation, for a conversation that lives exactly where she does, yes, at the boundary between entrepreneurial practice and rigorous research.

Key highlights from our conversation:

• Where effectuation really comes from
• The big surprise: Experts don't predict the future better than the rest of us.
• Effectuation meets open innovation
• Sneak peek at WOIC 2026

✨ The big takeaway? In a world of open, abundant resources, the entrepreneurial edge is committing wisely to the partners who show up.

Saras Sarasvathy will be our keynote speaker at the World Open Innovation Conference 2026 this November in Kaunas, Lithuania.

WOIConversation hosted by Marcel Bogers and Marisol Menendez. Organized by: Salar Alizad Poursaeidi.

In our 7th episode of World Open Innovation Conversations, we speak with Prof. Asta Pundziene (Kaunas University of Technology & UC Berkeley) to explore the Open Innovation (OI) world from her personal OI journey to the exciting upcoming World Open Innovation Conference 2026 in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Key highlights from our conversation:

Catching the OI virus: How sitting next to Henry Chesbrough at UC Berkeley sparked Asta's OI journey and why she believes the best research questions are born in practice.

Platforms, healthcare & AI: How Asta's research bridges digital platform dynamics, medtech, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in open knowledge flows.

The KTU ecosystem: What makes Kaunas University of Technology and its Santaka Valley a living example of OI in action.

Sneak peek at WOIC 2026: What to expect in Kaunas this November from keynotes to ecosystem visit, PhD colloquium, and the grand opening of KTU's new Open Innovation Center

✨ The big takeaway? OI is the organizing logic of an entire ecosystem, and Kaunas is proof.

WOIConversation hosted by Marcel Bogers and Marisol Menendez. Organized by: Salar Alizad Poursaeidi.

This song was created by Marcus Holgersson (ft. Dr Suno), and its title — “Finally!” (Äntligen!) — comes from a Swedish tradition linked to the Nobel Prize in Literature. Each year, when the Swedish Academy finally announces the winner, people joyfully shout “Äntligen!” — “Finally!” — capturing the excitement and relief after a long wait.

Marcus brought that same spirit to our #WOIC2025 academic awards this year, celebrating in all the languages we speak — “Finally!” “Eindelijk!” “Finalmente!” “Äntligen!” — one shared voice of open innovation and joy.

Here are the lyrics:

In Bilbao, the lights shine bright

Ideas are dancing through the night

Henry said it, Marcel knows

Marisol’s magic — that’s how it goes

And all around the world we came

Open minds, a common flame

“Finally”

“Eindelijk!”

“Enfin!”

“Äntligen!”

We all laugh, we all belong!

From Doctoral dreams to paper flights

We shared our work through sleepless nights

In workshops, keynotes, panels too

New ideas — they grew and flew

Ann-Kristin and Vinit took the stage

On wicked problems and the digital age

A global family, heart and mind

Innovation with humankind

Finally! We’re here again

In Bilbao’s sun with all our friends

Open innovation lights the way

We build the future, day by day

From Henry’s spark to Marcel’s plan

And Marisol — she leads the band

Finally! We made it through

Bilbao’s the place where ideas grew!

We heard the laughter, felt the spark

Collaboration lighting up the dark

Best Paper winners took the stage

The crowd stood up — a brand-new age

And when they called their names aloud

We shouted “Finally!” — oh what a crowd!

“Finally!” — said in every tongue

Laughter rising, songs unsung

Innovation needs no wall or line

Just open hearts and brilliant minds.

Finally! We’re here again

In Bilbao’s halls we all transcend

Open innovation, loud and clear

Connecting minds from far and near

Finally! Together strong

Marcel and Marisol keep the song

And Henry smiles, his dream’s alive

Open innovation will thrive!

From TU/e to Berkeley’s halls

To Kaunas making future calls

The world unites, the voices blend

For impact that will never end

Finally! We shout it loud

In every language, proud!

Research, practice, side by side

Open innovation’s joy worldwide

Finally! From heart to brain

We’ll meet again, we’ll meet again

Bilbao’s beat, our common glow

Open hearts make ideas grow!

“Äntligen!”

“Eindelijk!”

“Finally!”

In our 6th episode of World Open Innovation Conversations, we speak with Prof. Anne-Kristin Zobel (University of St. Gallen) to explore the Open Innovation (OI) world, from her personal OI journey to the possibility of systemic shifts in industries facilitated by OI.

Key highlights from our conversation:

• The journey that shaped a scholar: How Anne-Kristin's path from Maastricht to Berkeley to St. Gallen influenced her work on OI
• Beyond tech: Traditional industries innovating; why even cement and steel companies are embracing OI and reinventing themselves
• Bridging two worlds: The challenge (and art) of connecting academia and practice to make research truly actionable
• Redefining success metrics: How OI can address grand challenges beyond traditional profit and growth measures
• Sneak peek at WOIC 2025: What to expect from her keynote in Bilbao on the theme: OI in Times of Uncertainty

✨ The big takeaway? OI isn't just for tech startups; it's a strategic approach that can transform even the most established industries facing complex challenges

WOIConversation hosted by Marcel Bogers and Marisol Menendez, Organized by: Salar Alizad Poursaeidi

In our latest episode of WOIConversations, hosted by Marcel Bogers and Marisol Menéndez, we speak with Aurelia Engelsberger — CEO of OMIND Platform. OMIND helps organizations embed innovation strategies into daily routines by combining digital tools, behavioral nudges, and facilitated workshops to build open mindsets and achieve measurable behavior change.

Here are some highlights from our conversation:

✨ Practice → theory → practice: Aurelia’s journey from industry to PhD and back into entrepreneurship.
✨ Mindset matters: Sustainable change comes from small routines and measurable habits, not one-off keynotes.
✨ Academia × industry: The biggest barrier isn’t strategy — it’s language and ways of working.
✨ Measure what matters: Link culture and mindset change to real impact and financial metrics.


WOIConversations hosted by Marcel Bogers and Marisol Menéndez, organized by Salar Alizad Poursaeidi.

In this special episode, we sit down with Henry Chesbrough, father of the Open Innovation, on the occasion of his honorary doctorate at TU Eindhoven. We explore the early roots of open innovation, its global evolution, and how it connects to the transformation of Philips and the creation of the High Tech Campus Eindhoven.

From there, we zoom out to discuss the rise of innovation ecosystems with Brainport Eindhoven as a case in point, and reflect on the critical role of ecosystem orchestrators, the challenges of collaboration, and the structures needed to make ecosystems thrive.

As we navigate growing uncertainty and global shifts, Henry offers his perspective on the future of open innovation, the risks of ecosystem imbalance, and why community and collaboration are more important than ever.

“My win is not your loss. In a healthy ecosystem, we all contribute—and we all grow.”
— Henry Chesbrough

WOIConversations with Marisol Menendez, Marcel Bogers, and Salar Alizad Poursaeidi

In this episode, we sit down with Kamran Bagheri, entrepreneur, researcher, and translator of key Innovation books, for a friendly conversation on:

🔹 His journey into Open Innovation and what first drew him in
🔹 How he connects, rather than balances, his dual career across industry and academia
🔹 Lessons from working with senior executives on applying Open Innovation in practice
🔹 How AI is reshaping the landscape of innovation and what it means for openness

One of the standout insights from the episode:
"The real power lies in connecting practice and theory—not keeping them apart."

Whether you're shaping corporate strategy, doing academic research, or navigating both worlds, don’t miss this scholar-practitioner deep dive.

WOIConversations with Marisol Menendez, Marcel Bogers, and Salar Alizad Poursaeidi

In this episode, Marcel Bogers, Professor of Open and Collaborative Innovation at TU Eindhoven, talks with Wim Vanhaverbeke, Professor Digital Strategy and Transformation at the University of Antwerp, for a rich conversation on:

🔹 The origins and evolving definitions of Open Innovation
🔹 Key success factors and common pitfalls for both large firms and SMEs
🔹 The lasting legacy of Henry Chesbrough and his impact on the field
🔹 ...and much more!

One of the standout quotes from the episode:
"The smaller you are, the greater the opportunity for open innovation!"

Don’t miss this insightful discussion, whether you're a researcher, practitioner, or simply curious about innovation in action.

WOIConversations with Marisol Menendez, Marcel Bogers, and Salar Alizad Poursaeidi