Innovation North is a community of researchers at Ivey Business Schoolthat works with practitioners to tackle complex systems challenges. We are fuelled by the belief that we can create a future where businesses and society thrive together.
Innovation North has co-created an approach called the Compass to help tackle complex problems by generating novel, actionable ideas.
The Compass differs from other approaches to innovation because it is guided by a North and Near Star, is highly iterative, and it is rooted in systems thinking.
Discover how you and your organization can use The Compass by downloading this set of worksheets.
The Lab
Over the past five years, Innovation North has embarked on a journey to innovate the innovation process. At quarterly sessions, The Lab brought together the most experienced corporate innovators in Canada with several motivated management researchers to learn from world leaders in systems thinking.
The final Lab session will be a public event at the Art Gallery of Ontario on October 29, 2024. The event will serve as a celebration the five-year journey of the Lab and launch Innovation North into its next chapter. At Innovating Systems, you will hear from inspiring speakers, dive into systems innovation, connect with other innovators, and most importantly – exchange ideas to innovate for a better future. Register now!
Projects
Innovation North regularly partners with business, non-profit, and government partners to tackle complex challenges using the Compass. Some recent projects include:
- Developing a strategic framework for a circular built environment in Canada with CSA Group
- Uncovering opportunities for farmers to improve soil health and protect livestock with the University of Guelph
- Embedding circular building practices in home insurance claims with Co-operators
- Developing an innovative financial instrument to tackle the biodiversity crisis with Cboe Canada
The Studio
Launched in 2024, Innovation North’s Studio is developing the capacity of future leaders to tackle complex problems using systems thinking.
More than 185 students across Ontario participated in the 2024 Systems Innovation Challenge powered by Walmart Canada, where they tackled challenges such as the increasing amount of product returns and envisioning the future of retail spaces that meaningfully support community needs. $15,000 in cash prizes were awarded to teams with the most effective, most feasible, and most scalable ideas.
Plans are underway for a 2025 edition of the Challenge, which will be open to university students across Canada.
Connect with Innovation North
To learn more about Innovation North or to explore partnership opportunities, contact Hannah Hill at hhill@ivey.ca.