Invention is about creating something new, while innovation introduces the concept of “use” of an idea or method. While this difference is subtle an invention is usually a “thing”, while an innovation is usually an invention that causes change in behaviour or interactions.

Being a leader in innovation is not, as some would suggest, the result of a large pile of patents. There are many patents which have no use and have not influenced people or industries and therefore cannot be classed as innovation. It is only when the usefulness of inventions is proven, that they become innovations.

If innovations infer the “use” of a new idea or method, then an invention that leads to innovation is really qualified by how much it changes the behaviours of the users, the businesses, and the processes around it.

Very few inventions are, by themselves, successful innovations. Most innovations are evolutionary changes to existing processes, uses, or functions, which are made better by one, or several, contributing inventions. However, invention is important because documenting, protecting, and leveraging inventions is the cornerstone of innovation.

We lead the way – innovating & inventing every day