Open innovation father to receive honorary doctorate by the TU/e
TU/e honors Professor Henry Chesbrough for pioneering 'Open Innovation,' transforming Brainport's ecosystem and global innovation strategy.
Published on February 21, 2025
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Professor Henry Chesbrough will receive an honorary doctorate Professor Henry Chesbrough will receive an honorary doctorate from the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) for his influential role in shaping the Brainport region through his concept of 'Open Innovation.' Originally coined in his 2003 book, this paradigm encourages companies to leverage both internal and external ideas to advance their technologies. Chesbrough's research significantly impacted the Brainport Eindhoven ecosystem, inspiring leaders like Professor Marcel Bogers to implement an open research agenda at TU/e.
Highlighted by Faculty Dean Geert-Jan van Houtum, Chesbrough's ability to blend academic theory with practical applications has led to the widespread adoption of his strategies by major corporations. He will receive this honor at TU/e on June 24, 2025, during the university's Research Day. This acknowledgment marks another milestone in Chesbrough’s illustrious career, adding to previous honorary doctorates and profound contributions to innovation strategy globally.
Academic excellence and global recognition
Professor Chesbrough's distinguished career spans both academia and practical innovation management. Currently serving as the Maire Tecnimont Professor of Open Innovation at LUISS University in Rome, he has maintained a significant presence at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business as Faculty Director of the Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation. His academic journey includes impressive credentials, having earned degrees from prestigious institutions, including a BA in economics from Yale University, an MBA from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in business administration from Berkeley Haas.
What makes an innovation ecosystem a success?
Professor Marcel Bogers (TU Eindhoven) dives into the deciding factors of an innovative ecosystem through the COOPERATE project.
Impact on the Brainport ecosystem
The influence of Chesbrough's open innovation concept has been particularly transformative in the Brainport region. Under the guidance of Professor Marcel Bogers, who serves as Chesbrough's honorary supervisor, these principles have been successfully implemented at TU/e, leading to an open research agenda and enhanced educational programs, including the master's program in Innovation Management. The Brainport Eindhoven ecosystem, which includes industry giants like ASML, NXP, and VDL, has flourished through the application of Chesbrough's theories on knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Legacy of innovation leadership
Faculty Dean Geert-Jan van Houtum emphasizes Chesbrough's exceptional ability to connect academic theory with practical application, noting that his work has garnered over 100,000 scientific citations. As defined by Chesbrough, the concept of open innovation suggests that companies should utilize both external and internal ideas and market pathways to advance their technology. This paradigm shift has become particularly relevant in today's world of distributed knowledge, where companies are increasingly recognizing the value of external collaboration and licensing processes from other organizations.
The Brainport ecosystem paved the road to every Gerard & Anton Award
The Brainport region knows, from experience and character, how to integrate all stakeholders within its operating systems. The collaborative effort is the real foundation of the ecosystem.