Aviva ran an idea challenge across its colleague base to develop sustainable solutions in insurance. The innovation team had collected many ideas from across the organisation and was looking for a way to build out the best ideas. They were looking for a way for colleagues from around the business to get involved in developing the ideas further in a tangible way. They were also keen to increase participation in innovation and to learn new skills as part of growing their culture of innovation.

Ninety partnered Aviva to deliver the Academy's Idea Developers programme developing ideas and innovation skills for Aviva colleagues. This began with an experts webinar followed by a Ninety led ideation session to develop initial ideas. Teams then accessed the Academy Studio digital platform receiving daily 25-minute missions to build out their ideas over eight weeks. They engaged with experts and real customers, supported by coaches from Ninety. The programme ended with pitch training and presentation of their ideas to the Aviva Executive Team in a  Dragons’ Den-type live event where winning ideas were chosen for further investment.

Over eight weeks, Aviva equipped over 20 colleagues with a set of innovation skills, tools and techniques that they can now also deploy in future projects. They developed six ideas to a pitch ready stage ahead of further testing and development. A collaborative innovation community has been developed through the programme which can be developed and further built on. The Dragon’s Den enabled senior stakeholders to engage with the programme and provided communication and awareness opportunities across the business. The winning ideas have been taken forward  into further development and piloting.