RocketSpace Adds Open Innovation Executive To Lead New RocketX Program

SAN FRANCISCO, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- RocketSpace, a technology campus located in downtown San Francisco, announced today the addition of Michele McConomy to the executive team to lead its Corporate Innovation Program, newly re-named RocketX.

"Modern organizations must embrace open innovation to stay relevant in today's competitive landscape," said Eryc Branham, chief revenue officer at RocketSpace. "Bringing Michele onto the team is a reflection of our continued investment in this emerging area."

Michele comes to RocketSpace as an industry leader in corporate open innovation, formerly leading and driving innovation programs for many Fortune 500 companies, including part of a founding innovation team during her tenure at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

"Embracing the principles of open innovation and accelerating the path to successful partnerships is a game changing opportunity for corporate brands," said Michele McConomy, vice president of RocketX at RocketSpace. "It's not necessarily about creating more innovation, it's about being smart about innovation. Unlocking untapped potential with the outside world is critical, and at RocketSpace we fundamentally believe that it is all about being open to the world around you. In partnership with our Corporate Innovation Program, RocketX, we accelerate opportunities for brands to identify, partner and co-create with startups on our campus and across the globe. Creating valuable connections to the startup world will help brands drive the future to market, faster."

In addition, the team announced four new members to its RocketX program: Hershey, Canon, LG Electronics and Liverpool Victoria. The company is now working with over 30 global brands across every leading sector, ranging from consumer electronics to logistics to digital media.

Through the program, brands gain early access to innovative products and early-stage startups from Silicon Valley and beyond by enabling efficient identification, evaluation, and integration of emerging technologies.

These new members join an impressive list of other RocketX members including Pearson, Samsung, British Airways, Axel Springer, Pernod Ricard, Fujistu, Accenture Technology Labs, and Docomo Innovations.

"Startups have the power to change the future of education," said Diana Stepner, vice president of innovation partnerships & developer relations at Pearson, the world's leading learning company. "Recognizing the potential of education technology startups, we worked with RocketSpace to connect promising companies with our business. Since initially sponsoring RocketSpace in 2011, they have not only provided us with the space for our innovation team but also done an incredible job with event development and startup recruitment, all of which have made for a very valuable partnership."  

RocketX members receive the following benefits:

• Startup Discovery: With access to over 30,000 startups worldwide, RocketSpace's research team provides corporate members with insight into startups that match their business objectives, from licensing to investment to acquisitions. Outcomes include detailed startup analysis and recommendations, and personalized demo days.
• Corporate Accelerator: Establish part of a corporate accelerator program at RocketSpace where global organizations are embedded in a technology-only community with over 170 technology startups on campus. Access to RocketSpace's desks, conference rooms and event space to raise visibility and connectivity to Silicon Valley.
• RocketInsight Reports: A quarterly snapshot of innovation trends on a specialized topic, featuring a taxonomy of the startup ecosystem in the area and highlighting best-in-class startups for each segment. Topics range from Internet of Things to crypto-currency, covering over 30 sub-categories emerging in that space. Subscriptions to the reports are included in Retained Discovery and Campus Engagement packages, but can be acquired separately.

Interested in the RocketX corporate innovation program? Please visit: http://rocket-space.com/corporate-innovation-teams/

About RocketSpace:
RocketSpace is a technology campus located in the heart of San Francisco. Its members are innovative, fast-growing technology companies who want to gain a competitive advantage in the market. RocketSpace surrounds its members with the perfect ecosystem of resources they need to grow, including easy access to corporate brands, venture capital, partnerships, speakers, mentoring, talent, and resources required for next stage growth. Notable alumni include Uber, Leap Motion, Snip.it, and Podio. Corporate partners include British Airways, Microsoft, Pearson, and General Motors. For more information, please visit www.rocket-space.com and follow us on Twitter at @RocketSpace.

PRESS CONTACT:
Leslie Grant
SHIFT Communications
415-591-8454
[email protected]

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SOURCE RocketSpace