How to become an innovation champion

Séverin Naudet offers a demanding vision of innovation, which he defines not simply as novelty, but as a true breakthrough. Innovation relies on the ability to think without constraints, to push boundaries, and to imagine radically different models capable of bringing about lasting transformation in an industry.For a company, becoming a champion of innovation requires constant self-reflection. This means being able to reinvent itself—or even to create the conditions for its own disruption. This process involves, in particular, recruiting external talent capable of bringing a fresh perspective, and the ability to anticipate tomorrow’s models while continuing to leverage today’s.In tech in particular, innovation has become a constant necessity. The most successful companies are those that manage to evolve continuously, simultaneously developing their current products and their future sources of growth. Innovation thus becomes an ongoing process rather than a one-off event. Economically speaking, innovation plays a driving role by fostering competition, the creation of new businesses, and the renewal of business models. However, Séverin Naudet highlights a growing risk: the concentration of innovation in the hands of major players capable of either innovating on a large scale themselves or acquiring emerging startups to avoid disruption. This phenomenon can limit diversity and slow down the natural renewal of the economy.In this context, private equity can play a key role by supporting the emergence and growth of new innovative companies. By providing financing and strategic guidance, it helps structure these players and enables them to challenge existing models, thereby contributing to technical and economic progress.