Case Study

Innovation Acceleration Program with External Partners for Michelin

Category: Corporate InnovationIndustry: AI, Automotive, Sustainability, Mobility, Manufacturing

Background

Michelin, one of the world’s top three tire manufacturers (Fortune Global 500, 2023), operates across tire production, premium dining guides, and digital mobility services. As a leader in sustainable mobility, Michelin consistently prioritizes technological innovation. In 2019, Michelin partnered with XNode to launch the Michelin Startup Accelerator Program (MSAP) China, leveraging local Chinese technologies to enhance its smart tire and sustainable mobility solutions.

Challenge

  • Lack of Real-World Validation: Startups struggle to test innovations (e.g., IoT, AI) in actual industrial settings, leading to mismatches between product assumptions and user needs.
  • Unclear Innovation Priorities: Business units lack consensus on commercialization focus for emerging technologies (e.g., airless tires, smart fleet management), resulting in high-risk resource allocation.
  • Cross-Departmental Silos: Traditional manufacturing workflows conflict with open innovation models, hindering internal technology adoption.

Value Delivered

  • Innovation Strategy Design: Co-created 7 high-potential tech directions (e.g., personalized owner services, supply chain prediction models) with business units. Facilitated 70+ internal experts to prioritize B2B (fleet management) and B2C (owner services) domains from 100+ challenges, defining short-term implementable scenarios and mid-long-term R&D tracks (e.g., airless tire materials) based on technical feasibility and commercial viability.
  • Demand-Driven Matching: Screened 200+ tech firms to select 20 high-potential candidates for pitch training and solution workshops, matching 5 partners for PoC development addressing Michelin’s B2B (e.g., fleet operations) and B2C (e.g., user experience) pain points.
  • Ecosystem Integration: Deployed 6-module accelerator over 3 months with industry mentors, bridging innovation to commercialization. Established cross-functional collaboration (business/R&D/marketing) to streamline decision-making.

Results

  • Commercial Validation Breakthrough: 5 startups completed product iterations during the program, advancing PoC commercialization with Michelin and exploring long-term partnerships.
  • Internal Capability Building: Established a structured process for “business need-external tech” matching and cross-innovation project mechanisms, enabling Michelin China to sustain open innovation acceleration.

Corporate Services

  • Innovation Intelligence and Analysis
  • Ecosystem Engagement
  • Tech Scouting
  • Innovation Acceleration Program
  • Investment and Commercialization
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