Venturing Insights #22 - Why the Kickbox Methodology is worth checking out for Corporate Intrapreneurship
Venturing Insights #22 - Why the Kickbox Methodology is worth checking out for Corporate Intrapreneurship
No Bla, just Do!
Previously on Open Road Ventures: In our last episode of Venturing Insights, we explored McKinsey’s Three Horizons Model, focusing on why it’s time for a shift in how companies approach innovation. If you missed it, you can catch up here!
Ciao Innovators,
Hope you’re all thriving as we dive deeper into this quarter! October always brings that sense of momentum, doesn’t it? The year’s end is just around the corner, and the pressure’s on to make those ideas count. But speaking of ideas— what if your team could innovate without the usual sense of getting stuck or losing direction? That’s where the Kickbox methodology steps in.
Innovation needs Structure
Companies know they need to innovate. But here’s the issue: without a clear process, most internal ideas get stuck or die before they’ve even had a chance. This wastes time, money, and energy.
That’s where Kickbox comes in. It’s a straightforward system that empowers employees to turn raw ideas into validated projects. In short, it gives innovation a plan—and that’s why it’s worth checking out.
What is the Kickbox Methodology?
The Kickbox method is a bottom-up innovation management method and methodology that aims to engage employees in the innovation process while simultaneously creating valuable business cases.
This methodology was introduced by Mark Randall, former Chief Strategist and VP of Creativity at Adobe, in 2013.
At its core, the Kickbox methodology is a toolkit for turning ideas into validated projects. It’s not just about brainstorming—it’s about execution. Kickbox guides employees through every step, from identifying a problem worth solving to building a prototype and pitching it to decision-makers.
The process is broken down into stages, represented by different colored “boxes”—RedBox for exploration, BlueBox for development, and GoldBox for scaling. Each stage offers practical exercises and resources, helping intrapreneurs move fast, test often, and avoid costly mistakes.
Kickbox doesn’t just ask, “What’s your idea?” It asks, “Does your idea solve a real problem, and will people actually care?”
RedBox: Validation Phase
The RedBox phase lasts two months. The goal here is for the Innovator (also referred to as Kickboxer) to validate his idea and its potential. Therefore, they receive a 1,000€ budget (example), 20% of their working time, access to internal and external experts and much more. Eventually, the Kickboxer has to convince a sponsor with a pitch presentation, to secure entry to the next phase.
BlueBox: Pilot
If the Kickboxer manages to find a sponsor, the four-month BlueBox phase starts. With a budget of 10,000€-50,000€ (example), they will run a pilot with real customers. They will additionally get access to coaching sessions, sprint workshops and many useful innovation modules.
GoldBox: Implementation Phase
After the Kickboxer has prove that there is a real business potential behind their idea, the GoldBox starts. They have created their dream job and now work 100% on the project. This can be within a line organization or as a corporate spin-off.
Why Kickbox is worth checking out
So, why should companies take a closer look at Kickbox? It’s all about the process—and it’s a game-changer for corporate intrapreneurship.
First, Kickbox empowers employees to follow a structured yet flexible process. Instead of relying on management to validate ideas, employees are handed a clear, step-by-step framework. They start with the RedBox, where they define the problem and test initial concepts. From there, they move through the BlueBox, refining their solutions based on real customer feedback. Each step is practical and fast, so ideas get tested and adapted early, without heavy investment.
Second, Kickbox de-risks innovation. The process ensures that every idea is validated through small, low-cost experiments before major resources are spent. It’s not just about coming up with ideas—it’s about systematically testing them to see if they actually solve real problems. This reduces the risk of launching products that no one wants.
Lastly, Kickbox creates a repeatable culture of innovation. The methodology isn’t a one-time program. It’s a process that companies can scale, enabling continuous experimentation across teams. This builds a habit of innovation, where employees are constantly testing, learning, and improving.
Real-world success stories
Kickbox isn’t just theory—it’s been put to the test by leading companies. Adobe first developed the methodology to empower its employees to experiment and innovate. The result? Hundreds of new ideas, with some evolving into full-scale products.
Swisscom took the Kickbox framework and adapted it to create a culture of rapid experimentation. By giving employees the autonomy to validate their own ideas, they unlocked innovative solutions in areas like digital services and customer experience.
Siemens Energy also embraced Kickbox to drive internal innovation. They’ve used it to reduce the risks tied to corporate venturing by ensuring ideas are fully validated before large-scale investment. The structured approach has allowed them to identify game-changing ideas while minimizing failures.
These companies prove that Kickbox isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a proven approach to transforming internal innovation into tangible results.
Innovation doesn’t happen by chance. It requires structure, experimentation, and a willingness to fail fast and learn faster. That’s exactly why the Kickbox methodology is worth checking out for any company serious about corporate venturing.
Kickbox gives employees the freedom to explore bold ideas, but more importantly, it gives them a clear process to follow. It’s a roadmap that reduces risk, increases speed, and fosters a culture where innovation thrives.
If your company is looking for a way to harness internal innovation without the usual risks, the Kickbox methodology is a no-brainer. It’s time to make innovation a repeatable process, not a lucky break.
P.S. You can download Kickbox materials here! Thank me later :)
Keep innovating,
Davide
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