THE PROBLEM
Why innovation often fails
The global market environment threatens existing business models and demands ever-faster innovation cycles. Yet in many companies, the reality is different:
Innovation culture must be embraced throughout the entire company.
OUR SOLUTION
Embedding innovation sustainably
With our part-time 8-week program, a group of your employees is trained to become innovation ambassadors. We empower them to identify innovation potential, efficiently develop solutions, and inspire others to embrace innovation.
Hands-on
Led by experienced startup and innovation experts
Effective
Developed in collaboration with the innovation and training departments of leading German tech companies
Sustainable
Combines peer learning with lasting networking through the ambassador community
Course Content
From challenges to solutions
In the program, participants first learn the fundamentals of innovation strategies, methodologies, and tools. Additionally, they are taught how to gain allies and collaboratively turn ideas into reality. Solutions such as open innovation and startup collaborations are also explored.
Participants can bring challenges from their own work areas into the program and work on concrete solutions.
THE CONCEPT
Making an impact as a network
To keep the innovation culture alive in the long term, we train employees from various departments to become Innovation Ambassadors. They create impact by bringing what they have learned back into the company, applying it, and sharing it with others.
Participants learn together in a peer-learning cohort with representatives from other companies, forming a cross-departmental and cross-company network. This enhances the learning effect and supports long-term knowledge exchange.
Learning Journey
Become an Innovation Ambassador in 8 weeks
Participants acquire the necessary mindset, skills, and methods for innovation alongside their work. The hands-on workshops include expert inputs and cross-company peer learning sessions for reflection. Between modules, e-learning units allow for flexible self-study.
FR 17.10. – REMOTE
Kick-Off
TH 23.10. – REMOTe
Module 1: Innovation Mindset
Learn the fundamentals of innovation culture
FR 7.11. – REMOTE
Module 2: Identifying Problems
“Fall in love with the problem”: Understanding and defining innovation potential
TH 20.11. – On-site: Discovery Day
Module 3: Finding Solutions
“Build, Measure, Learn, Repeat”: Experience agile methods live, prototyping, AI & venture partnering
FR 28.11. – REMOTE
Module 4: Gaining Allies
Learn communication, change, and relationship management, as well as conflict resolution skills
MI 3.12. oder DO 4.12. – PRÄSENZ: CAMPFIRE
Module 5: Transfer & Continuity
Establish the network and ensure sustainable application in daily work
THE INSTRUCTORS
Practical expertise
Prof Dr Anja Höft
Design Thinking coach, Professor of Innovation & Project Management at HdM Stuttgart; previously responsible for Strategy & Innovation at Bosch and STIHL
Dr. Tim Gegg
18 years of leadership experience at STIHL, including responsibility for Digitalization & Corporate Venture in engine development; Founding Partner of Mätch VC; guest lecturer at HdM Stuttgart and HfWU
Dr. Julia-Sophie Fuchs
Several years of experience in Cooperation & Innovation at Mercedes-Benz; founder of rhome; guest lecturer for Entrepreneurship at HfWU and PU Schloss Seeburg
Annalena Ruoff
Head of Corporate Services at NXTGN; several years of experience in venture building and venture partnering as a Venture Architect and Innovation Coach at Kärcher; Master’s in Innovation Management
Jens Schmelzle
Serial entrepreneur (including simpleshow), business angel; coached over 100 startups and corporate teams; guest lecturer for Change & Innovation at the University of St. Gallen
Lucia Tovenrath
Partnering Services Manager at NXTGN; as a venture partnering expert, facilitates collaborations between companies and startups; experience in innovation management and with the founding initiative at Hochschule Esslingen
Dr. Eric Heintze
Senior Technology Expert at NXTGN; over 10 years of experience as a startup founder, as well as in research and entrepreneurship consulting at the University of Stuttgart
Our references
What our clients say
"Innovation starts with people. The Innovation Ambassadors Program is extremely helpful for internalizing tools and mindset and bringing colleagues along. Moreover, the exchange within the NXTGN network is crucial for us to gain new perspectives."
Steffen Greiner | Managing Director, ads-tec Industrial IT
"NXTGN provides hands-on training with highly competent and experienced instructors."
Selina Lehmann | Innovation Manager, MAHLE
"With such training programs, NXTGN offers us as a corporate partner the unique opportunity to derive practical value directly for collaboration with startups."
Roman Stiehl | Manager Open Innovation Lead, Festool Group
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The Innovation Ambassadors Program is aimed at all companies with at least 50 employees that want to strengthen their innovation culture. This can help accelerate innovation cycles, solve problems more efficiently, and create a better environment for collaboration. If your company already has an innovation department or innovation managers, they will be included in the program.
The program targets employees from all departments without an explicit innovation background. They should be willing to learn and have the intrinsic motivation to help shape innovation within their company and inspire others about the topic. A separate batch with a slightly adapted curriculum is planned for executives.
Yes. It is important to us that participants apply the theoretical knowledge in practice. Therefore, all participants are invited to bring in current challenges from their company or department and develop concrete solutions during the program. We actively support them in this process.
The program lasts eight weeks and consists of four online and two on-site workshops (in Stuttgart). In between, there are weekly e-learning units for self-study. For successful participation, we expect a total time commitment of around 30 hours (approx. four working days spread over eight weeks), which can be well integrated into the workday. About three months after the program ends, there is a 90-minute “Re-Charging Pitstop” (remote) to refresh knowledge and fine-tune the transfer into everyday work.
Our peer learning concept includes regular group exchanges, as this fosters more reflection, inspiration, and new perspectives. Our cross-company approach strengthens this effect, offering experience sharing and long-term networking across industries. To think differently, it is sometimes valuable to step outside your company’s walls.
We plan each batch with four to seven companies, each sending three to seven people into the program. This results in a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 49 participants per cohort.
As a corporate client, you pay a flat fee for participation in the Innovation Ambassadors Program. This allows you to register a limited number of employees from various departments for the training. The more employees you send to the program, the lower the cost per person. Companies with an NXTGN Corporate Membership receive a discount. We are happy to advise you and make an offer. Please contact the program management by email: jens.schmelzle@join-nxtgn.com
CONTACT US
Any questions?
Then feel free to contact Jens Schmelzle directly by email!
Jens Schmelzle
Product Owner Innovation Ambassadors
