The main focus of innovation activities is often the development of products and services. We tend to forget that the supporting business models, in many cases, are the most important part of an innovation. In fact, research shows that one of the main reasons for failed innovations is the lack of a viable business model.

The most traditional business model for humanitarian assistance is obviously donor financing. This is an important pillar of our work. However, to continue our efforts to bridge the financing gap, and to fully utilise the power of cross-sectorial partnerships and digital developments, it is important that we also explore, develop and utilise other business models for humanitarian impact.

Careful considerations of which business models are needed to implement and scale any given innovation, can mean the difference between an innovation process that ends after the pilot, and a process that continues through implementation and scale.