For those who believe in the promise of open innovation, the 2009 startup Quirky was an exceptionally exciting company. Founded by entrepreneur Ben Kaufman, Quirky developed a platform that connected the company with outside inventors and project contributors. Within a few years, the company built a community of over a million members, commercialized over 100 products, and raised over $180 million in venture capital funding. Yet, in September 2015, Quirky went bankrupt.
A Case Study of Crowdsourcing Gone Wrong
Lessons from Quirky’s rise and fall.
December 15, 2016
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New!
HBR Learning
Innovation and Creativity Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Innovation and Creativity. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Unlock your team's curiosity and willingness to take smart risks.