Xinova
Overview
My second AI powered start-up, Xinova was a global open‑innovation marketplace using AI to connect inventors with enterprises.
Sole responsibility for defining and driving development of four sided innovation market place, connecting Talent, Technology, Capital, and Market. Using AI our market place could connect companies looking for their next break through with a global network of inventors and scientists, to help reduce their risk a number of private investment groupd were available to fund the development. Also previously vetted IP was available to help reduce time to market. Backing this network was a AI powered contract management system that would proactively connect the various stakeholders and help automate their working agreements. Our customers included Pepsi, Honda, Samsung,TDK, Siemens, Airbus, etc.
Delivered 230% increase in membership with a 60% submission to selection efficiency increase in the first 6 months. Leveraged analytics to deliver a 42% increase in conversion and 56.8% increase network activity. M&A Lead focusing on network expansion. Launched Arcnet, online capital marketplace. Spun out SousZen, a joint venture with PepsiCo. Established Product Management, UX Design, and User Research. Worked with Engineering and HR to build a distributed development organization from inception to 30+ in 12 month
Xinova evolved from an IP brokerage into a rationalized, global innovation-as-a-service platform—one that delivered tangible results, scalable processes, and a network primed for repeatable ROI. While external market shifts ultimately impacted continued operations, the core transformation showcased how disciplined, design-led innovation models can turn ideation into sustainable business value.
Responsibilities
Drove a shift in the company’s mindset from being a passive invention‐broker to proactive product co‑creator.
Defined and drove product vision and detailed roadmap, use cases, wireframes and detailed requirements.
Reduced innovation cycle bu 60% through standardized workflows and prototyping.
Showed sustained revenue streams via licensing, upfront payments, and profit‑sharing agreements.
Launched SousZen, a joint venture with PepsiCo leveraging existing SCM logistics and smart appliance technology to disrupt the mobile food service
M&A Lead, focused on network expansion
Launched Arcnet, an online capital marketplace in partnership with Asymmetric Return Capital to support innovation investors
Deliverables
230% increase in membership,
42% increase in conversion (RFI to submission),
60%, decrease in submission to selection time
56.8% overall increase network activity.
Scaled network to 12,000 inventors in 118 countries
Personalized Portals for Customers, Members, Investors, and Partners
Comprehensive Design System
Solution Review Tool
Smart Contracts
Improved workflows and engagement models
What is a Four-Sided Innovation Marketplace?
Xinova’s Marketplace combined Talent, Technology, Capital and Market. There were four primary users for the portal that sat on top of that marketplace:
Customers
Through the Project Dashboard, customers could monitor project performance in real time, assess engagement from the innovator network, and evaluate the attractiveness of their challenges. The Project Performance Summary offered strategic insights—including a “Battleship” graph that identified ineffective solution paths, saving time and R&D costs. Each vetted solution included a market potential analysis, technical feasibility review, and innovator credentials, ensuring only viable ideas advanced. This process not only improved innovation outcomes but also provided opportunities for third-party investment discussions, helping customers unlock new value from breakthrough solutions.
Innovators
The value of the network to the innovators was to maximize their earning potential and efficiency. Each members’ experience was tailored to their individual skills, interests, and performance history, prioritizing relevant innovation opportunities and streamlining project management. Innovators received real-time updates on the status of their submissions and were matched with collaborators and projects aligned to their expertise. New customer requests triggered targeted notifications and included threaded discussions for refining project scope and incentives—driving higher engagement and better-aligned solutions. Even unselected ideas were retained in a Solution Library, increasing their exposure to future customers and potential investors. This ecosystem empowered innovators to contribute effectively, collaborate strategically, and grow their impact across multiple markets.
Investors
The four-sided innovation marketplace provided value to investors through a comprehensive, data-rich innovation portfolio. Giving investors a clear overview of key performance metrics, development status, and comparative analysis across projects. It also included personalized recommendations—based on their past investment patterns, organized by sectors, technologies, and problem types. Each solution included detailed summaries with performance indicators, opportunity size, development stage, and burn-down metrics. Investors could explore top-performing projects, and innovators to assess solution viability within relevant market categories. The platform also provided curated news, analyst reports, and trend analyses to inform decision-making. Through deep search and filtering, investors can browse collected opportunities, track fund performance, and engage with key customers and top innovators. Enhanced network engagement algorithms suggested connections to other investors to further support strategic alignment and co-investment potential. This integrated view drove smarter capital allocation and accelerated innovation commercialization.
Technology Owners
The fourth side of the marketplace focused on organizations seeking to monetize their patent portfolios. Xinova provided a powerful means for them to unlock new revenue streams and accelerating asset value from their IP portfolios. The platform connected IP holders with third-party investors, and companies seeking to bring new products to market by enabling licensing, spinouts, or co-development opportunities based on market interest and performance metrics. Advanced analytics, including trend mapping and solution benchmarking, allow IP owners to prioritize and position assets for maximum impact. Through structured collaboration, smart filtering, and transparent solution tracking, the marketplace transforms dormant patents into dynamic, revenue-generating opportunities—helping organizations extend the lifecycle of their innovations while driving broader strategic growth.
The Four-Sided Innovation Marketplace brought together customers, innovators, investors, and IP owners to accelerate the development and commercialization of breakthrough solutions. By aligning talent, technology, capital, and market demand through a unified platform, it enabled real-time collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and new revenue opportunities—turning ideas and patents into viable, scalable ventures.