The challenge
Inpart recently collaborated with a worldwide lubricants manufacturer, focused on improving the performance and sustainability of their products. The company sought alternatives to polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which have raised environmental and health concerns. Due to competitive sensitivity, the company has chosen to remain anonymous.
A key part of the company’s strategy involves establishing new partnerships to strengthen their R&D pipeline. However, the challenge of identifying and activating a global science network to uncover relevant and novel opportunities in the lubricants field can be challenging and time-consuming.
The solution
To overcome this challenge, the company turned to Inpart’s Connect Campaigns, a premium scouting service designed to uncover unique and relevant technologies, collaborative opportunities, and experts from Inpart’s extensive global network of research institutions.
The objective was to use a Connect Campaign to find academic researchers that could address the company’s specific R&D challenges in the lubricant space.
“Inpart Campaigns has been instrumental in helping us identify and connect with academic researchers who bring unique expertise to the table,” said the Advanced Technology Manager working with Inpart on this Campaign.
Understanding the need
The collaboration began with the company’s innovation team outlining their current challenges and needs in lubricant research. Their dedicated Inpart account manager worked closely with them to develop a detailed Industry Call for Opportunities (ICO) document. This brief served as a comprehensive guide for academic researchers to engage with the campaign, submitting relevant and promising opportunities for the company to review.
“The entire process was very straightforward and well-organized, with excellent support from the Connect Campaigns team. From identifying our areas of interest to making introductions to potential partners.”
ATAdvanced Technology ManagerGlobal Lubricants Manufacturer
Targeted outreach
Leveraging the brief, Inpart’s research team meticulously screened the academic landscape, identifying and targeting researchers in over 1,400 organizations worldwide. The outreach strategy included direct contact with Inpart network members via newsletters to maximize the campaign’s visibility and impact.
The result
- 1,403 universities approached
- 73 countries worldwide
- 27 opportunities submitted
- 9 introductions facilitated
This ICO campaign was a great success, leading to positive engagement with enthusiastic academics.
The campaign led to 27 submissions, which were initially assessed and enriched by the Inpart Campaigns team in collaboration with the submitting teams. These submissions were then delivered to the company’s Advanced Technology Manager.
“The team’s responsiveness and proactive communication made the experience seamless and ensured we stayed on track throughout the process.”
ATAdvanced Technology ManagerGlobal Lubricants Manufacturer
4 weeks after the results were delivered, the company was directly put in contact with the academics behind the opportunities of interest, initiating conversations around collaboration and partnership opportunities.
The company recently shared an update on their progress with the opportunities of interest:
“We are currently engaged in ongoing discussions with multiple universities, which has enriched our network of potential research collaborators. So far, we have established three formal research partnerships as a direct result of this campaign. Additionally, our internal database of research groups and collaborators has been expanded significantly, providing us with valuable resources for future initiatives.”
ATAdvanced Technology ManagerGlobal Lubricants Manufacturer
The company is now aiming to incorporate the expertise and innovative methodologies of their partners into their R&D efforts. These collaborations will play a crucial role in accelerating their product development pipeline by introducing novel molecules and techniques that can potentially enhance their existing technologies.
“Overall, the experience delivered great value, making it a worthwhile investment for driving innovation and expanding our research network.”
ATAdvanced Technology ManagerGlobal Lubricants Manufacturer
