07/02/2026
Twelve years ago, on 7 February 2014, a group of researchers from different fields (from innovation management to medicine) came together around a shared conviction they realized in their joint research: that patients and informal caregivers are often capable of developing innovative solutions to help them cope with their health conditions, and that, if shared, these solutions could improve the lives of many others facing similar challenges.
That belief led to the launch of Patient Innovation and to a journey shaped by collaboration across communities that do not always naturally intersect. Over time, it has become increasingly clear how much can emerge when lived experience connects with research, clinical practice, industry, and policy, as a shared ecosystem.
The project also led to the creation of several initiatives, including the PI Platform, the PI Bootcamp, the PI Awards, as well as numerous research papers published in both management and medical journals.
A sincere thank you to the people and academic institutions (Nova SBE, NOVA Medical School - Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Copenhagen Business School, and many sponsors (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, CMU Portugal, EIT Health) who made this possible from the very beginning, and to everyone who has contributed along the way. A special word to our Advisory Board, who has supported us from the very beginning.
The work continues...
