In part 3 of our 4-part series on The Business of Education, we talk with Dr. CJ Meadows from the SP Jain School of Global Management, on Lateral Innovation – exploring how some of the most fertile ground for innovation lies in between organizational silos, industries, and divergent fields. One interdisciplinary example began with a desire to help Cambodia climb the agribusiness value chain in silk production, but ultimately became an award-winning venture in “silk vaccines” – introducing silk-fibre solutions into vaccines to shield the biological compounds from degradation. This eliminates the need for refrigeration, making it possible to disseminate life-saving immunisation to remote locations, also freeing USD 16 Billion a year in the healthcare industry for other use. Such innovation can benefit from Universal Basic Income but need the right startup ecosystem, macro-economic conditions, and rewards.
