great lakes biomimicry
Great Lakes Biomimicry (GLB) is an entrepreneurial non-profit based in Cleveland that helps organizations learn from nature to accelerate innovation. Since its inception in 2010, GLB has created a biomimicry ecosystem in Northeast Ohio that connects businesses, universities, research, startups, and informal and formal education institutions. GLB teaches companies biomimicry thinking as a new innovation tool through professional development, Innovation Services consulting, and the Biomimicry Fellowship Program with partner The University of Akron, as well as the world’s only biomimicry Corporate Innovation Council.
Mission
Create the conditions for innovation inspired by nature.
Vision
Our vision is that the Great Lakes Region is a biomimicry hub where innovation inspired by nature creates a sustainable, competitive advantage for the economy, leading to healthy growth.
SERVICES
Our Professional Education Workshops range from half-day to two-day experiences that give budding biomimics a perspective-shifting look at how learning from nature can enrich existing innovation processes. Outcomes are achieved through a mix of experiential learning, presentation, discussion, hands-on activities (group and individual), video, case studies and immersion in nature. Learn more about our workshops.
Our Innovation Services consulting will provide your team with a new innovation tool and help your company uncover potential solutions to a product, process or systemic challenge. Benefits include:
- Enrich your existing innovation process.
- Learn how to get at the essential, central question for a challenge and craft a more powerful Innovation Objective.
- Kickstart idea generation and infuse new sources of stimulus into ideation sessions.
- Spark ideas for your company's sustainability efforts.
Learn more about Innovation Services.
The Biomimicry Fellowship Program was launched in 2012 by The University of Akron's Biomimicry Research & Innovation Center in collaboration with Great Lakes Biomimicry. Biomimicry Fellows are supported through an industrial assistantship with an organizational sponsor. Over the course of a five-year doctoral program, Biomimicry Fellows dedicate 20 hours per week to advancing biomimicry initiatives within their sponsoring organization, while undertaking biomimicry-focused dissertation research. Learn more about the program.