HYVE Innovation Design
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersMunich, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What HYVE Innovation Design does
HYVE Innovation Design, legally HYVE Innovate GmbH, is a Munich-headquartered innovation consultancy founded in 2000 that delivers end-to-end innovation services to large enterprise clients, with 70% of its customer base drawn from DAX-listed companies. Its service portfolio spans six pillars: Innovation Strategy and Strategic Foresight, Consumer Insights and Market Research, Collaborative Ideation (including the proprietary HYVE Crowd crowdsourcing platform with over 10,000 members), AI-based Innovation (Promptathon, Empowered AI, Applied AI, Embedded AI), Industrial Design and Technology, and Digital Product Design and Development. Methodologically, HYVE combines Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile approaches and has executed more than 1,500 projects, co-developed over 120 patents, and produced over 320 product designs, with documented engagements for Audi, BMW, Porsche, Continental, BSH, Beiersdorf, Henkel, P&G, Munich Re, Zeiss, Janssen, and GORE-TEX among others.
The company operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Vienna (HYVE Innovation Austria GmbH), Burgdorf/Bern (HYVE Innovation Switzerland GmbH), and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (HYVE Innovate Digital S.L.), which functions as a nearshore software development and UX/UI hub established in 2015. It also retains an internal startup portfolio — notably TAWNY (proprietary emotion AI using biometric signal classification), ICAROS (VR flight and fitness), and Homefox (smart home/proptech) — and runs HYVE Science Labs, a research division with over 300 academic publications tied to partnerships with Harvard, MIT, RWTH Aachen, TUM, LMU, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, and the University of Innsbruck. Revenue is generated through project-based, multi-year enterprise consulting engagements at quote-based pricing, supplemented by retainer software and innovation management arrangements. Since 2023, HYVE has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qvest Group, a Cologne-based global digital transformation consultancy and ICT integrator, extending its commercial reach into Europe, the USA, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia while retaining brand and operational independence. The company also holds TISAX information security certification and is a founding member of KI Bundesverband, the German AI Association.
HYVE Innovation Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HYVE Innovation Design
- Legal name
- HYVE Innovate GmbH
- Website
- https://hyve.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HYVE Innovation Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Innovation Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Marketing Consulting Services (541613), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- UX, Design Thinking & Customer Research for PMs (EDABAHAK)
Keywords
Where HYVE Innovation Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Munich
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
HYVE Innovation Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Innovation Consulting Services: Professional services revenue from strategic innovation consulting, including innovation strategy, strategic foresight, consumer insights, market research, and corporate innovation formats. Services are typically delivered through project-based engagements with enterprise clients.
- Digital Product Design & Development: Custom software development, web & app development, UX/UI design, and XR/VR/MR/AR solutions. Revenue generated from product development projects and ongoing development retainer arrangements.
- Industrial Design & Prototyping: Product design, concept development, prototyping, and hardware testing services. Includes technology scouting and engineering support for physical and digital (phygital) product development.
- AI-based Innovation Services: AI-powered innovation services including Promptathon workshops, Empowered AI, Applied AI, and Embedded AI solutions for enterprise innovation programs.
- Intrapreneurship Programs: Customized intrapreneurship programs for established corporations to foster internal innovation capabilities, including coaching, team development, and MVP creation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise innovation consulting and project services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
HYVE Innovation Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HYVE is an end-to-end innovation consultancy that helps large enterprises develop new products, services, and business models. Its offerings span six core pillars: Innovation Strategy & Strategic Foresight, Consumer Insights & Market Research, Collaborative Ideation (including the HYVE Crowd platform with 10,000+ members), AI-based Innovation services, Industrial Design & Technology, and Digital Product Design & Development. Engagements combine Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile methodologies and are delivered as project-based consulting work primarily to DAX-listed and other large enterprise clients.
Product overview
HYVE Innovation Design operates as a comprehensive innovation services company offering end-to-end innovation consulting and implementation. The portfolio spans six core service pillars: Innovation Strategy & Strategic Foresight, Consumer Insights & Market Research, Collaborative Ideation (including the HYVE Crowd crowdsourcing platform), AI-based Innovation, Industrial Design & Technology, and Digital Product Design & Development. These services are delivered through a multi-disciplinary approach combining Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and agile methodologies. The company also maintains a portfolio of startups (TAWNY emotion AI, ICAROS VR, HomeFox) and develops proprietary tools like the HYVE Science Labs research unit. Complementary offerings include the 'Secret Source of Innovation' podcast, various innovation methodologies (Service Design, Intrapreneurship programs), and strategic partnerships for innovation management software (Joolia with msg, HYPE). The company serves primarily DAX companies and operates globally with offices in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Gran Canaria.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HYVE Crowd: A crowdsourcing platform with over 10,000 members serving as idea or solution providers for various innovation challenges.
- HYVE Science Labs
- ICAROS
- TAWNY
- Homefox
Products and services
- Innovation Strategy & Strategic Foresight Comprehensive innovation consulting including strategic foresight, trend-based scenarios, and strategic framing of innovation projects to help companies envision and prepare for the future. Delivered to enterprise clients as project-based engagements.
- Consumer Insights & Market Research Qualitative and quantitative user research including interviews, testing, social media research, netnography, quantitative surveys, trend research, and online research communities to understand consumer needs and market dynamics.
- Collaborative Ideation Co-creation and ideation services including crowdsourcing through the HYVE Crowd platform (10,000+ members), innovation contests, and innovation management software integration.
- AI-based Innovation AI-powered innovation services including Promptathon workshops, Empowered AI (enhancing innovation processes with AI), Applied AI (applying AI to innovation challenges), and Embedded AI (integrating AI into products).
- Industrial Design & Technology Product design services including technology scouting, concept and industrial design, prototyping, and hardware testing for physical and digital-physical (phygital) products.
- Digital Product Design & Development End-to-end digital product development including UX/UI design, custom software development, web and app development, and XR/VR/MR/AR experiences.
- HYVE Crowd Crowdsourcing platform with over 10,000 members providing access to diverse problem solvers and creatives for idea generation and solution finding in innovation projects.
- TAWNY Emotional AI startup developing biometrical data analysis technology (heart rate variability, electrodermal resistance) to classify human emotions and states for empathic IoT applications.
- ICAROS VR-based startup focused on virtual reality experiences, flight training, and fitness technology solutions.
- HomeFox Startup developing software solutions for smart home and property technology services and management.
- HYVE Science Labs Research division collaborating with universities and institutions, with over 300 publications in academic and industry journals, focused on advancing open innovation, crowdsourcing, and community-based innovation methodologies.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% of HYVE's customers are DAX companies, indicating strong enterprise trust
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use HYVE Innovation Design
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HYVE Innovation Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability11 records
Feature3 records
HYVE Innovation Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Harvard UniversitycoreAcademic partnership for innovation research and methodology development. One of several prestigious university partners.
- MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)coreAcademic partnership for innovation research collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- RWTH Aachen UniversitycoreAcademic partner for technology and innovation management research. HYVE collaborates with Prof. Frank Piller's Chair of Technology and Innovation Management.
- FAU Erlangen-NürnbergcoreAcademic partner with Prof. Alexander Brem (Technology Management) for joint research and innovation methodology development.
- TUM (Technical University of Munich)coreAcademic partner for innovation research collaboration.
- LMU MunichcoreAcademic partner, notably for sociology research including happiness studies.
- University of InnsbruckcoreAcademic partner for marketing and innovation research.
- CapgeminiminorInternational strategy projects collaboration with one of Europe's leading consulting firms.
- Porsche ConsultingminorCollaboration on international strategy projects.
- KI Bundesverband (German AI Association)coreHYVE is a founding member of this association of 160+ AI companies driving AI development and application in Germany.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HYVE Innovation Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HYPE Innovation: Innovation management software provider offering systematic innovation tools (also a HYVE partner). Comparable as a fellow innovation ecosystem player providing structured innovation management to enterprise clients.
- Innosight: Innovation strategy consulting firm founded by Clayton Christensen, focused on disruptive innovation and growth strategy. Comparable in offering strategic foresight, innovation frameworks, and corporate transformation services to enterprise clients.
- IDEO: Global design and innovation consultancy offering end-to-end innovation services from strategy through product development. Closest direct competitor with similar methodology-led (Design Thinking) approach and enterprise client focus.
- PA Consulting: Global consulting firm combining innovation, technology, and design services for enterprise and public sector clients. Comparable in offering end-to-end innovation consulting including product design, digital development, and strategy.
- Frog Design: Design and innovation consultancy serving enterprise clients across strategy, design, and product development. Comparable in combining strategic foresight, consumer insights, and physical/digital product design for multinational clients.
Broad incumbents
- Capgemini: Global IT and consulting services firm with extensive digital transformation and engineering practices (also a HYVE partner). Comparable in serving large enterprise clients on innovation strategy and digital product development.
- Boston Consulting Group: Global management consulting firm with dedicated BCG Design and Innovation practice. Comparable in serving large enterprise clients on innovation strategy and digital transformation at much larger scale.
- McKinsey & Company: Global management consulting firm with a substantial design and innovation practice serving the same DAX and multinational clients. Competes for the same enterprise innovation and digital transformation wallet with much broader scope.
- Deloitte (Doblin): Big Four professional services firm with Doblin as its innovation and design arm. Comparable in offering enterprise innovation consulting across strategy, design, and digital transformation.
Regional players
- Centigrade: Mid-sized German innovation and design consultancy offering similar Design Thinking-led innovation services. Comparable as a DACH-region boutique competitor serving enterprise clients on innovation strategy and product development.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HYVE Innovation Design social profiles
Digital presenceHYVE Innovation Design compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
HYVE Innovation Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HYVE Innovation Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
HYVE Innovation Design subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
HYVE Innovation Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HYVE Innovation Design M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HYVE Innovation Design
What does HYVE Innovation Design do?
HYVE is an end-to-end innovation consultancy that helps large enterprises develop new products, services, and business models. Its offerings span six core pillars: Innovation Strategy & Strategic Foresight, Consumer Insights & Market Research, Collaborative Ideation (including the HYVE Crowd platform with 10,000+ members), AI-based Innovation services, Industrial Design & Technology, and Digital Product Design & Development. Engagements combine Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile methodologies and are delivered as project-based consulting work primarily to DAX-listed and other large enterprise clients.
Is HYVE Innovation Design a public or private company?
HYVE Innovation Design is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was HYVE Innovation Design founded?
HYVE Innovation Design was founded in 2000. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is HYVE Innovation Design based?
HYVE Innovation Design is headquartered in Munich, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does HYVE Innovation Design make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Innovation Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are digital Product Design & Development, industrial Design & Prototyping, AI-based Innovation Services and intrapreneurship Programs.
Who are HYVE Innovation Design's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HYPE Innovation, Innosight, IDEO, PA Consulting and Frog Design. Broad incumbents are Capgemini, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company and Deloitte (Doblin). Centigrade is listed as a regional player.
Does HYVE Innovation Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for HYVE Innovation Design.
What industry is HYVE Innovation Design in?
HYVE Innovation Design's product category is Innovation Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABAHAK, UX, Design Thinking & Customer Research for PMs. Its NAICS code is 541613 and its SIC code is 8742.