Before joining Cisco I participated in 9 startups, it was very hit or miss. Recently I attended a Startup//Cisco where the process of bringing innovation to light in this organization was revealed. My team came bearing an idea, a prototype, and open minds. We left with a validated need, customer interviews, MVP, and a plan to implement the idea.

I can't underscore #1 above- innovation doesn't just come from engineers. It takes a team that combined the different facets into the diamond of an idea. A great idea needs not only a way to build it, but it needs a visionary, a way market, a way to find customers and their needs.