Host Ian Bergman interviews Victor Mulas, Chief Innovation Officer at Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), about scaling startup ecosystems, aligning incentives, and breaking through organizational red tape. Below are the five takeaways that will boost your understanding of corporate innovation strategy and global ecosystem design.

Here are the five main takeaways from their conversation:

1. Activate the “Glue” of Your Innovation Ecosystem

Traditional cluster theory focuses on real estate; Victor emphasizes networking assets—meet-ups, mentor networks, angel syndicates, and super-connectors—that create the social glue modern ecosystems need.

Companies can replicate this by:

• Hosting recurring, open-door events.
• Funding community managers to foster cross-team collisions.
• Encouraging mentors and alumni to stay engaged.

2. Track “Iterations to the Core” for Faster Market Access

Victor’s favorite KPI asks: How many introductions does a newcomer need to reach a decision-maker? Mature hubs like New York average two to three hops; emerging markets take ten or more. Corporations can adopt the same metric to gauge internal agility—Can any employee pitch a C-suite sponsor in three steps or fewer?

3. Use the “Panini Effect” to Push Ideas Through Bureaucracy

Victor’s Panini Effect applies heat from both sides:

• Top-Down Heat – Secure vocal executive sponsorship.
• Bottom-Up Heat – Empower grassroots intrapreneurs with clear rewards.
• Middle Press – Translate the vision into every department’s KPIs.

When top and bottom align, the rigid middle layers soften, making innovation initiatives stick.

4. Align Incentives—Not Just Aspirations

A culture of experimentation collapses if performance reviews reward only cost-cutting. CIC’s model ties bonuses and recognition to launching new programs and building community impact. Review your own incentive structure: does it pay for risk-taking and learning cycles?

5. Blend Global Playbooks with Local Soul

CIC succeeds abroad by keeping its core template—dense coworking, weekly community nights—while partnering with regional champions like Bento Café in Tokyo or robotics clusters in Boston. The lesson for multinationals is to standardize processes and localize culture.

Listen & Subscribe

Stream the full episode on your favorite platform or watch the video clips on YouTube. For more insights on innovation leadership and ecosystem strategy, subscribe to the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast and follow Victor Mulas on LinkedIn and CIC.

Timestamps

🧑‍💼 Introduction to Victor Mulas, Innovation Veteran & CIC’s 1st CIO (00:00:00)
📶 Mobile Broadband Leapfrogging in Emerging Markets (00:07:05)
📲 iPhone Era & Realization of Global App Markets (00:08:56)
🇱🇧 Building Lebanon’s Mobile-App Start-up Ecosystem with the World Bank (00:10:06)
🧩 Designing a Policy “Formula” for Innovation Hubs (00:12:04)
🔗 Discovering the “Glue” — Social Networks & Networking Assets (00:16:14)
⚖️ Innovating Inside Risk-Averse Institutions (World Bank Challenges) (00:19:51)
🏢 Leap to Cambridge Innovation Center & Tokyo Expansion Story (00:23:49)
🌍 Role & Mission of a Chief Innovation Officer at CIC (00:27:49)
🔄 Scaling a Global Platform vs. Local Playbooks (00:30:31)
🥪 The “Panini Effect”: Pushing Innovation Through Bureaucracy (00:32:41)
🎯 Tips for Driving Change in Large Organizations (Stakeholders & Incentives) (00:34:34)
🏆 Advice to Senior Leaders on Building an Innovation Culture (00:41:56)
⛰️ Quick-Fire Questions (00:47:07)
🤖 Fun Finale: Which Household Item Should Become a Robot? (00:52:22)
🔚 Closing Remarks & Ways to Connect with Victor (00:54:44)