What happens when innovation shifts from a strategic advantage to a matter of survival?
In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I sat down with Itai Green, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Innovation & Strategy and author of Innovation or Elimination. With more than two decades of experience connecting global corporations with startups, Itai brings a direct and unfiltered perspective on why so many organizations struggle to stay relevant and what it actually takes to change that trajectory.
Our conversation moves beyond theory and into the real mechanics of innovation. Itai challenges the long-standing belief that companies can rely solely on internal R&D, arguing that speed, collaboration, and openness now define success. He explains why open innovation is no longer optional, how corporate mindset often becomes the biggest barrier, and why leaders must rethink everything from decision-making speed to how they measure return on investment.
Along the way, he shares candid insights on the cultural tension between startups and enterprises, the risks of ego-driven leadership, and why many innovation efforts fail before they even begin.
We also explore the practical side of making innovation work at scale. From running effective pilots and selecting the right startup partners to understanding when to build internally versus collaborate externally, Itai offers a clear view into what separates companies that evolve from those that quietly fade away. His perspective on timing, trust, and execution highlights a deeper truth: that innovation is less about ideas and more about how organizations choose to act on them.
So where does this leave today’s leaders, especially in a world shaped by rapid advances in AI and constant disruption? And as Itai suggests, if innovation is now the price of survival, how prepared are most organizations to pay it?
Name: Itai Green
Title: Co-Founder & CEO
Company: Global Innovation & Strategy
LinkedIn | Global Innovation & Strategy Website |
Itai Green is a global thought leader, strategist, and one of the most prominent voices in the innovation landscape. As the author of “Innovation or Elimination,” he brings over two decades of experience advising leading corporations and governments on how to thrive in an age of constant disruption.
As the co-founder and CEO of Global Innovation & Strategy Consulting, Itai has worked with hundreds of organizations across industries – from finance and energy to retail and pharma. His mission is simple: to bridge the gap between corporate structure and start-up agility, turning innovation from a slogan into a sustainable growth engine.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Itai has addressed major global forums including The Economist, the United Nations, and the American Chamber of Commerce. He is also the founder of Innovate Israel, a leading open innovation platform.
Through his work, Itai champions the belief that innovation is not just a department or a buzzword – it is a strategic imperative for survival in the modern economy.