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# Innovation By Acquisition
- URL: https://www.philmckinney.com/innovation-from-mergers-and-acquisitions/
- Published: 2012-03-05T15:55:07.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-01T14:09:46.000Z
- Author: Phil McKinney
- Tags: Past Shows, Studio Sessions, acquiring, acqusition, innovation strategy, M&A, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-03-26 05:08

Download [KI\_2012\_05\_Innovation\_From\_Mergers\_And\_Acquisitions.mp3](http://media.libsyn.com/media/philmckinney/KI%5F2012%5F05%5FInnovation%5FFrom%5FMergers%5FAnd%5FAcquisitions.mp3?ref=philmckinney.com)

**Innovation by Acquisition**

Getting your innovation mix correct includes having innovation from M&A’s as part of the innovation strategy. As with anything, there are pros and cons so go into innovation M&A with your eyes open. There are two types of innovations from M&A:

- Acquiring a company
- Purchasing IP (intellectual property such as patents, trade secrets, etc)

In some cases, M&A can allow an organization to become lazy when it comes to innovation. M&A can lower the risk since the other organization has proven the opportunity, it also has a lower return. Innovation from mergers and acquisitions needs to be part of the mix rather then the primary way an organizations fills its innovation pipeline.

**Innovation Strategy**

When M&A is part of the innovation strategy, it can be a great tool to secure a key position in the existing industry (e.g. acquire a competitor with unique IP) or grow into an adjacency (e.g. acquire new skills and expertise needed).