What approach relies on reducing research and development timelines through external collaborations?

The approach that relies on reducing research and development timelines through external collaborations is open innovation. This concept emphasizes the use of external ideas, resources, and pathways in combination with internal efforts to advance innovation. By partnering with other organizations, startups can leverage existing knowledge, technologies, and expertise, which often speeds up the development process and leads to faster time-to-market for new products or services.

Open innovation contrasts with traditional models where a single organization relies solely on its internal R&D capabilities. Instead, using external collaborations taps into a broader ecosystem, including universities, research institutions, other companies, and even customers. This not only enhances creativity and perspective but also allows for shared risks, which is crucial for startups trying to navigate the uncertainties of bringing new innovations to market.

The other approaches listed do not specifically emphasize reducing R&D timelines through external collaborations. Innovation metrics focus on measuring and assessing innovation activities, disruptive innovation addresses how new market entrants can create new market dynamics, and accelerators are programs designed to support startups through mentoring and resources but do not specifically pertain to the collaborative aspect of reducing timelines through external partnerships.