Innovation budgets did not take a hit in 2022, with only 3% of the Corporate Startup Stars — the companies with the most advanced innovation programmes — cutting their spending.

In 2022, only 6% are planning cuts. Some 32% will increase their innovation budget (same percentage of this year), while 62% plan to maintain the same level of spending (vs. 65% in 2021). 

Beyond their home country, innovation leaders look for startups in the main world’s technology hubs. According to 80-90% of the respondents Silicon Valley and the top European hubs (i.e.. London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Madrid and Barcelona) are still top of the list for where companies go to search for innovation. 

Israel, the East Coast (New York and Boston) are the other “must have” locations. Some 60-65% of the companies we spoke to are already active in these regions and the remaining 17% and 11% (respectively) are planning to be in the near future. 

Latin America, China, and India are also becoming increasingly attractive for global innovation leaders, while MENA and South Korea, currently approached by approximately one third of the respondents, are in the future plans of about one fifth of innovation leaders.