Great ideas need an ecosystem to plug into to see the light of day.This is the first in a multi-part post, on some corporate innovation labs that are contributing to the greater good.Philips Design Lab - founded in 1925 (is this the oldest Innovation Lab?) focussing on health, healthy living and a number of other domains (from a design perspective) https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/philips-design/ourstudios.htmlFinancial Solutions Lab founded by JPMorgan Chase, the USD$60 million, 10-year initiative focusses advancing the financial health of low- to moderate-income (LMI) individuals & historically underserved communities. http://finlab.finhealthnetwork.org/abouImage by Colin Behrens from Pixaba

Denso-Wave, a subsidiary of the Toyota Group, created the QR (Quick Response) Code back in 1994, and did not seek a patent for it.

Perhaps not an environmental pollutant that we are used to seeing dealt with, but according to a study, carried out at the University of California Berkeley, the average surfboard creates 375 pounds of CO2 emissions. Another great startup initiative from the HATCH Taronga Accelerator Program 2021, Sine Surf is tackling this environmental issue with their ingenious timber surfboards. Their innovative design and production, using timber and their nanosilica bio-epoxy composite, mean that their surfboards are one of the most sustainable manufactured surfboards on the planet. Read more about the startup here: https://sinesurf.com/

With nearly 30 years of distilling experience, Casey Overeem founded just the forth Distillery in Tasmania - Overeem in 2007.Renowned as a meticulous and precise craftsman, Overeem patient perfection featured long, slow and gentle fermentation and maturation.Launching their first whisky in 2012, the handcrafted excellence personifies the complex, crisp and pristine tastes of Tasmania. Producing Port, Bourbon and Sherry Cask matured Single Malt Whisky, and an XO Brandy, Overeem has a cult-like following, and Australia's best Distillery Manager, Jane Overeem. Now run by wife and husband team, Jane Overeem and Mark Sawford, Overeem continues to impress. 

PM Morrison is talking about the need for State Governments to deliver on “compacts with their people” over the opening of the country post the 80% COVID vaccination level.   Every government in the Australian federation is elected with a compact to govern responsibly and keep to their commitments. We have seen too little of this over recent decades with many commitments made and walked away from due to the political risks of implementing a policy where a vocal minority group, or favoured party support group opposed.   We expect our politicians to serve the common good and live up to their commitments.

Gripe Media is a new venture devoted to bringing truth back to our media. I have watched as the quality of our media and politics has fallen to horrendous levels. We have lost our way. If you don't have truth in the media and politics, you can't have a true democracy. A new weekly show, Matter of Fact, will fearlessly take on life's big issues including politics, the media, society and sport. Anyone with a public platform has a duty to tell the truth and give informed opinions.https://readyfundgo.com/project/gripe-media/