Medtronic’s Ignite Program – Building a Culture of Innovation, Leadership, and Forward-Thinking Work Practices

Background

In 2024, SVIC partnered with Medtronic for the Ignite Program, which took three groups of Medtronic leaders to top global innovation hubs. Each session focused on cultivating an innovation culture, future-focused leadership, and advanced work methodologies.

Program Overview

• Group 1 – Silicon Valley, USA (June, 2025)
  The Silicon Valley program emphasized pioneering innovation cultures and agile leadership practices. Meetings with Microsoft, ServiceNow, Cisco, Autodesk, and Nvidia exposed Medtronic leaders to Silicon Valley’s approach to tech-driven transformation and collaborative work cultures. Discussions focused on embedding an innovation-first mindset within teams and utilizing cutting-edge technologies to streamline medical and operational advancements.
• Group 2 – Warsaw, Poland (September, 2025)
  The second group journeyed to Warsaw, where they engaged with Amazon, Roche, TenderHut, AmCham, Meta,and Orange. This visit focused on digital leadership and fostering a resilient innovation culture within rapidly evolving environments. Leaders explored best practices for driving team agility and flexibility, building a strong culture that can sustain innovation in both remote and on-site settings, and leveraging data for proactive, client-centered decision-making.
• Group 3 – Tokyo, Japan (October, 2025)
  The Tokyo experience highlighted Japan’s unique approach to methodical innovation and culturally rooted leadership. Sessions with Toyota Woven, Nomura Research Institute, Plug and Play Tokyo, and Mitsubishi Corp centered on fostering an innovation culture built on precision, discipline, and long-term vision. Medtronic’s leaders examined how structured, sustainability-focused strategies create a work environment that nurtures continuous improvement and cultural integration.

Results and Impact

The Ignite Program instilled a globally relevant innovation culture across Medtronic’s leadership. Inspired by diverse approaches to innovation and leadership, each group returned with actionable frameworks to enhance collaboration, agility, and future-focused work practices within Medtronic, positioning the company to thrive in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

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