Radicals & Visionaries: Invention vs. Innovation Is it better to improve on existing ideas or to start from scratch?

By Jennifer Wang • Mar 25, 2013

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Are successful entrepreneurial concepts the product of nature or of nurture? Do they spring unformed from the minds of inventors, or are they carefully cultivated adaptations of preexisting notions?

It's not surprising that David Edwards, founder of experimental design lab Le Laboratoire, is a proponent of inventiveness: following through on crazy ideas that may or may not become profit generators. In his view, the potential to advance the human race is what should come first in any venture--and if one can do that, then a big payoff is likely not far behind.

Memorial Day Sale - Save 20%! Unlock this premium article & so much more with Entrepreneur+

Join the internet’s leading entrepreneur community with our Memorial Day sale! With your subscription, you'll get:

Digestible insight on how to be a better entrepreneur and leader
Lessons for starting and growing a business from our expert network of CEOs and founders
Meaningful content to help you make sharper decisions
Business and life hacks to help you stay ahead of the curve

Use code SAVE20 at checkout.

Subscribe Now Log In

Editor's Pick

After Her Brother's Death in Iraq Became News, a PR Strategist Learned Firsthand Why the Way We Tell Stories Matters — and It Changed Her Career

A Leader's Most Powerful Tool Is Executive Capital. Here's What It Is — and How to Earn It.

One Man's Casual Side Hustle Became an International Phenomenon — And It's on Track to See $15 Million in Revenue This Year

3 Reasons to Keep Posting on LinkedIn, Even If Nobody Is Engaging With You

6 Time-Saving Tips to Know Before Starting a Side Hustle This Summer

Why a Strong Chief Financial Officer Is Crucial for Your Franchise — and What to Look for When Hiring One

Most Popular

See all

Growing a Business

The Best Way to Run a Business Meeting

All too often, meetings run longer than they should and fail to keep attendees engaged. Here's how to run a meeting the right way.

By Jacqueline Whitmore

Fundraising

Working Remote? These Are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts of Video Conferencing

As more and more businesses go remote, these are ways to be more effective and efficient on conference calls.

By Bryan Lovgren

Starting a Business

5 Tips For Launching a Business While Keeping Your Day Job

Launching a business while holding down a 9-to-5 is no small feat. It's a common path for aspiring entrepreneurs, but it's not without its challenges.

By Nikita Fedorov