Small innovations, big impact

A new way to think about creating positive change

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) defines Little “i” innovation as incremental or evolutionary changes that improve existing products, processes, or services rather than introducing entirely new ones.

While these smaller innovations often fly under the radar, their potential for transformation can be profound.

Innovation is typically viewed as grand, monumental ideas that can orchestrate significant change. However, we often overlook the substantial impact of small innovations. Rather than focusing solely on the immediately tangible effects, it’s essential to consider the broader ripple effect these innovations can have on various audiences and sectors.

Redefining innovation

True innovation often becomes so integrated into daily life that we no longer give them much thought.

Consider the electric light or the computer mouse: simple, essential tools we use daily without a second thought. They seem unexciting compared to recent leaps in areas such as AI and automation. Yet, despite their simplicity, these innovations have been pivotal in making our daily lives more efficient and comfortable. Just as we take everyday technology like this for granted, we usually ignore innovation that does not directly benefit people like us.

While we celebrate AI as a grand innovation, a third of the world still lacks basic access to the Internet. How does such an innovation benefit those who live entirely offline?

This oversight highlights a critical issue: our tendency to prioritize innovations that cater to the privileged while overlooking the needs of underserved communities. This misses the opportunity to leverage smaller, incremental innovations to drive significant, positive change for those who need it most.

Bridging the digital divide

At first glance, innovations like the Cloud Phone might seem minor, especially to those accustomed to smartphones. However, dismissing the Cloud Phone’s importance overlooks its impact on individuals without access to smartphones.

For many, it offers a first glimpse of the possibilities of the internet, opening the door to video streaming and other modern conveniences. For first-time users and those accustomed to feature phones, the Cloud Phone is transformative. It provides a bridge to the digital world, offering functionalities previously out of reach due to hardware limitations.

Cloud Phone technology revolutionizes the user experience by leveraging cloud technology to run phone functions virtually. This enables modern app experiences on 4G feature phones at a fraction of the cost of most budget smartphones.

The potential for change this ‘small innovation’ brings is immense.

The Cloud Phone is crucial in bridging the digital divide for underserved communities. By providing affordable access to the internet and modern app experiences, we are opening new opportunities not only for entertainment but also for self-development, ensuring that these communities are not left behind as the rest of the world moves forward.

A new approach to progress

Central to our success in realizing this technology has been reframing our approach to innovation. At CloudMosa, we identified the most pressing challenges the underserved communities faced and focused relentlessly on addressing them. With our experience from past projects, we honed in on problems other companies deemed too difficult to solve.

This reframing is a huge part of what makes us who we are today. Many thought it would be impossible to bring smartphone capabilities to a feature phone, but by approaching the process of innovation differently, we transcended boundaries and innovated on hardware capabilities.

Small innovations might not grab headlines, but their impact is undeniable. They lay the foundation for more significant change and have the potential to transform industries and improve lives. We can unlock immense potential and drive progress by paying attention to these incremental steps and fostering a culture that encourages them.

While the allure of grand innovation is strong, we must not underestimate the power of smaller changes. Little “i” Innovations, like the Cloud Phone, demonstrate how small, targeted advancements can reverberate, driving progress and bridging gaps in ways that monumental changes often cannot. By embracing and nurturing these small advancements, we pave the way for a more inclusive and connected future.