The last RISE Workshop on November 6th 2008 explored the management of innovation processes that effectively turn ideas into new products and services. Thereby it moved into a new environment being functional consumer and industrial products where innovation management comprehensively integrates design, engineering, manufacturing and customer interaction. Dieter Marxer, Member of the Board of NOVENTA Engineering AG, offered a visual impression of NOVENTA’s way to innovate. Exploring innovation in this particular context is a consequence of the new collaboration between RISE and Prof. Dr. Urs Füglistaller, Director of the Swiss Research Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Gallen. Prof. Dr. Urs Füglistaller contributedn with his expert knowledge in research and practice of small and mid-sized businesses, as well as with his knowledge of NOVENTA Engineering AG.