Our Founders

Stage-Gate International co-founders Scott J. Edgett and Robert G. Cooper, the world’s foremost experts in the field of product innovation management. 

Scott and Bob’s research and resulting methodologies have led to some of the most important discoveries in product development and technology innovation management. Over the span of 40+ years, initially through their academic benchmarking programs and then through their boutique consulting and research firm Stage-Gate International, their work has inspired and enabled business executives and their organizations to create product innovation capabilities that have generated billions of dollars in new wealth. 

Robert Cooper

Robert G. Cooper, co-founder of Stage-Gate International is one of the most influential innovation thought-leaders in the business world today. Recently he was named one of the world’s top business & management scientists by Research.com. He pioneered many ground-breaking discoveries in product innovation, including the Stage-Gate® Idea-to-Launch Process, now implemented by almost 80% of North American companies. Having spent 40+ years studying the practices and pitfalls of 3000+ new product projects in thousands of companies, he has assembled the world’s most comprehensive research in the field of product innovation management.

A prolific author, Dr. Cooper has published 100+ academic articles and thirteen books, including the best-selling Winning at New Products, now in its 5th edition. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Crawford Fellow from the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) and the Maurice Holland Award from the Industrial Research Institute (IRI). He is also Professor Emeritus of Marketing and Technology Management at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, and Distinguished Fellow at the Penn State Institute for the Study.

Scott Edgett

Scott J. Edgett, co-founder of Stage-Gate International is recognized as one of the world’s top experts in product innovation management and governance. A high-profile speaker, sought-after consultant, and executive advisor, he pioneered the critical practice of new product portfolio management, and principally focused on the issues affecting innovation performance, capability, and leadership in large organizations. Consulting and advising some of the world’s best innovators and companies among the Fortune 1000, his experience working with large multi-national clients in a variety of industries was extensive. He is credited with helping business executives and product innovation professionals successfully implement world-class product innovation programs that have generated outstanding and lasting performance results.

A co-author of eight books, including the best-selling Product Innovation & Technology Strategy, and a published author of 70+ academic articles, Dr. Edgett is a former professor at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.

Learn more about the many books our innovative founders have published.
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By the Numbers
As independently benchmarked by a third-party.
30 %
Increase in speed to market
2 x
More revenues and profits
2.5 x
More likely to be on budget and on time

Featured Book

Product Innovation and Technology Strategy
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