What is the C-K method and how does it contribute to innovation?

The C-K method, which stands for Concept and Knowledge, is a framework developed to foster innovation by allowing teams to explore two key spaces: the space of concepts, where new categories of objects are envisioned, and the knowledge space, which encompasses all necessary information to create these new objects. This method encourages radical innovation by enabling teams to connect ideas and knowledge in unique ways, leading to the development of breakthrough products and services.

Why do traditional companies struggle with innovation, according to Frédéric Arnoux?

Frédéric Arnoux identifies two main challenges that traditional companies face in innovation. Firstly, top management often excels in decision-making and management skills but lacks the entrepreneurial mindset needed for creating new products. Secondly, operational teams are typically skilled at incremental improvements rather than radical innovations, which limits their ability to reinvent products for sustainability.

How does STIM approach the challenge of fostering innovation in various industries?

STIM employs a tailored approach that utilizes the C-K methodology to address the specific challenges faced by different industries. By empowering both top management and operational teams with the right tools and mindsets, STIM helps companies embrace risk and creativity, enabling them to develop innovative solutions that meet sustainability goals across diverse sectors.

Can you provide examples of successful projects that STIM has completed?

STIM has worked on several notable projects, including the development of a helicopter engine that reduced gas consumption by 50% and the creation of new glass bottles for Veralia that decreased CO2 emissions by 30% and reduced bottle weight by 40%. These projects exemplify STIM's ability to apply innovative methodologies to achieve significant sustainability outcomes in traditional industries.

What role does sustainability play in STIM's innovation strategy?

Sustainability is a core focus of STIM's innovation strategy, as the organization aims to develop products and services that are 'sustainable-by-design.' This means that STIM not only seeks to improve existing products but also prioritizes creating entirely new categories of objects that minimize environmental impact, thereby addressing some of the most pressing challenges related to sustainability in various industries.

Why does business innovation for sustainability flourish in a lab?

Environment

Frédéric Arnoux

CEO — STIM

Why does business innovation for sustainability flourish in a lab?

9:45·2 December 2025

Frédéric Arnoux is co-founder and CEO of STIM, a team of researchers, entrepreneurs, designers and strategists who have been helping companies reinvent themselves since 2014.

From reducing engine fuel consumption by half, to eliminating a third of the CO2 emissions of glass bottles, STIM brings radical innovation to companies often more used to incremental improvement. And they do it using a unique approach developed in a research lab at the prestigious French school of engineering Mines Paris Tech.

The C-K method, for “Concept and Knowledge” leverages both extremely free creativity and multi-sector insight into existing markets and products. And the results are often revolutionary, across a remarkably wide range of fields.

The people at STIM are excited by invention, innovation, change, but they’re putting that energy specifically into “breakthrough, sustainable-by-design” products and services.

Questions fréquentes

The C-K method, which stands for Concept and Knowledge, is a framework developed to foster innovation by allowing teams to explore two key spaces: the space of concepts, where new categories of objects are envisioned, and the knowledge space, which encompasses all necessary information to create these new objects. This method encourages radical innovation by enabling teams to connect ideas and knowledge in unique ways, leading to the development of breakthrough products and services.