The Higher Education Innovation Impact Compass by the DEC Startups & Innovation Working Group

This Executive Briefing will introduce the Higher Education Innovation Impact Compass, developed by the DEC Startups & Innovation Working Group.

Higher education plays a unique role in the innovation landscape by continuously innovating in education while nurturing entrepreneurship. However, a key challenge remains: the lack of a consistent, comprehensive framework to measure impact.

Developed in collaboration with 13 institutions worldwide, the Innovation Impact Compass addresses this gap by providing a structured approach to help institutions measure, benchmark, and articulate the outcomes of their innovation and entrepreneurship activities.

The report explores innovation metrics across three higher-education-specific dimensions: Educational Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Macro & Societal Impact, offering a practical tool for leaders to assess performance and strengthen strategic decision-making.