Enabling Innovation through Public-Private Dialogue

I’ll be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos this January, where Firstboard.io is hosting conversations at the intersection of governance, innovation, and inclusive leadership. In the lead-up to the event, I’m sharing a series of articles exploring how boards can play a catalytic role in shaping our AI-powered future—starting with one of the most essential enablers of global progress: public-private dialogue.

Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It emerges from friction, feedback, and collaboration. The most enduring innovation ecosystems—from Silicon Valley to Shenzhen—are built not just on capital and talent, but on a continuous dialogue between public institutions, private enterprise, and civil society.

Boards sit at a powerful nexus within that dialogue. They are often the only governance body with visibility into both an organization’s long-term strategy and the external forces shaping the market. In a world where the pace of change outstrips regulation, that role becomes even more vital.

Understanding the Innovation Mandate

For boards, enabling innovation isn’t just about funding R&D or greenlighting product launches. It means:

·       Encouraging risk-taking while managing downside exposure

·       Building internal governance models that support rapid learning

·       Navigating regulatory uncertainty with strategic foresight

·       Evaluating partnerships and acquisitions through a lens of innovation potential

The most effective boards treat innovation as a system-level responsibility, not a siloed initiative.

Public-Private Dialogue in Action

In frontier sectors like clean energy, digital health, and AI, public-private dialogue isn’t optional—it’s foundational. The legal frameworks, infrastructure investment, and social trust required to scale innovation depend on alignment between public goals and private capabilities.

Boards play a crucial role here too. They can:

·       Champion ethical standards that align with public expectations

·       Anticipate policy shifts and guide proactive compliance

·       Facilitate partnerships with academia, startups, and government entities

·       Steer corporate advocacy toward long-term, shared-value outcomes

Why It Matters Now

As we look ahead to Davos 2026 and its theme, “A Spirit of Dialogue,” the opportunity is clear: Boards must evolve from passive stewards to active enablers of innovation ecosystems. That requires not just technical expertise, but curiosity, humility, and a willingness to engage beyond the boardroom.

Firstboard.io Members Attending Davos 2026

Firstboard.io will host a private gathering during the World Economic Forum to explore how boards can lead at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and inclusive innovation. This session continues the momentum from our third #AI Council meeting and the recent white paper, AI in the Enterprise: A Guide for Boards.

Confirmed attendees include:

Rita Scroggin Subha Tatavarti Laura Langdon Avital Arora Kanika Radhakrishnan Devi Jarschel Kshama Swamy Paramita Bhattacharya Prathiba David Sullivan Rohinee (Ro) Mohindroo Ekta Sahasi + Shuchi Rana Malina Johnson Betsabe Botaitis Mandy Dhaliwal Tami Rosen Joe Sullivan Richard Slaby

A Final Thought for the Boardroom

The next era of innovation will be defined not just by what we build—but by how we build it, and who we build it with. Boards that embrace public-private dialogue as part of their innovation strategy won’t just adapt to the future. They’ll help shape it.