I tell leaderswhat NOT to buildbefore they waste millions
"If AI came up with the idea, it's already too late." -Mike Stemple
AI generates predictable ideas that cluster at the mean. I use 400+ proprietary simulations + 20 years of real exits to deliver defensible kill-or-scale decisions.
Exits to: 3M, Private Equity, other startups
Former EIR at Molson Coors & Treasury Wine Estates
The Mediocrity Trap
AI generates ideas from its training data—predictable concepts clustering at the mean. Only humans create truly novel ideas in the top 20%.
The Mean
= Death
- Predictable ideas everyone else has
- No competitive moat
- Commoditized from day one
- Millions wasted on "me too" products
Top 20%
= Human Excellence
- Defensible positioning
- Real competitive advantage
- Category creation potential
- Asymmetric upside
The +70,000 Idea Kill List
We created +33k ideas across 200+ reports based on 52 archetypes, covering 100% of the Fortune 1,000. We also created +37k ideas, across 220* reports, based on well-known public companies (this is a private datastore). What we found shocked us...
AI is not as good at ideation as most CINOs think it is. In fact, most of the ideas it generates fall right in the 40-60 percentiles.
Discover Ideas You Should NOT Build
Access the complete database of failed CPG innovations. No signup required.
Explore the Database @ InnovateOurWorld.comWhat I Deliver
Kill the Losers Early
I identify which initiatives in your pipeline are destined to fail—before you waste millions on them.
Find the True Winners
I surface the 3-5 opportunities in your portfolio that have real differentiation and asymmetric upside.
Give You Political Cover
I provide board-ready language and external validation so you can make tough calls with confidence.
Mike Stemple
CPG Innovation Strategist
Former Entrepreneur in Residence at Molson Coors and Treasury Wine Estates, leading innovation strategy for billion-dollar portfolios.
Worked with 3M, AT&T, Target, Ford, Disney, and Verizon to develop game-changing products and services.
Built 20+ startups valued at $100M+. 4 successful exits including Skinit and Original Wraps (acquired by 3M).
Created the world's first mobile app store platform in 2003—before the iPhone existed.
Services & Offers
From one-time audits to ongoing strategic partnership—choose the engagement that fits your needs.
CPG Portfolio Audit
2-week turnaround. I review your full pipeline and deliver:
- Ranked Kill List: Why each is dead/average (with political justification)
- Short Fund List: 3–5 true novel opportunities worth pursuing
- Executive Memo: Clear, defendable language for board/C-suite
Starts with free 15-min introduction to see if your pipeline fits.
Corporate EIR Services
A Corporate Entrepreneur in Residence helps executives "think and act more entrepreneurial" by bringing startup psychology, tools, & techniques into corporate teams.
What an EIR Brings
Startup psychology and mindset training for corporate teams
Outside-in perspective free from corporate biases
Real-world experience building 20+ startups from scratch
Pattern recognition of successful vs failed innovations
Political cover for tough kill decisions
Mentorship and coaching for innovation leaders
Questions I Help Answer
How would an entrepreneur in a startup tackle this?
Are we over-funding, over-staffing, and giving innovation projects too much time?
Why can't we create billion-dollar ideas as quickly as startups?
Why are our top people leaving to create startups that compete against us?
Are our internal processes creating barriers to true innovation?
Do we have a culture of fear or a culture of courage?
Ready to Embed an Entrepreneur in Your Team?
Fractional EIR engagements available for large companies looking to accelerate innovation.
Fractional CINO & CAIO Retainer
1 day/week. Ongoing pattern intelligence + decision support for your innovation portfolio.
- Continuous pipeline evaluation
- Board-ready strategic recommendations
- Direct access for high-stakes decisions
- Political cover for tough calls
Available only after completing a Portfolio Audit.
Decision Sprint
Got a high-stakes decision that needs external validation? Book a 2-hour Decision Sprint. We'll run your initiative through the database, analyze the competitive landscape, and give you a defensible recommendation.
- Run initiative through 70k+ idea database
- Competitive landscape analysis
- Defensible kill-or-scale recommendation
- Board-ready justification language
For CPG VPs who need answers fast.
The Ideation & Innovation Newsletter
Weekly brief for Innovation/R&D leaders: AI baselines show what everyone will build—here's what to kill + contrarian human insights from 400+ simulations.
Innovationmap.app
Transform Off-Site Tours Into Innovation Journeys. GPS-triggered content, real-time facilitation, and AI-powered insights for corporate innovation teams. Walk, discover, and innovate together.
Take a Demo Tour @ InnovationMap.appMy Books on Innovation
Insights from 20+ years of building startups and advising Fortune 500 companies on innovation strategy.
"Mike is the best person I have ever met at the ideation stage of a business. He has a repeatable process for finding opportunities that others miss."
Jim Franklin
Former CEO of SendGrid (NYSE: SEND/TWLO), Previously VP/GM at Oracle
"Provocative and opinionated - exactly the way you'd expect Mike Stemple to be! A completely necessary read for anyone working in innovation."
Dr. Lara Ramdin
Chief Innovation Officer, Dole Sunshine Company
Testimonials
Hiring Mike as Molson Coors' EIR has been our single best investment in helping transform our ability to create and execute Disruptive Growth Initiatives. His ideas, insights, drive and patience have been instrumental.
Scott Cooper
Former Chief Innovation Officer
Molson Coors
Mike was a blast to work with. He always brought a ton of energy, a unique perspective, and a desire to solve any problem we put in front of him. I'm a Stemple fan.
David Coors
President
AC Golden Brewing Company
Mike is one of the most inspiring individuals I've ever met. He provides lateral business thinking from an entrepreneurial lens, and brings resources we would have never tapped into.
Maria Eugenia Del Rio
Global General Manager, Clearly Kombucha
Molson Coors
I have not worked with anyone who can transform, challenge and expand ideas and innovative thinking as Mike can.
Jeanne Cate
VP, Global Development & Innovation
The Coca-Cola Company
Mike has taught me a lot about how to think and act like an entrepreneur. He provides lateral business thinking from an entrepreneurial lens, and brings resources we would have never tapped into.
Melissa Hayes Potdar
Chief Strategy Officer
McDonald's
What started as an engaging 3 hour session turned into the most valuable multi-year lesson on pushing the boundaries of innovation mindset that helped us chart a new path.
Maluwa Behringer
VP Global R&D/Innovation
Molson Coors
Stop Building What AI Suggests.
Start Building What Creates Human Value.
Deep experience in CPG, but open to other industries. No agencies. No consultants.