Dalberg boosts innovation capabilities with acquisition of Ravel

Global consulting firm Dalberg has acquired Ravel Innovation, a Singapore-based company specialised in start-up incubation and corporate innovation.

Since launching in 2012, Ravel Innovation has grown into one of the larger networks for innovation management services in Southeast Asia. Today, Ravel Innovation has over 28,000 associated innovators, who help design, build, and run an ecosystem of innovation communities and corporate innovation programs.

“We see tremendous value in bringing Ravel Innovation’s expertise to our clients who are seeking to unearth and scale innovative ideas for addressing the most pressing development challenges,” said Gaurav Gupta, Partner and Regional Director for Asia at Dalberg Advisors (Dalberg’s consulting arm).

The deal sees Ravel Innovation’s core team in Singapore – including Founder and Director Grace Sai – join Dalberg, while Ravel’s innovation portfolio will be integrated into Dalberg’s offerings and offered from its offices worldwide. Founded in 2001, Dalberg has 650+ people working from offices in around 30 countries.

“Following this acquisition, we will be able to help clients across the innovation spectrum, including building and running in-house incubators/accelerators; running innovation processes for specific problem statements; supporting young social enterprises to effectively scale; building innovation platforms and, more broadly, helping investments in innovation be more socially impactful,” explained Gupta.

“Adding this offering will strengthen our capabilities to help governments, non-profits, corporations, and funders drive innovation,” he added.

Dalberg consists of five business units: Dalberg Advisors, Dalberg Design, Dalberg Data Insights, Dalberg Media and Dalberg Research.