The “Merger of the Century” saw Dow Chemical and DuPont combine into a behemoth called DowDuPont, and then quickly divide itself back into three publicly-traded spinoffs: DuPont (specialty materials), Corteva Agriscience (seeds and crop protection), and Dow (materials science). The newly created companies faced the challenge of leveraging their legacy of success to create new sources of innovation and growth.
Alexa Dembek, CTO and Chief Sustainability Officer of DuPont, and Neal Gutterson, CTO of Corteva, recently appeared at Front End of Innovation in Boston to reveal how they navigated the spinout and re-engineered their organizations for growth.
Image of participants at FEI
They both spoke about working with SmartOrg to introduce the tools and techniques of strategic portfolio management into their innovation operations, with spectacular results.
We’ve edited the three sessions into watchable 20 minute videos:
  • Keynote Roundtable: Variations on a Theme, with Alexa, Neal, and David Matheson, President and CEO of SmartOrg
  • Reforging DuPont as a Growth Company, with Alexa
  • Transforming Corteva, with Neal and David

Keynote Presentation: Variations on a Theme

A conversation between Alexa Dembek, CTO and Chief Sustainability Officer, DuPont; Neal Gutterson, CTO, Corteva Agriscience; and David Matheson, President and CEO, SmartOrg.

Reforging DuPont as a Growth Company

At Front End of Innovation 2019, Alexa Dembek, CTO and Chief Sustainability Officer of DuPont, talks about driving innovation in a “217-year-old start-up.”

Transforming Corteva

At Front End of Innovation 2019, Neal Gutterson, CTO of Corteva Agriscience, discusses how Corteva is preparing for a future very different from the past. With David Matheson, President and CEO, SmartOrg.