2026年国际创新晴雨表（第7版）

7thannual edition Find out how your local and international peersmaximise their innovation funding to create value. Contents & Foreword Innovation remains one of the most transformative forces shaping our world –but the forces shaping innovation are themselves shifting. Recent years have thrown into sharp relief the impact that national securitythreats can have on businesses. From supply chain disruption to cyber attacksto energy crises, diverse and unpredictable threats are creating immense newpressures on companies striving to innovate and grow. As a result, security This year’s International Innovation Barometer explores how this brave newworld is reshaping corporate innovation. We have spoken with CEOs, CFOs,CTOs, heads of R&D, and innovation leaders across 17 countries and sixsectors to better understand how companies are adapting in this new reality: We delve deeper into this shift, examining how security is not just shapinginnovation but actively driving it. Companies are increasingly seeking dual-useinnovations that can leverage both civil and defence capabilities. At the sametime, the defence industry itself, under pressure to deliver short-term results, While these shifts offer new opportunities, long-standing challenges remain.Cost pressures and talent shortages continue to shape the innovation landscape.R&D tax credit schemes in key markets remain uncertain, with businesses still Innovation has always required agility – but looking at 2026 and beyond,agility also means reading the political landscape, anticipating policy shifts, and We hope this report provides clarity and insight at a time when innovation hasnever mattered more – not only to business growth, but to global security and Hervé Amar President, Ayming Group Methodology This report – the seventh annual International Innovation Barometer – builds on our analysis of R&D over thelast six years. In June 2025, we surveyed 850 R&D and innovation directors, CFOs, CEOs and CTOs acrossthe world, with respondents equally split across 17 countries. As part of ongoing efforts to ensure each edition of the Barometer improves upon the last, certain surveyquestions have been updated and we have added in new questions to reflect the evolving challenges facing Analysis is split into three sections. The first sets the scene, looking at the growth of innovation and the barriersfaced, the second looks at the way businesses can maximise innovation output, and the third examines the The data has been analysed by the following members of Ayming’s international innovation team: Bruno CoulmanceInnovation Consulting Director Njy RiosPartner - R&D Tax IncentivesAyming UK Nicola AstolfiManaging Director, GrantsAyming Italy Carlos Artal de LaraManaging DirectorAyming Spain Respondents were sourced from the 17 countries listed below and drawn from nine sectors. These consistedof: Automotive; Civil Engineering and Construction; Consumer Goods and Manufacturing; Agri-food; Energy,Oil & Gas, and Renewables; Finance, Capital, and Fintech; IT and Technology; Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Respondents were also split between large and small businesses. Summary ofkey findings Innovation endures Innovation regains ground over cost-cutting:‘Driving innovation’ has returned to second placein business priorities, tied with ‘increasing market share,’ while ‘cost reduction,’ – last year’s top Surge in innovation teams:96% of businesses now report having an innovation team, up from78% last year. This increase spans firms of all sizes, with only seven per cent of small businesses Stable innovation budgets:Average innovation spend has edged up slightly from 6.6% to 6.7% ofrevenue. The tech sector continues to lead at 7.5%. AI now top priority:Artificial intelligence has overtaken ‘new tools and technology,’ as the leadinginnovation priority. The implementation of new tools and technologies fell to second place,highlighting the specific value of AI. Funding support still a struggle:Self-funding continues to be widespread (48% up from 47%),while use of R&D tax credits (32%) and innovation grants (38%) has seen only marginal recoveryfrom last year’s declines. Last year saw a drop in companies drawing on both innovation grants Equity on the rise:While other sources of funding saw marginal change, equity funding hasbecome a more popular option however, climbing from 37% to 40%. Talent shortages take the lead as key barrier:‘Lack of skills or talent’ is now the top barrier toinnovation (41%, up from 37%), overtaking last year’s leader – ‘short-term focus’ – which remainssteady at 39%. The energy sector is most affected by talent shortages (52%), with agri-food least Optimising innovation Sales remain main metric:56% of firms measure innovation by sales/revenue (up from 52%),followed by success rates of R&D projects (44%) and IP growth (39%). Fewer firms now reportdifficulty measuring innovation, at 29%, down from 33%. Incremental gains in strategic matu