For this writing assignment, you will investigate and apply course concepts to the company Ecovative Design. As you explore the links, below, you'll be able to do the following:

• Follow their story The history of Ecovative
• See the development of their technology
• Learn how their company and innovation strategy mesh together
• Gain insight into their new directions and investments in project development that build on their platform technology

You should also see evidence of an innovation ecosystem.

For this activity, complete the following:

1. Review the following websites. Start with Ecovative history. This will give you an overview of the company's technological and product evolution. The company's information and several short videos will provide you with the information needed to address the questions listed below. You may explore beyond these links if desired.
   1. "Our Foundry"
   2. "Our Purpose: Support Life on Earth"
   3. "MycoComposite"
   4. "Method for Producing Grown Materials and Products Made Thereby" Patent example
   5. "Ecovative Design Awarded $9.1 Million U.S. Department of Defense Research Contract to Develop & Scale a New Generation of Living Building Materials"
   6. Citation: GROW.bio. (2017). Ecovative design was awarded a $9.1 million U.S. Department of Defense Research contract to develop and scale a new generation of living building materials. https://grow.bio/blogs/press-releases/ecovative-design-awarded-9-1-million-u-s-department-of-defense-research-contract-to-develop-scale-a-new-generation-of-living-building-materials
   7. Ecovative Design (video)
   8. Citation: VentureWell. (2014, September 16). Ecovative design [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/HqmCSml15jU
   9. An Inside Look at Ecovative's Production Facility | Forbes
   10. Citation: Forbes. (2015, January 12). An inside look at decorative's production facility | Forbes [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/snIvRhmsUZQ
   11. How to Grow Giant Mycelium Parts
   12. Citation: Ecovative Design. (2018, August 17). How to grow giant mycelium parts [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/p1BV9oJTuN8
   13. Ecovative Design: Manufactured Wood Made Without Trees
   14. Citation: Bloomberg QuickTake Originals. (2015, April 13). Ecovative Design: Manufactured wood made without trees [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/DCjoiRa6aMQ
   15. NOVA | Mushroom Material | PBS (optional)
   16. Citation: PBS. (2013, October 17). Nova | Mushroom material | PBS [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/OpDXD0WBZuQ
   17. Eben Bayer: Are Mushrooms the New Plastic?
   18. Citation: TED. (2010, October 4). Eben Bayer: Are mushrooms the new plastic? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/zmDENxTPn8Q
2. This module centers on aligning a company's innovation strategy with its overall strategy. After reviewing the above websites and videos, assess the strategic wisdom of Ecovative's expansion into various product lines. Apply one or more concepts from the readings.
   1. State which expansion you are assessing (you'll see the technology and product expansions in the Ecovative History link. You can learn more about each technology and product market by exploring the company website and through several of the links provided above. )
   2. Identify Ecovative's overall strategic positioning. That is, who do they compete against?
   3. What is their core competency? What is the core technological capability that underlies their strategy?
   4. How important is intellectual property protection to Ecovative?
   5. What types of partnerships does Ecovative have with other entities in its ecosystem? What is the purpose of these partnerships?
3. Apply the aggregate project planning portfolio as best you can to map out their product lines and technology investment. Use the template provided in the lecture slides and fill it in based on your assessment of Ecovative. Example template for assignment Provides a brief explanation of how you filled out the template.