Testing The Edges With Mars’ Rainer Struck

The future belongs to those who can see around corners and test the edges of possibility. How do you turn uncertainty into lasting advantage?

This week’s VentureFuel Visionary is Rainer Struck, Mars’ Global Vice President of Innovation Transformation. He is helping Mars see around corners, test the edges, and create lasting value through mutuality.

In this episode, Rainer shares frameworks and learnings from six years of studying and applying innovation at one of the world’s most iconic companies. He also breaks down why legacy strengths become barriers, the need for adaptability, and how leaders can shift from reducing risk to building evidence.

Episode Highlights

• Protecting Innovation in Large Organizations – Rainer explains how balancing investments between core business and breakout ideas is critical, showing that allocating resources strategically allows new initiatives to thrive.
• Testing Assumptions Over Seeking Certainty – He emphasizes the value of focusing on evidence across desirability, viability, and feasibility rather than demanding proof. This helps leaders guide innovation teams through high-ambiguity projects.
• Embracing a Power-Law Portfolio Mindset – The discussion highlights that most innovation bets will fail, but a few breakthroughs can more than compensate, illustrating the need for patience and protection for teams experimenting in new areas.
• Hands-On Innovation Beats Theory Every Time – Rainer discusses that true innovation skills come from hands-on experience, highlighting the importance of prototyping, testing with real users, and observing actual behaviors to uncover insights.
• Building Mutuality in Partnerships – He also highlights that successful collaboration with startups and other partners depends on mutual value, ensuring both sides gain benefits, and planning early for how relationships can scale beyond initial pilots.