Overview
Develop for emerging markets, then adapt for developed ones. It's about finding simplicity in constraint.
Examples
- GE's portable ultrasound machine
- Tata Nano affordable car
- Nokia's sturdy, long-battery-life phones
- Haier's single-drum washing machine
- Godrej's ChotuKool refrigerator
How to cite
Faster Than Normal. “Frugal innovation / Bottom-up innovation Business Model.” fasterthannormal.co/business-models/frugal-innovation. Accessed 2026.
