Innovation and technology scouting are now essential parts of R&D and strategic decision-making. Whether you’re a corporate innovation team, a research institution, or a VC firm looking for the next breakthrough, knowing how to start your technology scouting process is key.
At Linknovate, we help organizations track emerging technologies and identify innovation signals early. And it all begins with a simple question:
How do you search?
In this post, we break down the two main ways to start a technology scouting query on our platform: Keyword Search and AI-Powered Smart Search — same core engine, different approach.
1. Keyword Search: Direct and Powerful
If you already know what you’re looking for — say, “biodegradable polymers,” “robotic harvesting,” or “AI in supply chains” — then Keyword Search is your go-to method.
How it works:
- You type in one or more keywords related to your area of interest.
- Linknovate returns relevant results that match those terms.
- You also get suggestions for related keywords and concepts to refine your query.
This approach gives you precision and control, and it’s especially useful when you’re working with a well-defined tech area.
✅ Best for:
- Experts who know the domain
- Targeted technology watch
- Competitive intelligence
2. Smart Search: Let AI Do the Heavy Lifting
Not sure what keywords to use? Or working on an exploratory topic? That’s where AI Search comes in.
How it works:
You write a short sentence or question describing what you’re looking for. For example:
“I’m looking for innovative applications of artificial skin in biomedicine.”
Our Generative AI engine interprets your query and suggests the most relevant keywords — such as “artificial dermis,” “bioengineered skin,” or “skin substitutes” — so you don’t have to think about all the possible terminology yourself.
Smart Search helps bridge the gap between natural language and technical keywords, allowing for a more intuitive and open-ended discovery process.
✅ Best for:
- Early-stage exploration
- Non-specialists or cross-disciplinary teams
- Brainstorming and broad scanning
⚙️ Under the Hood: Same Engine, Different Interface
Here’s the interesting part: Both search modes use the same Boolean keyword-based engine.
The difference lies in how you generate your query.
- Keyword Search: Manual input, controlled scope
- Smart Search: AI-generated input, expanded scope
You can switch between them at any time based on your style, needs, or stage of research. It’s about flexibility and fit — not forcing one workflow.
🚀 Get Started with Innovation Scouting
Innovation scouting isn’t just about finding patents or papers — it’s about discovering what’s emerging, what’s trending, and who’s working on what. Whether you’re searching for disruptive startups, novel research, or new collaborations, how you start your search matters.
With Linknovate, you have two intuitive, powerful ways to explore the innovation landscape — and both are just one click away. 👉 Try Linknovate’s Keyword or AI Search today and unlock smarter tech scouting.
