As the world’s first management consultancy, strategic innovation has been at the heart of Arthur D. Little’s offering since first opening its Cambridge, MA lab for business in 1886.  Founded by MIT-educated scientists Arthur Dehon Little and Roger Griffin, by the early 1900s companies were seeking knowledge and support from the duo to drive their R&D strategies, and to provide assistance with their technological endeavours.

The model of providing third party knowledge and innovation consultancy would one day contribute to societal breakthroughs such as synthetic penicillin, solar energy, and the Nasdaq stock exchange for London and Tokyo.

For well over 120 years now, the Arthur D. Little name has been synonymous with technological ingenuity and innovative thinking across all industry sectors. Arthur D. Little's innovation management services are sought after not only by corporations but also by state and federal agencies and foreign governments. In the last century, the company’s innovation consultants have supported the invention of fibreglass, the design of General Motors first ever R&D lab, and NASA’s successful first Apollo moon landing.

In today's world, Arthur D. Little’s innovation experts are looking at topics as diverse as the sustainability of transportation biofuels, solutions for the private equity sector, the business impacts of carbon regulation, and licensing strategies for biopharmaceutical companies. Dr. Michael Traem, Arthur D. Little's Global CEO, and author of Innovate Your Company, states, "Our firm's deep industry knowledge, linked to our strong expertise in strategy, technology and innovation, helps us solve our clients' most complex business issues while delivering sustainable results to their businesses. Our clients recognize this value and seek us out when faced with these challenges. As we continue to expand our market presence and take on projects that enrich the career goals of our professionals, the next 100 years of Arthur D. Little will be just as exciting as its first century."