IDEApp: An innovation platform from idea to decision

Large organizations generate many great ideas, but they often get lost in a confusing and lengthy evaluation and prioritization process. Tatra banka therefore used an internal tool for a long time that enabled the collection of ideas and transparent evaluation. However, there was a gradual need to streamline the entire process and take it further so that innovations could be processed faster and on a larger scale. This is where AI functionalities come in handy, as they can optimize the innovation process.

The goal of our project was to change this situation and unify the innovation management process into a single transparent system. IDEApp's task is not only to replace the old tool, but above all to speed up the transition from idea to decision, introduce consistent evaluation, and create space for the expansion of an innovative culture.

The ambition of the project was not only to create an internal tool, but to build a technologically independent platform that would also stand up as a competitive B2B product on the open market. One of the key tasks was to move away from logic tailored to Tatra banka and build a system ready for multi-tenant operation. We therefore designed the solution to be ready for reuse within the Raiffeisen Bank International Group (RBI Group) and to have the potential to function commercially outside the banking environment.

We didn't just join the project as developers, but as a strategic Product Partner. We oversaw the entire cycle – from Product Discovery to execution. Together with Tatra banka's innovation team, we defined a roadmap for MMP (Minimum Marketable Product) and went through an incubation phase where we validated key hypotheses. Our key task was to overcome two challenges, both technical and procedural:

Product transformation:  

Change "custom project" to universal SaaS.

Security requirements:  

Maintain strict OWASP ASVS Level 2 security standards while delivering a modern UX.

Based on initial user scenarios, we built a freemium infrastructure and integrated an AI assistant to support the creation, evaluation, and management of ideas. This approach allowed us to quickly identify weaknesses and build a product that not only addresses "idea collection" but also real business problems in individual departments, enabling us to quickly identify weaknesses and fine-tune the platform before its launch.

IDEApp is not just a digital box for ideas. It is an end-to-end workflow tool that accompanies an idea throughout its entire life cycle. Our task was to create a system that not only collects data but also actively helps to improve its quality. We therefore built our solution on two technological pillars: advanced and responsible AI integration and a robust management ecosystem.

AI implementation to improve input quality

To relieve the client of the need to manually sort through thousands of ideas, we developed our own AI modules integrated directly into the workflow.

Shaping

The assistant organizes ideas into a unified structure in real time according to innovation standards. It asks essential questions, guides users toward details, and produces results that are comparable across teams and over time. It sticks to the specified inputs, does not invent additional content, and reduces noise during evaluation.

Strategic management and innovation cycle

The platform transforms internal know-how into actionable initiatives in a clear process from capture to delivery. It provides an overview of how the organization is doing in collecting ideas, systematically validating them, and developing them into projects, with measurable statuses and accountability across teams. This gives leaders constant control over what is happening.

In order for IDEApp to be competitive on the global market, it must meet the most stringent enterprise criteria. We designed the architecture as a scalable multi-tenant system (one platform serves multiple separate companies).

Security is a priority, the system meets the ASVS Level 2 standard and supports federated identity. This means that employees log in through their existing corporate accounts (Google, Microsoft) via Single Sign-On (SSO), which simplifies adoption and increases security. We also emphasized accessibility; the application is optimized for offline use, so ideas can be captured at any time.

The AI layer is flexible, allowing you to quickly change the model without interfering with the core of the application. Stable interfaces and a unified API allow you to change vendors or versions without refactoring. Fallback mechanisms and access control ensure stability, while we continuously deliver new innovations in AI.

IDEApp provided the Tatra banka team (and future clients) with a single source of truth. The time needed to decide on an idea has been significantly reduced and the process is fully auditable.

In the future, we are preparing to expand integration into other corporate systems, making IDEApp the central hub of innovation for modern companies.