High Alpha Innovation taps Target exec for leadership role

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — Indianapolis-based High Alpha Innovation has selected Gene Han as managing director. The corporate venture studio says Han, who most recently served as vice president of innovation and new ventures for Target (NYSE: TGT), will lead business development and strategy efforts in his new role.

High Alpha Innovation says Han will play a key role in the studio’s goal of creating 100 new startups by 2025 by identifying new partnerships and growth opportunities and engaging with corporate partners on strategic new-company creation. 

“Gene is an innovation architect in the truest sense of the word,” adds High Alpha Innovation CEO Elliott Parker. “His deep understanding of both corporate innovation strategy and high growth entrepreneurship positions our team exceptionally well to explore new opportunities and fine-tune our place in the market.”

In addition to his most recent role, Han served as head of corporate strategy at Target. He also owns Halo Advisory Network LLC, a consultancy where is an active advisor for several startups.

“High Alpha Innovation is offering leading organizations across the globe a new model for innovation: one that truly opens the door for disruption via company-building and startup experimentation,” Han says. “My previous experience helping large companies adopt a ground-up innovation culture gives me unique insight into what corporations need to succeed in today’s world.”

The studio says Han will be based out of Seattle. 

High Alpha Innovation was launched last May with the goal of helping larger businesses and corporations increase innovation through its venture studio model.