In early May 2020, Daniel Loeb's team at Third Point was evaluating a potential growth opportunity in the Walt Disney Company and whether investor activism might play a role. Battered by the effects of COVID-19, the company's stock had initially tumbled to $86 and then somewhat recovered to $110. This case explores the headwinds and tailwinds of Disney's ability to flesh out value for investors, including the growth of its Disney+ platform and the recovery of its theme parks. A supplementary case detailing Third Point's ultimate decision and its aftermath is also available.

The COVID-19 crisis has underlined the need for accelerated innovation to rapidly help business solve social problems. These problems require access to capabilities and knowledge that no single organization or existing supply chain possesses. Drawing on the experience of the open innovation and rapid-scale-up achieved by the VentilatorChallengeUK to address a shortage of ventilators required by patients seriously ill with COVID-19, this article develops a framework for accelerated innovation and delivery that crosses traditional industry boundaries. It offers a series of important lessons for how open innovation, exaptation, and ecosystem strategies - backed by a set of enabling initiatives - can be used to solve multi-faceted social and business problems at speed.