In racing parlance, a ‘dark horse’ is a horse highly unlikely to win.

In innovation, dark horses have enormous energy, precisely because so little is expected of them and because they are under-rated by complacent incumbents.

Take, for instance, the three leading European football (soccer) leagues: England, Germany, and France.

In England, Hull City, a small club promoted from the 2nd league this year, is in 6th place, only 6 points behind league-leading Liverpool, a club with a budget many times that of Hull. Hull has beaten top teams this year, including Manchester United.

In France, little Nice is in 4th place, only 6 points behind perennial league-leaders Lyon, despite its miniscule budget of 35 million euros. 

And Germany? Well, the Bundesligue is led by Hoffenheim. Who? This small German town with only 3,300 inhabitants was also promoted from the lower league, and led by a more or less unknown coach has defeated top German teams. This weekend it plays the soccer empire of Bayern Munchen, led by Jurgen Klinsman. 

In all three leagues, these dark horses, have used teamwork to their advantage. Lacking the money to buy high-priced stars (some of whom might cost as much as the team’s entire annual payroll), they use hard work, team collaboration, and above all – the energy of the dark horse. Facing complacent rivals, they repeatedly win by playing hard, every moment of the game. 

Half of the season has been completed. Experts expect each of these teams to collapse in the second half.    Don’t bet on it. Count on the energy of the dark horse to prevail.

Innovators – you too are dark horses. Facing powerful incumbents, startups can prevail, in the same way that Nice, Hoffenheim and Hull City have.