Hidden innovationor Invisible innovation refers to innovation that is not captured or recognised by traditional indicators such as research and development (R&D) spending or number of patents. The term generally refers to innovation that takes place outside science & technology sectors, which are the primary sectors which invest in formal R&D and patents. For example, although technological innovations are often developed in the oil & gas sector through oil exploration activities, these innovations are unaccounted for in innovation metrics because oil exploration is not counted as formal R&D. Other types of innovation, including social innovation, can be classed as hidden innovation.