In response to the need for increased effectivity in global product development, the Polhem Laboratory at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, and the Center for Design Research at Stanford University, USA, have created the concept of Distributed Team Innovation (DTI). The overall aim of the DTI framework is to decrease the negative impact of geographic distance on product development efforts and to further enhance current advantages of worldwide, multidisciplinary collaboration. The DTI framework uses a three-layered approach to the advancement of global collaboration; with product development, education, and research in dynamic and synergetic interaction. From our preliminary findings, we believe that the approach we have taken in the DTI initiative will make significant contributions to meet current challenges of distributed product development.