Jan 02
I’m not that Innocentive
I have always been a fan of Innocentive, but they just keep 
getting better.
Innocentive is a open innovation marketplace where seekers (often large corporations like Eli Lilly and Proctor & Gamble) post challenges with monetary awards. For instance, seekers are currently looking for technology to preserve bread texture ($40,000), a grain moisture/ wetness sensor system ($20,000), and an outdoor mobile wireless network ($25,000).
The innovation model is interesting enough for these science and technology applications, but Innocentive has recently embraced the non-profit and social innovation crowd (see this article in Fast Company). For instance, the Rockefeller Foundation supports a whole list of challenges related to development for poor and vulnerable populations. Last fall a 31-year-old Texan won $20,000 for his idea for a solar-powered router. The seeking organization, ASSET, breaks the cycle of the sex industry by providing training for children of sex workers and girls rescued from trafficking in India. The training focuses on technology and computer skills, but unreliable electricity in some areas makes operations difficult. The solar-powered router will provide more hours for training.
Full disclosure: I also love Innocentive because I recently participated in my first challenge and won $3,000!
January 4th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
You can’t just throw out that you won $3,000 for something without adding the details. I might be having a brain lapse but I don’t remember you sharing that exciting news… Give me a call or drop me a line sometime!
January 5th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Hi Adrienne – thanks for your great post about InnoCentive, and congratulations on your recent award! I’m happy that you’ve mentioned the non-profit angle of our business – this is indeed what motivates many people to become Solvers. In fact, we published a story recently about a scientist who was motivated to solve a Challenge seeking more cost effective TB drug manufacturing processes because his mother had TB when he was a child. He was forced to support his family at the age of 14. His solution has the potential to help millions of people. You can read his story here – http://blog.innocentive.com/2008/12/09/im-a-solver-kana-sureshan/ Thanks again for your great post and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to learn more about InnoCentive!
Connie French, InnoCentive
January 6th, 2009 at 2:09 am
Hi AD, Congratulations!!!