Talking about evolution and revolution; I cannot but bring about the subject of Innocentive.com, an ambitious company that aims to be "Where the World Innovates". Based on a social network, the company is set out to bring about solutions from the four corners of the globe to the businesses in need. A revelation?
It operates by creating a link between companies seeking solutions and business development through R&D with people around the world ready to take up the challenge in their fields of expertise, ideally scientists, PHD holders and researchers.
The network allows “Seekers”, companies such as Eli Lilly and P&G, to post challenges with a proposed remuneration for the winner, creating an incentive for “Solvers”, registered members, to participate; thus following Linux’ open source policy and the new digital trend extracting information from the common human knowledge source. This system ought to allow progress in a timelier manner, at a cheaper cost, and with better results.
The drawbacks?
Yet, the network boasts having the smartest people on board; are they really that smart to get involved? ...Nonetheless, it managed to get mentioned in CNBC, the Economist and Forrester. Revolutionary?
It operates by creating a link between companies seeking solutions and business development through R&D with people around the world ready to take up the challenge in their fields of expertise, ideally scientists, PHD holders and researchers.
The network allows “Seekers”, companies such as Eli Lilly and P&G, to post challenges with a proposed remuneration for the winner, creating an incentive for “Solvers”, registered members, to participate; thus following Linux’ open source policy and the new digital trend extracting information from the common human knowledge source. This system ought to allow progress in a timelier manner, at a cheaper cost, and with better results.
The drawbacks?
- Copyrights shift to the seeker. Would you want your hard work to be channeled? Had I been a Solver, I would want to keep the rights over my work.
- Remunerations are low. If you are to present a cost-effective solution to the company in question, you might as well be paid for it.
- Finally, who is to guarantee the solver gets his rights? The way I see it, the seeker can easily trick the system by providing the winning solver himself, thus recuperating his money and yet get inspired by the many submissions he receives.
Yet, the network boasts having the smartest people on board; are they really that smart to get involved? ...Nonetheless, it managed to get mentioned in CNBC, the Economist and Forrester. Revolutionary?
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