FAQ
What is InnoCentive?
How did InnoCentive begin?
How does InnoCentive work?
What is the Open Innovation Marketplace?
What is an InnoCentive Seeker?
I am a potential Seeker. How do I learn more about InnoCentive and post our problems on the website?
What is an InnoCentive Solver?
How do I register and what information is required?
What do I do if I forget my username?
What do I do if I forget my password?
What is an InnoCentive Ideation Challenge?
What is an InnoCentive Theoretical Challenge?
What is an InnoCentive RTP Challenge?
What is an InnoCentive eRFP Challenge?
What is My InnoCentive?
What is a project room?
Why do I need to provide my full name and contact information before I can View Challenge Details?
How can I ask questions about a particular Challenge?
How do I submit a solution?
What is the deadline for submitting Challenges?
How is my intellectual property protected?
How do I transfer my intellectual property rights to the solution?
After I submit a solution, how much time does it take to be notified of the results?
How do I know these problems and awards are legitimate?
What type of verification does InnoCentive do on the winning Solver?
What’s in it for InnoCentive?
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InnoCentive is a global, online marketplace where organizations in need of innovation–companies, academic institutions, public sector, and non-profit organizations–can utilize a global network of over 160,000 of the world’s brightest problem solvers.
InnoCentive began as a start-up incubated through the e.Lilly division of Eli Lilly and Company-a leading, innovation-driven pharmaceutical corporation. Eli Lilly was the first InnoCentive Seeker and helped formulate the initial InnoCentive Challenges and awards. InnoCentive is now incorporated as an independent company, partnering with many different Seekers in a variety of industries to revolutionize R&D practices.
Seeker organizations post Challenges on the InnoCentive website in the Open Innovation Marketplace along with an appropriate award. Solvers submit solutions to the Challenge. The Seeker pays an award to the Solver who best meets the solution requirements as outlined in the Challenge.
What is the Open Innovation Marketplace?
The Open Innovation Marketplace is where InnoCentive connects Seekers and Solvers with a myriad of the world’s toughest Challenges. Seeker organizations post their Challenges in the Open Innovation Marketplace and offer registered Solvers significant financial awards for the best solutions. Solvers can search for Challenges based on their interests and expertise.
What is an InnoCentive Seeker?
InnoCentive Seekers are progressive, innovation-driven companies and non-profit organizations with tough business and R&D problems that need solutions. Seekers post these problems to the InnoCentive Open Innovation Marketplace.
I am a potential Seeker. How do I learn more about InnoCentive and post our problems on the website?
For general information on how InnoCentive works with Seekers, please visit our Seeker page. If you’d like to work with InnoCentive or need more detailed information, please call us at 978-482-3300 or 1-866-812-7339 and speak to one of our representatives who will discuss your specific needs and how InnoCentive’s model might work for you.
What is an InnoCentive Solver?
InnoCentive Solvers are the people or organizations who register with us to solve InnoCentive Challenges. To review Challenges and submit solutions, Solvers must be registered with InnoCentive. Registration is easy and free, and includes an online Solver terms of use Agreement.
How do I register and what information is required?
To register to be an InnoCentive Solver:
1. Go to https://gw.innocentive.com/ar/registration/index.
2. Create a username and password.
3. Provide an e-mail address and select your country location.
4. Tell us how you learned about InnoCentive.
5. Type the characters you see into the text box on the registration page.
6. After you complete the registration form, you will receive an e-mail confirming your registration.
Follow the instructions in the e-mail to verify and complete your registration.
What do I do if I forget my username?
If you forget your username, you can log into My InnoCentive using your e-mail address and password. Once you log in you will be able to see your username on the top of the web page.
What do I do if I forget my password?
If you forget your password:
1. Go to: http://www.InnoCentive.com/ar/login/forgot.
2. Enter your username or e-mail address.
3. Press the Submit button. You will receive an e-mail with a temporary password.
4. Log in at https://gw.innocentive.com/ar/login/index with your temporary password.
5. Click the MY ACCOUNT tab and reset your password to something that is easy for you to remember. Be sure to press the Save Changes button.
If you do not receive the e-mail with your temporary password, please contact Support.
What is an InnoCentive Ideation Challenge?
An InnoCentive Ideation Challenge is a broad question formulated to obtain access to new ideas. Think of an Ideation Challenge as a brainstorming session or market survey.
In an Ideation Challenge, Solvers may:
• Submit ideas of their own
• Submit third party information that they have the right to use and further the authority to convey that right and the right to use and develop derivative works to Seekers
• Submit information considered in the public domain without any limitations on use
Solvers should not reveal any confidential information in their submissions. Often the Ideation Challenge will be followed by one or more of the other three challenge types to further develop the ideas and gain Intellectual Property protection when the concept has been well-defined.
Ideation Challenge submissions are typically about two written pages.
Note: Seekers receive a non-exclusive, perpetual license to use all submissions.
What is an InnoCentive Theoretical Challenge?
An InnoCentive Theoretical Challenge contains detailed solution requirements that Solvers must fulfill in their responses. In most cases, when a solution is chosen and an award is given, the intellectual property (IP) rights transfer from the Solver to the Seeker. However, some Seekers prefer to obtain a non-exclusive perpetual license when providing awards. Each Challenge statement spells out the IP requirements for that particular Challenge. A Seeker that requires specific IP rights or licensing, and also needs detailed solution submissions, should choose a Theoretical over an Ideation Challenge.
What is an InnoCentive RTP Challenge?
An InnoCentive RTP (Reduction to Practice) Challenge is similar to an InnoCentive Theoretical Challenge in its high level of detail. However, an RTP requires that the Solver submit a validated solution, either in the form of original data or a physical sample. Also the Seeker is allowed to test the proposed solution. Your IP is always transferred in an RTP Challenge.
What is an InnoCentive eRFP Challenge?
eRFPs allow Seekers to submit Requests for Proposals to the InnoCentive Solver community. This global community includes organizations and individuals, such as contract research organizations, scientists, university researchers, and technology companies. After a Solver submits an eRFP response, the Seeker evaluates the responses and determines which Solver(s) to contact for further business discussions. With eRFPs, the Solver must not provide any confidential information in the eRFP response. If your eRFP response is selected, you will negotiate the terms of the contract (including scope of work, tasks and duration) directly with the Seeker.
My InnoCentive is the secure area of our web site for Solver interactions with InnoCentive. My InnoCentive is created when a Solver registers with InnoCentive. My InnoCentive provides links to Solver’s open (in progress) and closed Challenges. The Solver can edit his interests, public profile, and account details at My InnoCentive.
InnoCentive created a secure space online called a “project room”; where Solvers can access the secure and confidential communication forum pertaining to a particular Challenge. In the project room, you can review the Challenge details, submit your solution proposal, ask questions, and receive answers confidentially from the InnoCentive team.To open a project room, you must be a registered Solver and accept the Solver Agreement.
Why do I need to provide my full name and contact information before I can view Challenge Details?
When you view Challenge Details, you will be viewing confidential information posted by InnoCentive Seekers. In order to ensure security for both the Solver and Seeker, we need your legal name and contact information.
How can I ask questions about a particular Challenge?
To ask questions, you must open a project room for the Challenge:
1. Click the ‘Messages’ link at the top of your project room for the Challenge. After you click the link, the Compose New Message button appears.
2. Click the button to enter your question for the InnoCentive Challenge.
You can review the Challenge details, submit your solution proposal, ask questions, and receive answers confidentially from the InnoCentive team. You can also click the Messages button on the right side of the screen in your project room.
1. Go to http://www.InnoCentive.com
2. From the menu, choose My InnoCentive.
3. Log in using your username and password.
4. Select the Challenge from your list of Open Challenges.*
5. Click the Submit a Solution button on the right side of the screen of your project room.
6. Download and complete the Solution Submission Form for the Challenge. Save this document on your computer. It gives a few pointers for what a submission should contain.
7. Select Browse to access each file on your computer that you plan to submit. There is an option to send up to 3 files.
8. Press the Send to InnoCentive button.
9. You will be asked to confirm your email address and enter your phone number so we may contact you if needed.
10. Press the Submit button and a confirmation of the receipt of your submission will display.
*Note: To submit a solution proposal, you must be a registered Solver and have signed the Solver Agreement when you opened the project room. If you have questions regarding the challenge or your submission use the Messages button located in your project room for the Challenge
What is the deadline for submitting Challenges?
Seekers can establish a deadline for receiving proposed solutions. Be sure you submit your solution proposal as soon a possible, even if it is before the deadline. When choosing between solutions of similar quality, the earlier submission is likely to be preferred. If Seekers receive a solution proposal they want to accept, they reserve the right to award a Challenge before the deadline. InnoCentive recommends that you submit your solution proposals upon completion without waiting until the deadline date.
How is my intellectual property protected?
We know how important your work is, and InnoCentive takes precautions to help protect both Seekers and Solvers. First, only InnoCentive and the Seeker that posted the problem can see any proposed solutions. Second, we require both the Seeker and the Solver to sign an agreement protecting confidential information.
How do I transfer my intellectual property rights to the solution?
If the Seeker selects your solution and the transfer of IP rights is a requirement of the Challenge, you must transfer your IP rights to the solution before receiving a financial award. To transfer your IP rights, you must sign a document stating that you own the intellectual property and have the ability to transfer these rights. If you are employed, your employer must sign an agreement to transfer ownership of the intellectual property. In our experience, transfers are consistently resolved to everyone’s benefit.
After I submit a solution, how much time does it take to be notified of the results?
It depends. Seekers typically complete their evaluations within 2 to 6 months after the Challenge deadline. You will be notified if your submission is accepted or rejected. Where available, we also include detailed feedback from the Seeker about your submission.
How do I know these problems and awards are legitimate?
InnoCentive only posts problems and awards from highly reputable Seeker companies and not-for-profit organizations, such as Proctor & Gamble, Eli Lilly, and the Rockefeller Foundation. We have gone to great length to make sure that our Solvers are treated fairly by our Seeker clients. In the InnoCentive Seeker agreement, we have provisions to ensure and obligate Seekers to pay awards to the best solution that meets the stated criteria of a particular Challenge. In addition, InnoCentive has the right to audit the decision making process of the Seeker on any specific awards where there might be an issue or question around payment. To date, we have had no need to exercise that audit right. Most importantly, we have over a seven year track record, paying out more than $3.5 million in awards to over 300 winning Solvers without ever having an issue around payment. We pride ourselves on the trust we have built up with both our loyal Solvers and our satisfied Seeker clients. To see previously awarded InnoCentive Challenges, please visit our Awarded Challenges web page.
What type of verification does InnoCentive do on the winning Solver?
Once a Solver submission has been chosen as the winning solution, InnoCentive will conduct a Solver verification process where the Solver’s identity will be confirmed by receiving a photo ID, such as a passport, the Solver will be required to sign, have notarized, and return an Affidavit re-affirming the Solver agreement they have signed, and InnoCentive requires that the Solver’s employer or academic institution sign an Employer Waiver document waiving any and all IP rights that they might have to the Solver’s submission as a result of an employment agreement.
InnoCentive provides an open innovation resource for progressive companies, empowers people everywhere to unleash their creativity, and helps non-profit organizations bring innovation to communities around the world. InnoCentive works with Seeker organizations to define and post their problems on a global community website. Seeker organizations pay Solvers for the winning solutions. In addition, Seekers pay InnoCentive a fee to post Challenges and, in some cases, they also pay InnoCentive a commission on the amount awarded. InnoCentive does not charge Solvers to view Challenges and submit solutions.