We are very excited to announce that UK-based OmniCompete Limited is now part of InnoCentive. Best known for its annual Global Security Challenge, OmniCompete has executed nearly two-dozen high profile Challenges throughout its history in the areas of security, energy, healthcare, and cloud computing. Adding to InnoCentive’s recent successes in Grand Challenges – the awarding of a winner for the $1 million Prize4Life Challenge and partnership with Life Technologies for its multi-million dollar Life Grand Challenges program – this acquisition further establishes InnoCentive as the global standard for high value competitions and Challenges whose solutions have far-reaching consequences in the areas of human health, public safety, education, the environment, and energy.

"Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in interest for Grand Challenges among our commercial, public sector, and foundation clients, said Dwayne Spradlin, CEO of InnoCentive. "These Challenges spark passion among our clients, our Global Solver Community, and our internal staff. The team at OmniCompete not only shares this passion, but has also established deep expertise that is highly complementary to our own. I am delighted to be welcoming them to the InnoCentive family."

Frequently Asked Questions

Information for OmniCompete Clients and Entrants

How will this affect existing contracts that I have with OmniCompete?
Under InnoCentive, OmniCompete will honor all existing contracts as per original agreements. Clients will not experience any interruption or change to services as a result of the acquisition.

Will the OmniCompete office in London continue to exist?
Yes, the OmniCompete team will remain London-based, and this office will now have the distinction of being InnoCentive’s EMEA Headquarters as well as Grand Challenges Division.

Will the London office continue to provide bespoke/tailored competition services as OmniCompete has done?
Yes, as InnoCentive’s Grand Challenges Division, the OmniCompete team will continue to offer full services for prize competitions, including bespoke packages.

Will I continue to work with my existing contacts at OmniCompete?
Yes, InnoCentive has extended job offers to all OmniCompete employees.

[For previous winner, finalists, and entrants] Will my relationship with OmniCompete be carried on after the acquisition?
Yes, OmniCompete has always welcomed previous winners and finalists to be part of the OmniCompete family. This means sharing news, asking for help, and keeping us informed on progress and success stories. Under InnoCentive, we will continue to foster and value these relationships.

What will happen to the OmniCompete brand name, website, and currently open Challenges?
Since we do not want to disrupt any open Challenges in progress, a migration and integration plan will be developed and communicated to customers and Solvers in 1Q12. Eventually, the OmniCompete brand will be retired and its website content incorporated into InnoCentive’s website (www.innocentive.com). Current product and event brands, such as the Global Security Challenge and PitchLive respectively, will continue to live on. 

My question isn’t answered here. With whom can I speak for more information?
If you have previously been engaged with OmniCompete, please contact Siobhán Gibney Gomis at sgibneygomis [at] innocentive [dot] com or + 44 (0) 207 224 0110.

Information for InnoCentive Clients and Solvers

As an InnoCentive customer, how does this acquisition affect me?
Adding to InnoCentive’s recent successes in Grand Challenges – the awarding of a winner for the $1 million Prize4Life Challenge and partnership with Life Technologies for its multi-million dollar Life Grand Challenges program – this acquisition further establishes InnoCentive as the global standard for high value competitions and Challenges whose solutions have far-reaching consequences in the areas of human health, public safety, education, the environment, and energy. OmniCompete’s experience and expertise will add distinct value to InnoCentive’s current offerings.

As an InnoCentive Solver, what about me?
There will be no change to our Solvers in how they work on Challenges, but they will have access to a new range of interesting, world changing problems to work on. Eventually, and so as not to disrupt OmniCompete's current Challenges, we’ll be migrating the OmniCompete Challenges to our site, so that Solvers can work on them the way they have worked on any other InnoCentive Challenge. Additionally, OmniCompete offers valuable non-monetary awards, including business plan competitions that provide visibility with venture capitalists. We're excited to provide these opportunities to our Solvers.

General Information

Who do I contact if I’m interested in learning more about running a Grand Challenge?
Existing InnoCentive and OmniCompete clients can contact their respective account managers. Organizations that are new to InnoCentive and OmniCompete may email Moritz Neutard at grandchallenges [at] innocentive [dot] com, call him at + 44 (0) 207 224 0110, or fill out our online form. We will follow-up with you within 24 hours.

I am a member of the press or media. Who do I contact for more information?
Please feel free to contact:

Connie French
InnoCentive 
cfrench [at] innocentive [dot] com
978-482-3389   

Siobhán Gibney Gomis
InnoCentive (formerly OmniCompete)
sgibneygomis [at] innocentive [dot] com
+ 44 (0) 207 224 0110

Avi Dines/Kristin Allaben
Schwartz MSL Boston
innocentive [at] schwartzmsl [dot] com
781-684-0770