What is Innovation?
Innovation is the process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay.
What is Open Innovation?
Open Innovation is a cutting edge business practice whereby companies and organisations acknowledge that they cannot employ all the smart people and experts to solve all their challenges or needs in-house. It is the process of going outside an organisation’s four walls to find or inspire new innovations, talents and technologies.
What is Regional Connect?
Regional Connect is a web-based platform that will connect innovators, inventors and solution providers with solution seekers in government and the private sector, whilst ensuring the protection of intellectual property on both sides. The platform builds on the expertise and experience of a proven Open Innovation mediation model to deliver value to innovators and customers.
Who can take part in the Regional Connect Open Innovation Solution Exchange?
Anyone! It is ‘open’ to anyone, whether it is an individual, company, research institute, SME, government department or academic institute. Absolutely anyone can take part in the Regional Connect Solution Exchange.
What is a Challenge?
A Challenge is a specific business problem defined by a solution seeker that articulates the problem, key specifications and the desired results of a potential solution. It is written into a concise and compelling 2-3 page document inviting potential solvers to respond with a proposal of their solution to the challenge.
How is my submission/information protected?
The information contained in your first submission is not confidential and not protected. You are therefore advised not to submit any information deemed to be confidential e.g. when first submitting/replying you might explain what your solution does and not how it does it. Simply put, you need to give enough details in your first submission for the challenge sponsor to approach you for more details. Before releasing any confidential information, both parties will sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in order to protect your intellectual property (IP) and going forward, all negotiations will be legally controlled and protected.
Who can see my responses?
Other users cannot see your response to a Challenge, Technology Offer or Needs. Only members of the evaluation team for a particular Challenge, publisher of the Technology Offer or Needs list, can see your response.
What do I do if I have further questions?
If the questions relate to the website, contact the Webmaster but if it is related to a particular challenge, contact the Resource Team of that particular challenge. The helpdesk contact is indicated on the Technology Offer or Challenge brief.
