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. The Seeker pays an award only if the Challenge is solved.

The Challenge Center is where InnoCentive connects Seekers and Solvers with a myriad of the world’s toughest Challenges. Seeker organizations post their Challenges in the Challenge Center and offer registered Solvers significant financial awards for the best solutions. Solvers can search for Challenges based on their interests and expertise.

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 Challenge Center.

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 email us at sales@innocentive and one of our representatives will call you to discuss your specific needs and how InnoCentive's model might work for you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

IP is always transferred in an RTP 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Team Project Room ("TPR") is a secure online workspace that allows a group of Solvers to collaborate as a team to solve an InnoCentive Challenge. The team's solution is developed and agreed among team members in the TPR, and is submitted to InnoCentive as a single proposal.

• Some Challenges inherently call for insight from multiple Solvers with diverse knowledge and skills. By working with other Solvers, you could increase your chances of submitting a winning solution
• Some solvers already work in teams. By participating in a TPR, the terms for Intellectual Property and award sharing among the team members are worked out in advance

Team Project Rooms are only available for select Challenges. These Challenges include information about teaming in the Challenge description and are designated by the team icon.

Setting up a Team Project Room is a simple process. First, find a Challenge that supports teaming. Second, create a team. Third, click on the Team Room Form tab in the Challenge's project room. The following information is required:

1. The Room Leader's username
2. The Maximum Number of Room members and the Award Distribution Scheme (Equal Payout or Room Leader decides)
3. The username(s) who are being invited

Once we receive the form, we will create the Team Project Room and work with you to invite the other Team Members to join.

Team Project Rooms are an extension of the individual Project Rooms currently available to you on InnoCentive.com. Each TPR is linked with one specific Challenge and one team of Solvers. After signing the appropriate legal agreements and joining a TPR, a Solver has access to the full details of the Challenge. In addition, the TPR provides:

• A discussion forum where members can exchange ideas, and where notifications are posted alerting members to important events occurring within the Room
• A document exchange capability, where members can upload, review, and rate documents that may be used in the development of their solution
• A page from which the team's solution(s) are managed, reviewed, approved, and forwarded to InnoCentive
• A message center that enables the Room Leader to ask questions about the Challenge and receive replies from InnoCentive Client Services

• To be very simple and easy for Solvers to understand
• To have rules that are fair and reasonable, and protective of the interests of all participants
• To establish a clear and appropriate IP transfer structure for the work of the team
• To create an effective collaboration platform that protects each team member's rights while preventing any single member from unduly obstructing the process

Yes. In addition to the Challenge Specific Agreement, you will need to sign a "Team Project Room Terms of Use" agreement. This agreement provides details about the "Rules of Engagement" for using a Team Project Room.

To achieve the design goals for TPRs, InnoCentive developed a set of rules that govern the way teams work within the tool. These rules are enabled and enforced by the software, and are also codified in the legal "Team Project Room Terms of Use" agreement that must be electronically signed by each Solver participating in a team.

Each TPR has exactly one "Room Leader". Any Solver in good standing can request that a new TPR be created and designate themselves as the Room Leader. The Leader then invites additional members to join the Room (subject to the controls described below). The role of the Room Leader is central to ensuring that the team produces an agreed solution whose IP can be transferred. The decision rights of the Room Leader are balanced by the rights of each member to express their view on the solution – and even to disagree with it.

There are a few key rules governing the use of a TPR:

1. All members of a Room must agree to the Challenge Specific Agreement and the Team Project Room "contract" when joining a Room. Members sign a click-through agreement which confirms their agreement to the terms, and to the current room membership. Two key terms of the contract are the maximum number of Room members and the award distribution scheme. (See items below for more details on these terms.) Any change to the terms must be agreed by all Room members; the system provides a means for the Room Leader to propose changes and get approval from members.
2. The Room Leader invites Members to the team, up to the agreed maximum size. Members can propose and comment on new members in the Discussion area of the TPR, and once agreed upon, the Room Leader may invite new members to the Team Project Room by sending an email to innohelp [at] innocentive [dot] com. The email must include:
   1. The Team Leader's username and email
   2. The name and number of the Challenge
   3. The username(s) and email addresses of the member(s) who are being invited

No. Once a Solver joins a TPR, they are no longer eligible to submit a solution as an individual for the same Challenge, and cannot join another TPR for the same Challenge. Specifically:

1. They are ineligible to submit a solution for that challenge via any channel other than the original Room they joined
2. They are ineligible to join another Room for the same challenge, or create their own individual room
3. If a Solver has already submitted a solution for a Challenge, they cannot join a Team Project Room for the same Challenge

The Room Leader determines the content of the Room's solution submission(s); Each Room member may express a "dissenting opinion" on a submission, which is also provided to the Seeker. Each solution submission must go through a TPR review process before it can be sent to InnoCentive. The process is:

1. The submission is reviewed by Room members during a "comment period" prior to forwarding to InnoCentive; Room members either approve the submission or provide a dissenting opinion
2. Failure to respond during the comment period is treated as approval for the submission
3. The Room leader determines if any dissenting opinions warrant revising the submission; if so, a new comment period begins
4. All dissenting opinions are forwarded to the Seeker together with the submission; it's up to the Seeker to evaluate the potential impact
5. Any due diligence failure involving any team member invalidates the entire solution
6. Rooms provide collaborative authoring tools, rating and voting mechanisms to facilitate arriving at an agreed solution, but InnoCentive will not arbitrate

One of the decisions that must be made when a Team Project Room is created is how the award will be distributed. There are two options: 1) Equal Payout, in which the total award amount is distributed equally among all team members, or 2) Room Leader Decides, in which half of the award is distributed equally among all team members, and the remaining half of the award is allocated by the Room Leader at their discretion. This decision is made when the room is created, and can only be changed if all Room Members agree to the change in terms.

Yes, a member can be removed from a Room for violating the Room contract (e.g. for publically releasing confidential information). InnoCentive has the sole right to remove a member. In the event that a team member is removed:

1. All contributed IP from a removed member stays with the Room
2. Information regarding the member's removal will be communicated to the Seeker; the Seeker will assess the potential impact and determine how the Room's submission will be treated
3. If any member violates the Room contract, InnoCentive reserves the right to invalidate and disband the Room

Should a Room Leader become unresponsive, all members must agree on a new Leader or the Room is disbanded. Failure of the Room Leader to respond within 14 days qualifies members to select a new leader. Simply send us an email at innohelp [at] innocentive [dot] com and we will work with you to appoint a new Room Leader.

There is a Challenge Discussion Board on many of the Challenges which allow team formation. Use this forum to find Solvers who are looking for teammates, and to post information about the type of Solver you want to join your team. The Challenge Discussion Board is an open forum which is accessible from your Project Room or from the Team Project Room. Look for the link at the top of the Challenge Details page, underneath the deadline date. You can only access this forum after opening a Project Room for the Challenge.