This document provides an overview of NineSigma's services for running prize-based innovation competitions. It discusses NineSigma's global network of over 2 million solution providers, and how they use a combination of technical outreach and PR/marketing to identify potential solutions from diverse sources. The document presents several case studies of past competitions run by NineSigma for clients like Cisco and GE, and outlines NineSigma's typical competition methodology which includes program design, a submission period, closing and assessing submissions, and awarding winners.

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INNOVATION IMPACT
Introduction for ISSIP.org

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Moving your innovation program forward
Innovation Impact: Prize-Based Competitions
Sample Competitions
NineSigma Overview
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4
AGENDA

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NEW SOLUTIONS AND IDEAS COME FROM INTERNAL
AND EXTERNAL NETWORKS

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NINESIGMA OVERVIEW
2+ MILLION
SOLUTION
PROVIDERS HEADQUARTERS & PARTNER OFFICES
U.S.
Belgium
Japan
Korea
Australia
South Africa
Brazil
Canada
OUR EXPERIENCE
3,500+
DIVERSE CLIENTS
Multinationals
Middle Market
Non-Profit
Government
OVER 700 CLIENTS
52% Business 34% Universities 14%
Government
Inventors
Consultants
Non-profit
Netherlands
NINESIGMA NETWORK
FROM 32
Innovation
Challenges
Industries

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CONNECTIONSUNEXPECTED
HAPPEN
WE MAKE

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AUTOMOTIVE
SENSORS
A global automotive
manufacturer was looking for
non-traditional solutions to
real-time contaminant and
property sensing of non-polar
liquids.
DAIRY
SCIENCE
A promising technology was
found in the dairy science
field that was being used to
monitor milk production and
quality.

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Moving your innovation program forward
Innovation Impact: Prize-Based Competitions
Sample Competitions
NineSigma Overview
1
2
3
4
AGENDA

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WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO DO?
An overview of NineSigma’s services

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WHAT DIFFERENTIATES OUR MODEL?
Proactive technical
engagement of A GLOBAL
NETWORK of more than
2M Solution Holders
A CROSS-FUNCTIONAL
TEAM of business leaders,
innovation consultants
& PhD-level scientists
ALTERNATIVE PRIZE
STRATEGY approaches
to incentivize a diverse
winner portfolio

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NINESIGMA'S DEDICATED TEAM
Strategic
Programs
Team &
Program Mgr.
Technical
Lead &
TASK Team
Marketing
Team
NineSights
Community
Manager
NineSigma
Help Desk
Client
Champions
Client
Competition
Lead
Legal, Web
and
Marketing/PR
Support
-R&D
-Marketing
-Business Dev.
-R&D
-Legal
NINESIGMA
TEAM
CLIENT
TEAM
JOINT
TEAM

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ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS
WITH A NINESIGMA COMPETITION MODEL
Clearly Defined
Technology
Objective
TOPIC CRITERIA TIMELINE JUDGING AWARDS
Evaluation
Criteria
Design, Launch
and Award
Timeline
Evaluation
Protocol
Prize
Strategy

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NINESIGMA COMPETITION MODEL
PROGRAM METHODOLOGY
PROGRAM
DESIGN
SUBMISISON
PERIOD
CLOSE AND
ASSESS
AWARD
WINNERS
DEVELOP
ENGAGE
EVALUATE
SELECT

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SAMPLE PROGRAM DELIVERABLES
Solution Provider Outreach
• Select Challenge
topic
• Articulate Need
• Create Search
Strategy
• Develop Prize
Strategy
• Define Judging
Process
• Develop
Communications Plan
• Develop Challenge
site
• Launch Innovation
Contest
• Execute Campaigns
• Manage Submissions
• Implement
Communications Plan
• Manage SP Support
and Communications
• Reporting and metrics
• Implement Review
Process
• Manage Judges
• Manage Winner
Selection
• Communicate Winner
selection
• Plan Award
Announcement
• Reporting and metrics
• Implement Prize
Strategy
 Awards
 Announcement
• Amplify Award impact
in Communication
Channels
• Manage Award
Process
• Reporting and metrics
PR and Advertising
AWARD STAGECLOSE and ASSESSSUBMISSION PERIODPROGRAM DESIGN
Identify Targets
Note: Actual timelines depend on program scope and Sponsor goals

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NineSigma’s proprietary “dual call to action” outreach combines integrated
technical outreach with traditional PR/Marketing.
NINESIGMA'S DUAL OUTREACH PROCESS
IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS
(Technical Outreach)
PR OUTREACH
(Catalyst to Stakeholders)
Research Centers
Corporations
Universities
Suppliers
Start-ups | Entrepreneurs
NGOs
Industry
Local Stakeholders
Governments
Public

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GLOBAL OUTREACH TO TARGETED
CROSS-DISCIPLINE NETWORKS
PROJECT IS LAUNCHED VIRAL NETWORKING RESPONSES RECEIVED

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NineSigma recommends a three-tier evaluation process.
THREE-TIER EVALUATION PROCESS
TIER 1: INITIAL REVIEW
TIER 2: REVIEW REMAINING PROPOSALS
TIER 3: IDENTIFY AND RECOMMEND WINNERS
Leverages the manpower of internal Client team to
filter out submissions that do not meet technical
criteria.
Proposals are categorized for merit using the
evaluation rubric.
Three-tier process ensures a portfolio of solutions
that align with Client goals by Tier 3.
DOES NOT MEET CRITERIA
REQUIRES ADDITIONAL INQUIRY
ALIGNS WITH GOALS
30%
35%
35%

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VALUE ADD
SERVICES
Learn more at NineSights.com/GC
A SAMPLING OF OUR COMPETITION CLIENTS ON NINESIGHTS:
GRAND CHALLENGE WEBSITE IS HOSTED ON NINESIGHTS
NINESIGMA’S SECURE ONLINE PLATFORM
ENGAGE TECHNICAL EXPERTS
bringing diverse perspective from industry, academia
and institutions
ENABLE SUBMISSIONS
of dozens or hundreds of proposals globally
PROVIDES MODERATED FORUM
for communication between participants and Sponsor
ACTS AS THE ENTRY-GATE
for secure, non-confidential submission of proposals
SUPPORTS ENTIRE COMPETITION
by presenting all technical information, legal terms and
conditions, and timelines

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Moving your innovation program forward
Innovation Impact: Prize-Based Competitions
Sample Competitions
NineSigma Overview
1
2
3
4
AGENDA

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• The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects
accessed through the Internet, as defined by technology analysts
and visionaries.
• The Cisco Security Grand Challenge is a global, industry-wide
initiative to bring the security community together to address
securing the Internet of Things.
• Specific focus areas include: malware defense, security credential
management, and privacy protection.
• A total of 109 proposals were received from 33 countries in 90
days.
• Four winning solutions were announced in October 2014 each
receiving a total of $75K and the potential for further
collaboration with Cisco:
Cornell Tech and Rice University, Excalibur Group, Aircloak and the Max
Planck Institute for Software Systems, and Carnegie Mellon University
RESULTS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• With this Challenge, Cisco has led the next step in the
evolution of the Internet in order to help influence
change in the way we work, live, play and learn.
“This Grand Challenge offers us
the chance to build an exciting
and secure future for the world,
rather than forcing us to react to
unknown threats.”
— MACIEJ KRANZ,
VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF
CORPORATE TECHNOLOGY GROUP, CISCO
CISCO SECURITY GRAND CHALLENGE:
A GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO SECURE THE INTERNET OF THINGS
CASE STUDY

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• The 3D Printing Production Quest was a public Innovation Contest hosted
on NineSights to identify cutting edge technology that can produce
complex parts with high precision by additive manufacturing processes,
using high density, refractory metals.
• Phase 1: Mapping the Ecosystem: 22 proposals were received. The top 10
respondents each received a $5K cash prize and advanced to participate
in Phase 2 of the Quest.
• Phase 2: Producing Test Coupons: Groups had 90 days to manufacture
test coupons from GE supplied materials that were then evaluated for
geometric precision, overall mass, and overall volume.
• GE selected three fabricators with capabilities to produce complex medical
imaging device parts with high precisions based on statistical analysis as
well as several qualitative aspects.
PHASES
OVERVIEW
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The Quest pushed the limits of additive technologies, and
identify production leaders that are operating at the forefront of
3D printing.
• Identified technologies will drive greater product performance,
quality and cost savings for healthcare customers.
GE 3D PRINTING PRODUCTION QUEST
CASE STUDY: INNOVATION CONTEST

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• GE’s Industrial Solutions business launched the Ergonomic Circuit
Breaker Handle Quest on NineSights to identify innovative
designs for an attractive, user-friendly, ergonomic rotary handle
accessory for its molded case circuit breaker. The new design
needed to provide a mounted mechanism that converted between
the linear motion of the toggle and the rotary motion of the handle.
RESULTS
OVERVIEW
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The Quest was launched in April 2014 and ran until July 2014.
• GE worked with NineSigma to invite inventors everywhere to help
solve the design challenge and find new solutions, knowledge and
designers to ultimately accelerate the innovation cycle.
• Five winners were selected, each receiving a cash prize of $10,000
for their innovation design.
• GE is applying fundamentally different approaches to new
product development which leverage the crowd.
• Running an Innovation Contest has allowed GE to quickly
develop a new product, and they will introduce a state-of-
the-art circuit breaker platform in half the time of previous
product launches.
CASE STUDY: INNOVATION CONTEST
GE ERGONOMIC HANDLE QUEST

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CONNECTED
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@NineSigma
@NineSights
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CONNECTED www.NineSigma.com www.ninesigma.com/blog @NineSigma
CONTACT
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CONTACT
NEXT STEPS:
THANK YOU
STAY
CONNECTED www.NineSigma.com www.ninesigma.com/blog @NineSigma
CONTACT
NEXT STEPS:
THANK YOU
Confirm alignment with NineSigma capabilities.
Collaborate to outline program scope, timing and investment.
Schedule a working session to identify your innovation needs.
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Ryan Musarra – Director of Business Development
Phone: 216-295-7862
E-Mail: musarra@ninesigma.com

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NINESIGMA COMPETITION MODEL
PROGRAM METHODOLOGY
PROGRAM
DESIGN
SUBMISISON
PERIOD
CLOSE AND
ASSESS
AWARD
WINNERS
NineSigma works with Clients to refine the competition
strategy and goals.
DELIVERABLES:
• Align goals
• Articulate aspirational Need Statement
• Refine Need Statement
• Develop outreach and communications strategy
• Develop prize strategy
• Define criteria and judging protocol
• Develop rules, terms and conditions
• Develop competition website

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NINESIGMA COMPETITION MODEL
PROGRAM METHODOLOGY
NineSigma executes dual outreach strategy to amplify
the competition and identify unique technical
capabilities.
DELIVERABLES:
• Launch the competition
• Open submission period
• Execute outreach
• Manage submissions via competition website
• Execute amplification plan
• Manage Solution Provider support and communications
• Program Management – reporting and metrics
PROGRAM
DESIGN
SUBMISISON
PERIOD
CLOSE AND
ASSESS
AWARD
WINNERS

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NINESIGMA COMPETITION MODEL
PROGRAM METHODOLOGY
NineSigma closes submissions and manages the
Judging Panel’s review based on the developed
evaluation protocol.
DELIVERABLES:
• Manage assessment and review process
• Manage judging participation
• Implement prize strategy
• Program Management – reporting and metrics
PROGRAM
DESIGN
SUBMISISON
PERIOD
CLOSE AND
ASSESS
AWARD
WINNERS

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NINESIGMA COMPETITION MODEL
PROGRAM METHODOLOGY
NineSigma provides guidance for next steps based on
competition findings and assists with the facilitation of
the awards event.
DELIVERABLES:
• Communicate Winner selection
• Manage award event design
• Amplify award impact in communication channels
• Program Management – reporting and metrics
PROGRAM
DESIGN
SUBMISISON
PERIOD
CLOSE AND
ASSESS
AWARD
WINNERS

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COMPETITION TIMELINE: SINGLE PHASE EXAMPLE
Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12
COMPETITION DESIGN
COMPETITION
AMPLIFICATION PLANNING
NEEDS
ARTICULATION
REVIEW AND
ASSESSMENT
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
OUTREACH
STRATEGY
EVALUATION PANEL
SOLUTION PROVIDER RELATIONS
OPEN SUBMISSION PERIOD - PHASE 1
(IDEATION ROUND)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT