We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to provide more information
about NineSigma's role as facilitator between our Clients and Solution Providers.
If you have other questions about how our process works or your role in the process,
please
contact us. We look forward to working
with you.
- NineSigma is a pioneering company in the field of Open Innovation. We connect our Clients with companies, researchers, and individuals who might solve their problems.
- Essentially, we are matchmakers.
- A NineSigma Request for Proposal (RFP) includes an outline of a proposed project in terms of timing, investment, and evaluation criteria.
- NineSigma works with our Client to define the problem and write the RFP.
- NineSigma uses the RFP to communicate our Client’s business need to the global research and innovation community.
- The business need may include:
- New technologies to support new products or product extensions
- New technologies to improve cost, quality, or cycle time
- Alternative sources of materials
- Input from experts, analysts, or designers
- The NineSigma Request for Proposal process is similar to grants in that you are competing for research and development funds, but these are contractual opportunities with commercial organizations.
- As a contractual agreement, the Solution Provider (you) and our Client will negotiate the details of the scope of work, project duration, and the payment or funding. This is very different from the usual academic grant writing process, where the scope of work is not subject to negotiation.
- The Request for Solution (RFS) communicates a Client’s request for a known “solution” to the global innovation community.
- With an RFS, NineSigma’s Client is seeking suppliers of ready to deliver ingredients, materials, or components.
- NineSigma’s Clients generally are Fortune 500/Global 1000 companies who already have extensive investments in internal innovation.
- In order to innovate more quickly and remain competitive in today’s marketplace, these companies are adapting to welcome innovation from outside the organization.
- When the company’s name is not on the RFP, it is by request of our Client. Often, when NineSigma’s Clients choose to solicit proposals anonymously, they do not want to signal to the market what they are focusing on.
- The company will disclose their identity to Solution Providers with whom they choose to initiate a business relationship.
- NineSigma Requests are open to the public. Our Clients are specifically seeking new contacts outside of their established network, and we welcome proposals from throughout the world.
- Our Clients are interested in responses from companies, academic researchers, government laboratories, and private inventors.
- Collaboration between organizations is acceptable as well.
- No. NineSigma does not charge Solution Providers to participate in the Request process. NineSigma’s Clients pay all our fees.
- Responding to a NineSigma Requests presents an opportunity for you to develop a mutually beneficial relationship with a large, globally-recognized partner with access to significant markets.
- NineSigma’s Clients already are ‘sold’ on the idea of working with an external partner, and they actively are looking to invest in joint development, acquisition, licensing, or other relationships.
- The NineSigma process could be a new sales channel for you to augment your existing channels.
- There is no fee for you to submit a response. Your risk is a little time, and your minimum gain is that our client knows who you are, and something about you, and can contact you directly in the future. Your maximum gain may be a contract with our Client.
- NineSigma has a Solution Provider Help Desk (PHD) available to answer your questions or to put you in contact with the Request Manager.
- You may contact us via email (PhD@ninesigma.com) or by telephone (216-283-3901).
- If you have technology or expertise that meets our Client's criteria, we ask you to write a brief non-confidential proposal (about two or three pages) that could persuade our Client that you are the best person or organization in the world to solve their problem.
- Each Request has an associated Response Template that you may use. The Response Template is a Microsoft Word document that contains instructions and guidelines for what to include in your proposal.
- After you have written your proposal, please submit your response online at our Solution Provider website, MyNineSigma.
- In order to protect both our client’s IP and your ability to negotiate fairly the sale of yours, NineSigma requires that nothing you submit through us contain proprietary, confidential, or enabling information unless your IP has been secured appropriately.
- Once the Client has expressed an interest in more detailed discussions with a Solution Provider, the parties may execute confidentiality agreements so that confidential information is protected for both parties.
- NineSigma does not participate in IP negotiations or set any terms or conditions in how you develop a relationship with our Client.
- NineSigma’s Clients are looking for demonstrated interest on your part in the form of a two or three page non-confidential proposal.
- The proposal should be an executive summary that describes your organization, your expertise, and your proposed solution.
- Our Clients are seeking practical solutions to their needs from experts already working on the problem.
- Proposed solutions that best conform to the specifications are greeted most favorably.
- In our experience, the best proposals show capability without revealing exactly how the results are achieved. Describe what your technology does, not how it works.
- Do your results meet or exceed the specifications in the Request? If not, how much additional development time is needed?
- How does your solution overcome the drawbacks of other existing technologies?
- Our client will use the information you provide to judge whether they should pursue more in-depth discussions, negotiations, or other arrangements directly with you.
- For additional guidance and suggestions, view our Guide to Writing a Compelling Non-Confidential Proposal.
- Only NineSigma and the company that is sponsoring the project will see the non-confidential proposal you submit.
- Please remember that the Client may distribute non-confidential proposal abstracts broadly within their organization in order to evaluate and determine interest in your response.
- NineSigma presents all the proposals to our Client, and the Client has the sole discretion to select proposals that merit further discussion.
- Typically, NineSigma’s Clients assess three feasibilities during their review of proposals. These are:
- Technical Feasibility: Is the proposal scientifically sound and does it meet the technical specifications requested?
- Commercial Feasibility: Will the proposed technology meet the business/product needs and be commercially viable?
- Relationship Feasibility: Can the Client and Solution Provider work together?
- Most Clients complete an initial review of proposals in about two months, but the process varies from project to project. We will keep responders informed of progress during this time by updating proposal status on the MyNineSigma website.
- After the initial review, our Client may have additional questions for the Solution Provider and may request a teleconference. NineSigma will make initial introductions and may facilitate the process and contacts between Solution Providers and Clients.
- If our Client does not select your proposal, we will notify you of their decision. If the Client provides feedback about their decision, we will share that information as well.
- NineSigma’s Client may award some, all, or none of the proposals.
- Yes. If NineSigma’s Client is interested in your proposal, you will negotiate the full scope of work, budget, duration, and other details directly with the Client.
- During Due Diligence and contract negotiation, the Client and Solution Provider may execute confidentiality agreements to protect both parties.
- NineSigma does not participate in confidential discussions or contract negotiations.
- Yes. Submitting a response to a NineSigma Request does not imply a contract or bind you to the process. You may withdraw your proposal at any time.
- Our Clients may award supply agreements, joint development agreements (JDAs), co-development or licensing arrangements, research contracts, and consulting agreements.
- Yes. NineSigma routinely facilitates connections between Clients and Solution Providers that lead to contracts.
- Some projects resulted in small awards for consulting or proof of concept, and others have resulted in significant development agreements.
- To read what Solution Providers are saying about being part of the NineSigma Innovation Network, view our Solution Provider Insights page.
- Yes. Our Clients frequently award contracts to academic researchers.
- Academic scientists often do well with projects where leading edge, "upstream" technology advances are sought or where their technology is already being commercialized via a small company that can interface effectively with our clients.
- Join our Innovation Network! When you register at MyNineSigma, you will be prompted to provide information about your interests.
- We will use the information to send you Requests in your field of expertise.
- In addition, you can elect to receive our weekly newsletter that lists all open Requests.
- NineSigma uses your email address to contact you about Requests that may be of interest to you.
- When you submit a proposal in response to a NineSigma Request, we provide your contact information to our Client.
- NineSigma does not share your email address with any other organizations.
- Maybe. At this time, NineSigma does not market technology or products. However, if your technology meets the needs of one of our Requests, we encourage innovators like you to submit a proposal that we will deliver to the requesting organization.
- We also encourage you to join our Innovation Network that will keep you informed of all open Requests in case we have a future innovation need that is a fit for your product.
- In addition, our newsletter will keep you informed in the event that NineSigma decides to expand our services to include marketing new technologies.
Return to Top