Testimonials

“NineSigma enabled us, as a solution provider, to conclude several deals with major corporations in the USA and Japan that we would never have had a chance to engineer if we were operating on our own”

- Dr Karl Massholder,
Director and Founder,
UltraKat Plasmatechnik GmbH


“The obvious benefit of working with NineSigma is that we got a substantial contract, which is certainly of value to us. The solution we provided the client is built on a lot of our background, experience, knowledge and capabilities. I suppose we weren’t aware of the real possibility of success, we hadn’t recognized the potential, until we actually were lucky enough to win a major contract.”

- Alexander Gosling,
Director,
Invetech Pty Ltd, Australia,
after signing a $1,800,000 (US) contract with a Fortune 25 NineSigma client in December, 2006


“NineSigma clearly hooked us up with a premier organization in the global food & beverage industry. This has developed into a substantial collaboration with a key target of ours. We foresee moving into a larger commercialization phase following the development and testing phases, getting the ingredient ready for large scale production in the national market. It’s a great opportunity for us.”

- Ira S. Pastor,
Vice President, Business Development,
Phytomedics Inc., New Jersey,
after signing a $270,000 development contact with a Fortune 25 NineSigma client in November, 2006

 
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FAQ’s for Solution Providers

We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to provide more information on NineSigma’s process and the role of the Solution Provider. 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.

Why should I participate in this new approach by companies to source innovation externally?

  • Many of our Clients are companies that have previously worked under the ‘invent internally, own everything’ philosophy. The business climate is changing. These once very insular companies realize that they must innovate more quickly than ever before. Their cultures are changing to welcome innovation from outside the organization and to foster collaborative and partnering relationships with other companies of all sizes as well as academic, not-for-profit, government laboratories and individuals.

  • NineSigma is at the leading edge of the new model of Open Innovation. We are seeing more and more companies develop strategies to leverage external innovation so that they may better focus on their internal core capabilities. NineSigma facilitates connections between premier companies and expert solution providers like you. We encourage Solution Providers to respond to the requests NineSigma issues on behalf of its clients so that they may create “win-win” relationships with these industry-leading companies.

  • The connections that are being formed between Sponsoring Companies and Solution Providers are creating real value for both parties in the form of contracts, supply agreements, JDAs, co-development or licensing arrangements, research contracts and consulting agreements.

How do I join the NineSigma Solution Provider network?

  • It is as simple as filling out the web form in the Solution Provider section of the website to “opt-in” to our network. You will be immediately added to our distribution list for RFPs and our bi-weekly newsletter.

How long does the RFP process typically take?

  • You will receive an RFP and have approximately 4 weeks to respond.

  • Most Innovation Seekers (clients) complete an initial analysis of the responses in 4-8 weeks. Due Diligence and contract negotiation can be 4 weeks or 4 months long, depending on a variety of factors.

Who do I work with once I have responded to a proposal?

  • Most sponsoring companies have one of NineSigma’s PhD Program Managers handle an initial round of questions with the responding innovators. If your proposal continues to be considered, you will work directly with the companies seeking solutions.

Who sees my proposal abstract?

  • Only NineSigma and the company that is sponsoring the project (“Innovation Seeker”) will see the non-confidential proposal you submit.

  • Please remember that the non-confidential proposal abstracts may be distributed broadly within the Innovation Seeker’s organization in order to evaluate and determine interest in your response.

How is IP protected?

  • The best way for Solution Providers to protect their Intellectual Property (IP) is by providing only non-confidential information or information that is available in the public domain in their proposal abstract. (See “How can I submit a good proposal?” below for more information on how to present compelling information in a non-confidential way).

  • The Innovation Seeker needs to receive only non-confidential information so that the IP will be protected. Furthermore, some Sponsoring Companies need the Solution Provider to acknowledge that the information being submitted is non-confidential so as to ensure that the Innovation Seeker is not being given proprietary information.

  • Once the Innovation Seeker has expressed an interest in more detailed discussions with the Solution Provider, confidentiality agreements can be executed so that confidential information is protected for both parties.

  • Use of Solution Provider IP by the Innovation Seeker is negotiated directly between the two parties. It may take the form of purchase of the IP, a licensing agreement, joint patents, royalties, a purchase agreement, etc.

What about fees?

  • The Innovation Seeker (company issuing the RFP) is NineSigma’s client. All of NineSigma’s fees associated with the request are paid by the Innovation Seeker.

  • There is no cost from NineSigma to the Solution Provider to view or respond to a request.

Why is the Innovation Seekers not identified on some Request documents?

  • When the company’s name is not on the RFP, it is by request of the company.

  • Some of NineSigma’s clients choose to solicit proposals anonymously. It could be as simple as not wanting 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.

How does the Innovation Seeker award contracts?

  • When proposal abstracts are received by NineSigma, they are collected and organized, and are then presented to the company, typically within a couple days of the RFP closing date.

  • The company’s initial review by the company’s technical and project teams varies by company and by request but typically takes 4 – 8 weeks from when the proposals are given to the Innovation Seeker. NineSigma monitors the process and can be a resource to the innovators.

  • Following the initial review, the Innovation Seeker may have additional questions for the Solution Provider, may request a teleconference, a more detailed proposal or even a prototype. The Innovation Seeker may choose to receive confidential information from the Solution Provider to more fully assess the proposal and this could happen under a confidentiality agreement such as a CDA or NDA.

  • Following Due Diligence with a select subset of the responding Solution Providers, the Innovation Seeker decides with which Solution Provider(s) to engage. The Innovation Seeker may award some, all, or none of the proposals.

  • The Innovation Seeker negotiates the contract (including the scope of work, tasks, and duration) directly with the Solution Provider.

  • Submitting a response does not bind the Solution Provider to continuing to work within the Innovation Seeker’s process - a Solution Provider can withdraw at any time.

  • Typically, NineSigma’s clients are looking for a specific technology, capability, or expertise. In some cases, no fully responsive solutions are identified and no contracts are awarded.

  • Submitting a proposal abstract does not in any way imply a contract on the part of the Innovation Seeker and Solution Provider.

  • NineSigma is not a party to any contract between the Innovation Seeker and Solution Provider.

Does this work? Do companies really award contracts?

  • Yes, we routinely serve as the broker between technology issues and global innovators. We see awards for as small as a $5000 proof of concept to as large as a $1,800,000 technology licensing arrangement (yes, we really brought an Australian solution provider together with a US based Fortune 20 company – the deal closed in 2 months and had a $1.8M payment)

Any advice on how I can submit a strong proposal?

  • Our clients are typically interested in a number of factors including:

    • A description of the performance of the technology.

    • A description of the technology’s commercial viability.

    • Has the technology been reduced to practice?

    • Are there obvious environmental or safety issues?

    • Is the described technology protectable and unencumbered from an IP standpoint?

  • Remember, these companies have paid us to help them find a real solution to a current problem. Help them solve it!

Who sees my email address?

  • When you register on NineSigma’s website, you are requested to provide contact information including your email address. NineSigma uses your email address to contact you about requests that may be of interest to you. When you submit a proposal abstract in response to a NineSigma request, the Innovation Seeker also receives your contact information including your email address. NineSigma does not share your email address with any other organizations.

What other responsibilities do I have?

  • Solution Providers are encouraged not to submit the same proposal to other parties during the review period by the Innovation Seeker.

I am still unsure how to best respond to a project without disclosing my company’s ideas?

  • You are not alone! We routinely help Solution Providers find a way to create a compelling proposal without disclosing any proprietary information. Feel free to give the Program Manager for your project a call – we are here to help you put your best foot forward.
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