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Grand Challenge

When the challenge is big enough for the world to solve it.

Drive a broad, open innovation program that engages thousands of solvers, scientists, engineers, startups, and researchers around your most strategic challenge.

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Global solver network
0 M+
Challenges run
0 k+
More solutions vs internal R&D
x
How it works
What's in it for you
FAQ
Case studies
Related services
How it works

Five stages from ambition to breakthrough

Every Grand Challenge is fully managed by NineSigma — you focus on evaluating solutions, not running the programme.

1

CHALLENGE DESIGN

We design the challenge with you

Our experts work alongside your R&D and strategy team to frame the problem precisely — scope, success criteria, prize structure, eligibility rules, and IP terms. A well-framed challenge attracts the right solvers and filters out noise before a single submission arrives.

Problem statement workshop

Prize architecture

IP framework

Eligibility criteria

2

SOLVER MOBILISATION

We actively recruit solution providers — not passively wait

Our team actively targets specific solution provider communities within our 8M+ network of universities, research labs, startups, independent inventors, and cross-industry experts, based on the problem domain.

Cross-sector recruitment

Target outreach

NineSights listing

4M+ network activation

3

SUBMISSION PERIOD

Solution providers submit

The challenge runs on our platform. We handle Q&A with solution providers, manage submission intake, run preliminary screening, and ensure every submission meets the defined criteria before it reaches your evaluation team.

Preliminary screening

Q&A moderation

Submission tracking

Managed communication

4

EVALUATION

Expert screening

Our technical experts conduct a first-pass evaluation, eliminating off-brief, low-quality, or redundant submissions. You receive a curated finalised

Technical screening

Finalist briefing docs

Comparative analysis

Panel support

5

DELIVER & CONNECT

Winners announced, engagement begins

We manage prize disbursement, winner communications, and post-challenge introductions. For the most promising solutions, we can facilitate co-development discussions, licensing conversations, or follow-on Technology Search or Partner Search engagements.

Prize disbursement

Winner introductions

Follow-on engagement

Panel support

What's in it for you

Every Grand Challenge programme includes:

Challenge brief

Expert-designed problem statement, prize architecture, and IP terms.

Solver campaign

Active mobilisation across our global network and NineSights platform.

Finalist shortlist

Breakthrough solutions, expert-screened, with structured evaluation briefs.

Programme wrap report

Full summary of solver field, submissions, learnings, and next steps.

FAQ

Common questions

How is Grand Challenge different from a Technology Search?
A Technology Search targets known solution types and finds the best existing match. A Grand Challenge is open, the form of the solution is not known, and you want to engage a wide field of solution providers to discover it. Grand Challenge is best for strategic, long-horizon, or technically undefined problems.
Typically 50-500 submissions, depending on the challenge scope and prize size. To facilitate the evaluation our screening process means we will recommend 5-15 viable finalists for final evaluation.
Typically 16-20 weeks end-to-end. Challenge design takes 3 weeks, submission periods run 6-10 weeks, and evaluation and winner selection takes 2-4 weeks.
Solution providers retain IP they bring into the challenge. You own any work product you commission from the winners. Our standard legal framework defines this clearly before the challenge goes live, protecting the interests of all parties and ensuring higher numbers of innovative solutions.
BEST COMBINATION

For best results, pair with

A well-scoped challenge attracts stronger and more relevant solutions, while the resulting technologies can reveal opportunities beyond the original brief.

INTELLIGENCE-LED

Technology Landscape

A Technology Landscape run first establishes sharper search criteria. Less time is spent on searches that miss the mark, and more on solutions that genuinely fit the problem.

3x

faster scoping

140%

result precision

Signal coverage
74%

AND/OR

AI-POWERED

Technology Push

Once a relevant technology is identified, Technology Push explores where else it could create value by identifying adjacent applications, markets and commercial opportunities.

4x

market reach

65%

application matches found

Market fit
68%
CASE STUDIES

Explore our Case Studies

View all case studies
RELATED SERVICES

HOW ELSE WE CAN HELP

AKCELI Platform

AI-powered discovery to surface technologies, experts, and market signals on demand.

Learn more

Technology Landscape

Map a technology domain, players, maturity and white spaces to inform your R&D or investment strategy.

Learn more

Technoloy Push

Identify adoption opportunities for an existing technology, IP or product in adjacent markets and novel use cases.

Learn more

Startup Search

Identify high-potential startups validated against specific technical and commercial criteria.

Learn more

Partner Search

Find research institutes, suppliers, or service providers aligned to your strategic roadmap.

Learn more

Technology Search

Need a faster, targeted search instead of a broad open challenge? Start here.

Learn more
View all services

Discuss the right approach for your application

Our experts identify and validate solutions in weeks, not months. Pick a time that works for you.

Nicolas Wojnarowski

Director, Innovation & Business Development
Western Europe
Americas
Australia
Middle East
Book a call with Nicolas
30mins – Free – No commitment

Yiqi Zhang

Innovation Business Development Manager
Northern Europe
Asia Pacific
UK
Book a call with Yiqi
30mins – Free – No commitment

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