The Current Frontiers in Medical Technology
MedTech innovation in 2026 is defined by execution. Explore four shifts shaping the sector, real-world examples, and how NineSigma helps organizations turn…
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Services / Grand Challenge
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.
Global solver network
0
M+
Challenges run
0
k+
More solutions vs internal R&D
x
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.
How many submissions will we receive?
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.
How long does it take from kickoff to winners?
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.
Who owns the IP of submitted solutions?
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
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
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
The Last Mile of Grid Transformation: Open Innovation Success Stories from Europe and Qatar
Smart Grid Integration Challenges: Why Utilities Can’t Innovate Alone Electricity systems worldwide are shifting from centralised generation toward highly distributed, hybrid…
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Lightweight Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing
How Lightweight Materials are Transforming Industries from Aerospace to Packaging A 10% reduction in vehicle weight delivers a 6–8% improvement in energy…
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How AI and Partner Mapping Accelerated Technology Commercialization for CONECTUS
CONECTUS partnered with NineSigma to accelerate the technological commercialization of two early-stage technologies: MeteorBioPrinting and SiCOI (Silicon Carbide-on-Insulator). Using NineSigma’s proprietary AI…
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Mitsubishi Chemical Accelerates Application Discovery with AKCELI
Discover how Mitsubishi Chemical uses AI to shorten exploration timelines, uncover non-obvious markets, and turn existing materials into new growth opportunities.
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Lintec’s experience with AKCELI, Why Generative AI Alone Isn’t Enough for Innovation
“Ideas grounded in evidence”, which you can’t get from ordinary generative AI, AKCELI has become a new foundation supporting early-stage R&D concepts.”…
View case studyDiscuss 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
30mins – Free – No commitment
Yiqi Zhang
Innovation & Strategic Business Development
Manager
Northern Europe
Asia Pacific
Central Europe
UK
30mins – Free – No commitment
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