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Plastics & Materials Open Innovation

Problem

Companies, no matter how large their R&D staff, cannot solve all of the problems they are faced with. Open innovation has grown up to address that shortfall. Companies are able to reach external problem solvers all over the world to increase their chances of success. With 6 open innovation wins so far at Innocentive, I am rated among the top 0.01% of registered innovators.

Action

In each case the application was just 2-4 sides of paper where the solution was described. The one I am most proud of is the invention of sodium-free baking soda because it was the most difficult and of the most value to mankind, helping people keep dietary sodium under control. The leavening agent had to cook just like regular baking soda, have acceptable taste, be safe and of course inexpensive. I described the solution and gave details on how to make the new additive on a commercial scale.

Solution

After several months of silence, while the many entries were evaluated and tested, I was contacted by Innocentive to say that I had won the $40 000 prizes. I was shocked and amazed, proud and happy to have won. One always needs some luck to win but the confidence of this win spurred me on to compete in new innovation challenges.

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