How does it work?

In some way or other, each one of us affects the course of history. Because of the extraordinarily serendipitous way change happens, something you do during the course of today may eventually change the world. James Burke, Science Historian

Big Idea Initiative is all about making connections by sharing knowledge, thoughts, and ideas that support deep thinking and collaboration. Our goal is to create a space that sparks thoughts and conversations among people whose ideas might benefit each other, even if they’re working on completely unrelated topics. We think the limits of possibility will be pushed back by the connections that diverse thinkers make together. Identifying these connections will bring the big ideas our world needs.

The Process

Big ideas come from the gaps, and bridges, between our individual boxes of thinking. Big Idea Initiative will bridge the gaps between people and ideas, and act as an incubator for inspiration. Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Share Your Vision Email us at idea@bigideainitiative.org with your idea. We welcome innovative concepts from individuals and groups across all fields and industries. Be sure to provide a detailed description of your idea, including its purpose, potential impact, and any relevant supporting materials.
2. Craft Your Idea Once your idea is received, our team will work with you to refine and shape your concept into a compelling article. We will provide guidance and support to help you craft a well-written piece that effectively communicates the value and potential of your idea.
3. Amplify Your Idea We are committed to helping your idea gain visibility and reach a larger audience. We encourage reader engagement and discussion around your idea, fostering a vibrant community where feedback, suggestions, and expertise can further refine and enhance your concept. Together, we create an ecosystem where ideas flourish and shared efforts thrive.
4. Bring Ideas to Life We understand that prototyping and funding are crucial steps in turning ideas into reality. Upon completion of the article, we will explore avenues for funding and connect with potential sponsors, or organizations interested in supporting innovative projects. If feasible, we may assist in developing a prototype to further demonstrate your idea’s feasibility.

If you don’t have an exciting idea to share yourself, but know of interesting ideas or people, we’d still love to hear from you!

The Criteria

At Big Idea Initiative, we believe that innovation thrives when ideas transcend boundaries and when they incorporate diverse perspectives. While we welcome ideas from various fields and disciplines, we want to prioritize certain criteria to ensure the potential for impactful outcomes. Here are a few of our top priorities:

• Building bridges We are particularly interested in ideas that bridge the gap between different domains, subjects, and people. We encourage concepts that combine various aspects and fields of research, going beyond a singular focus on a specific domain. By fostering interdisciplinary thinking, we aim to unlock new possibilities and solutions.
• Co-Creation based on people, culture, and technology We value ideas that incorporate technological, cultural, and human aspects. We encourage thinkers to consider how these elements can be combined to create practical and impactful solutions. By taking a connected perspective, ideas have greater potential to address complex challenges.
• Practical outcomes While we appreciate the importance of scientific research, our focus lies on the practical application of ideas. We welcome the combination of existing projects, scientific approaches, and ideas that lead to tangible outcomes. Our aim is to transform ideas into prototypes, products, or initiatives that can make a real difference in the world.
• Balanced Assessment We recognize that technology is neither inherently good nor bad; it’s always a burden and a blessing. Therefore, we are interested in going beyond assessing the benefits of an idea to also consider the potential disruptions or consequences that may arise. By exploring the broader implications, we encourage responsible innovation.

These criteria serve as general guidelines, but we are open to considering a wide range of ideas. Our goal is to provide a platform for any innovative thinker who is committed to creating positive change through their ideas.

The Goal

Our main goal is to shape long-lasting, sustainable change that fundamentally amplifies our human capabilities and raises our collective intelligence. We do that by:

• Shifting ideas from odd to obvious Many groundbreaking innovations have been overlooked or dismissed until they were viewed from a different context or perspective. By showcasing ideas and prototypes, we strive to shift the point of view to create an environment where novel ideas can flourish.
• Producing useful ideas or artifacts We are dedicated to developing ideas to a stage where they become useful and can be applied in everyday life. Through the creation of prototypes, showcases, and tangible artifacts, we aim to show the value and potential impact of these ideas. By doing so, we enable others to develop these concepts further, driving broader implementation and impact.
• Creating large impacts in small niches While it isn’t easy to change the whole world all at once, we recognize the power of creating significant impact within specific areas. We focus on making substantial contributions within certain domains or targeted groups of people. By channeling our efforts into these areas, we strive to bring about the maximum positive change we can.
• Serving as an inspiration for similar models We understand the importance of working together to drive meaningful progress. As we work towards our goals, we aim to generate valuable lessons and insights that can inspire and motivate others. By sharing our experiences and successes, we contribute to a collective push for positive change.

We would love to have you on board. Got any ideas? Let us know at idea@bigideainitiative.org.