Our Approach
Using an open innovation platform, communityINNOVATE leverages the power of the greater Indianapolis community and the human-centered design process to co-create innovative and sustainable solutions to local social issues.
A time-boxed solution that entails the entire innovation process
Once a social issue is selected for the challenge, the community moves together through four time-boxed phases to first create a shared understanding of the issue within the local context and then identify and develop impactful solutions. An online portal is complemented by in-person meet-ups and workshops.

Leverages a diverse set of local partners
As illustrated by sociologist Ron Burt, better ideas are derived from more diverse sources of information.
Thus, communityINNOVATE brings together partners from throughout the community: social issue experts, corporations, non-profits, government, universities, design experts, community organizations and faith-based organizations.

Supported by research
You can listen to a discussion of our most recent Indy Healthy Food Access Challenge on the WFYI No Limits Show and the Wit, Wisdom & Food podcast. The Indianapolis Business Journal also provided a summary of the efforts.
Do you have a social issue that you would like communityINNOVATE to focus on in an upcoming challenge? Or, would you like to leverage the web platform and process within your organization? Let us know!