It's happened to all of us: consciously or subconsciously we're turning a question over in our minds, but we can't kick-start the process that will lead to an answer. Often it just needs a trigger to tip the balance, some expertise from outside. Thoughts are ushered in a new direction and suddenly the solution - or at least the path to the solution - becomes clear.

We call that "open innovation". We open up - on an international scale - to external sources of expertise. But there's nothing arbitrary or opportune about our actions; they are systematic and very much goal-oriented.

Welcome to the first Open Innovation Platform, which addresses not only solution processes in business and industry but also scientific, social and political questions. You, the idea seekers and givers, are the people who put the 'Ideas' into "Land of Ideas". It is you who will be coming together in our 'innovation powerhouse'. Ideas will crystallise, fostering in Germany a climate in which innovation can thrive - both at home and abroad.

•  The idea: open innovation:

Innovationskraftwerk.de is based on a combination of open innovation, crowdsourcing and "ideation", all concepts widely used in innovation management. Open innovation and crowdsourcing are interactive tools that allow companies to broaden their strategic horizons and harness the outside world as a way of increasing innovation potential. The concept of "ideation" is a reference to the targeted generation of ideas as a way of solving problems. The opportunities represented by Web 2.0 introduce new dimensions and perspectives to innovation and solution processes, new approaches that are bundled and implemented on the Innovationskraftwerk.de platform.

• The platform:

The URL www.innovationskraftwerk.de will take you to the first open-innovation platform to address scientific and political issues as well as innovation and solution processes in business and industry. It is a forum for the study of a wide range of themes:

"What will the city of the future look like?"
"What use can an angular section of glass tubing be put to?"
"Who's going to look after us when we're old?"

At Innovationskraftwerk.de the idea seekers draw on the know-how of the outside world in tackling concrete challenges. The best idea givers, for their part, benefit from the implementation of their ideas in the form of awards, rewards and public recognition of their achievements.

- Innovationskraftwerk.de is the first holistic project in the field of open innovation and covers a broad spectrum of themes relating to the economy, science and society.
- Interested individuals and institutions around the globe are invited to provide input, thereby setting new benchmarks and creating new possibilities for processes dedicated to idea generation and problem solving.
- An enlarged user group can create more heterogeneity and creativity of ideas than self-contained innovation processes can.
- So it is that Innovationskraftwerk.de bolsters Germany as a country of innovation.

• The initiators:

"Germany - Land of Ideas" is the joint initiative of the Federal Government and German business and industry, overseen by the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and with Christian Wulff, the Federal President, as its patron. Begun in 2005, the Initiative conveys a positive image of Germany at home and abroad by showcasing all Germany-based projects that espouse innovation, inventiveness and inspiration.

Discovery, invention, regeneration - in a word: innovation. This has been the core theme driving the work of "inno-focus businessconsulting" for almost 15 years. As a specialist in the field of innovation processes, the company focuses on their application in business and industry and the field of development. The company's goal is to make a lasting contribution to the establishment of Germany as a leading location for innovative projects.

• Advisory Council for Innovationskraftwerk.de:

Innovation managers of a number of major companies and research institutes are involved in the development of the platform. Companies include TU München, Schott, Bombardier, Henkel, Otto Group, Deutsche Post, Evonik, Boehmert und Boehmert, SGL Carbon and Bayer Material Sciences.

• Information for  Idea seekers:

Overcoming mental blockages is a creative challenge that can often bring about unexpectedly positive results. Think what could be achieved if an entire population were to pool its creative potential to solve a particular challenge. Innovationskraftwerk.de is a forum for idea seekers and idea givers, a platform where the innovative power of the population can be used to develop new ideas and to help people to work together to solve problems. Innovationskraftwerk.de is founded on the principles of open innovation, crowdsourcing and "ideation", all concepts widely used in innovation management. The platform fosters the generation of fresh ideas and brand new approaches for companies, research bodies, educational institutes, art and culture organisations, associations and local councils.

Whether you are scouting for entirely new business models, fresh, new product ideas, answers to scientific questions etc or are looking for solutions to everyday problems encountered in a company or in a wider social context, Innovationskraftwerk.de will provide you with new momentum at every stage of the process, from the first stirrings of an idea to polished innovation concepts. What's more, you will be in direct contact with a plethora of idea givers from a wide range of fields.

Put the 'innovation powerhouse' to the test!

How it works:

1) You formulate your question, insert it on Innovationskraftwerk.de and tell us what rewards you would provide.

2) You look at the feedback to your question, get in touch with idea givers, question them on their ideas, give them tips, all the while becoming acquainted with the creative minds behind the proposed solutions. You may even add to the knowledge pool in the process.

3) You receive a welter of suggestions from the online community, proposals that you will evaluate and be able to develop.

4) You decide which three would-be solutions are the most promising and let the respective participants know.

5) You implement the ideas.

Interested?
If so, we will make you an offer tailored to your company. We have made it our aim to give favourable terms to questions dealing with social issues.

Dr. Hans-Joachim Konz, Member of the Schott board of Management congratulates Thomas E. Miller, the winner of the Schott tubing contest on www.innovationskraftwerk.de

• Information for Idea providers:

Are you looking for new ways to show your potential and creativity and put your ideas into action?

Innovationskraftwerk.de is an "ideation" platform for bright, visionary, forward-looking individuals. Regardless of your particular field of expertise, you can use Innovationskraftwerk.de to contact a wide spectrum of companies, organisations and institutions, bring your creativity to their attention and deploy it in the service of an innovative solution. Fresh brains and open minds are often the best sources of solutions!

The platform is not only fun to use and a fount of contacts for the future; it may also bring you financial reward for your best ideas. The key, underlying idea is that, through your support and commitment, you will be showing once again, if proof be needed, that Germany is the "Land of Ideas".
Taking part is simple. After registering you will be able to post your idea or potential solution under the question that sparks your interest. After a set period of time has elapsed, the best ideas are selected, rewarded and implemented where possible.

How it works:

1) Companies, organisations and institutions post details of their requirements in the "Innovations" section.

2) As an idea giver you present your innovative solution. It is your decision whether to post a short outline or a detailed description. And if you can already feel a brainwave coming on, just click the 'Brainwaves' tab on the right margin and note down the idea for later.

3) You can score and comment on the other ideas grouped under the 'ALL IDEAS' tab and get inspiration. Your ideas are scored and commented on, too. Quite an experience!

4) All ideas are studied and scored by the idea seekers. Awards are given for the best ideas. Most innovation competitions also result in useful invitations, contacts and further recognition.

5) And if you have questions or comments relating to the platform, idea competitions or issues raised by idea seekers, you can post these in the FORUM.

Details of entry conditions are listed in the respective competitions and in our Terms and Conditions.

We eagerly await your ideas!