Welcome to the Exchange. Below are some common question and answers.

Q: What is the Exchange?

The Exchange is a global marketplace for innovations that address humanity’s greatest challenges. Launched by over 100 partners, the Exchange brings together innovators, funders, investors, researchers, innovation-support organizations, and others to identify, support, and scale solutions that solve critical development problems. All innovations, whether a physical device or an innovative process or approach, are welcome. The Exchange helps create a full picture of the innovations available to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. The Exchange is innovation agnostic. Instead of promoting a particular innovation, we help people access existing ideas and resources to evaluate and identify the right solution for them.

Q: What is the purpose of the Exchange?

The Exchange aims to connect innovators with the resources, contacts, and information they need to grow their innovation and improve lives around the world, as well as to give anyone who wants to make a difference the ability to leverage their skills and resources. The Exchange provides a place for those searching for innovative solutions to find, compare, and connect with the right solutions for their challenges.

Q: Aren’t there a number of websites that do the same thing as the Exchange?

We have conducted a robust search and analysis of existing websites. Many sites have curated databases of innovations or funding opportunities. Other sites are focused on just one sector or region or innovations sourced from one organization, challenge, or approach.

Many of those sites are active Exchange partners. We reviewed existing websites and spoke with their staff to better understand existing resources and refine the Exchange. Based on this research, we realized that the Exchange needed to:

1. Provide a brand and innovation agnostic approach.
2. Be a place to see all innovations in one place to understand the unbiased and unfiltered breadth and depth of available solutions, whether that was from an individual innovator or a for profit corporation.
3. Not only list innovations, but also shed light on the broader context surrounding an innovation, such as: Who was using it? Where? What did they say about it? Would they recommend it?
4. Create a positive environment for competition where people could compare different innovations, and where innovators would constantly be driven to iterate and pursue greater excellence for their solutions, being informed by what else was out there.
5. Help innovators build their teams and connect with others who could truly help them, beyond their original funder or donor.
6. Make applying and accessing resources easier, and expose innovators to more opportunities, money, and resources.
7. Create a free market for development ideas, where people looking for solutions could feature their needs directly to innovators.

Q: What is Beta?

Beta is the first version of the Exchange website. Beta contains the main components of the Exchange and users can begin using the site and uploading content. Beta is a testing phase where we continue to improve and change the site in response to user needs and feedback.

Q: Who should use the Exchange?

The Exchange is for innovators, funders, researchers, innovation-support organizations, and others interested in identifying, supporting, scaling, and solving development challenges. Entrepreneurs, start-up organizations, businesses, investors, foundations, donors, non-governmental organizations, governments, religious groups, universities, research centers, think tanks, students, tinkerers, and makers are all invited to participate in the Exchange.

Q: Can a group or organization participate?

Yes, groups or organizations are welcome and even encouraged to participate. To create a group or organization profile, an individual must first develop an individual profile.

Q: How can I join the Exchange?

Joining the Exchange is easy. Start by creating an individual profile at: http://www.globalinnovationexchange.org/user/register.

Q: How much work is involved for innovators to participate?

The amount of time you spend on the Exchange is completely up to you. The initial work to set up your user profile should take very little time, anywhere from five minutes to complete a basic profile to 30 minutes for a more robust profile with photos or videos, relevant resources, and links to partner and funder profiles on the Exchange.

After setting up a profile, the Exchange will do much of the work for you. Based on your areas of interest and needs, the Exchange will send you content like innovations, members, funding opportunities, resources, communities, and other content that is relevant to you.

Beyond the initial setup you can spend time browsing funding opportunities, checking out other innovations, participating or curating communities, posting feedback on other innovations, and participating in Exchange-sponsored webinars, expert interviews, and competitions.

Q: Who are the founding partners?

The founding partners include the U.S. Global Development Lab at USAID and the world’s leading donors, foundations, universities, research organizations, non-governmental organizations, and news media. View a comprehensive and growing list of partners. The Exchange is open to everyone, so become a partner today.

Q: How can I join as a partner on the Exchange?

To learn how to join the Exchange as a partner, please contact: partner@globalinnovationexchange.com.

Q: What are your plans for future functionality?

We will be adding functionality based on emerging content and member needs. Planned updates include:

• Updates and email notifications of new content relevant to you based on your interests and needs
• Notifications of the latest funding that you qualify for
• Notifications of new programs, people, and resources that are relevant to each user based on their profile
• Transactional functionality: the ability for anyone to directly fund your research through the Exchange
• Improved dashboard with news feed with updates from the content and members you are following
• Matchmaking you with experts and resources based on your needs

Q: Can I block others from seeing my profile information?

All profiles that are created on the Exchange are publically available. Private profiles may be introduced in the future, but please only share information with us that you are comfortable with others finding.

Q: What are system requirements?

The Exchange has been developed with users from low-bandwidth communities in mind. Users should be able to access the site from any tablet, mobile, or device anywhere in the world. Contact us if you are experiencing issues accessing the site.

Q: In what countries is the Exchange accessible?

The Exchange is accessible in virtually every country in the world.

Q: I think I found a bug! How to report a fix request?

Oh my! We sincerely apologize for any bugs you may come across during your time on the Exchange. To report a bug and request a fix, email info@globalinnovationexchange.com.

Q: I have a great idea for a new functionality! How do I request additional functionality be added to the Exchange?

We love a great idea! Please submit your suggestions and comments here: info@globalinnovationexchange.com.

Q: I want to join the Exchange Volunteer Army! How do I do that?

Contact team@globalinnovationexchange.com.

Q: I want to curate a community on the Exchange, who do I contact?

Contact curate@globalinnovationexchange.com.

Q: I have a bunch of innovations I want to add to the Exchange, how do I do a "mass download" or automated content loading?

Awesome, we can't wait to feature your innovations, contact transfer@globalinnovationexchange.com.