Ask a question, get an answer. Give an answer, get a reward. (Idea Contest 2.0) October 18, 2007

In this event we will provide a platform for entrepreneurs to exchange ideas in a format designed to provide a win/win situation:

Any entrepreneur can ask a question, set a reward for the answer, and let the audience try to win the reward by answering the question. The rewards are up to the entrepreneur, but they don’t have to be material. They could be expertise or even networking resources. So someone could ask a question about getting VC funding and reward the person who answers it with his expertise on marketing or his connections with developers. It’s a simple and efficient way to barter skill sets, benefiting both parties in the equation.

The event will last a couple of hours (till about 10 p.m.) so given the finite time at our disposal if you want to make sure you’ll ask your question at the event you may send it beforehand at: ask@theideacontest.com and be put on the list. That does not guarantee you’ll get a spot at the live event, given the amount of questions submitted, but in case you don’t get a chance to voice your question at the live event, I will post your question at the event’s blog and meetup site, and that way you might get it answered by the community online. If you send a video, I will gladly embed it appropriately given the right code.

Who is this event is for:

For Businesses & Entrepreneurs:

Your tech business has a problem or needs an idea. You want an innovative solution, a fresh perspective from people outside your company. You are tired of consultantese. You want something new.
Enter Idea Contest 2.0. Pitch your problem at our new event to the brainstormers participating and enjoy access to the creative minds of the Bay Area even if they work in companies other than your own! Give an incentive for the potential winner (cash prize, a job or stock) sit back and get ready for some surprisingly interesting feedback or the solution you were looking for. Interested in participating? Sign up!
A good environment for all sorts of uses in addition to the one mentioned above: You’re looking for a creative employee? Pitch a problem that only an employee that deserves to work in your company would solve, and see who can step up to the challenge. You’re a recruiter? Select people by seeing them in action. Your startup is missing a developer? Ask a question only the developer you’d like on your team would be able to solve and see if he’s in the audience.

For Creative Thinkers:

Ideas are running amok in your head. You want an outlet, a problem, a challenge, and perhaps a job. Enter Idea Contest 2.0. In our next event you’ll hear companies pitching problems or needing ideas and this is your opportunity to seize the moment and show them what you got. Perhaps at the end of it you’ll find yourself with a new job, some stock or cash plus something to brag about to your enemies and rejoice with your friends. Are you up to the task? Sign up!

Official Website: http://newtech.meetup.com/54