There is a new Google global campaign underway, and luckily, New Jersey is one of the 12 worldwide spots chosen by Google for their “Solve for X” initiative. Under their umbrella GDG (Google Developer Group), based in Montclair, this is one of only two in the United States.
Now, you are invited to wow members of a special panel with your ideas, in what Google charmingly calls “Moonshots”.
Officially, GDG’s idea is to “Seek radical solutions to huge problems and experts, specialists and scholars to discuss their implementation.”
This is not about creating an App, or some kind of website. Visionaries: this is your chance to blow some minds, as long as you partner with a scientific or technological partner. When you start creating, remember to reach out to someone in a field that can help you create your idea and bring it to fruition - and also focus on life-saving or world-changing ideas.
GDG North Jersey founder, Todd Nakamura, a New Jersey native, explained.
“Google has been searching for pioneers for the past 2-3 years,” said Nakamura. “ For the first time members of the public are invited to be presenters. These 12 groups around the world are now helping Google to find them.”
What sets apart these groups is the makeup of their teams.
“Scholars are one of the most critical elements of the Solve for X formula,” added Nakamura. “We invite 3 or 4 pioneers to present their moonshots, and we fill the room with scholars from the region who are knowledgeable and skilled enough to brainstorm for a short period and then provide immediate feedback to the pioneers and accelerate progress.”
I don’t know about you, but I’ve already reached out to 4 different scientists and medical genius’ to help me with some ideas.
Although Google does not promise any form of investment, or support, it stands to reason that with this mega-billion dollar digital leader listening to your ideas, something pretty significant may occur.
Qualifying ‘Solve for X’ events will be held on December 11, January 7 & January 12 in NJ, NYC and Somerville (Boston area), followed by the main event at Rutgers University on Monday, February 2nd, 2015.
The lineup of Solve for X events is as follows:
Preliminary Event: MSU
Montclair State University
University Hall, Room UN1070
1 Normal Ave, Upper Montclair, NJ
December 11, 2014
6:00 – 8:30pm
Preliminary Event: Google NYC
Google New York City (Chelsea Market)
111 8th Ave
New York, NY
January 7, 2015
6:00 – 8:00pm
Preliminary Event: The Grommet
The Grommet
www.thegrommet.com
87 Elmwood St, Somerville, MA
January 12, 2015
Exact time TBD
The Main Event: Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Livingston Hall at Livingston Student Center
61 Joyce Kilmer Ave, New Brunswick, NJ
Monday, February 2, 2015
Exact time TBD
The Google NYC event has a deadline of Dec 28th, and the Boston-area even at The Grommet has a deadline of Jan 5th. Submissions that come in after that point will still be considered, but will have a more difficult path than submissions that are received in time to participate in one of the prelim events.
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