IdeaBubble
Idea Bubble is an early stage concept that helps match ideas with people who can execute those ideas.
How: By monetizing ideas
Why: Because otherwise good ideas go to waste - boo opportunity cost.
Other similar sites I'm aware of:
Starbucks has one where they accept suggestions (not monetized so far as I can tell): http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/
Some examples of ideas I would love to see implemented and companies that might take them on:
- Fungi Perfecti: Cordyceps fungi to combat pine beetle infestation. Colorado's forests are facing a huge problem with pine beetles. Paul Stamets and the crew at Fungi Perfecti have done great work with mycopesticides: fungi that naturally attack & kill one singular species of insect. The movie Planet Earth describes how this genus of fungi have species-specific hosts & the amazing way in which they kill them, growing through their body and sprouting a mushroom from their head. Such an approach would be otherwise environmentally benign and strikes me as likely to be more effective than any other approach (i.e. burning swaths of forest, pesticide application, bringing in natural competitors for this invasive species...) This is an example of an idea which could be monetized, but which I would not mind being 'stolen,' since it has significant potential for societal contribution. It also inspired me to start the Bus Test & Cordyceps combat MPB cards.
- GE: dryer filter rotator (increases efficiency, dries clothes faster)
- Nintendo (Handled by Leo Burnette): Wii^2 - hands relational, ankles -- could give real time feedback on yoga positions, etc. This could also be developed for the Natal platform, another mechanism of feedback loops to provide the virtual yoga instructor with the data necessary to make appropriate suggestions. Natal is an existing add-on that costs $50-80 & uses cameras to capture information about your physical position - MSFT's innovation.
- Pillow patent - the ArmSaver -- a pillow with a hole cut-out for an arm. "Never suffer pins-and-needles for spooning with your partner again!"
- Seal Skin, Sea to Summit, West Marine - waterproofing the iPhone...