Running a Solve for X event entails finding 3-4 tech pioneers working on moonshot projects, vetting their proposals to validate they are technically feasible (don’t worry, we can help you), and coaching them to deliver their 10-minute proposal in a way that will ignite the audience. Of your 3 speakers, at least 1 has to be a woman in order for it to qualify as a Solve for X event. You will also need to source a venue and manage all the event logistics involved and invite a great audience who have a diverse range of skills.
Right now, self-organized Solve for X events are in beta, and we will be working very closely with our selected group of beta organizers as we develop this platform. If you’d like to apply to be a part of our beta group of Solve for X organizers, we’d love to hear from you. Apply here.
A Solve for X event takes place over a 2-4 hour period. The structure is as follows:
A Solve for X tech pioneer needs to describe his or her moonshot using the following format:
What is the big, global problem: (1-2 mins max)
What is the radical new solution/perspective/approach? (3-4 mins max)
What is the breakthrough science or technology that allows the radical solution to become a reality? (4-6 minutes)
What are the 1-2 biggest challenges you face to making your moonshot happen? (1 minute)
Once you have selected your 3 moonshot proposals, start to build a shortlist of who you think would be the best attendees for your pioneers. We have found that assembling the most talented and diverse set of minds you can find - tech polymaths, industry experts, policy experts, writers, thinkers, artists, the young, and the old - brings a magic into the room unlike any other event. Send them an invite and ask them to suggest a couple other people who they think would make a good Solve for X attendee. The ideal audience size is between 50-150 people.
Yes! We would love to connect you to our growing Solve for X community. Once you are signed up to run a self-organized Solve for X event, we can help you make these connections.
You will be responsible for the costs involved in putting on the event. Right now, we are unable to offer financial support for self-organized Solve for X events. We are hopeful, however, that you will be able to find people within your community who would be willing to donate a space for a couple of hours, others who can contribute a little food or drink, and a couple of volunteers to capture the proposals on video. All you need after that is incredible people and moonshot ideas.
We believe that people can make extraordinary change much faster when they work collectively to push their ideas forward and have a learning community to support them. People with moonshot ideas offer us concrete proposals with an early proof of concepts that we can rally behind and try to progress.
We’re excited to hear from you! Apply to be a beta Solve for X Organizer.
If you have ideas for Solve For X, the best way to reach us is through a posting on our Google+ page.
If you need to reach us directly or are an organization interested in partnering, please email us at solveforx@google.com.
