Frequently Asked Questions

About Challenge Your World

Q: What is Challenge Your World?

A: Challenge Your World is a Montreal-based organization that empowers young IdeaMakers and budding entrepreneurs from around globe with the inspiration, motivation, expertise and support to transform their innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. More about us.
 
Q: Who is part of the Challenge Your World community?
A: There are four types of people who make up the Challenge Your World community:

• The IdeaMakers who have a business idea they want to develop
• People who want to support or work with these entrepreneurs
• People who are looking for inspiration and motivation to act on their idea
• Creative minds who want to use their talent to motivate and inspire others

 Q: What does sustainability mean to us at Challenge Your World?
A: We believe business can play a transformative role in driving social and environmental change.  Companies guided by sustainable practices can improve the lives of people and restore balance to the environment without impacting profitability. Our mission is to foster this next generation of business that will work in harmony with the social and natural environments.

So, what do we mean by sustainability? Our approach to sustainability is based on an integrated, bottom line philosophy which extends beyond financial return to account for a company’s investment in their community and the environment – a return on investment where value is derived from profit, people and planet. We believe all three aspects are necessary for a business to be truly sustainable. See our Sustainability Policy

Q: How does Challenge Your World help entrepreneurs?
A: Our team includes experienced entrepreneurs and successful business people who are passionate believers in sustainable enterprises. Challenge Your World leverages this experience to provide entrepreneurs with inspiration, motivation, one-on-one coaching and community support. As we continue to grow we will develop more services for entrepreneurs.
 
Q: Will Challenge Your World help finance new business?
A: While we realize that this is often the biggest challenge faced by entrepreneurs we cannot make any commitments about financing at this point.
 

Your involvement

Q: How can I get involved?
You share our values, but you don’t know what to do? We encourage our members to:

• Contribute an idea
• Engage in the discussion of an existing idea
• Spread the word about Challenge Your World
• Inspire members of the community
• Organize/sponsor an event with Challenge Your World
• Become a mentor to a Challenge Your World entrepreneur: write to info@challengeyourworld.com

Q: I’m a videographer/artist/writer, can I submit my work to Challenge Your World?
A: Absolutely, we’re always looking for talented people to help inspire our community. Please contact us at info@challengeyourworld.com.
 
Q: How can I mentor a Challenge Your World entrepreneur?
A: Please contact us at info@challengeyour.com for more information.
 
Q: How can my organization/company partner with or sponsor an event at Challenge Your World?
A: We are always looking for partners that help us realize our vision. Please visit our Partner  page or contact us at partner@challengeyourworld.com for more information.
 

Ideas

Q: How do I submit my idea to Challenge Your World?
A: Just go to the home page and click on I have an Idea, fill in the fields and click on submit! Don't forget to fill in your profile information too.
If you are having trouble submitting your idea, contact us at: info@challengeyourworld.com.

Q: What are the advantages of posting my ideas?
A: By posting your ideas you will receive guidance from the community and our staff on how to grow your idea into a sustainable business.  You’ll also find people to help put your plan into action.  Finally by posting an idea you become eligible to participate in our idea competitions with the possibility of gaining recognition as a top IdeaMaker.
 
Q: How sustainable does my business idea need to be to post on the site?
A: We are firmly committed to helping business ideas that provide innovative solutions in the area of environmental conservation and restoration and/or community betterment. If your idea does not contain an obvious aspect of sustainability you may be contacted to clarify the link, or add one if it has not been considered. We reserve the right to remove ideas or content that we feel does not support our mission, but you will be notified if your content is removed.
 
Q: What ideas are not eligible for competitions and should not be posted on our site?

• Ideas that deal with weapons & munitions
• Ideas that deal with alcoholic beverages
• Ideas that deal with illicit drugs banned under local, provincial or national laws
• Ideas that deal with tobacco and tobacco products
• Ideas that deal with products and/or services deemed illegal under resident country laws or international conventions & agreements
• Ideas that deal with wildlife products and/or services that would lead to endangerment
• Ideas that deal with products and/or services based on banned/regulated materials
• Ideas that deal with commercial logging in primary or tropical forests
• Ideas that deal with harmful or exploitative labor

Q: How will the ideas be judged by the panel?
A:The Challenge Your World judging panel utilizes an Idea Scorecard to evaluate and select ideas for development.  The Idea Scorecard utilizes weighted criteria in the fields of Opportunity, Sustainability and Innovation to measure the idea’s potential to become a sustainable business.     
The Idea Scorecard encompasses the following criteria:

• Opportunity Potential
  • Clearly Identified Need
  • Clearly Defined and Available Market
  • Existing Competition
  • Initial Funding Requirements
• Sustainability Potential
  • Financial Impact – time to profitability
  • Social Impact – range of stakeholders positively affected by the business
  • Environmental Impact – the net impact of the business on the environment from zero-sum to restorative
• Innovation Potential
  • Based on the creative, unique model/approach that differs substantially from others currently in the marketplace

The highest possible score for an idea is 100 points.  A rating of “0” in the category of “clearly identified need”, “clearly defined and available market”, or “initial funding requirements” automatically disqualifies the idea from selection.
 

Intellectual Property

Q: Who owns the ideas?
A: The IdeaMaker. Challenge Your World’s mission is not to own the idea, but to support IdeaMakers in the development of their ideas via crowd-sourcing, one-on-one coaching and service support.
 
Q: Can I patent my idea? Is an idea considered intellectual property?
A: According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, “A patent cannot be obtained upon a mere idea or suggestion”. The patent is granted upon a new product, process or composition of a product and not upon the idea or suggestion of the new product. A complete description of the actual product or other subject matter for which a patent is sought is required.  Intellectual property is defined as a “bundle of exclusive rights” and is demonstrated and supported through patents, copyrights and trademarks. For additional information on patents and intellectual property, see the United States Patent and Trademark Office  and/or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
 
Q: If I’m a student, does my University have rights to the idea I post?
A: The answer will depend on the university and whether or not you are using university resources to develop your business concept.  Universities typically have rights to patents, trademarks and other intellectual property developed using university resources or researched as part of a designated curriculum or other course of study. For your university’s specific policy check with your Department of Intellectual Property or Technology Transfer Office (TTO).
 
Q: What if I want to donate my idea to the community?
A: It is assumed that in most cases, you will want to retain ownership of your idea.  At no time will Challenge Your World take ownership of an idea.  In the case you wish to donate your idea, you can use the Community section (forum) to find a motivated entrepreneur.
 

Other

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