UpSocial, in partnership with the City of Barcelona and the Generalitat de Catalunya, is conducting a research on proven innovations that can solve partially or totally critical social problems in Barcelona. The initiative seeks to solve them by facilitating the implementation of innovations that have succeeded elsewhere.



1. PHASES

(a) Local thematic clusters define the challenge/s

Local thematic clusters identify main challenges where innovation is needed. The demand for innovative solutions is the main driver of the programme. 



(b) Research and selection

A global research of proven solutions to the challenges is conducted through CityMart.com. Through a transparent and accountable process, a specialized jury will assess each solution and select the most promising ones.



(c) Selected innovators meet local stakeholders

The selected innovators are invited to Barcelona to meet with key stakeholders interested in investing/replication/importing their innovation. 



(d) Soft landing

Eventually, UpSocial supports the local implementation, providing support during 12 months to support by facilitating connections to an explicit local demand and to key stakeholders, supporting the search for investors and clients, and supporting the innovators in defining an extension strategy to other markets (Spain, EU and/or Latin America). 

 

2. ADVANTAGES FOR INNOVATORS

• Connections to stakeholders: UpSocial facilitates the connections to stakeholders relevant to the innovation: being local entrepreneurs or partners, clients, providers, institutions, etc. This should accelerate and make expansion easier and cheaper.
  
  


• Support in search for investors: UpSocial creates opportunities to reach out to potential investors and funders of the innovation, and works carefully to ensure that the demand for the innovation is made explicit before the selection.
  
  


• Adapting the strategy: UpSocial can also support social innovators in defining an expansion strategy, to make it economically viable, and eventually adding strategy, design and technology to facilitate its replication and sustainability.  

UpSocial seeks to support the implementation of at least 5 innovations by the end of 2013. 



For further information, please check:

• PowerPoint presentation on SlideShare (English)
  
  


• PowerPoint presentation on SlideShare (Spanish)
  
  


• Introductory video on Vimeo (Spanish)