OPEN INNOVATION CHALLENGE PROGRAMME
Open Innovation
Challenge Programme
Connecting organisations with innovators to develop practical solutions that drive growth, resilience and meaningful change.
INNOVATION THAT TRANSFORMS
The Open Innovation Challenge Programme connects organisations and innovators to solve real challenges and create lasting impact.
WHAT IS OPEN INNOVATION?
Open innovation is a collaborative approach where organisations work with external innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and solution providers to develop practical solutions to real challenges.
BY ADOPTION
Using an existing solution, technology or process that has already been proven elsewhere and applying it in a new environment.
BY ADAPTATION
Modifying an existing idea or technology so that it responds to a specific challenge, context or operational need.
BY CREATION
Developing something entirely new that did not previously exist and is designed to solve a clearly identified challenge.
CLOSED INNOVATION
- Internal research and development only
- Higher costs and slower timelines
- Limited perspectives and expertise
- Less connection with end users
- Full internal control but greater risk
A traditional approach where ideas, research and development remain within the organisation.
VS
OPEN INNOVATION
- Shared knowledge and development costs
- Faster route from idea to implementation
- Access to diverse perspectives and expertise
- Solutions shaped around user needs
- Reduced development and implementation risk
A collaborative approach where organisations work with external innovators to solve real challenges and improve outcomes.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
The programme brings together organisations with important challenges and innovators capable of developing practical, scalable solutions.
CHALLENGE OWNERS
- Corporate companies
- Public-sector entities
- Financial institutions
A fully developed challenge is not required at registration.
SOLUTION PROVIDERS
- Entrepreneurs and start-ups
- MSMEs
- Technology companies
- Researchers and academic institutions
- Students and multidisciplinary teams
- Consultants and technical specialists
- Innovators and inventors
- Local, regional or international organisations with relevant expertise
Specific eligibility requirements may vary depending on the nature of each challenge.
PRIORITY CHALLENGE AREAS
Challenges may fall within the following areas, including but not limited to:
ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY
- Renewable energy
- Climate adaptation
- Waste management
- Water conservation
- Low-carbon solutions
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION, PRODUCTIVITY & AUTOMATION
- Process automation
- Digital services
- Data analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Smart infrastructure
AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Agri-processing
- Supply chain optimisation
- Access to markets and finance
- Rural livelihoods
SOCIAL SERVICES, HEALTH & CITIZEN WELL-BEING
- Healthcare access
- Education innovation
- Social inclusion
- Public safety
- Community resilience
HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS
The programme follows a structured seven-stage process from initial interest through to solution demonstration and assessment.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Challenge owners submit an expression of interest to DBJ.
CHALLENGE CLINICS
Interactive sessions help organisations explore and validate potential challenges.
CHALLENGE PRIORITISATION & DEVELOPMENT
Challenges are refined, prioritised and prepared for publication.
OPEN CALL FOR SOLUTIONS
Approved challenges are published and eligible innovators are invited to apply.
EVALUATION & SELECTION
Applications are assessed against established criteria and top solutions are selected.
SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT & TESTING
Selected solutions are developed, refined and tested with support.
FINAL DEMONSTRATION & ASSESSMENT
Solutions are demonstrated and assessed for impact, feasibility and scalability.
WHAT IS REQUIRED?
Participants will be asked to provide information and support appropriate to their role in the programme.
FOR CHALLENGE OWNERS
- Complete an expression-of-interest or registration form
- Provide general organisation and operational information
- Identify broad areas of difficulty, inefficiency or opportunity
- Nominate appropriate team members for the Challenge Clinics
- Share relevant operational, technical or organisational information
- Participate in discussions and facilitated Challenge Clinic activities
- Work with DBJ to refine the selected challenge statement
- Commit appropriate personnel and resources where applicable
FOR SOLUTION PROVIDERS
- Description of the proposed solution
- Explanation of how the solution addresses the challenge
- Information on the applicant or project team
- Relevant qualifications, capabilities and previous experience
- Proposed methodology or implementation approach
- Preliminary work plan and timeline
- Estimated budget, where applicable
- Information on feasibility, scalability and potential impact
- Supporting documents, prototypes or demonstrations where available
Detailed requirements may vary and will be outlined in the guidelines for each open challenge.
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING
The programme creates value for both organisations with challenges and innovators with solutions.
FOR CHALLENGE OWNERS
Support identifying challenges that may not be immediately visible
Access to facilitated Challenge Clinics and challenge-development support
Help prioritising high-impact organisational needs and opportunities
Access to new ideas, technologies and specialised expertise
Opportunities to test solutions before wider implementation
Improved productivity, operational efficiency and service delivery
FOR SOLUTION PROVIDERS
Opportunities to solve real business and development challenges
Access to established organisations and industry stakeholders
Opportunities to test and demonstrate solutions in practical environments
Increased visibility and exposure
Opportunities to strengthen and validate proposed solutions
Potential pathways to partnerships, investment, procurement or implementation
APPLICATION & SELECTION
Challenge owners first express interest and participate in Challenge Clinics to identify, refine and prioritise potential challenges. Suitable challenges may then be prepared for publication through an open call.
Solution providers apply when an approved challenge is published. Applications then proceed through the programme’s review and evaluation process.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Strategic relevance
- Potential impact
- Suitability for open innovation
- Feasibility
- Availability of information/support
- Scalability potential
- Commitment of the challenge owner
PROGRAMME RESOURCES
Download the programme resources below for additional information and guidance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is open innovation?
Open innovation allows organisations to work with external innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, technology providers, and other experts to develop new solutions to business challenges.
Who can participate as a challenge owner?
Private-sector companies, public-sector entities, financial institutions, and other eligible organisations may participate as challenge owners. Participating organisations must be willing to engage in the Challenge Clinics and work with DBJ to develop a suitable challenge.
Do organisations need to have an identified challenge before registering?
No. Organisations do not need to have a clearly identified or fully developed challenge before registering. The Challenge Clinics will help them explore their operations and identify potential challenges.
What happens during a Challenge Clinic?
DBJ will work with participating companies to identify challenges, inefficiencies, unmet needs, or opportunities within their operations. At the end of the clinic, each company should have a potential challenge that it can further refine internally for consideration under the programme.
Will every challenge identified during the Challenge Clinics be published?
No. Only challenges that are suitable for an open innovation approach and have the potential to produce an innovative solution will be considered. The challenge should also provide a meaningful benefit to both the challenge owner and prospective solution providers.
Who can apply as a solution provider?
Solution providers may include entrepreneurs, start-ups, MSMEs, technology companies, researchers, academic institutions, innovators, consultants, technical specialists, and multidisciplinary teams. Eligibility may vary depending on the requirements of each challenge.
Can individuals apply, or is a registered business required?
This will depend on the specific challenge. Some challenges may allow individuals or informal teams to apply, while others may require applicants to be registered businesses or legally recognised entities.
Can applicants participate as a team?
Yes, applicants may participate as a team where permitted by the individual challenge guidelines. Teams should identify a lead representative and clearly outline the role of each member.
Can international solution providers apply?
International solution providers may apply where permitted by the individual challenge guidelines. Some challenges may require local knowledge, a Jamaican implementation partner, or the ability to test and implement the solution in Jamaica.
Will participation result in funding or a contract?
Participation does not automatically guarantee funding, investment, procurement, or a contract with DBJ or the challenge owner. Any future arrangement will be subject to the programme guidelines, evaluation process, required approvals, and contractual terms.
How will intellectual property and confidential information be handled?
The treatment of intellectual property and confidential information will be outlined in the programme and individual challenge guidelines. Participants should avoid submitting sensitive or proprietary information unless the appropriate protections are in place.
How can I get additional information?
Contact the Open Innovation Challenge Programme team at openinnovation@dbankjm.com or (876) 929-4000.
Ready to Participate?
Join the Open Innovation Challenge Programme and help solve Jamaica’s pressing challenges through innovation and collaboration.
Email
openinnovation@dbankjm.com
Phone
(876) 929-4000
Address
10A Oxford Road,
Kingston 5, Jamaica
