Rapid Innovation Week
This week, I took part of the Rapid Innovation Challenge put on by Leiden University’s Peace Informatics Lab. The goal of the week was to prototype data-driven solutions for humanitarian aid problems and the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. All the teams were taught a technique used at Stanford’s Business School called the Rapid Prototyping Loop(tm). The idea was that using this method, strangers could form teams to create new data-driven initiatives. My teammate Robert and I met for the first time that Monday, and during the course of the week we came up with a unique method for mapping out post-disaster areas with drones and multi-layered data streams. Though this was already experimented with during that last Typhoon in the Philippines, we were looking at a way of using the data created from drone imagery and social media streams to understand where there were physical roadblocks and human needs after a disaster. When it came time to pitch we even had a drone fly around the podium (though that ended quickly when it hit the ceiling). I believe our idea was well received, though it was not chosen to present at next week’s conference Responsible Data for Humanitarian Use. However, we will still have the opportunity to attend and meet colleagues from Harvard and MIT, as well as various foreign services and UN agencies.
Haven taken a step away from the innovation week now, there are two main takeaways from the innovation program. First, the method of the “Rapid Prototyping Loop” is great to wrap your head around getting a concept ‘innovated’ into a workable idea. Second, and more important is finding “product market fit”. Of course this is a concept more talked about then found, but the realization is important nonetheless. The jury consisted of a professor of international relations (founded my program in fact) and three different Open Data specialists from an NGO, an Institute, and Foreign Affairs; all jury members were looking for something they could use as a project in their own work. While our team’s prototype may have been useful for someone working at the UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs, it wasn’t the type of software project which could have been interesting for our jury. Thus, if anything this week has been a lesson in realizing the market fit; something I am glad I can take into account now.
One month in the Netherlands arrived this weekend, and my has the time flown by! What an eventful month it has been as I’ve been exploring the startup and ICT landscape of the country, starting my MA international relations program, seeing old friends and making new ones. Drew and I couldn’t have gotten off to a better start in our new residence. Apart from the beach, we’ve explored parks and museums, as well as a trip over to Rotterdam. Meanwhile, it was announced this week that I will be the Vice President of the International Studies Student Association, where I’ll be working to improve communications and the student community cohesion.
