Homepage

JOIN
NOW ⟶

Wanted:

Visionary
ideas
to change
the world

Unleash
your genius
and challenge
the limits of conventional
thinking!

The inaugural Serendipity Collective™ is creating a platform to explore the potential for a future reimagined. We are not looking to solve the problems of today or tomorrow. Instead, we are building a platform that allows futuristic ideas, agnostic to an application, an opportunity to mature, envision, dream up, and not merely disrupt the status quo—but to transcend the limits of our imagination. Join the Serendipity Collective™ for a pitching event like no other! On 10-11 May 2023, in Berlin, Germany, we will convene visionary innovators from around the world, providing a collaborative and supportive environment to share their most outlandish and provocative ideas.  The most exotic, transformative, aspect of the Serendipity Collective™ is that your crazy ideas do not require a traditional business case, or even a concrete application. Instead, we are looking for blue sky thinking in the absolute extreme: “solutions” to problems that humanity has yet to acknowledge or understand. This platform gives visionaries the opportunity to present their wildest ideas in their purest form—and let serendipity take them to new heights. 

Thanks to all participants

Thanks to all participants over the Serendipity Collective for your blue ideas and enlightening comments.

IN SUMMARY, WE ACHIEVED
2,732 views on the website, including 1,300 unique visitors for 60+ countries;
225 participants in the Serendipity Collective cohort (registrations on the crowdsourcing application); and
73 visionary ideas being created

AS PART OF THE EXPERT ASSESSMENT
we have met with some of you to attain a better understanding of your ideas and motivations.

WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SELECTING
the promissing ideas that we would like to develop with you; and wildcard individuals within the collective, to join teams and supercharge the ideas further.

WE WILL PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE OUR SELECTION
on Monday, 10 April to allow for enough time to organise logistics for Berlin, 10-11 May

Join Our Tribe!

We are looking for individuals brave enough to look over the edge and into the unknown. An unknown where the constraints of the natural world (as we currently understand it!) might no longer hold true to form. An unknown where those limitations do not prevent us from developing truly disruptive solutions.  To get there, we want scientists and engineers to partner with artists and writers, emboldened by individuals from the humanities and social sciences, to challenge our limits of understanding… to challenge humanity to create a better world.  Do you have a visionary, transformative idea to share with the world? The Serendipity Collective™ is looking for “the next big thing”, and we have 50,000 USD grants available for up to five winning ideas.

HERE’S WHAT
YOU NEED TO
get involved

A FANTASTIC VISION
What is your idea, what are its origins, and what technologies will enable its realization?

A PASSIONATE TEAM
At the Serendipity Collective™, innovation is a team sport, and idea submissions should be accompanied by a roster of team members from the hard sciences, the humanities, the arts, and as many diverse skill sets and perspectives as possible.

A NOVEL INSPIRATION
We will not accept submissions of ideas that have received prior funding, or that have established commercial applications.

HERE’S WHAT
YOU DON’T NEED

A BUSINESS CASE
Disruptive new technology may require a new marketplace, so not having a business case is ok. Truly disruptive technologies will create demand where there was previously none.

A USE CASE
It is ok if you do not know how your technology will be used, or by whom. We believe that serendipity will present the best application.

A COMPLETE TEAM
Do you have a visionary idea, but you need to broaden your network to build out the team? We can help… Submissions can be made that include specific requests for support from different disciplines, whereby we will match you with subject matter experts from our community.

What Happens Next?

We will be soliciting new ideas until 18 March 2023. Idea submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis by our expert panel, who are registered members of the Serendipity Collective™ community. We will provide comments, suggestions, and critiques. By the end of March, our expert panel will review the outputs of the crowdsourcing process, and select 10 ideas for the in-person pitching workshop in Berlin.  In the run-up to the event, we will work with each chosen team to ensure that they arrive ready to deliver a preliminary “lightning talk” that describes their idea. Through the ensuing 48hrs, we will work with each team to further refine, articulate, and visualize their idea—culminating in a final pitch to the Serendipity Collective™ investment committee and an on-the-spot decision as to which ideas receive onward financial support.  At the event, we will provide an open forum and a free environment under Chatham House Rules, where you can express your ideas, no matter how wild and crazy they are, and be reassured that they will be respected by everyone in the audience.

WHO ELSE
WILL BE THERE?

The Serendipity Collective™ is a novel initiative, with its inaugural event on 10-11 May 2023. To make it even more exciting, we will have acclaimed science fiction author Matthew de Abaitua join us to explore the realm of possibilities with your visionary ideas. 

The pitching event itself will be led by IdeatePlus, a Swiss innovation consultancy that has worked with clients including the World Health Organization, Vodafone, and Nestle. 

Core funding comes from SPRIND, the German Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation, and ONR Global, the U.S. government’s Office of Naval Research Global.

FAQ

Is financial assistance available to attend the event?

Yes, the event sponsors will cover travel and accommodation for some selected attendees. Event facilitators will arrange travel and accommodation details with each team after their idea is chosen.

I NEED A VISA TO ENTER GERMANY, CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS?

Event sponsors can provide attendees with an official sponsoring letter, stating that they are participating in a professional conference. The remainder of the visa application process will be the responsibility of each individual.

What language is used for the event?

The entire event will be conducted in English. If members of your team do not speak English at a professional competency, it will be the responsibility of team members to translate on-the-fly.

Can I participate in the event remotely?

No, the Serendipity Collective™ is a face-to-face event.

I HAVE A QUESTION that
Is not addressed in the FAQs

If so, contact us at serendipity@ideateplus.com

BE PART OF
THE COLLECTIVE

IDEATEPLUS | SPRIND | ONR GLOBAL
Copyright © 2023 IdeatePlus, All rights reserved.
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy