Open Innovation

Powering Solutions Through Open Innovation

Open Innovation is a collaborative approach to problem-solving that invites ideas and solutions from both inside and outside an organization, like the public, private sector, or academia, to drive innovation and accelerate impact. It can take many forms, including prize competitions, crowdsourcing, hackathons, and idea competitions.

Kaptivate is a leader in open innovation through our work leading prize challenges with the U.S. Department of Education and in our role supporting the General Services Administration's (GSA) Open Innovation Program.

Promotional materials for the CTE CHIPS Challenge, including the official website, posters, and event stickers, helped engage potential participants and promote the $1M prize competition focused on preparing students for CHIPS-aligned careers in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor technologies.

A snapshot of Challenge.gov showcasing its website, mobile interface, toolkit, and social media outreach, all designed to engage public innovators in solving national challenges.

A visual showcase of Career Z Challenge marketing materials, including logo design, presentation templates, posters, a promotional video, and event signage, designed to engage participants in expanding work-based learning opportunities for high school students.

We supported the Applied AI Challenge Social Media Style Guide, shown here, to help establish a cohesive, accessible public-facing identity for this high-profile federal innovation initiative.

Overview

Kaptivate successfully managed two major U.S. Department of Education prize challenges aimed at driving innovation in education. The CTE CHIPS Challenge focused on expanding student recruitment, training, and placement strategies in semiconductor fab construction and advanced manufacturing careers. The Career Z Challenge invited schools, districts, and partners to design and scale high-quality, work-based learning (WBL) opportunities for students in grades 6–12. For both multi-phase, national initiatives, Kaptivate provided full program management—including challenge design, technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, and judging coordination—to ensure smooth execution and broad participation.

Kaptivate provided daily program management of Challenge.gov through communications, capacity building, technical assistance, and strategic public engagement for federal prize managers through GSA’s Open Innovation Program. Our outreach included multi-channel campaigns, hybrid events, and tailored content for community building and key stakeholders. We supported the Applied AI Challenge Social Media Style Guide, which helped establish a cohesive and accessible public-facing identity for a high-profile federal challenge.

Solution

Kaptivate’s work in Open Innovation has delivered scalable engagement models that drive public participation and innovation and support long-term communities of practice, demonstrating our ability to scale quickly, adapt to evolving needs, and deliver high-impact results.

Prize Challenges
Design, deployment, and national technical assistance of the Career Z Challenge and the CTE CHIPS Challenge.
Strategic Communications
Developed a comprehensive communications and outreach plan—including audience matrix, messaging and talking points, social media strategy, and visual branding and identity.
Technical Assistance
Provided comprehensive technical assistance to challenge participants and prize managers, including learning workshops with subject matter experts, platform support, office hours, and building communities of practice.
Event Management
Coordinated speakers, created run of show, and provided technical support at virtual and in-person events for challenge participants and federal challenge managers.
Prize Disbursement
Managed distributing multi-million dollar prize challenge funds to semi-finalists and finalists, ensuring timely, transparent, and compliant disbursement aligned with federal and challenge guidelines.

Open Innovation

Powering Solutions Through Open Innovation

Competency Model Program to Broader Human Capital Strategies

Overview

Solution

Prize Challenges

Strategic Communications

Technical Assistance

Event Management

Prize Disbursement

Bold pivots and powerful comebacks .