What is ChallengePost?

ChallengePost is a marketplace for challenges. We all wish for stuff: a new iPhone app that does something special; a cheap, small solar-powered generator; a better way to teach kids math. ChallengePost allows individuals and organizations to create challenges to competitively solve their wishes.

How does it work?

1) Individuals, Corporations, Foundations, or Government Agencies POST a challenge.

2) If it's an Open Challenge, other users may JOIN a challenge and pledge to contribute money or simply declarations of why it is meaningful to them.

3) The pledges, which are only payable if a challenge is solved, incentivize others to SOLVE the challenge and earn money, status, and recognition. Solvers receive public Thank You Notes that appear on their profile pages, along with the names of those whom they've helped and why.

What's a wish?

A wish is a one-line challenge with no rules, judges, or pledges. Post a Wish, on ChallengePost or through Twitter (by adding "#cpost" to your Tweets) and it might inspire a full challenge. It will also allow people to find you when a related challenge is posted down the road. Think of it as "cc'ing" us on your wish, and let the community do the rest. You'll get credit for making it happen.

What does it cost?

If you're an individual, it's free to post or join a challenge, though pledging money gives your challenge a better chance of getting solved. We take 8% of the financial pledges only if a challenge is solved. That includes all credit card processing fees.

If you're an organization, email us and we'll arrange a sponsored challenge.

What about Intellectual Property?

In an Open challenge, intellectual property ownership is not transferred to those who initiate or join a challenge. The intellectual property will remain with whomever creates the solution.

For certain challenges -- pre-approved by us -- intellectual property ownership will be transferred to the initiator of the challenge when a Solver is picked. A solver can not submit a solution unless they agree to those terms when submitting their solution. These challenges can not be Joined by anyone, they can only be Solved.

Why would an organization sponsor a challenge?

1) Contests are boring and temporary. Send in your best Mahjong tip and get a free steak at Sizzler? That doesn't cut it anymore. Post a Challenge to reach not just people who SOLVE it, but anyone who might like the goal and want to JOIN and SHARE it.

2) We love Developer Challenges and we want to host yours. Now. We'll bring you greater awareness and participation than you will on your own. Contact us.

3) Have a problem or initiative at your non-profit or government agency? Don't know how to get it solved or publicized? We do.

Who started ChallengePost?

ChallengePost, based in New York City, was started by Brandon Kessler and Stephen Baker.

For more information, contact: info@challengepost.com