Thank you for visiting IdeaBounce^®. Our goal is to create a collaborative learning environment where people can connect with others and discuss their ideas openly. The following describes the steps in posting an idea to the site, and what next steps “bouncers” can expect.

Bouncers posting an idea to the site are required to include the following:

1. First and last name and email address
2. Title of the idea (not the bouncer’s job title)
3. A short description of the idea (maximum of 600 characters)
4. A description of the founder – community member, faculty, staff, or student
5. Industry (up to 3).

Additional optional fields include the following:

1. Program (Olin Cup, SEIC, Hatchery, etc)
2. Needs (up to 6)
3. A long description of the idea (maximum of 1000 characters, in addition to the first 600 characters submitted as the short description above).
4. Website URL for the idea
5. Upload up to three documents.

Bouncers are encouraged to carefully review their selections in order to make it easier for visitors to the site to find the ideas that interest them. For example, if a bouncer selects “social venture” as the Industry and “Olin Cup” as the program, that would be difficult for a visitor to the site to find, as social ventures are not eligible to compete in the Olin Cup; they are eligible for the Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition (SEIC).

Selected Washington University programs are noted with an icon next to the idea name:
Hatchery
Olin Cup
Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition (with partner YouthBridge Association)
IdeaBounce presenter
Winners in either of the competitions or at the IdeaBounce event are noted with the same icon with a blue star.

After the idea is submitted, IdeaBounce^® (admin@ideabounce.com)will send an email to the address included on the posting with the subject field “verification required.” Bouncers must click on the link in that email, or copy and paste it into their browser, to confirm the email address. IdeaBounce^® will send a second email with the subject line “your post is pending approval.” Skandalaris Center staff will approve the idea within 2 business days, causing it to then appear on www.ideabounce.com. IdeaBounce^® will send an email when the idea is approved and publicly viewable. All emails from IdeaBounce^® will include a unique URL to edit the idea, with the exception of the email address. Changing the email address included in the posting requires sending an email to admin@ideabounce.com.

Several times during the academic year, the Skandalaris Center and other universities will host IdeaBounce^® events. Dates for Washington University events may be found on the Skandalaris Center events page. On the Monday before those Thursday events, Skandalaris Center staff review posted ideas and select bouncers to present their ideas, who will receive an email invitation to present. Judges select five winners who receive $100 each and an invitation to a private dinner with the judges after the event. These and other Skandalaris Center events provide bouncers with multiple opportunities to connect with others who can help move their ideas forward.

After the conclusion of each program (i.e. Olin Cup 2006 or Hatchery Spring 07), the Skandalaris Center will create a PDF file of all ideas included in that program, and post it to the "Past Idea Projects" tab on the website. IdeaBounce^® will also send a reminder to bouncers who have not updated their idea in the last 90 days. If the bouncer doesn’t update the idea within the next 5 days, the idea is automatically archived and no longer visible on www.ideabounce.com. The unique URL for the bouncer is still active, and bouncers can re-submit the idea for posting to the live site.