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Solve for X was a community solution engagement project andthink tank-like event launched byGoogle[1] to encourage collaboration, solve global issues and support innovators. The "X" in the title represents a remedy that someone or a team is already pursuing which ran from 2012 to 2014.[2]
The project began on February 1, 2012 at a three-day convention at CordeValle Resort inSan Martin, California. Google's team sought people working on various solutions. Solve for X talks were presented by innovators to 50 people in attendance who then collaboratively brainstormed to help those pursuing solutions, hosted by Google executivesEric Schmidt,Megan Smith, andAstro Teller who co-created the project.[3] The convention took place annually.[4] The website launched on February 6, 2012.[5]
The pitch component of Solve for X has been likened toTED talks[1][6] since both projects host seminars by innovators, which can be viewed by others online. European directorBruno Giussani stated regarding Google's endeavor: "The world needs more ideas, not fewer and more commitment to sharing them freely and openly so that collectively we can test-run them and turn them into reality ... Google being at the origin of this, obviously technology and engineering will play a big role in Solve For X".[4]
Solve for X, co-founded by two leaders at Google with the support ofEric Schmidt, was initially believed to be linked to theGoogle X Lab working on new technology such as web-connected appliances,driverless cars, and space elevators,[1][6]
In 2013–14, the Solve for X team joined with several partner organizations, to support embedding their talks-plus-audience-community-brainstorming format in partner gatherings.[7] The inaugural meeting that took place in 2012 featured the inventor and entrepreneur Rob McGinnis, discussing "Global Water Scarcity".[8]Ira Glass opened the 2014 summit with a talk on climate change entitled “Ira Glass tries to boss you into a moonshot”.[9]
