Intel Innovation Pipeline (Data Services Accelerator)

The Intel Innovation Pipeline, also known as the Data Services Accelerator, is the result of SecondMuse’s engagement with Intel to create a framework for Intel’s big data and personal data strategy. SecondMuse collaborated with Intel Labs on the Innovation Pipeline to support and accelerate early-stage data startups and to foster their engagement with the value of personal data and the creation of new value for end-users. The Innovation Pipeline supported their engagement with a next-generation data analytics platform created specifically to fulfill Intel’s big data strategy, as well as by providing teams with mentorship and guidance to take them from their early stage towards realizing the potential impact they can have in the world.

The projects and solutions generated out of this initiative were pursued due to 1) their high potential to create value for individuals, 2) unexpected dataset correlations that create value to the user, 3) potential for the data and correlations to inform or positively influence the way an individual user is able to make decisions, and 4) achieving a sustainable economic model, whether for profit or non-profit. Some of the outcomes included a data startup being acquired and two other data startups generating revenue in less than a year and raising several rounds of funding from leading investors.

The initiative was born out of the National Day of Civic Hacking, a national initiative in the United States aimed at engaging government and society to create technology solutions that help communities by using open federal data. The Innovation Pipeline is an accelerator that sources the highest-potential solutions developed in civic hacking communities and supports them in scaling into self-sustaining businesses and full-fledged projects. Six teams have been selected and receive mentorship, guidance, and access to advanced data analytics to help them realize the impact they can have on the world.

“There is a gold mine of insight and wisdom that lies within all our digital information, but we have only begun to understand its potential when put in the hands of citizens to unleash new, unexpected and serendipitous opportunities.” - Dr. Genevieve Bell, Intel Labs Director

SecondMuse developed the conceptual framework for both the Innovation Pipeline process and the Intel Data Services Accelerator. We managed client and participant interactions. Selected program participants. We planned and organized the Intel Data Services Accelerator Summit and the Intel DSA Demo Day. We recruited mentors and oversaw project teams as they progressed through the process. We assisted the teams as they further developed their applications, built their companies and generally moved from an early-stage project to a full-fledged start-up.

The Intel Innovation Pipeline created tangible proof of a high return on investment for the volunteer technical community and for open-source-for-social-good corporate sponsorship. It also saw the development of the first effective and scalable virtual early-stage startup accelerator model. Through the Pipeline, we successfully evolved six teams, which emerged with higher-quality applications, viable business and monetization plans, and exciting opportunities for rapid post-participation expansion.
In addition, through the accelerator, we refined the civic hacking and volunteer technology community project accelerator process. This includes developing the criteria used to select high-potential projects to align with the unique interests of the funding organization, building and maintaining a robust community of volunteer mentors and subject matter experts to work with each team throughout the Pipeline process, and creating custom work plans and project roadmaps that conform to the time and resource constraints of early-stage projects.

In addition, through the accelerator, we refined the civic hacking and volunteer technology community project accelerator process. This includes developing the criteria used to select high-potential projects to align with the unique interests of the funding organization, building and maintaining a robust community of volunteer mentors and subject matter experts to work with each team throughout the Pipeline process, and creating custom work plans and project roadmaps that conform to the time and resource constraints of early-stage projects.