NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Threats to the global community — such as climate change and pandemics — demand urgent innovation and action at scale. But when commercial incentives for innovation trail behind the social value, market shaping instruments can credibly signal demand and spur the development and adoption of new innovations. The Center for Global Development (CGD) and the University of Chicago’s Market Shaping Accelerator (MSA) are excited to launch their joint initiative to design and scale market shaping mechanisms to address the world’s most pressing problems.

This event also marks the culmination of a year-long open innovation competition. Teams from around the world competed to develop promising applications of market shaping pull mechanisms to reduce harm from pandemics and improve global health. In the afternoon, the three finalist teams will present their proposals to a panel of expert judges. Following the event, the winners of the grand prize and the “Best Pitch’” award, totaling $600,000, will be announced.​​​​

In-person attendance to this event is on an invite-only basis. In case you are interested in attending in person in Washington, DC, please email marketshaping@uchicago.edu.

Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm ET