How do I submit my idea for BSI’s consideration?
The most effective way to submit your idea for consideration by BSI’s Innovation team is to use the Submit your idea form.
What kind of information does BSI need in order to decide if it is interested in my idea?
The most important information is to describe:
1. The problem you are trying to solve
2. Any thoughts on a solution if you have one
3. Benefits you feel the idea/solution will provide
4. Other commercial information you may have is also useful to have but not essential to start with.
Please DO NOT submit confidential information however as outlined in the terms and conditions.
1. The problem you are trying to solve
2. Any thoughts on a solution if you have one
3. Benefits you feel the idea/solution will provide
4. Other commercial information you may have is also useful to have but not essential to start with.
Please DO NOT submit confidential information however as outlined in the terms and conditions.
Why is BSI using a website to gather ideas?
BSI encourages ideas from all interested parties and our website helps promote and encourage this aim.
How is my idea protected?
All submissions are stored securely at BSI we use ISO 27001 protocols as well as other security measures and operate a consistent and robust privacy policy. Access to your idea will be restricted to certain reviewer individuals within the business who have permission. Please review the terms and conditions for further information.
May I submit an idea that is not patented or pending patent?
We do not require you to patent your idea before submitting it. However, if you believe that your idea may be eligible for patent protection, we recommend that you consult with a patent attorney or other advisor before submitting it to us.
Will BSI sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with me?
It is unlikely that BSI will sign a non-disclosure agreement right at the outset. When you submit your idea the expectation is that it will be a high level summary which will facilitate a basic evaluation of that idea. However, should more detailed discussions be required at a later stage we will consider the possibility of signing an NDA.
Can I present my idea in person?
Sure – but it’s best to provide a summary in a short form online as described.
How long will it take for BSI to assess and make a decision on whether my idea is accepted?
This will depend on a number of factors, in particular the complexity of the submission and availability of appropriate expertise to evaluate it, so BSI cannot guarantee a specific deadline.
If BSI likes my idea, will I get paid?
This will depend on follow-up steps and commercial discussions that take place at a much later stage.
What type of business deal am I likely to get with working with BSI?
This will depend on follow-up steps and commercial discussions and potential negotiations.
What reasons may there be for BSI to decline my idea and what happens next?
Reasons will vary greatly, but example might include a lack of relevance to BSI’s core business and strategic goals, or it may be that the idea has not yet matured to a significant level to allow it to be evaluated. In the case of the latter you are always free to review and resubmit a refined version.
What does BSI do with my personal information and my idea?
All ideas are handled securely and responsibly in line with BSI’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy notice.
What ideas are you interested in?
BSI’s remit is a broad one, and we are open to a broad range of idea themes. Please refer to our areas of interest which relate to continual business improvement, enablement of trust, and achieving greater resilience within organizations and societies generally. We are interested in both non-technical solutions to these areas, as well as ideas where new emerging disruptive technologies are supporting these organizational and societal aims.
What happens to my idea after it is submitted?
We will review your submission to ensure that it is complete and that it fits within the scope of BSI's current business. If it does, it will be forwarded to the appropriate BSI representative for review, and that person will reach out to you if they are interested in your idea.
How do I contact you to check on the status of my submission?
We do not provide status updates for idea submissions during the review process. If any further information is needed, we will contact you.
Why can't you accept confidential information?
To avoid misunderstandings and to follow BSI procedures for handling confidential information, we do not accept confidential information during the initial phase of the process. If, after our preliminary review, we are interested in pursuing your idea further, we may propose a process that will permit us to receive information about your idea that you regard as confidential. This process may include signing a separate agreement setting forth the scope of the material to be considered as confidential, the time period for any confidentiality obligations, and any other mutually agreeable terms and conditions. Please refer to our terms and conditions.
Can I submit additional information such as photographs or drawings with my idea?
The idea submission process does not allow for the upload of documents of any kind. However if the reviewers need additional information, we will contact you.
