I admit it. I have a special affinity for innovations that address a prevalent social need by a deceptively simple and effective solution.  A solution that takes an ordinary object and transforms its functionality by daring to ask the ‘What if?’ question.

According to a survey conducted by marketing firm Havas Worldwide, only 20% of people in the industrialized countries disagreed with the statement: “I could happily live without most of the things I own”.  And so the sharing economy takes root.

As one of the judges for the European Venture Award, I was interviewed at the InnovEIT Conference this spring.  During the session I talked mostly about entrepreneurship in Europe.

Following up on my story last week about GE’s big idea for using CO2 emissions, let’s continue with another seemingly wacky, repurposing concept again this week.  How about a giant space umbrella to solve the problem of global warming?

In honor of  U.S. Independence Day, I wanted to bring to your attention a very Slingshot-esque initiative by one of the iconic American companies: General Electric (originally founded by Thomas Edison). What is the big idea?  None other than repurposing harmful CO2 into energy storage enabler.