accelerating solutions to the world's toughest challenges
lateral labs is a social innovation agency on a mission to solve the world's problems faster_
any challenge, any domain_
whether you're a social entrepreneur struggling to combat costs, a local government resurrecting a depressed downtown or a global non-profit mediating between warring parties, our rapid 6-step process will help you solve your toughest challenge in 2 hours (or less).
01 / curate crowd
we employ team design algorithms to curate diverse crowds immune from destructive groupthink.
04 / pitch plans
we transform ideas into activation plans with teams pitching their best concepts in 60 seconds (or less).
02 / create urgency
we use psychological techniques to create a real sense of urgency (after all, we only have 2 hours...or less).
05 / pick winners
we employ the "wisdom of crowds" to select the best concepts using our anonymous text-based voting system.
03 / stimulate solutions
we employ lateral thinking techniques to crack conventional thought patterns and rapidly stimulate creative solutions.
+...06 / build solutions
we use our proprietary Minimal Viable Solution framework to quickly turn concepts into real solutions.
accelerate your solutions_
our programs are designed to rapidly transform organizations and societies across the world.
solution sprints
Stuck with a persistent problem that’s proving impossible to solve? Need outside help, but don’t have the time (or patience) for traditional consultants? In 2 hours (or less), our virtual workshops will help you break your predictable thought patterns and discover creative solutions to your challenges.
hackathons
Do you wish your team could solve their problems faster? Do you want to solve a stubborn challenge standing between you and your potential right now? Our half-day hackathons provide organizations with the tools they need as together we solve your most persistent problems in 2 hours (or less).
popup labs
Our popup labs promote our inclusive approach to innovation, bringing our rapid problem-solving system to towns and cities across the world. We provide local communities with the tools they need to solve their problems fast, while working together to solve real challenges real-time.
"lateral labs helped us to survive the trump presidency by channeling our inner tardigrade...I didn't know what that was either".
- claudia connor | ceo | ciri
2019 tour_
our 2019 rapid resolutions tour covered 6 states, 19,140 miles and some seriously stubborn challenges.
hillsboro | or
resurrecting a "dumped" downtown.
scottsdale | az
breaking down barriers in local government.
salina | ks
finding a cure for "stockade syndrome".
waco | tx
eradicating "news deserts" in communities of color.
fort collins | co
turning "all that talk" into action.
tallahassee | fl
smashing silos to accelerate disaster response.
real problems | real solutions
pathway pilot
a program pathway app designed to curate a killer curriculum for Startup Week FoCo participants.
waco wide
a community-driven platform bringing news to Waco's communities of color.
the hook app
a smart-switchboard that helps staff and residents in the City of Scottsdale find the right person, right away.