Entrepreneurs are looking for problems that are worth solving. They want to build something that people want.
So what do you think of a 'reverse kickstarter' where you can commit money for someone who solves your problem/ or builds something that you want?
Sort of like bounty for innovative startups.
What keeps deterring me have been a few projects in the space I came across that arguably haven't done so well, eg. kickfunder and one more, I forget.
I don't know enough about them and there are many reasons why a project does or does not succeed.
I guess, a good way to test the concept would be to partner with a business (eg. as an agency), explore a pressing problem/ they're facing that they can't solve internally, one reason or another. Then help them crowdsource the solution.
It could be a prize, a hackathon, a challenge, etc.
A few of these would act as a good MVP and validate the demand. And maybe there is something similar out there. I need to check.
Businesses would be easier (arguably) because they are more likely to have budget in place to pay for a possible solution, rather than relying on crowdsourcing it.
And again, just like XPRIZE, they only pay if and when someone (a team?) comes up with the right solution according to their requirements.