Solvish Maps Out Local and Global Issues Waiting for Solutions

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Name: Solvish

Quick Pitch: Anyone can contribute to Solvish — a digital community board for local and global concerns.

Genius Idea: By creating follow pages on Solvish for various issues, users can acknowledge predicaments, build awareness and connect to problem solvers.

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Solvish is the 21st-century community bulletin board. Users can create a "problem page" for individual local or global issues on the platform.

Once you notice a dilemma or situation in the neighborhood, you're encouraged to upload a picture and description to Solvish. On the website, users can pinpoint where the problem is located on an interactive map. The platform's users can follow and address the problem.

With social media, communities can spread the word about local initiatives for support. Individuals can make suggestions, connect with other concerned citizens to discuss plans and track them until they are solved.

Follow pages for community problems remain online until they are resolved. Content can be shared on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr to encourage action.

Co-founder Anton Exner believes simple problems in our global community can be solved if the right people get involved. If a local elementary school needs art supplies, parents can rally neighbors to hold a bake sale or create a local collection bin using Solvish. If a nearby playground or lake needs a cleanup, community members can alert friends and organize a meeting.

"It's about locating problem on Earth," Exner tells Mashable. "People are able to follow them, create awareness and solutions for them."

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While Solvish is great for acknowledging and solving small local issues, the platform can be used to educate a global audience about international issues.

"That's the point where big companies come into play," Exner says. "If a playground or sports field is needed companies could provide a solution."

The Hamburg, Germany-based startup hopes to unite individuals, politicians and larger companies to settle problems people are passionate about. Exner describes Solvish is the world's "catch basin" for minor and larger obstacles.

"It's our contribution for a better world," Exner says. "Solvish gives you the possibility to engage, follow and solve problems."

Solvish also lets non-profit organizations set up profiles, share stories and raise awareness for individual causes. Organizations such as CARE, Visions For Children and the International Network of Street Papers are already starting a conversation on the platform.

Image courtesy of Flickr, -MRGT

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The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives software startups three-year access to Microsoft software development tools, marketing visibility to help promote their business and a connection to the BizSpark ecosystem, giving them access to investors, advisors and mentors. There is no cost to join, so if your startup is privately owned, less than three years old and generates less than U.S. $1M in annual revenue, sign up today.