Jade Software's Thinkubator encouraging bright ideas

Jade Software's Thinkubator, the two week long initiative designed to encourage innovative ideas, is coming to a close.

Thinkubator challenged Jade Software staff to form a team of 3-6 and create new ideas that change processes, deliver solutions to Jade customers and generate product ideas.

David Lindsay, Jade Software, managing director, says Thinkubator can have multifaceted benefits.

"We see the Thinkubator as another way of engaging and encouraging staff to ensure our driving principle of innovation is front of mind, giving them the time and space to come up with fresh new ideas," he says.

Lindsay says innovation is a key part of Jade Software.

"Innovation has always been our business. It's what Jade was built on, ever since our founders created a programming language, LINC, to develop a framework for 'online' systems in the 70s," the Jade Software website reads.

As a global initiative, employees from Jade's offices in New Zealand, Australia, USA, UK and the United Arab Emirates have had the opportunity to participate.

Participants submitted a video and finalists will be chosen through a company-wide vote. Those chosen as finalists will present in person to an independent judging panel made up of Derrick Cherrie, Ben Reid, Grant Ryan and Cheryl Doig.

After two weeks of voting, the finalists will be announced this week on December 17.

Every member of the winning team will receive a pebble smartwatch and runners-up will be given a portable USB phone charger.