AI Innovation Challenge
A 4-week, Cloverbase-run programme that turns frontline friction into a prioritised pipeline of AI and Copilot opportunities your leaders can action.
Frontline-rooted ideas
Cross-functional teams surface real process pain, not head office theory.
Momentum and engagement
A structured challenge people want to take part in, with clear rules and recognition
A credible pipeline
A prioritised backlog scored on impact, feasibility, and risk, ready for investment decisions.
Delivered across New Zealand and Australia. Hybrid pitch day by default.
Innovation fails when it is disconnected from frontline reality
Leaders want a credible AI pipeline, but most idea programmes either produce noise or produce nothing that ships. The Microsoft AI Innovation Challenge creates structure: clear criteria, a fair scoring method, and a short runway from ideas to action.
Leaders cannot see a credible pipeline to justify investment
Opportunities are missed because the best ideas live in the day-to-day work
Teams have ideas, but no clear path to turn them into prioritised initiatives
What is the Microsoft AI Innovation Challenge?
It is a structured, timeboxed programme where cross-functional teams pitch process problems and ideas they want to solve with AI where appropriate. Cloverbase runs the challenge end-to-end and delivers a prioritised innovation backlog with executive ready outputs.
Designed for MDs and CEOs who want practical innovation, fast
This works best when there is a clear executive sponsor and an internal Digital Transformation Lead to coordinate logistics and internal communications.
MD / CEO
Investment confidence and visible momentum
COO / Operations
Process improvement pipeline and ownership clarity
CEO
A defensible portfolio of initiatives and value signals
Digital Transformation Lead
A repeatable programme structure that lands
What you receive at the end of 4 weeks
A prioritised innovation backlog outcomes pack, designed to be forwarded to senior leaders.
Ranked list of submissions with scoring and rationale
Grouped themes (process clusters) and recommended focus areas
Top opportunities summary with estimated benefits and constraints
Recommended next steps and ownership suggestions
How the 4-week challenge runs
The challenge is designed to build participation early, create strong submissions, then produce a clean prioritised backlog and a short incubation runway.
Week 1: Set up and launch
Sponsor alignment and firm pitch date
Challenge brief and judging rubric finalised
Idea intake form prepared
Internal comms pack prepared and scheduled
Week 2: Enable and shape ideas
Kickoff webinar (recorded)
Optional ideation session
Submissions window opens
Office hours for teams
Week 3: Submission quality and readiness
Reminders and example submission shared
Mentor office hours continue
Team roster confirmed
Pitch guidance and expectations shared
Week 4: Pitch day + scoring
Hybrid pitch event (Teams broadcast)
Scoring and prioritisation
Winners and recognition
Draft outcomes prepared for executive readout
Hybrid by default (in-person with Teams broadcast). Fully remote option available.
How ideas are prioritised
Submissions are scored using a transparent scorecard so leaders can trust the backlog.
People impacted
Hours saved
Feasibility
Cost saved
Implementation effort
Customer impact
Risk
What Cloverbase delivers and runs for you
Included
Challenge design and facilitation (end-to-end)
Brief, rules, timeline, and judging rubric
Idea intake design and submission process
Communications drafting and scheduling with your programme owner
Webinar facilitation and recording
Office hours and team support
Pitch day facilitation (hybrid) and judging coordination
Scoring, prioritisation, and outcomes pack production
Executive readout and a 30-day incubation plan for top ideas
Not included
Building and implementing the solutions
Vendor procurement
Long-term programme management
Implementation support can be scoped separately after the challenge.
What happens after pitch day
Cloverbase presents the outcomes to senior leadership and helps you convert the top ideas into a short, practical incubation runway.
Included follow-up:
• Executive readout (60–90 minutes)
• 30-day incubation plan for top ideas (owners, next actions, checkpoints)
Frequently Asked Questions
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A 4-week, Cloverbase-run programme that gathers frontline process improvement ideas and delivers a prioritised innovation backlog.
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Organisations with 10+ staff that want a credible pipeline of AI initiatives and stronger engagement.
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A Managing Director or CEO should sponsor the challenge to ensure participation and fast decision-making.
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A Digital Transformation Lead is the typical day-to-day programme owner.
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No. Teams pitch problems and outcomes. Technical feasibility is handled through the scoring and mentoring support.
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Microsoft Copilot, Power Platform, and Azure AI where relevant.
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Works well for 20–50 participants and supports up to 100
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No. Hybrid is the default, and fully remote is available.
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A prioritised innovation backlog delivered as a PowerPoint outcomes pack, plus an executive readout and a 30-day incubation plan for top ideas.
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No. The challenge creates the pipeline and prioritisation. Implementation can be scoped separately.
Why Cloverbase
Cloverbase helps organisations turn Microsoft AI potential into practical outcomes with structured programmes that build trust, momentum, and measurable progress.
Ready to build a credible AI pipeline in four weeks?
If you want frontline-rooted ideas, strong participation, and a prioritised backlog leaders can act on, the Microsoft AI Innovation Challenge is the fastest way to create momentum without chaos.