10.10.10 tackles healthcare issues -- entrepreneur-style

On Feb. 16 a new 10-day event called 10.10.10 launches. The event will take 10 former CEOs from around the country, introduce them to 10 problems in the U.S. healthcare industry and plant the seeds to create companies that will come up with solutions for the issues.

"These are significant problems with market opportunity," says 10.10.10 founder and Tom Higley, a Denver-based entrepreneurial guru and angel investor. "They're not big problems to us, they're wicked problems."

While the committee is selecting the CEOs for the program, anyone can submit their ideas for the 10 healthcare problems. It's as simple as clicking here and filling out the simple form.

"On the very first day, we have 10 problem advocates each of whom pitches a wicked problem," Higley explains. "They show where it hurts, who hurts and how badly it hurts as well as the size and scope of the problem." The advocates will also tell the prospective CEOs about what resources are available to solve the problem. This could be fiscal incentives, access to talent or intellectual property.

Higley says the program is designed to help CEOs reinvent themselves. "CEOs who founded companies will often set out to do something that doesn't seem well informed," he says. "These CEOs have to deal with an existential crisis. They have to switch and change. They have to reinvent themselves. The program is designed to facilitate that."

To help them move forward the program also offers what Higley calls "validators," companies or nonprofits involved in the program and the issues, that are working to solve health care problems. Some of the validators include the Colorado Health Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, for example.

The 10.10.10 program has largely come about through volunteer effort, Higley adds. "There are 100 plus volunteers that have helped put this together," he says. "These folks have worked incredible hours. It's been a big deal."

Though this is the inaugural program Higley anticipates holding more of the programs in the near future. He's already looking forward to hosting 10.10.10 events in San Francisco and Boston.

Contact Confluence Denver Innovation & Jobs News Editor Chris Meehan with tips and leads for future stories at chris@confluence-denver.com.