About DrivenDataAt DrivenData, we want to bring cutting-edge practices in data science and crowdsourcing to some of the world's biggest social challenges and the organizations taking them on. We host online challenges, usually lasting 2-3 months, where a global community of data scientists competes to come up with the best statistical model for difficult predictive problems that make a difference.DrivenDataDD_da4f6c18-a269-11e4-af40-f81bae8142d9Peter BullCo-founder -- Peter recently earned his master's in Computational Science and Engineering from Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. His work lies at the intersection of statistics and computer science, and he wants to help bring powerful new modeling techniques to the organizations that need them most. He previously worked as a software engineer at Microsoft and earned a BA in philosophy from Yale University where he met Greg. He lives in Brookline with his wife and their cat.Greg LipsteinCo-founder -- Greg is an MBA student at Harvard Business School. He has experience in market development and strategy as a management consultant at Bain & Company and working at a fast-growing green-tech startup at Blu Homes. Greg served with Teach for America for two years, after graduating summa cum laude from Yale University in 2008. He now lives in Cambridge with his wife Laura.Isaac SlavittCo-founder -- Isaac completed his master's in Computational Science and Engineering at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences with Peter. He has a BS in Operations Research from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and continues to serve as an operations research analyst in Washington, DC, where he lives with his wife Amanda and a 12-lb Flemish Giant._da4f6d62-a269-11e4-af40-f81bae8142d9To bring cutting-edge practices in data science and crowdsourcing to some of the world's biggest social challenges and the organizations taking them on._da4f6e20-a269-11e4-af40-f81bae8142d9ImpactThe best problems have a clear win for the organization in terms of effective planning, resources saved, or people served. The ones that are most appealing to the data-science community have a good story around how they generate social impact.ChallengeThe problem needs to be challenging enough for a rich competition. For example, a set of a thousand data points where a linear regression gets most of the way there isn’t the kind of problem we can be most effective in tackling. Instead, we specialize in being able to handle many predicting variables, large numbers of data points, complex covariance, or analysis of text, images and video.FeasibilityWe will need to ensure that the organization has the right kind of data to answer the question at hand. And, if there is data, does it have enough signal to be useful? Our data science team will take a first look at the data and build benchmark solutions to the problem at hand.PrivacyWe want to make sure that we can answer this question while protecting the privacy of individuals in the data set and the operational privacy of an organization. As you would imagine, this is a common concern in the world of data science, and we utilize privatization strategies developed for these types of situations.Online ChallengesHost online challenges_da4f6ede-a269-11e4-af40-f81bae8142d9Data ScientistsHost online challenges, usually lasting 2-3 months, where a global community of data scientists competes to come up with the best statistical model for difficult predictive problems that make a difference.FramingFrame problems_da4f76ea-a269-11e4-af40-f81bae8142d91Our first step is to frame a good predictive question, one that can be solved by the data at hand and has measurable, real-world impact. We work with nonprofits to understand their needs and identify productive partnerships.Data Science CompetitionsHost data science competitions_da4f76eb-a269-11e4-af40-f81bae8142d92The next phase is to host an online, open-innovation competition where freelance developers and data scientists submit statistical models. Using our competition platform and evaluation engine, the models are ranked based on how well they predict data withheld from the competitors.Statistical ModelsIntegrate the best statistical models into organizational workflows_da4f76ec-a269-11e4-af40-f81bae8142d93Finally, we want to close the loop. We work with the organization to leverage the top model -- as insight, a fresh statistical approach, or a tool for analyzing new data -- enabling them to more effectively and sustainably carry out their mission.MicroloansDecrease negative outcomes for recipients and improve the long-term impact of microloans_da4f76ed-a269-11e4-af40-f81bae8142d94MicrolendersMicroloan RecipientsLet's get specific -- Consider a nonprofit microlender. Using data on loans and outcomes, DrivenData would run a competition to predict default. A good model predicts which loans involve the most risk. A better model might determine the loan amounts that minimize the probability of default. Using the winning solution, the lender can decrease negative outcomes for recipients and improve its long-term impact...2015-01-22http://www.drivendata.org/about/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net