What is the Challenge?
#StartedWithAPaperclip
The red paperclip challenge is a form of the childhood game Bigger and Better. You start with a paperclip, a red paperclip, and you trade it for something a little bit bigger and a little bit better. Then you take your new item and trade it for something even better. That's it, it is that simple.
But what's the goal? To have some fun and learn a bit about creating value out of essentially nothing. You can go it alone or you can work together. You can create monetary value, personal value, or societal value. In the process, you are welcome to use the resources available at the LaunchPad to further your efforts. Come in for a consultation on how to make trades, discuss questions with our financial, legal, and sale/marketing professional partners, or get connections to community partners.
Near the end of the spring semester, we will choose one winner from each of the following categories:
Most Trades
- The participant with the largest number of trades.
Most Expensive Final Item
- The participant with the ending item with the highest monetary value.
Most Societal Value Created
- The participant who creates the most societal value (i.e. contribution to the community/society as a whole).
Throughout the semester, participants will need to record each trade with a photograph in order to log his or her progress.
We are excited to follow your progress, so make sure to post pictures to Instagram and Twitter using #StartedWithAPaperclip and tag us at @umtlaunchpad as well.
Good luck! We can't wait to follow your progress!
Backstory
In the summer of 2005, Montreal resident Kyle MacDonald, started a journey to trade up from one red paperclip to house, or an island, or house on an island. The Canadian blogger started a website and began traiding online, first for a fish shaped pen, and then a funky looking door knob. Eventually after 14 total trades and a year of travelling, Kyle had traded up to two story farmhouse in Kipling, Saskatchewan. The blog where it all started can be found at one red paperclip.
Rules
1. Pick up a red paperclip at Blackstone LaunchPad, UC 249.
2. Trade your red paperclip for something better and take a picture to record your trade.
3. Trade that something better for something even better and take a picture of your new fancy item.
4. Repeat step 3 until the end of Spring semester 2015.
5. Look back and reminisce on the awesome trades you made. Give yourself a pat on the back!
Things to remember
Tweet or Instagram each trade with #StartedWithAPaperclip to share your progress! Tag @umtlaunchpad so we can share in your progress.
Connect with Blackstone LaunchPad
Insert social media channel links
Prizes
coming soon