System and method for conducting open innovation events

In various embodiments, an open innovation event is conducted with more than one (e.g., two, three, four, or more) rule regimes. During event registration, a rule choice module is used to facilitate selection by participants of a desired rule regime from a choice of possible rule regimes. An assignment module assigns participants to groups based at least in part on their rule regime selection. A problem distribution module electronically distributes to participants a problem to be solved during the open innovation event. An event operations module conducts the event with one rule regime applying to one group and a different rule regime applying to another group, so that each of two participant groups are subject to different rule regimes, with the different rule regimes selected from the choice of possible rule regimes. A solution submission module receives solutions from submitters.