--- tags: Product --- # Initial population FAQ ## Why Alkemio? **Why do we need Alkemio if we already have Teams / Slack / Google Workspace / Whatsapp etc?** The key is alignment: “where” do we want to go? Alignment is critical for collaboration of any sort. Especially as collaboration crosses organizational boundaries. And the issues facing our society, large and small, cannot be solved by people or organizations working alone. The above tools are all great for interacting and producing - but they do not put the change central. And having a clear shared understanding of the change is critical. Read more about this in our [blogpost](https://draft.alkem.io/post/2022-01-why-do-we-need/). **What is the difference between Alkemio and RIConline?** At Alkemio, *challenges are central*, with a community around the challenge. The community will be given the opportunity to contribute and work towards this via feasible steps. Such challenges are not the starting point at RIConline. This platform focuses on *community formation in a broad sense* and allows users to determine for themselves, bottom-up, which themes, problems and challenges related to innovation they want to work on. You can find more about this comparison in our joint [blogpost](https://www.alkemio.foundation/post/2022-06-23-riconline/). ## Alkemio foundation **Why is Alkemio a foundation?** Public values should be central. We love tech. But not how it is often used. We do not want data and digital tools to exploit people. Interactions should benefit public values, rather than commercial or other interests. **What is the difference between alkem.io and alkemio.foundation?** The relationship between both websites is the following: *Alkemio is the platform*. It helps you make progress on challenges, together. It is backed by the *Alkemio Foundation* to guarantee it’s *purpose*. You will therefore find all the Challenges and contributors at Alkem.io. On [Alkemio.foundation](https://alkemio.foundation) you can find more about the foundation behind Alkemio, such as our Manifesto, the team and our partners, as well as relevant content such as blogposts and recent newsletters. ## Platform usage **How is the Alkemio platform structured?** We can distinguish several levels on the Alkemio platform. The hierarchial order hereby is the Alkemio platform (a Hub of Hubs), Challenge Hub, Challenge, and Opportunity. Each level has a Community around it. Individuals and Organizations can choose to join a Hub to contribute to multiple Challenges around a certain theme. It is also possible to join seperate Challenges in different Hubs. Within all three levels, Users can discuss the topic, share relevant information in a structured manner, and brainstorm by using canvases. ![](https://i.imgur.com/kMrczMH.png) **How can I most easily find the Challenges that I am interested in?** Under Challenges, you can search for the Challenges that you care about based on tags. **Where do I find my profile settings?** You can find your profile settings by first navigating to your profile. Then clicking on the :gear: icon. You wil find the possibility to update for example your bio, keywords, skills, as well as updating your profile picture. **What does 'verified' mean under an organization?** Currently, only organizations that have a subscription to the Alkemio platform will have a verified label. **What is the difference between a Facilitating and Leading organization?** On the Hub level, there is one Organization responsible for the content of the Hub, the *Facilitating Organization*. However, on a Challenge as well as Opportunity level multiple Organizations can be leading, the *Leading Organizations*. **Who can make a Challenge or Opportunity?** Currently, only Hub administrators can make Challenges and afterwards they can authorize the Leading Users to further administrate the Challenge. We are working towards enabling Users to create Challenges as well. **Who is the owner of a Challenge?** On the Alkemio platform, both individual Users as well as Organizations can be the owner of a Challenge. You can find them under the Leading Users and/or Organizations. --------------------- LATER Text limit in context --> lost content **Can I integrate data from excel sheets with the platform?** Yes! ... Read more about this possibility in our blogpost ... Who can make a Hub or Challenge What is the difference between a leading and member organization ~~Why are you a foundation~~ Who owns the data? How can I sign up with my organization? What is the purpose of the Hub, Challenge, Opportunity page? Who is the owner of a Challenge? The (group of) lead user(s) and or organization(s) Why do we need a facilitating organization? Responsibility boundary Why do you see the Hubs before the Challenges? How big can a Challenge become? Is it possible to work on private/sensitive challenges? Can anyone on the platform see what's going on in a Hub? No, private hubs/challenges possible.. How can I connect to other users? (So far LinkedIn..?, Later communciation functionality?) How can I contribute? (Aspects, Canvasses?)