Our Team | Innovation Studio Board of Directors and Team

Our Mission

Make Innovation, entrepreneurship, and business ownership attainable through an empowering and inclusive network of community spaces and individualized pathways

About Us

At Innovation Studio, we strive to be the home where aspiring individuals are encouraged to confidently grow their ideas into successful businesses. We do this by activating live and virtual programs and spaces and creating impactful and inclusive pathways to collaboration. We believe innovation is for everyone, including you.

Our History

2010

Innovation Studio is founded as Venture Café in partnership with Cambridge Innovation Center to spur innovation by connecting disparate segments of the entrepreneurial ecosystem – business owners, academics, researchers, corporates & investors. The weekly Thursday Gathering welcomed over 200,000 attendees offering thousands of engaging workshops, 1 x 1 office hours, and other programs.

2013

In a first of its kind partnership with the City of Boston, District Hall opens as the region’s first Civic Innovation Center, a nonprofit hub for meetings and events at the heart of the blooming Seaport District. Its free public lounge has attracted over 250,000 visitors.

2015

Roxbury Innovation Center opens in the heart of Nubian Square to support local economic development through small business growth in one of the most overlooked and underrepresented neighborhoods in Boston.

2019

District Hall and Venture Café Providence opens its doors, solidifying the organization’s regional footprint. In two years, the Providence programs attract over 10,000 business leaders.

2020

Venture Café New England rebrands as Innovation Studio to highlight the scope and scale of the organization’s wrap around business support services. Its mission is realigned to focus on equity and inclusion in entrepreneurship through its LAUNCH!, ReLAUNCH!, Pitch, and Office Hours programs.

We believe innovation is for Everyone

“Innovation Studio is committed to building inclusive, accessible and innovative communities. We envision a world in which anyone can be an innovator.” – Daniel Vidaña, President at Innovation Studio

Board Of Directors

Our Board of Directors is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and an equity-focused mission. They strengthen Innovation Studio with a clear vision, collaborative process, balanced approach, and focus on continuous improvement. Together, we envision a world in which anyone can be an innovator.