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.

CARMEN DIAZ-JUSINO

Chair | Vice President, Community Development Officer for BankNewport

VINIT NIJHAWAN

Vice Chair | Managing Director, MassVentures

DANIEL ENRÍQUEZ VIDAÑA

President of Innovation Studio

DAMON COX

Assistant Secretary for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

MELISSA JAMES

Chief Executive Officer, The Tech Connection

CHRISTOPHER MULLER, PH.D.

Professor and Former Dean, BU School of Hospitality

MITCH TYSON

Former CEO, Principal at Tyson Associate

KEVIN WIANT

Launchpad Venture Partners

Christian Ponce

Senior Director Technology Alliances, Nexthink

Holly James

Director of Enterprise Sales, Comcast Business

Rosanna Garcia, PH.D.

Beswick Endowed Chair of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Angel Silvestrini

Founder, Latinx Legal

INNOVATION STUDIO Team

Our team is dedicated to fostering a strong, supportive, and accessible entrepreneur community in New England, Rhode Island and beyond.

DANIEL VIDAÑA

President and Member of the Board of Directors | Massachusetts & Rhode Island

ASHLEY Medeiros

VP Programs Strategy Innovation Studio | Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Kristen Scott

Director of Finance | Massachusetts & Rhode Island

WALTHER MORALES

Senior Director of Programs and Entrepreneurship | Massachusetts & Rhode Island

AMY ERICKSON

Director of RI Programs | Rhode Island

Marisa Nieves

Director of MA Programs | Boston

Cynthia Munrayos

Business and Community Engagement Coordinator | Rhode Island

MICHAEL LAMONICA

Seaport General Manager | Massachusetts

JORDAN ELSTER

Associate Development Director | Massachusetts & Rhode Island

CLAUDIA DIAZ

Digital Marketing Manager | Massachusetts & Rhode Island

KEIRA TRAVERS

Events Sales Manager | Boston

VERONICA PIÑA

Business Operations Coordinator | Massachusetts

Amanda Hasenauer

Events Coordinator | Boston

Lish Omoroghomwan

Community Engagement Co-op | Boston

RACHAEL REINTS

Director of Operations | Boston

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