ABOUT
Innovation Studio strives to make innovation possible for anyone with a dream and drive to become an entrepreneur or business owner. We do this through our network of innovation centers and small business & startup programs.
MISSION
Make Innovation, entrepreneurship, and business ownership attainable through an empowering and inclusive network of community spaces and individualized pathways.
VISION
Be the home where aspiring individuals are encouraged to confidently grow their ideas into successful businesses.
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
Innovation Studio (then Venture Café Foundation) expands into Providence, RI supporting the launch of District Hall and Venture Café Providence. During the two-year period as the manager and operator of District Hall and Venture Café Providence our team facilitated over 250 programs and events, creating more than 10,000 entrepreneurial ecosystem connections.
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 Pathways to Entrepreneurship program model.
2022
Biz Bodega, Business Support Office at 222 Manton Ave. Providence RI. opens in collaboration with One Neighborhood Builders. This one stop resource center makes small business and entrepreneurship resources and services accessible to the Central Providence Community.
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
Innovation Studio’s Board of Directors is comprised of thought leaders from New England’s most innovative industries. Their skills and experience bring vast knowledge in critical areas to the organization, including entrepreneurship, finance, tech, life sciences, hospitality, sales, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
VINIT NIJHAWAN
Vice Chair | Managing Director, MassVentures
DANIEL ENRÍQUEZ VIDAÑA
President of Innovation Studio
DAMON COX
Assistant Secretary for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
CHRISTOPHER MULLER, PH.D.
Professor and Former Dean, BU School of Hospitality
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
CARMEN DIAZ-JUSINO
Chair | Vice President, Community Development Officer for BankNewport
INNOVATION STUDIO Team
Innovation Studio’s team is dedicated to fostering accessible opportunities for all innovators and creative inclusive innovation centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that drive collaboration. We believe Innovation is for Everyone.
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
JORDAN ELSTER
Associate Development Director | Massachusetts & Rhode Island
KEIRA TRAVERS
Events Sales Manager | Boston
CLAUDIA DIAZ
Digital Marketing Manager | Massachusetts & Rhode Island
Cynthia Munrayos
Business and Community Engagement Coordinator | Rhode Island
VERONICA PIÑA
Business Operations Coordinator | Massachusetts
Amanda Hasenauer
Events Coordinator | Boston
