Innovation Studio

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

Innovation Studio started as Venture Café Foundation in 2010.

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.

District Hal_ managed by Innovation Studio 2013 -2023

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.

Roxbury Innovation Center

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.

Innovation Studio (then Venture Café Foundation) expands into Providence, RI

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.

About Us- Innovation Studio

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.

About Us - Biz Bodega Innovation Center & Business Support Office

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.

Chair | 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

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

Cynthia Munrayos

Business and Community Engagement Coordinator | Rhode Island