INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

SoundBoard Venture Fund leverages the diverse perspectives of our LPs to make investments through a collaborative and facilitated process. SoundBoard Venture Fund is an early-stage fund focused on scalable, tech-enabled, and capital-efficient businesses. We value collaboration, mobilizing our LP base to join our deal flow, diligence, and decision-making processes, assembling...

JumpStart NJ Angel Network invests in early-stage growth companies with high potential and innovative technology that disrupts traditional businesses. The group of angel investors screens more than 100 companies each year and invests an average $1.5 million annually in leading-edge startups. Based in the Garden State, JumpStart NJ invests in...

18Loop deploys advanced virtual reality (VR) headsets to kids with cancer to help them tolerate treatment, recover and thrive. 18Loop has distributed over 100 VR headsets to children with cancer in 32 states.18Loop reaches its children through a partnership with the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO). Virtual reality is vital...

Valley Bank is committed to fostering a culture where people can collaborate, create, and conceive ideas that provide our customers with an unmatched banking experience. That’s why we don’t define innovation from strictly a technological perspective, but rather as a way to enhance our customers’ experience through thoughtful, creative solutions...

With nearly 7,000 students across eight schools and an array of centers and institutes, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) leverages the university’s clinical, behavioral, public health, laboratory, engineering, and social science capabilities to train health professionals and researchers and expand access to quality care. RBHS is among the few...

Renovatio Global (“Renovatio”) is a strategic business development consulting firm that helps “abundance mentality” CEOs hone vision, relationships, and resources into a force that hyper grows companies and redirects markets. The company is actively engaged in sectors including Technology, Defense, Energy, Healthcare, Media, and Internet Platforms. Renovatio is a Latin...

Provident Bank, the oldest and second largest financial institution headquartered in NJ, was established in 1839 in a one-room office in Jersey City, New Jersey. Since its inception, it has continually reaffirmed its commitment to the customers and communities it serves, as well as its employees across New Jersey, New...

DOUG SMITH AND MELINDA D’ANTOUNO CREATED A PROGRESSIVE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ACCOUNTING FIRM TO UNIQUELY ADDRESS THE FRUSTRATIONS OF SMALL BUSINESSES. In 2011, Doug and Melinda set out to start a new kind of CPA firm. They wanted to take a fresh look at the industry and create a firm that really...

Born in India in 1965, Sawai Fragrances is a traditional Indian manufacturing business that is changing the way the world sees (or smells) perfume, in its new avatar in New Jersey. Sawai Fragrances was founded by Mr. Sawailal Jain in Kanauj, India – an area that is home to a...

“When leaders leap, civilization leaps and we can collectively emerge into a new paradigm of leadership — we all Leap!” Micheline Nader is dedicated to empowering people through transformational leadership. In her book, LEAP Beyond Success, Micheline introduces LEAP—Lean, Execute, Align, and Program—a transformational system designed for leaders who want...

I’ve always had a passion for art and design. In high school, I painted a Shakespeare mural on the hallway wall in lieu of writing my English literature paper. Today, as I walk through the streets of New Jersey and New York City, I see my art, designs and branding...

OUR STORYBiggins Lacy Shapiro & Company (BLS & Co.) is one of the largest independent firms in the specialty fields of site selection and economic development incentives advisory services. Our principals have been delivering our mix of services for more than twenty-five years and arehighly respected leaders in their field....

TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, creating and operating first-of-their-kind platforms in recycling, recycled materials, and reuse. Through collaboration and innovation, we’ve developed the world’s first solutions in everything from recycling to reuse. Businesses, government entities, and consumers work with us globally to keep trash out of...

Founded by CEO Steve Sashihara in 1980 and still headquartered in Princeton, we help clients improve performance through the successful deployment of AI and Optimization. Blending world-class technical expertise and deep business insight, our consultants work in small, agile teams to provide transformational solutions and services that drive innovation. Our...

The Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT) is responsible for strengthening the innovation economy within New Jersey, encouraging collaboration and connectivity between industry and academia, and the translating of innovations into successful high-growth businesses. CSIT is committed to advancing innovation-based economic development and job growth, and to creating a...

LYONS & ASSOCIATES, PC-WE STRIVE TOWARD EXCELLENCE BY PROVIDING A SUPPORTIVE, PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STAFF AND CLIENTS. Defining the Legal Landscape: A Lighthouse in the Storm“We’re a lighthouse in the storm,” Theresa A. Lyons describes her law firm, Lyons & Associates, P.C. Under the vision of this powerhouse attorney...

“We help schools keep their students safe. That’s the best way to describe our mission.” Violence and mental health issues are running out of control in schools across our nation. There’s not a day that passes without news of a major safety incident, and we often don’t hear about the...

Headquartered in New Jersey, Blue Sea Products was established with humble beginnings in 2005 and has since developed into a world-class vertically integrated seafood company. With over 41 years of experience in the global seafood and international transportation industries, Blue Sea is led by seafood veteran and CEO, Thomas Jacob....

For more than 50 years, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi (CSG Law) has assisted a broad spectrum of clients in achieving their objectives by offering a comprehensive array of legal services. Our more than 185 attorneys play a key role on clients’ advisory teams, providing strategic guidance to private enterprises, public...

FUNDERS & INVESTORSUnderstanding that early-stage companies have particularly unique challenges when it comes to securing capital, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) offers a suite of resources to support them throughout their lifecycle. As the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth, the Authority plays a pivotal role in...

When you hear about the benefits of telehealth, talking points often center on improved patient access to care through virtual visits with providers from home. Meanwhile, telehealth has been fueling a less talked about hybrid care movement that’s transforming patient care in inpatient settings as well. Caregility, a leading provider...

Storied data is a next generation publishing platform for the digital world. It allows users to combine visuals, data, and interactivity in a single document that provides an app-like experience and reduces information overload. In Storied data, you can produce any document – reports, dashboards, infographics, catalogs, and more in...

Rutgers University in Camden provides groundbreaking, impactful research while offering students truly experiential education in a close-knit, supportive environment. Rutgers University is one of the oldest, most respected institutions of higher learning in the country; Camden is a city known for its determination and resilience. Rutgers–Camden is resolute, relentlessly driving...

INTRODUCTIONSince our inception, Bektek has been on a remarkable journey of innovation and growth. What began as a pioneering venture into Time and Attendance management, with the introduction of HostedTime, our flagship software, has evolved into a one stop solution for today’s workforce. OUR STORYAt Bektek, our story is one...