Category: News & Articles

On April 2–3, the Edison Awards once again took center stage in Fort Myers, Florida, bringing together today’s most forward-thinking innovators, business leaders, and visionaries. From the future of flight and hydrogen-powered vehicles to conversations around climate-resilient infrastructure and breakthrough education models, the 2025 edition reminded us why innovation is the most powerful tool we have to shape a better tomorrow.

Honoring Game-Changing Leaders

At the heart of this year’s celebration were two extraordinary individuals: Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, and Dr. Michael M. Crow, President of Arizona State University. As recipients of the 2025 Edison Achievement Award, both leaders shared powerful insights into the role of visionary thinking in driving change—from reshaping artificial intelligence to redefining the modern university.

Their fireside chats inspired attendees with stories of resilience, imagination, and a relentless commitment to solving the world’s toughest challenges.

Meet the Innovators Forum: Trends, Culture, and the Future of Innovation

The daytime Meet the Innovators Forum on April 3 was a content-packed experience that covered every dimension of innovation—from emerging trends in intellectual property to building cultures that spark creativity at every level. Highlights included:

• Creating a Culture of Innovation: Featuring Navy Bob Roncska, Clarence Wooten (GoogleX), and Chris Vazzana of Holland L.P. with moderator Andrea Kates was a panel that explored how organizations of all sizes can foster internal innovation, and encouraged the audience to ‘lead with love’ in all their future explorations.
• Building for Future Resiliency: Syd Kitson from Babcock Ranch, and Carmichael Roberts of Breakthrough Energy Ventures discussed how innovation is shaping climate-smart infrastructure and how the need is greater than ever for these kinds of innovations globally while moderator Natalia Moudrak of AON provided astounding statistics on recent climate led events and how much it has cost to rebuild after these.
• IP & Innovation Trends: A timely conversation with former U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Director Kathi Vidal, led by James Behmke, had many insights about the need to adopt AI to help innovate.
• Visionary Leadership: In a captivating keynote, Greg Robinson, former director of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope program, offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most ambitious space missions in history. Blending technical insight with personal storytelling, Robinson shared the leadership principles that guided the project through challenges and toward breakthrough success.

One of the most inspiring moments of the day came during the midday program, when students from Lee County took the stage to present their solutions as part of the 2025 AI + HI High School Innovation Challenge. Sponsored by the Horizon Foundation and Edison Awards, this cutting-edge program equips students with AI and human intelligence skills through the Solvably platform. The students impressed the audience with their creativity, confidence, and commitment to solving real-world challenges in their community. Winning teams were awarded cash prizes and recognized on stage, offering a powerful glimpse into the future of innovation.

The Innovators Showcase: Ideas You Can Touch

Throughout the event, the Innovators Showcase gave attendees the rare opportunity to experience breakthrough technology up close. Standouts included:

• A live demonstration of the Helix eVTOL aircraft by Pivotal, redefining urban air mobility.
• A hydrogen-powered car from Hyperion Motors, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable transportation.
• LoveSac’s immersive lounge space, blending design with comfort and sustainability.
• ITRI’s cutting-edge solutions, reinforcing their leadership in applied tech and research.
• The SoulHappy MindPod experience brought to us by the Collaboratory, featuring The Technique—a guided video therapy program that helps individuals unlock potential and clear subconscious barriers.

The Showcase buzzed with energy, as founders, technologists, and attendees explored the edges of possibility together.

A Night to Remember: Black Tie Gala & Award Ceremony

The festivities culminated in our signature black-tie gala, hosted by Emmy Award-winning science communicator Chuck Nice. It was an evening of recognition, reflection, and well-deserved celebration as we honored the winners of the 2025 Edison Best New Product Awards—spotlighting transformative innovations across dozens of categories.

Looking Ahead

The Edison Awards continue to be more than just a recognition platform—it is a powerful convergence point for the people and ideas shaping our world. We’re grateful to all who joined us in Fort Myers, and we look forward to continuing the journey of innovation together.

Stay connected. Stay inspired. And keep innovating.

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Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors, to learn more about nominating for a future Edison Best New Product Award please click HERE. 

 

When disaster strikes, the urgency to restore essential services is paramount. With climate change and extreme weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, the need for more resilient disaster response strategies has never been more critical. Black & Veatch, under the guidance of Andrew Foster, Innovation & Strategy Development, is at the forefront of modernizing disaster relief to better serve communities and utility companies. Their innovative approach involves leveraging cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and comprehensive logistics management. Here’s how they are turning challenges into opportunities to create a safer, more prepared future.

1. Advanced Mapping Solutions: Precision in the Face of Chaos

Traditional disaster response methods often involve manual work orders and disorganized data collection, leading to delays in getting communities back on their feet. Black & Veatch has revolutionized this process by developing advanced mapping tools that utilize AI and machine learning technologies. By integrating geographically mapped resources, they can pinpoint affected areas and deploy the most suitable crews quickly and accurately. This intelligent mapping solution supports coordination efforts involving over 3,000 personnel and relies on strong partnerships with specialized mapping providers to enhance the precision of resource deployment.

2. Real-Time Resource Management: Mobilizing Efficiently

Responding swiftly and efficiently to disasters requires more than just human resources; it demands smart systems that optimize operations. Black & Veatch is building software solutions that provide real-time GPS tracking and resource tagging, creating a streamlined approach for managing personnel and equipment. These SaaS platforms enable the company to make data-driven decisions on the fly, reducing response times and accelerating recovery efforts. This commitment to efficiency not only helps communities recover more quickly but also ensures that resources are used effectively and costs are kept manageable.

3. Mobile Command Centers: Bringing Stability to the Field

In the midst of a crisis, having a stable base of operations is essential for coordinating efforts. Black & Veatch has upgraded traditional command centers by creating mobile units equipped with essentials such as restrooms, internet, generators, and sleeping accommodations, allowing responders to remain on the ground for extended periods. These command centers were instrumental during Hurricanes Helene and Milton, where AI-driven damage assessments using drones and cameras drastically reduced response times. With the goal of completing damage assessments in 24 hours – from sun up after the storm and completing by sun down that same day – Black & Veatch is setting a new standard for rapid, informed disaster response.

4. Basecamp Operations: Comprehensive Solutions for Large-Scale Deployments

Managing large-scale disaster relief efforts often means providing for thousands of responders. Black & Veatch aims to deliver turnkey solutions that include not only the necessary equipment and technology but also food, water, and other essential supplies for up to 2,500 workers at a time. This comprehensive approach ensures that all logistical needs are met, allowing utility companies and agencies to focus on their core mission: restoring power and stability to affected communities.

Bridging the Gap Between Public and Private Sectors

Andrew Foster emphasizes that effective disaster response requires collaboration between public and private entities. Black & Veatch works to bring all stakeholders together, from local governments to utility providers, to ensure everyone is aligned and prepared for future challenges. The company’s proactive approach identifies potential vulnerabilities before disaster strikes, aiming to mitigate risks and reduce the need for emergency response altogether.

Embracing a ‘Positively Pessimistic’ Outlook

The assumption that certain regions are immune to extreme weather is no longer a reality. Black & Veatch embraces a new mindset where they are acknowledging the risks of climate change, while proactively working to build more resilient systems. By embracing the most “pessimistic” outlook to assume disasters will inevitably occur, the result is a more actively prepared response team that is actively preparing communities and utility networks with innovative disaster response solutions. The end goal is to minimize the impact of future events and keep the lights on when it matters most.

Learn More About Disaster Preparedness and Innovation

Discover how innovative companies like Black & Veatch are driving change and shaping a safer future. For more insights, check out their website.

Ready to take your organization’s disaster preparedness to the next level? Contact us to learn more about how the Edison Awards can help highlight your achievements in innovation and resilience.

 

Recognized for Visionary Leadership in Artificial Intelligence and Transformative Technology

 

Fort Myers, FL – The Edison Awards, an esteemed organization recognizing groundbreaking innovations, is excited to announce Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, , as a 2025 Edison Achievement Award Honoree. This prestigious award celebrates Huang’s pioneering contributions to artificial intelligence and advanced computing, where his visionary leadership has redefined possibilities in technology, enabling powerful AI solutions that drive global impact across industries. Under his guidance, NVIDIA has become a leader in accelerated computing, AI, and digital twin technology, transforming many of the world’s largest industries by addressing complex challenges and advancing fields previously thought untouchable.

“Thomas Edison’s inventions sparked the second industrial revolution, driving unprecedented growth and prosperity, and shaping nearly every facet of modern life,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “Today, AI is the driving force of a new industrial revolution — one that will accelerate scientific discoveries and technological innovations, redefine industries, and unlock extraordinary global growth. I am honored to receive the Edison Award on behalf of the visionary scientists, engineers, and innovators at NVIDIA whose dedication reinvented computing and created the engine of AI.”

NVIDIA has revolutionized the tech landscape with advancements in graphics processing and artificial intelligence, leading to the adoption of AI technology globally. Under the leadership of Huang, NVIDIA has developed some of the world’s most powerful GPUs and advancements and AI-driven solutions that have transformed various industries such as healthcare, automotive, and scientific research. NVIDIA empowers scientists, developers, and businesses to push the limits of what is possible driving positive progress in climate science, robotics, and autonomous systems. Huang’s dedication to advancing technology has positioned NVIDIA as a leader in fueling the next generation of transformative applications.

“Jensen Huang’s visionary approach to AI embodies the Edison spirit of transforming ideas into products that truly have the potential to change the world,” said Frank Bonafilia, Executive Director of the Edison Awards. “We are delighted to honor him for unwavering commitment to breakthrough innovations that empower human potential in profound ways. Through his career and leadership at NVIDIA he has created powerful tools that redefine what is possible today. His work serves as a beacon of what can be achieved when we pursue transformative change with purpose and imagination.”

Huang joins the ranks of previous Edison Achievement Award recipients, a distinguished group that includes icons like Steve Jobs, Bracken Darrell, and Sir Jony Ive. This special honor celebrates visionary leaders who push boundaries in their industries and set a standard of excellence and ambition that inspire future generations to pursue bold and transformative solutions. Their imaginative work has the potential to revolutionize how we live, work, and connect as a global society, driving forward new technologies and ideas that address today’s challenges while anticipating the needs for tomorrow. Through these achievements, they ignite a spirit of innovation that encourages others to tackle complex problems and reimagine the future with ingenuity and purpose.

Call for Nominations
The Edison Awards continues its tradition of celebrating exceptional products, services, and innovators driving change dedicated to a better future for all. The 2025 Edison Best New Product Awards are now open for nominations, inviting changemakers to showcase their transformative solutions. Edison Award winners benefit from access to exclusive networking access, global visibility, and an unparalleled platform for sharing their achievements with a worldwide audience.

Nominations remain open through November 22, 2024. To submit a nomination and explore the benefits of winning an Edison Award, visit https://edisonawards.com/nominations/.

The Edison Awards would like to thank its 2025 sponsors: 35 Mules, Babcock Ranch, Black & Veatch, Cargill, City of Fort Myers, CRA, Horizon Foundation, Florida Power & Light, and SABIC.

Recognized for Pioneering Leadership in Innovation and Higher Education

 

Fort Myers, FL, – The Edison Awards, an organization dedicated to honoring the world’s most innovative new products, is pleased to announce Dr. Michael M. Crow, president of Arizona State University (ASU), as a 2025 Edison Achievement Award Honoree. This prestigious award recognizes Crow’s transformative leadership in higher education, where he has redefined the role of the public research university in fostering impactful, global innovation. Under his guidance, ASU has earned the ranking of No. 1 in Innovation by U.S. News & World Report for the tenth consecutive year, solidifying its reputation as a leader in pioneering approaches to education, research, and technology.

“I am very honored to receive the Edison Award and to join the company of such an incredible cohort of innovation and technology leaders,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “As someone with deep admiration for Edison’s commitment to finding use-inspired solutions through imagination, hard work, and perseverance, I have aspired to those ideals in my efforts to advance learning, discovery, and impact. With the aid of many talented and equally dedicated colleagues, I am proud of the progress we have made together and excited for the work ahead.”

ASU is a student-centric, technology-enabled university focused on global challenges, and has also been ranked No. 1 in the nation and top 10 in the world five years in a row by Times Higher Education for advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. ASU ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for 11 of the 17 of categories used to measure global impact.

Under Crow’s leadership, ASU has established more than twenty-five new transdisciplinary schools, including the School of Earth and Space Exploration, the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, and launched trailblazing multidisciplinary initiatives including the Biodesign Institute, the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, and important initiatives in the humanities and social sciences.

Crow’s commitment to innovation has driven ASU’s rise as a thought leader, with initiatives like its alliance with OpenAI advancing the potential of artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies in the modern era. Through this dedication, ASU continues to set new standards for meaningful change in education. Crow joins an esteemed group of Edison Achievement Award recipients, including visionaries such as Sir Jony Ive, Clayton M. Christensen, and Dr. Laurie Leshin of NASA JPL.

“We are thrilled to honor Dr. Crow, whose contributions have set new standards for innovation in academia,” said Frank Bonafilia, Executive Director of the Edison Awards. “Dr. Crow’s forward-thinking leadership aligns seamlessly with the Edison Awards’ mission to celebrate excellence in innovation and to inspire continued progress for positive change across many industries.”

The Edison Achievement Award spotlights distinguished leaders whose careers have shaped global progress. It is presented alongside the annual Edison Best New Product Awards, which is currently accepting nominations. The Edison Awards celebrate products, services, and organizations that exemplify unparalleled innovation, honoring those with transformative potential for good.

Nominees and winners of the Edison Best New Product Award gain exclusive access to networking and publicity benefits, expanded reach across the Edison Awards community, and a unique platform to elevate their contributions on a global stage. As Dr. Crow’s recognition demonstrates, innovation has the power to transcend boundaries – whether they be in science, education or technology – and the Edison Awards invites today’s changemakers to participate in this unique journey.

Join the Edison Awards community today, and embrace the opportunity to be recognized among the most impactful achievements of our time. Nominations for the 2025 Edison Awards are open now, and interested applicants are encouraged to apply to be considered.

To submit a nomination and learn more about the benefits of winning an Edison Award, visit https://edisonawards.com/nominations/.

The Edison Awards would like to thank its 2025 sponsors: 35 Mules, Babcock Ranch, Black & Veatch, Cargill, City of Fort Myers, CRA, Horizon Foundation, Florida Power & Light, SABIC, and U.S. Sugar.

 

 

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About The Edison Awards:

Established in 1987, the Edison Awards are dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and fostering innovations and innovators. Named after Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), the annual competition honors excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design, and innovation. The organization’s mission is to inspire and enable individuals and organizations to create a better future by recognizing and celebrating the world’s most innovative new products, services, and business leaders.

 

PR Contact:

Rachel Reed

rachel@edisonawards.com

Inc.com’s Will Bourne profiles the 2024 Edison Award Gold winner, NAQI HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE: Naqi Neural Earbuds featuring Naqi’s Invisible User Interface by Naqi Logix Inc.

Why do so many brilliant ideas never make it to market? What separates a successful product from one that flops? These were the critical questions at the heart of a recent virtual session we hosted, featuring none other than Walter B. Herbst, Ph.D., author of Mastering Product Innovation and founder of Herbst Produkt. Drawing from decades of experience, Walter guided us through the product development process, revealing key factors that turn ideas into successful market-ready products—and why many promising ideas still fall short.

From Idea to Reality: The Common Pitfalls

Walter kicked off the session with a startling statistic: over 30,000 new consumer products are launched each year, and 80% of them fail. While it’s tempting to blame faulty technology or marketing, the reality is much more complex. Walter highlighted several iconic examples of products that have failed to fully launch or gain significant market adoption, including Google Glass, the Microsoft Zune, and Iridium, demonstrating that even the most well-resourced companies can miss the mark.

One of his key takeaways? Solving the wrong problem is a common downfall. As Walter emphasized, “There’s no prize for solving correctly what proves to be the wrong problem.” This happens when product teams rush to market without fully understanding the needs of the end user or the context in which their product will live.

The Product Opportunity Gap

So, what creates the gap between product success and failure? According to Walter, it’s a delicate balance of three crucial factors: social, economic, and technological conditions. Together, these forces create a “Product Opportunity Gap,” a window of opportunity where a product has the best chance to thrive.

An example Walter provided was the success of Ford’s Model T, which flourished due to the perfect alignment of social factors (the five-day workweek), economic conditions (higher wages), and technology (mass production innovations). For today’s innovators, identifying this opportunity gap is crucial in positioning a product for success.

Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability: The Product Trifecta

For any product to succeed, it must check three critical boxes: it must be desirable (people want it), feasible (it can be built), and viable (it can survive in the market). Walter walked us through a detailed approach to ensuring that a product idea meets all three criteria, from early-stage research to proof of concept, all the way through to final design and market launch.

One essential piece of advice? Never settle for the first idea. Walter stressed the importance of continuously refining and revisiting concepts with your team. The development process is full of potential blind spots, and a thorough, collaborative review of every step—from vision to volume production—is critical for success.

The Phase Gate Process: From Concept to Market

Walter also shared a structured roadmap for product development called the Phase Gate Process. Each phase, from initial planning and research and to design refinement and final engineering, acts as a checkpoint, ensuring that the product idea is not only innovative but also technically and economically viable. This approach helps teams avoid blind spots and bring well-rounded products to life. 

Learning from Failure and Pivoting When Necessary

As the session drew to a close, Walter answered audience questions about learning from past failures and knowing when to pivot. He emphasized that great design rarely comes from a lone genius—it’s a collaborative process that requires a strong team. He also touched on the importance of recognizing when a product isn’t working and making the difficult decision to either abandon or pivot it.

Final Thoughts

Walter’s webinar left us with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of product innovation. Whether you’re an entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea or part of a corporation trying to launch the next big thing, Walter’s approach provides a roadmap to navigate the challenges of the development process. His insights remind us that even the best ideas need the right balance of desirability, feasibility, and viability to succeed in today’s competitive market.

Ready to master product innovation yourself? Dive deeper into Walter B. Herbst’s insights by picking up his book, Mastering Product Innovation.  It’s packed with practical advice and real-world examples to help you bring your ideas to life.

The Pyxis Ocean was the first bulk carrier retrofitted with 37-meter-long (150 feet), airplane-style wings, called WindWings. Developed by BAR Technologies and Cargill in partnership with MC Shipping, the WindWings allow the ship to harness the power of wind.