Our Inno on Fire Blazer winners are here.
As part of the annual awards program, we compiled a list of 50 of the most impressive innovators in our 2021 BostInno on Fire list.
After soliciting nominations from the Boston innovation community and doing some research on our own, the Inno team selected the top 50. After choosing those 50 winners, we asked our panel of judges from Boston’s startup ecosystem, including investors, innovators and members of our team, to help us select our category-winning "Inno Blazers."
The common thread among winners is that these people and companies have had a banner year — whether through new investment funding, product launches or updates, or innovative work that’s cutting through the noise.
Now, we are happy to introduce the 2021 BostInno on Fire Blazer winners, by category.
Apparel/Consumer products: Flare
In Flare’s case, what caught the judges’ eye was a unique concept for a product, and a mission to put itself out of business. There’s a reason the high-tech bracelet intended to help its users get out of uncomfortable situations was one of our startups to watch for the year 2021. Flare’s 55x growth was just another factor helping it over the line to be the Blazer award winner.
Clean and Greentech: Electric Hydrogen
It can be tough to stand out amid a booming Boston energy and climate tech scene, but Electric Hydrogen fundraising, growth and ambitious vision was what makes it this year’s Blazer winner. It’s hard to even imagine what the Bill Gates-funded company is going to do in 2022.
Cybersecurity: Black Kite
Sometimes all it takes to kick a startup into gear is a change of scenery. Black Kite’s recent move to Boston preceded a huge 2021 with two fundraising rounds, employee growth and a big boost in customers. Our judges were excited to welcome the cybersecurity up-and-comer to what’s rapidly becoming a cyber hub.
Ecosystem supporter: Foundation for Business Equity.
This one wasn’t close; our judges agreed almost unanimously that the FBE was worthy of a Blazer award. Big new funding commitments, coupled with an expansion of its work in the community, made the foundation a clear winner in 2021.
Fintech: Algorand
Algorand’s cryptocurrency dominance impressed the judges and pushed it to the top of a competitive category. The company is much more than its currency, building partnerships all over the world employing its blockchain platform that’s considered one of the best.
Health and Medtech: Activ Surgical
This digital surgery imaging startup made its mark through a combination of fundraising, regulatory milestones and new partnerships. Activ’s combination of hardware and software made it one to watch for the judges through 2021 and beyond.
Robotics: Verve Motion
Voting was tight in this category, but the winner was a company that’s got people buzzing about worker safety. Verve’s 2021 was highlighted by a Series A investment and a pilot program that helped it show off its exosuit to the broadest customer base yet.
Software: Voatz
Last but certainly not least, our judges were impressed by Voatz’ real world and global impact, becoming the first mobile app to be used in a U.S. presidential election while also powering a referendum in Venezuela. The voting app could be destined for even more expansion in 2022.
