The average consumer might not readily associate the phrase “100 years of business” with “innovation hub.” But as digital technology has become the cornerstone of many businesses, companies of all stripes are exploring ways to innovate. Startups are not alone in that endeavor.
The following companies have shifted business operations, built out augmented intelligence teams, and founded new technology hubs in order to maintain authority in their respective spaces. And in a city where colleges, universities and hospitals boast some of the top research facilities, media labs and science centers in the country, that technological innovation matters.
Digitizing: Health insurance
What they’re up to: Humana’s Studio H leverages augmented intelligence, voice recognition tools and virtual care to bring health services to users where they are. According to a 2020 FierceHealthcare post, the company has recently partnered with Care.Coach to test the potential benefits of an AI-driven animal avatar named Buddy. Buddy would provide around the clock care management for users with chronic medical conditions.
“We’re trying to bring different disciplines together to wrap around the whole idea of agile development, and the ability to have consumer design individuals, analytics capability, data scientists,” CEO Bruce Broussard said to CNBC at Humana’s new Studio H facilities last September.
Digitizing: Corporate training and learning
What they’re up to: Skillsoft uses digital corporate learning solutions to help companies share institutional knowledge across their teams. The edtech business offers safety training, leadership development and guidance in certification for tech and development departments.
“We all share a common goal to build the best learning platform to help our customers succeed,” SVP of Engineering Murali Sastry recently told Built In Boston.
Digitizing: Food
What they’re up to: Dawn Foods, a company that’s called Boston home for more than a century, founded an innovation hub in 2019 to drive competitive differentiation and help customers operate their businesses more effectively. The leadership team includes veterans from Boston companies such as Blueport Commerce, BJs, Keurig, New Balance, Staples and Wayfair.
“We are embracing change in every aspect, from new ways to onboard talent to revisiting our supply chain model to acquiring companies that expand our capabilities,” Chief Digital Officer Bob Howland previously told Built In Boston.
