Post by Sudhir Raikar

https://lnkd.in/dZJqWEmq is a treasure trove of invaluable insights shared by visionary MIT alumni Timothy Rowe, founder of CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) on the evolution of innovation labs and how CIC countered the sticky 'landlord' challenge facing startups and helped them thrive in living ecosystems, where polarity is passé and proximity is a superpower. I deeply cherish Tim's articulation which is as impactful as his achievements are. CIC seeded and shaped the Shared Workspace model, at a time when it was far from the the billion-dollar buzzword it is today. No wonder, this fertile space, a roof of concrete for proof of concept, helped the Androids and Hubspots become part of the startup folklore, courtesy of a judicious and prodigious playground for ideas, individuals and investments to spin 24-carat magic rooted in disruptive innovation. Had a most fulfilling time talking to Suman Lal MD,PhD,MBA, Senior Advisor to the CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center) and the Managing Director of the TINS: Technology Innovation Studio in Kendall Square, a one-of-a-kind hub for scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare and life sciences. I deeply cherish the tour of the coveted place he personally led us on, as also the brief interaction with Chintan Vaishnav, MIT Sloan School of Management, faculty and revered socio-technologist and engineer of Atal Innovation Mission Official fame. Later in the day, I savoured a surreal afternoon at the Thursday Gathering of Venture Café Cambridge. Even a social recluse like me could not help bumping into cheerful folks en route their journeys from ideation to fruition. I was delighted to meet a genuine finder-ahead-of-founder. Eva Stanek, MSOD, MBA, the Czech-American entrepreneur who has launched a vegan, cruelty-free beauty brand rooted in inclusion and authenticity, making individuals with physical and intellectual health conditions an integral stakeholder of a space that was unfairly padlocked by vested interests up until now. Relished the quick hello with the 6 feet 8/9/10 something AI solution architect Vishnu Peesapati whose unconditional smile made my day. #innovation #boston #cambridge #MIT #CIC #Android #HubSpot #lifesciences #healthcare #biotech #investors #venturecapital #AI #Startups #Entrepreneurship #InnovationEcosystems