Netflix

Not so much a single innovation as the successful application and extension of an innovative business model, Netflix has impressed by building on what it already had. Taking advantage of the growing digital economy, it’s changed the way television, in particular, is accessed and absorbed

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

2014 was the year Regeneron’s Genetics Centre became fully operational, and new research collaborations, including with Columbia University, were announced. The centre will allow Regeneron to continue its work in biopharmaceuticals

Airbnb

In 2014, Airbnb launched its first global marketing campaign – ‘Views’, by agency Pereira & O’Dell – to showcase its offerings around the world. It worked – the company has continued to grow, and Airbnb is now enshrined in tourists’ thinking

Sallie Krawcheck, Ellevate

Krawcheck’s purchase of women’s networking club 85 Broads, which she rebranded as ‘Ellevate’, has helped open up chances to professional women across the globe. In a world in which equal pay and opportunities have still not been achieved, her efforts are a welcome step

Oculus VR

Oculus’ ‘Crescent Cove’ headset is the virtual reality headset that could change how computing functions forever. Although still not available to the consumer, Oculus’ latest prototype is producing some effusive responses in the tech community. The potential uses for the technology are innumerable

A product of the Kickstarter phenomenon, US-based Oculus was the brainchild of Palmer Luckey, whose vision was to create affordable immersive virtual reality technology. Since then the firm has added a number of products to its range, opened a number of offices across the US, and become a pacesetter in the industry. Oculus is changing not only the face of gaming, but also setting a trend for virtual reality tech in all its uses, both current and potential. The firm’s products are constantly in development so software and hardware lines can constantly be improved.

Supplements

Innovation 40 - 2014

Netflix

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Airbnb

Sallie Krawcheck, Ellevate