Business Insider:The 25 Most Innovative Businesses in Washington, D.C.: April 2013

Thursday, 25 April 2013

15.Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe

William H. Dempsey III

1517 Connecticut Ave., NW

What it is: A bookstore that has a bar and restaurant inside.
Why it's innovative: When it opened in 1976, Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe was the first bookstore/cafe in the country to feature cappuccino, espresso, a full bar and food. Now, it's one of the most popular D.C. hangouts — especially since it's one of the few venues in D.C. that's open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and brunch on the weekends.

14.Koofers

Koofers

Courtesy of Koofers

11720 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite LL0110, Reston, VA

What it is: An online social media hub for students that makes studying easier.
Why it's innovative: Koofers uses university data to create a space that functions a lot like Facebook but is exclusively for students. Students can bounce around ideas and help each other study by sharing course materials, class and professor ratings, study aids and more online.

13.I. Gorman Jewelers

I. Gorman Jewelers

Courtesy of Adam Gorman

1133 20th St. NW

What it is: An environmentally-sustainable fine jewelry store.
Why it's innovative: I. Gorman is a family-run jewelry store that sells high-end items in what they call a "no pressure environment." The store also prides itself in being environmentally conscious by using more sustainable materials and energy efficient equipment. They also carry jewelry made from recycled metal, conflict-free diamonds and fair-trade gem stones.

12.Hello Wallet

Hello Wallet

Courtesy of Hello Wallet

2121 Ward Court NW #3

What it is: A website that gives people financial guidance by helping them budget their expenses.
Why it's innovative: Hello Wallet functions like a personal assistant for your finances. The site will send you a weekend spending guide and a budget update every week and automatically describes and categorizes your transactions. By downloading their apps you can also get their financial advice on the go.

11.Georgetown Cupcake

Georgetown Cupcake

Courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake

3301 M St.

What it is: A cupcake shop that has its own reality TV show.
Why it's innovative: Georgetown Cupcake was launched by two sisters who decided to abandon their careers in fashion and venture capital to do what they love most: baking. The shop serves over 100 flavors, including several gluten-free options, and has since opened locations in New York, Boston, and L.A . The store is the star of TLC's reality TV show, DC Cupcakes.
Georgetown Cupcake has also devised an innovative shipping technique that involves freezing the cupcakes overnight before shipment, and using special packaging to keep the frosting intact when the cupcakes arrive at your door.

Wednesday, 24 April 2013

10.Genius Rocket

Genius Rocket

Courtesy of Genius Rocket

2 Wisconsin Cr. Suite 700, Chevy Chase, MD

What it is: A creative video agency powered by a curated crowd.
Why it's innovative: Genius Rocket is a video production company that uses a crowdsourcing model. It allows many professionals to collaborate on a project, which allows for more ideas and creativity. Because projects are protected by non-disclosure agreements, those who want to tap many creative minds at once can finally do so, without fear that private information will become public knowledge.

9.Dolcezza

Dolcezza

Joshua Cogan

1560 Wisconsin Ave. NW

What it is: A gelateria with creative flavors made from local ingredients.
Why it's innovative: Dolcezza loves to keep creative sourcing as local as possible. The store teams up with D.C.-area artisans to create flavorful new gelatos and sorbets, such as a Cucumber Tarragon Gin sorbet, which includes a gin made by local distillery Green Hat Gin. Another popular flavor is the Penn Quarter Porter gelato, which includes ingredients from the local D.C. Brau Brewing Company.

8.Event Farm

Event Farm

Courtesy of Event Farm

1806 T Street, NW, Suite 250

What it is: A website that helps event planers promote and manage ticket sales.
Why it's innovative: Event Farm's founders noticed that one of the greatest difficulties they faced when planning events was the hustle and bustle of ticketing. They created a platform that makes it easy for event planners to promote and mange ticket sales, and they also give the companies advice on how to ensure that the right people RSVP and actually attend the event.

7.Clean Currents

Clean Currents

Courtesy of Clean Currents

8403 Colesville Rd., Ste.310, Silver Spring, MD

What it is: A green energy company that is sustainably operated.
Why it's innovative: Clean currents promotes sustainable energy solutions — and it practices what it preaches. The sustainably-operated business uses wind and solar power to generate electricity for residential and commercial customers across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

6.Capital Bikeshare

Capital Bikeshare

Denis Bocquet/ Flickr

Various locations throughout the D.C. metro area

What it is: A membership bike-share program.
Why it's innovative: Capital Bikeshare has approximately 1,670 bikes docked at over 175 stations around the D.C. area. Members can easily pick up a bike at any of the stations, ride it wherever they want, and return it to another station at any time of day.
Membership options range from as little as one day to a whole year (only $75). The first 30 minutes of each trip is free, and there is an additional fee ($1.50–$8.00) for each additional half hour.

5.Busboys and Poets

Busboys and Poets

Busboys and poets/Facebook

4 locations in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland

What it is: A restaurant with a unique mission.
Why it's innovative: Busboys and Poets is a restaurant where art, culture, and politics are just as important as the food. There are live poetry readings and performances at night. It also gets its food products from small family-owned farms and has many vegan and gluten-free options.

Tuesday, 23 April 2013

4.Board Room

Board Room

notbrucelee/Flickr

1737 Connecticut Ave. NW

What it is: A bar with a twist.
Why it's innovative: The Board Room is unique because it has a collection of board games that you can rent for $1 to $5, such as Mousetrap and Clue. It also has a variety of interesting beer

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-innovative-businesses-in-dc-2013-2?op=1#ixzz2RJPsWMFm

3.Black Jack

Black Jack

Charma LeEdmonds

1612 14th St. NW

What it is: A bar with a bocce ball court.
Why it's innovative: All bars have drinks. Some bars even have dart boards and pool tables. Black Jack has a bocce ball court for extra entertainment and even hosts tournaments and leagues.

2.The Big Board

The Big Board

Courtesy of The Big Board

421 H St. NE

What it is: A bar with a unique pricing strategy.
Why it's innovative: The Big Board treats beer like a commodity: the price of beer fluctuates depending on the supply and demand, just like in the stock market. Beers are listed on, well, a big board that displays the prices in real time. They also serve typical bar fare.

1.Ambar

Ambar

GORANFOTO

523 8th St. SE

What it is: A modern and creative Balkan restaurant.
Why it's innovative: Ambar brings the first Balkan cuisine to the D.C. area, serving traditional ingredients from the region in a modern and creative way. The menu is comprised of small plates that are presented in a whimsical manner.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-innovative-businesses-in-dc-2013-2?op=1#ixzz2RJNq0Rsn