Cash bail keeps poor people in jail. Here’s how we fix it
Bail reformers say it’s unconstitutional for a person to be imprisoned because they can’t afford bail. Do bail bonds begin punishing the poor before they’re even found guilty?
How thread became critical in a pandemic
Tech giants have teamed up to help innovate the PPE supply chain and lessen the risk of future shortages, starting with the world’s leading thread supplier.
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Catalysts
How to get a job when you’re living in poverty
In this unique job training program for those experiencing poverty, coaches focus on teaching the “harder skills” – love, forgiveness, and connection.
Is police reform even possible?
Here are four things we can change to reduce police violence and increase accountability.
Want to save the planet? start with reinventing the motor
This highly efficient switched reluctance motor has the ability to save manufacturers millions of dollars and significantly reduce their carbon emissions.
How ‘mental time travel’ can lead us to sustainability
Bina Venkataraman, author of The Optimist’s Telescope, believes that modern society’s shortsightedness is the root of many avoidable catastrophes.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of internet
Should internet access be a human right? 42 million Americans still don’t have reliable access, but the pandemic has kickstarted initiatives to change that.
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Challengers
Disrupting the business of dying
Ever Loved is modernizing the funeral planning process with an all-in-one platform akin to “The Knot” for weddings, so that people can focus on honoring their loved ones.
This haptic suit lets you 'hear' music through your skin
It’s been nearly impossible for the deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing to experience live music together. The use of a haptic suit may finally change that.
Ford factory workers rally to build ventilators for a nation in need
Ford Motor Company is putting its equipment and employees to work to counteract the extreme ventilator shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robotic surgery unlocks a new era of medicine
The advancement of robotic surgery systems is expanding physical limitations to allow for minimally invasive procedures and improved patient recovery.
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Catalysts
From homeless to homeowner with a $6K fixer-upper
Acts Housing is empowering low-income families by offering resources for every step of the process, from financial counselors to home renovation support.
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Challengers
The driverless future of construction robotics
Innovation in the construction industry has been stagnant for decades, but the use of construction robotics could radically alter the way we build.
I went to the hottest online club in quarantine
Four extroverted friends looking to dance, drink, and be merry during quarantine created an online club where people from around the globe can come together to socialize and regain some normalcy.
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Catalysts
Online eye exams will change the way we buy glasses
The FDA recently lifted restrictions against an online eye exam provider to help optometrists reach their patients during the pandemic. Will vision care go virtual for good?
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Challengers
Air Jordan designer’s lessons for startups
While there have been an array of challenges for startups during COVID-19, Jason Mayden is preparing for long-term success in a post-pandemic world.
How to keep hospitals safe with a pandemic still raging
This coronavirus screening app is helping 25,000 hospital employees get to work faster and safer.
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Challengers
This carbon-negative dream house ships in a box
A startup described as the “IKEA of houses” is determined to make beautifully-designed, energy efficient homes affordable for everyone.
Can an app help you have better sex?
An app created by a sex therapist is helping couples learn how to have better sex by exploring their own desires and discovering their partner’s.
Are handshakes gone for good?
The spread of COVID-19 has turned an age-old gesture into a faux pas. As more people are wary of spreading germs, handshakes are becoming less of a cultural norm, but are they gone for good?