Onova Blog

You wouldn’t normally think that a creative team name could rewrite the trajectory of someone’s career.

November 15, 2024

A Career-Changing Odyssey Like No Otter! 🦦 How Destination Digital Transformed Two Careers at BMO 🚀

What if the secret to unlocking your company’s next big innovation could be found within a single event?

November 13, 2024

Thought Leadership: Hackathon-Led Growth for Rapid Business Expansion

The AWS Global Gen AI Hackathon 2024 brought together 1,664 participants from 41 countries to tackle real-world industry challenges.

October 23, 2024

Hackathon-Led Growth Extends Beyond 2 Weeks: The Ripple Effect of Capgemini’s AWS Global Gen AI Hackathon

At Onova, our interns are integral to our culture of innovation, learning, and collaboration.

Interning at a Fast-Paced Tech Startup: Real Experiences from Onova’s Innovation Consulting Team and Product Studio

The A4 Enablement Innovate Hackathon 2024 marked the first of many Capgemini Microsoft hackathons

Pioneering Innovation: The First Capgemini Microsoft Hackathon – The Largest Virtual Private Hackathon in the World

Destination Digital is designed to immerse participants in new and exciting experiences.

The 4 Stages of Being a BMO DD24 Innovator

Our primary goal in designing the learning curriculum for Destination Digital 2024 was inclusivity.

Building An Effective Learning Curriculum at BMO's Internal Innovation Sprint

This year's Destination Digital event was a milestone, held at the brand-new BMO Place in downtown Toronto and BMO Tower in Chicago.

Fostering Innovation Culture at BMO Destination Digital 2024

We’re big proponents of hackathon-led growth – leveraging these dynamic, rapid innovation events as a key facilitator in capability building, employee engagement, and upskilling at scale.

April 4, 2024

Building the First Enterprise Use-Cases on Google’s Gemini Model

We view the GenAI stack as a four-dimensional offering to large enterprises looking to transform their organization.

February 8, 2024

The GenAI Stack - How Enterprises Should Take Advantage of the GenAI Revolution

Innovation isn’t invention. It’s not coming up with a brand new widget necessarily, it’s about how to do things better, quicker, more efficiently.

Innovating Across Borders at One of Capgemini’s Largest Global Hackathons — Interview with Rick Pollock

“Everyone can play a role in innovation. Innovation isn’t invention. It’s not coming up with a brand new widget necessarily, it’s about how to do things better, quicker, more efficiently — in a different way than it’s been done before.” — Rick

Innovating Across Borders at One of Capgemini’s Largest Global Hackathons — Interview with Rick Pollock

Hackathons, the hub of innovation and creativity, have become integral for companies striving to stay ahead in the dynamic technology landscape.

November 28, 2023

How to Create a Sustainable Hackathon: Nurturing Innovation Responsibly

Corporate hackathons have emerged as a powerful tool for innovation, serving as intensive, time-bound events where cross-functional teams collaborate to solve complex challenges.

Unlocking Corporate Innovation Potential: 4 Transformative Reasons to Run a Hackathon

“We’re going to need to be as innovative as a FinTech. And what that means is that everyone at HSBC needs to become innovators. And that starts with you, our leaders.”

Building a Founder’s Mindset Among C-Suite Executives at HSBC

Corporate hackathons have emerged as a powerful tool for innovation, serving as intensive, time-bound events where cross-functional teams collaborate to solve complex challenges.

Unlocking Corporate Innovation Potential: 4 Transformative Reasons to Run a Hackathon

In the landscape of conversational AI, particularly with the advent of Large Language Models (LLMs), a prevalent issue is the occurrence of "hallucinations."

November 10, 2023

The State of Hallucinations in Conversational LLMs, and What To Do About It

Interview with Bradley Hadfield- the founder of BMO Destination Digital and a Lead Technology Officer at BMO Insurance.

October 31, 2023

Building a Founder Mindset Within a Large Fortune 500 Company: How Bradley Hadfield Discovered Destination Digital at BMO

In a world where entrepreneurship often conjures images of Silicon Valley tech wizards and flashy startup launches, Andrew Wilkinson's story is a refreshing departure from the norm.

Daring to be Different: A Deep Dive into Andrew Wilkinson and Building Tiny

In today's fast-paced technological landscape, the challenge isn't just keeping up—it's knowing where to focus your efforts.

Navigating the GenAI Landscape: A Blueprint for Strategic Opportunity Identification

The status quo for traditional hackathons and innovation events is to integrate multiple third-party providers - each of which reside over a specific domain.

October 5, 2023

Earth: The Ultimate Hackathon Management Platform for Organizers, Judges, and Hackers

At Onova, we firmly believe that the most impactful ideas often emerge outside a traditional office environment.

Innovation Meets Connection: Onova's Third and Latest Cottage Sprint

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn't just another player; it's rewriting the script for sustainability.

Sustainability's Silent Ally: AI's Influence Explored Through Existing Companies, Ethical Reflections, and Actionable Next Steps

Finding a first-year internship can be an intimidating experience.

From Graphic Design to Beyond I A Journey of Growth and Interdisciplinary Exploration in My First-Year Internship

It’s crucial that human operators retain control and understanding of AI operations, to mitigate risks and align the technology with ethical standards and regulations.

The Limitation of GenAI Solutions | It’s Critical to Implement a Human in the Loop

The technology and software-based world of corporate hackathons share striking similarity to Grand Slam Tennis

The Power of Competition in Driving Innovation: The Link between Grand Slam Tennis and Corporate Hackathons

It all started with a challenge, a tight timeline, and an unwavering determination to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of AI-driven innovation.

How 24 Hour Sprints Redefine Possibilities in AI Development: Creating an AI Personal Shopping Assistant

Disney is a brand that is synonymous with innovation.

Disney: Innovation from Within | How you can learn to build an innovation culture from one of the greatest companies

What does my data privacy look like in the age of AI? How can I protect my digital privacy during the AI revolution?

AI and Data Privacy | How Can Corporations Protect Their Digital Privacy In The AI Revolution?

AI is here to stay, and it’s up to your business to stay on top of this revolutionary technology.

How Business Leaders Can Leverage AI for Success | 5 Ways Your Business Should Approach AI

73% of companies prioritize AI over all other digital investments, with 90% of business leaders applying AI to tackle aspects of operational resilience.

Your Guide to Generative AI | Understanding Business Use Cases and Current Examples of Generative AI Application

“Am I going to be replaced by AI?

AI Won't Steal Your Job, It'll Give You One

Generative AI is not just a buzzword—it's a transformative technology that's shifting paradigms and creating new landscapes of opportunity.

How AI Will Shift the Innovation Landscape | Our End-to-End Process for Leveraging AI Innovation

For years, our company has thrived as a fully remote organization, building an exceptional culture that has garnered praise from our employees and the industry alike.

From Remote to Hybrid: Why Onova Switched From Being A Remote-First Company To Getting An Office

How do I create a million-dollar business from just an idea?

6 Takeaways from the Ideation Bootcamp by The Hustle and Udemy Founders

Founders have been asking us for years, so now we’re spilling our secrets on how we build a winning company culture while creating groundbreaking ideas ALL in one weekend!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting an Internal Innovation Sprint (Cottage Edition)

At Onova, we pride ourselves on our winning culture, creating an environment that is truly enjoyable and rewarding to work in.

Onova Company Culture Playbook

This blog post covers blockchain technology and its relationship with financial services.

The Weakest Link in the (Block)chain: How Billions are Stolen from the World’s Most Transparent Financial System

With innovation and originality at its core, Warby Parker took ‘understanding the market’ to a whole new level.

How Warby Parker Built a $3B Empire in Less Than a Decade

Mission control, we have an upcoming innovation sprint, request event branding support!

Mission: Branding BMO Destination Digital

The beauty industry is valued at just over $511 billion in 2021 and is expected to exceed $716 billion by 2025.

The Top 6 Beauty Industry Trends That Shaped This Decade

In today’s world, more and more people are striving to be online personalities and build a brand for themselves.

The Opportunity for Creator Ecosystems

In June of 2020, I started what would be a six-month consulting internship with Onova.

3 Takeaways From My 6-Month Internship at Onova

The financial sector stands on the brink of a transformative era, fueled by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

6 Transformative AI Use Cases in the Financial Services Industry

There are two key reasons why a company should consider running a generative AI hackathon

Behind the Scenes of Organizing a Generative AI Hackathon for 1000+ Employees in 3 Weeks

Five years. That's how long Onova, in collaboration with Capgemini, has been partnering with McDonald's to host their annual 28-hour Hackathon.

We Host Burger Hack Because We Need It: Reflecting on 5 Years of Global Hackathons with McDonald’s

McDonald's ran its second annual global challenge, where 75 teams located in 7 different countries worked for 24 hours to develop innovative solutions across three different categories.

McDonald's 24 Hour Global Hackathon

With low barriers to entry, the beauty product industry is growing at an unprecedented rate.

Can The Beauty Industry Address Its Big Sustainability Problem?

Traditional innovation is out and open innovation is in.

Four Examples of Corporate Open Innovation: How Lego, NASA, Samsung, and General Electric Reached New Heights

An 8-hour “idea sprint” process to help you build effective, high-impact strategy and solution proposals with your team.

How to Ideate High-Impact Solutions at Speed with an 8-Hour Idea Sprint

An innovation sprint is a time-bound innovation competition (similar to a hackathon), in which teams collaborate intensively to ideate, prototype, and pitch unique solutions to real business challenges and problems.

What Does An Innovation Sprint at a Large Fortune 500 Company Look Like?

RachelAI isn't just a responsive chatbot; The tool is an embodiment of what customer service can and should be.

September 4, 2023

RachelAI: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Creating a Virtual AI Chatbot in 24 Hours

Onova is an innovation consulting firm that has, for years, helped large companies and Fortune 500s generate hundreds of ideas.

June 5, 2023

Onova's Rebrand: A Bold Step Towards The Future of Innovation

Learn how digital start-ups are innovating faster than ever

Inoki Bathhouse: A Case Study For Lean Growth and Innovation

Startups hold a wealth of power that can be tapped into.

From Competitors to Collaborators

Social entrepreneurship is a dark horse in economic development.

The Economic Impact of Social Entrepreneurship

Read on for the amazing stories of Freshline and SnapTravel and how they rebuilt themselves during the global pandemic.

How Two Startups Rebuilt Themselves During COVID-19

Onova was invited back by The Forum of Workplace Inclusion to lead an innovation sprint focused on “workplace revolution”.

Four Innovative DEI Solutions that will Revolutionize the Workplace

During the COVID-19 lockdown, we realized just how critical social interactions were for ongoing mental, emotional, and physical health.

Taking an Idea from Zero to One

The global pandemic caused mass disruption in the automotive industry, from its supply chains and workplaces, to liquidy and consumer behaviour.

Future-Proofing the Automotive Industry in a Post-COVID-19 World

Although Chief Diversity Officers (CDOs) are in high demand, the high turnover rate among top diversity executives is a concern.

The Alarming CDO Turnover Rates

In the face of the most disruptive event of the 21st century, what lessons can we learn from history about overcoming crisis?

Innovation in Times of Crises: How Society and Businesses Can Look to History for a Blueprint of Success

Creating a customized learning curriculum for an internal corporate hackathon is a vital element in maximizing the event's effectiveness.

Upskilling for the Future: Designing a Tailored Hackathon Learning Curriculum

Creativity and Innovation are both vital areas for the success of any business.

You Don't Need To Be Creative To Innovate

The significance of a well-articulated innovation challenge cannot be overstated.

Mastering the Art of Crafting Strong Innovation Challenges: A Comprehensive Guide

The Onova team led a 3-day invention sprint at the Forum on Workplace Inclusion conference where 1500+ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leaders gathered to learn, discuss, and innovate.

Innovating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Less than 3 Days

Amidst the global pandemic, when the world was on pause, we took a step back to reflect on our passions and ambitions as a startup.

Onova's Step-by-Step Guide to a Branding and Website Redesign for Startups

How Might We (HMW) statements are a powerful tool to translate problems, ideas, and insights into actionable innovation opportunities.

How Might We: Write Great HMW Statements

Hackademy was a global virtual hackathon led by HSBC Technology Academy.

HSBC's Leads Global Employee Innovation Sprint for Third Year

In this blog, we'll delve into the key elements that make a hackathon truly unforgettable for participants.

Reimagining the Hackathon Experience: What to Expect During a 24-Hour Supercharged Hackathon

In this Innovation Insights article, we'll explore 5 THINGS that I wish I knew before my first work and travel experience in Europe.

5 Things I Wish I had Known Before My First Work and Travel Experience in Europe

Our ultimate hackathon playbook is your one-stop resource for everything you will ever need to know on “how to run a Hackathon”.

The Ultimate Onova Playbook on "How to run a hackathon"

Organizing a hackathon is not just about creating a remarkable event—it is a crucial step toward establishing a thriving innovation ecosystem within a company.

Beyond the Finish Line: Post-Hackathon Idea Selection and Implementation

Creating a captivating and meaningful brand for your hackathon is a vital step in capturing the attention and fostering excitement among participants.

Branding and Marketing Your Hackathon in a Truly Unforgettable Way

Onova is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Copy.ai

Onova x Copy.ai Partnership Press Release

There are now 2 million active podcast shows – a huge jump from only 500 000 back in February 2018.

The Rise of Podcasts

Case Studies

Explore case studies that give you a competitive edge in innovation.

As we close out 2024, Onova reflects on a year of growth and innovation, highlighted by hosting one of the largest private GenAI hackathons.

January 14, 2025

CEO Corner: Reflecting on 2024 and Exciting Launches for 2025

Capgemini and AWS Global Gen AI Hackathon virtual event with 1,600 participants collaborating on industry-specific AI solutions for energy, aerospace, and financial services.

In today’s fast-evolving landscape, Generative AI is proving to be a game-changer across industries, from energy to aerospace.

November 21, 2024

Hackathon-Led Growth: How Capgemini and AWS are Accelerating Generative AI Adoption Through Large-Scale Virtual Hackathons

Charles Wilkins shares his career transformation story after participating in BMO's Destination Digital event, where a creative team name sparked a shift from operations to creative and communications-focused work. Learn how hackathons like Destination Digital can redefine career paths and open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

You wouldn’t normally think that a creative team name could rewrite the trajectory of someone’s career.

November 15, 2024

A Career-Changing Odyssey Like No Otter! 🦦 How Destination Digital Transformed Two Careers at BMO 🚀

Participants in the AWS Global Gen AI Hackathon 2024 collaborating to develop AI-driven solutions for industry challenges, including energy management, vehicle automation, and regulatory compliance. The event fostered innovation, upskilling, and cloud-based AI training across global teams.

The AWS Global Gen AI Hackathon 2024 brought together 1,664 participants from 41 countries to tackle real-world industry challenges.

October 23, 2024

Hackathon-Led Growth Extends Beyond 2 Weeks: The Ripple Effect of Capgemini’s AWS Global Gen AI Hackathon

The A4 Enablement Innovate Hackathon 2024 marked the first of many Capgemini Microsoft hackathons

Pioneering Innovation: The First Capgemini Microsoft Hackathon – The Largest Virtual Private Hackathon in the World

The 4 Stages of Being a BMO DD24 Innovator

Destination Digital is designed to immerse participants in new and exciting experiences.

The 4 Stages of Being a BMO DD24 Innovator

Our primary goal in designing the learning curriculum for Destination Digital 2024 was inclusivity.

Building An Effective Learning Curriculum at BMO's Internal Innovation Sprint

BMO Innovation Sprint Destination Digital

This year's Destination Digital event was a milestone, held at the brand-new BMO Place in downtown Toronto and BMO Tower in Chicago.

Fostering Innovation Culture at BMO Destination Digital 2024

Innovating Across Borders at One of Capgemini’s Largest Global Hackathons — Interview with Innovation Director: Rick Pollock

Innovation isn’t invention. It’s not coming up with a brand new widget necessarily, it’s about how to do things better, quicker, more efficiently.

Innovating Across Borders at One of Capgemini’s Largest Global Hackathons — Interview with Rick Pollock

Innovating Across Borders at One of Capgemini’s Largest Global Hackathons — Interview with Rick Pollock

Hackathons, the hub of innovation and creativity, have become integral for companies striving to stay ahead in the dynamic technology landscape. Yet, as we navigate the landscape of sustainable business practices, how can hackathons be more sustainable?

Hackathons, the hub of innovation and creativity, have become integral for companies striving to stay ahead in the dynamic technology landscape.

November 28, 2023

How to Create a Sustainable Hackathon: Nurturing Innovation Responsibly

HSBC's Innovation Program for C-Suite Executives and Leaders: Innovation Catalyst

“We’re going to need to be as innovative as a FinTech. And what that means is that everyone at HSBC needs to become innovators. And that starts with you, our leaders.”

Building a Founder’s Mindset Among C-Suite Executives at HSBC

Building a Founder Mindset with Brad from BMO

Interview with Bradley Hadfield- the founder of BMO Destination Digital and a Lead Technology Officer at BMO Insurance.

October 31, 2023

Building a Founder Mindset Within a Large Fortune 500 Company: How Bradley Hadfield Discovered Destination Digital at BMO

In a world where entrepreneurship often conjures images of Silicon Valley tech wizards and flashy startup launches, Andrew Wilkinson's story is a refreshing departure from the norm. Wilkinson's journey into the world of business has been anything but conventional, marked by audacious decisions and a keen eye for hidden opportunities. From humble beginnings as a barista to becoming a key player in the business world, Wilkinson's story is a testament to thinking outside the box and daring to lead a different path.

In a world where entrepreneurship often conjures images of Silicon Valley tech wizards and flashy startup launches, Andrew Wilkinson's story is a refreshing departure from the norm.

Daring to be Different: A Deep Dive into Andrew Wilkinson and Building Tiny

The status quo for traditional hackathons and innovation events is to integrate multiple third-party providers - each of which reside over a specific domain. Whether it’s for virtual events, team communication, or event information - users typically had to navigate to 3+ apps to get all of the information they needed.Over the years, feedback from participants and judges made it clear that navigating the various platforms associated with a hackathon - hosting virtual events, event information, and team communication - is deterringly frustrating and confusing.This needed to be better. Designing the best product UI that leaves users saying "wow, it's so user-friendly" has always been our goal from the very start.We explored dozens of options, yet never found a singular platform that boasted a modern user interface while seamlessly connecting all the elements and components of a hackathon, all while bridging the gap between physical and virtual participants - so we decided to build our own at our internal cottage trip.

The status quo for traditional hackathons and innovation events is to integrate multiple third-party providers - each of which reside over a specific domain.

October 5, 2023

Earth: The Ultimate Hackathon Management Platform for Organizers, Judges, and Hackers

For years, our company has thrived as a fully remote organization, building an exceptional culture that has garnered praise from our employees and the industry alike. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are excited to announce that we have recently moved into a new office space where our team can collaborate and work together in person for the first time in Onova’s history. In this blog post, we're excited to share what this means culturally for our team, and how we plan to maintain and enhance our unique culture as we transition into a hybrid working model.

For years, our company has thrived as a fully remote organization, building an exceptional culture that has garnered praise from our employees and the industry alike.

From Remote to Hybrid: Why Onova Switched From Being A Remote-First Company To Getting An Office

Mission control, we have an upcoming innovation sprint, request event branding support!

Mission: Branding BMO Destination Digital

GenAI Hackathon: A case study on planning a global hackathon for 1000+ employees in just 3 weeks

There are two key reasons why a company should consider running a generative AI hackathon

Behind the Scenes of Organizing a Generative AI Hackathon for 1000+ Employees in 3 Weeks

Five years. That's how long Onova, in collaboration with Capgemini, has been partnering with McDonald's to host their annual 28-hour Hackathon. Burger Hack has grown from only 250 people in Chicago in 2018 to amassing 2500+ people in 5 years. This event has become a vibrant hub where bright minds from diverse backgrounds converge, bringing their unique perspectives and talents to the table.

Five years. That's how long Onova, in collaboration with Capgemini, has been partnering with McDonald's to host their annual 28-hour Hackathon.

We Host Burger Hack Because We Need It: Reflecting on 5 Years of Global Hackathons with McDonald’s

McDonald's ran its second annual global challenge, where 75 teams located in 7 different countries worked for 24 hours to develop innovative solutions across three different categories.

McDonald's 24 Hour Global Hackathon

BMO Hackathon (an internal innovation sprint)

What Does An Innovation Sprint at a Large Fortune 500 Company Look Like?

This rebrand is not just a cosmetic change; it's a strategic move that fully represents our new identity, aspirations, and capabilities.

Onova is an innovation consulting firm that has, for years, helped large companies and Fortune 500s generate hundreds of ideas.

June 5, 2023

Onova's Rebrand: A Bold Step Towards The Future of Innovation

Learn how digital start-ups are innovating faster than ever

Inoki Bathhouse: A Case Study For Lean Growth and Innovation

Onova was invited back by The Forum of Workplace Inclusion to lead an innovation sprint focused on “workplace revolution”.

Four Innovative DEI Solutions that will Revolutionize the Workplace

Innovating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Less than 3 Days

The Onova team led a 3-day invention sprint at the Forum on Workplace Inclusion conference where 1500+ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leaders gathered to learn, discuss, and innovate.

Innovating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Less than 3 Days

Hackademy was a global virtual hackathon led by HSBC Technology Academy.

HSBC's Leads Global Employee Innovation Sprint for Third Year

Culture

Explore cultural insights that shape thriving and dynamic workplaces.

Onova Consulting and Developer Internship

At Onova, our interns are integral to our culture of innovation, learning, and collaboration.

Interning at a Fast-Paced Tech Startup: Real Experiences from Onova’s Innovation Consulting Team and Product Studio

At Onova, we firmly believe that the most impactful ideas often emerge outside a traditional office environment. That's why cottage sprints have become a cornerstone of our company culture. Now in its third iteration, this unique retreat has evolved into an indispensable part of our strategic planning process and internal innovation initiatives.From the evolution of our very own hackathon management platform Earth, to the integration of new AI tools in our marketing strategies, cottage sprints have had a pivotal impact on the productivity and growth of our startup. But what exactly is a Cottage Sprint, and what makes these team retreats so special?

At Onova, we firmly believe that the most impactful ideas often emerge outside a traditional office environment.

Innovation Meets Connection: Onova's Third and Latest Cottage Sprint

Finding a first-year internship can be an intimidating experience. After all, why would a professional company willingly invest time, effort, and money into an 18-year-old? When I embarked on my search for internships, I pondered, "What unique value could I offer to a company?" Graphic design became that defining factor. So, when Onova humorously posted an MS Paint meme parody stating, "We're seeking a graphic designer," I eagerly applied.

Finding a first-year internship can be an intimidating experience.

From Graphic Design to Beyond I A Journey of Growth and Interdisciplinary Exploration in My First-Year Internship

Photo of the US Open. Article: The Link between Grand Slam Tennis and Corporate Hackathons

The technology and software-based world of corporate hackathons share striking similarity to Grand Slam Tennis

The Power of Competition in Driving Innovation: The Link between Grand Slam Tennis and Corporate Hackathons

The Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting an Internal Innovation Sprint (Cottage Edition)

Founders have been asking us for years, so now we’re spilling our secrets on how we build a winning company culture while creating groundbreaking ideas ALL in one weekend!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting an Internal Innovation Sprint (Cottage Edition)

In June of 2020, I started what would be a six-month consulting internship with Onova.

3 Takeaways From My 6-Month Internship at Onova

5 Things I Wish I had Known Before My First Work and Travel Experience in Europe

In this Innovation Insights article, we'll explore 5 THINGS that I wish I knew before my first work and travel experience in Europe.

5 Things I Wish I had Known Before My First Work and Travel Experience in Europe

4 transformative reasons for your company to run a hackathon

Corporate hackathons have emerged as a powerful tool for innovation, serving as intensive, time-bound events where cross-functional teams collaborate to solve complex challenges.

Unlocking Corporate Innovation Potential: 4 Transformative Reasons to Run a Hackathon

Trends

Explore industry trends with our expert insights.

Fintech 2025: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities for Innovation

February 27, 2025

The financial landscape in 2025 isn’t just evolving — it’s transforming at a pace that demands precision and strategy.

Disney: Innovation from Within | How you can learn to build an innovation culture from one of the greatest companies

Disney is a brand that is synonymous with innovation.

Blockchain hacking: The Weakest Link in the (Block)chain: How Billions are Stolen from the World’s Most Transparent Financial System

The Weakest Link in the (Block)chain: How Billions are Stolen from the World’s Most Transparent Financial System

This blog post covers blockchain technology and its relationship with financial services.

How Warby Parker Built a $3B Empire in Less Than a Decade

How Warby Parker Built a $3B Empire in Less Than a Decade

With innovation and originality at its core, Warby Parker took ‘understanding the market’ to a whole new level.

The Top 6 Beauty Industry Trends That Shaped This Decade

The beauty industry is valued at just over $511 billion in 2021 and is expected to exceed $716 billion by 2025.

The Opportunity for Creator Ecosystems

In today’s world, more and more people are striving to be online personalities and build a brand for themselves.

Can The Beauty Industry Address Its Big Sustainability Problem?

Can The Beauty Industry Address Its Big Sustainability Problem?

With low barriers to entry, the beauty product industry is growing at an unprecedented rate.

The Economic Impact of Social Entrepreneurship

The Economic Impact of Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship is a dark horse in economic development.

Future-Proofing the Automotive Industry in a Post-COVID-19 World

Future-Proofing the Automotive Industry in a Post-COVID-19 World

The global pandemic caused mass disruption in the automotive industry, from its supply chains and workplaces, to liquidy and consumer behaviour.

The Alarming CDO Turnover Rates

Although Chief Diversity Officers (CDOs) are in high demand, the high turnover rate among top diversity executives is a concern.

There are now 2 million active podcast shows – a huge jump from only 500 000 back in February 2018.

The Rise of Podcasts

Playbooks

Explore industry playbooks that put you ahead in innovation.

Unlocking Corporate Innovation Potential: 4 Transformative Reasons to Run a Hackathon

Corporate hackathons have emerged as a powerful tool for innovation, serving as intensive, time-bound events where cross-functional teams collaborate to solve complex challenges.

6 Takeaways from the Ideation Bootcamp by The Hustle and Udemy Founders

6 Takeaways from the Ideation Bootcamp by The Hustle and Udemy Founders

How do I create a million-dollar business from just an idea?

Onova Company Culture Playbook

At Onova, we pride ourselves on our winning culture, creating an environment that is truly enjoyable and rewarding to work in.

How to Ideate High-Impact Strategies at Speed with an 8-hour Idea Sprint!

How to Ideate High-Impact Solutions at Speed with an 8-Hour Idea Sprint

An 8-hour “idea sprint” process to help you build effective, high-impact strategy and solution proposals with your team.

Four Examples of Corporate Open Innovation: How Lego, NASA, Samsung, and General Electric Reached New Heights

Four Examples of Corporate Open Innovation: How Lego, NASA, Samsung, and General Electric Reached New Heights

Traditional innovation is out and open innovation is in.

Taking an Idea from Zero to One

During the COVID-19 lockdown, we realized just how critical social interactions were for ongoing mental, emotional, and physical health.

How Two Startups Rebuilt Themselves During COVID-19

How Two Startups Rebuilt Themselves During COVID-19

Read on for the amazing stories of Freshline and SnapTravel and how they rebuilt themselves during the global pandemic.

Ways small companies can work with large corporations

From Competitors to Collaborators

Startups hold a wealth of power that can be tapped into.

Innovation in Times of Crises: How Society and Businesses Can Look to History for a Blueprint of Success

Innovation in Times of Crises: How Society and Businesses Can Look to History for a Blueprint of Success

In the face of the most disruptive event of the 21st century, what lessons can we learn from history about overcoming crisis?

You Don't Need To Be Creative To Innovate

You Don't Need To Be Creative To Innovate

Creativity and Innovation are both vital areas for the success of any business.

Designing a Tailored Hackathon Learning Curriculum

Upskilling for the Future: Designing a Tailored Hackathon Learning Curriculum

Creating a customized learning curriculum for an internal corporate hackathon is a vital element in maximizing the event's effectiveness.

Onova's Step-by-Step Guide to a Branding and Website Redesign for Startups

Onova's Step-by-Step Guide to a Branding and Website Redesign for Startups

Amidst the global pandemic, when the world was on pause, we took a step back to reflect on our passions and ambitions as a startup.

A Platform for Leaders to Craft High-Impact Hackathon Challenges

Mastering the Art of Crafting Strong Innovation Challenges: A Comprehensive Guide

The significance of a well-articulated innovation challenge cannot be overstated.

Reimagining the Hackathon Experience: What to Expect During a 24-Hour Supercharged Hackathon

In this blog, we'll delve into the key elements that make a hackathon truly unforgettable for participants.

Write Great HMW (How Might We) Statements

How Might We: Write Great HMW Statements

How Might We (HMW) statements are a powerful tool to translate problems, ideas, and insights into actionable innovation opportunities.

Creative designs and inspiring branding for hackathons

Branding and Marketing Your Hackathon in a Truly Unforgettable Way

Creating a captivating and meaningful brand for your hackathon is a vital step in capturing the attention and fostering excitement among participants.

Post-Hackathon Idea Selection and Implementation

Beyond the Finish Line: Post-Hackathon Idea Selection and Implementation

Organizing a hackathon is not just about creating a remarkable event—it is a crucial step toward establishing a thriving innovation ecosystem within a company.

The Ultimate Onova Playbook on "How to run a hackathon"

Our ultimate hackathon playbook is your one-stop resource for everything you will ever need to know on “how to run a Hackathon”.

Artificial Intelligence

Explore AI breakthroughs that transform the future of business and technology.

AI-Commerce, background image, landscape preview image

March 11, 2025

AI-Powered Commerce and Building What Customers Actually Want

These agents are not just repetitive task automators but intelligent systems that can adapt to dynamic business needs.

March 4, 2025

Agentification of AI in Action

Corporate hackathon event with diverse participants collaborating on AI and tech projects to drive business innovation and growth. Hackathon-Led Growth (HLG) as a strategic model for accelerating customer engagement, time-to-value, and enterprise adoption in AI and consulting.

What if the secret to unlocking your company’s next big innovation could be found within a single event?

November 13, 2024

Thought Leadership: Hackathon-Led Growth for Rapid Business Expansion

Google’s Gemini was revealed on Dec 18, 2023 and introduces another exciting, accessible LLM for the world to use.

We’re big proponents of hackathon-led growth – leveraging these dynamic, rapid innovation events as a key facilitator in capability building, employee engagement, and upskilling at scale.

April 4, 2024

Building the First Enterprise Use-Cases on Google’s Gemini Model

We view the GenAI stack as a four-dimensional offering to large enterprises looking to transform their organization.

February 8, 2024

The GenAI Stack - How Enterprises Should Take Advantage of the GenAI Revolution

In the landscape of conversational AI, particularly with the advent of Large Language Models (LLMs), a prevalent issue is the occurrence of "hallucinations." These are instances where the AI asserts incorrect information with unwarranted confidence. Hallucinations in this context are not just occasional missteps; they are a recurrent challenge that underscores the limitations of these advanced systems. AI hallucinations can be caused by various factors, including insufficient, outdated, or low-quality training data, overfitting, use of idioms or slang expressions, and adversarial attacks. These errors present a complex problem: they can undermine the trustworthiness of LLMs. Imagine a tool that's incredibly resourceful, yet occasionally presents fiction as fact. This is the current reality with conversational AIs—they are powerful, yet imperfect, particularly in discerning and relaying verifiable truths.

In the landscape of conversational AI, particularly with the advent of Large Language Models (LLMs), a prevalent issue is the occurrence of "hallucinations."

November 10, 2023

The State of Hallucinations in Conversational LLMs, and What To Do About It

In today's fast-paced technological landscape, the challenge isn't just keeping up—it's knowing where to focus your efforts. While the concept of an idea sprint is powerful, a GenAI Idea Sprint goes beyond mere ideation. It serves as a specialized workshop that aligns leadership and uncovers strategic opportunities in the realm of Generative AI (GenAI).

In today's fast-paced technological landscape, the challenge isn't just keeping up—it's knowing where to focus your efforts.

Navigating the GenAI Landscape: A Blueprint for Strategic Opportunity Identification

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn't just another player; it's rewriting the script for sustainability.

Sustainability's Silent Ally: AI's Influence Explored Through Existing Companies, Ethical Reflections, and Actionable Next Steps

It’s crucial that human operators retain control and understanding of AI operations, to mitigate risks and align the technology with ethical standards and regulations.That is the limitation of GenAI solutions, and that’s why it’s crucial to implement a human-in-the-loop for the foreseeable future.

It’s crucial that human operators retain control and understanding of AI operations, to mitigate risks and align the technology with ethical standards and regulations.

The Limitation of GenAI Solutions | It’s Critical to Implement a Human in the Loop

It all started with a challenge, a tight timeline, and an unwavering determination to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of AI-driven innovation. Especially in the fast-paced world of AI, being able to rapidly ideate, iterate, and execute is paramount to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. At Onova, we recently embarked on an exhilarating 24-hour innovation sprint at our Toronto office that not only resulted in the birth of an impressive virtual AI chatbot but also shed light on the incredible impact of innovation under a pressing deadline.

It all started with a challenge, a tight timeline, and an unwavering determination to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of AI-driven innovation.

How 24 Hour Sprints Redefine Possibilities in AI Development: Creating an AI Personal Shopping Assistant

What does my data privacy look like in the age of AI? How can I protect my digital privacy during the AI revolution?

What does my data privacy look like in the age of AI? How can I protect my digital privacy during the AI revolution?

AI and Data Privacy | How Can Corporations Protect Their Digital Privacy In The AI Revolution?

AI is here to stay, and it’s up to your business to stay on top of this revolutionary technology.We often use the phrase “it’s only just the tip of the iceberg” when describing new and emerging trends. ChatGPT, the sole propellant of this new AI revolution, is truly only the tip of the iceberg. At Onova, we’ve been getting urgent interest from the industry leaders and Fortune 100s, requesting advisory services as to how businesses can upskill for the AI revolution - creating tangible use cases and product prototypes that they can go to market with, how to teach and advise their employees to incorporate AI, or even how we at Onova have been able to successfully build a robust AI application in just three days.

AI is here to stay, and it’s up to your business to stay on top of this revolutionary technology.

How Business Leaders Can Leverage AI for Success | 5 Ways Your Business Should Approach AI

we’ll share an all you need to know guide on generative AI - and share over 30 startups, resources, and sites to upskill your ability to leverage this new technology. You’ll learn about how to use AI in your personal life (through plug-ins and APIs, for example)

73% of companies prioritize AI over all other digital investments, with 90% of business leaders applying AI to tackle aspects of operational resilience.

Your Guide to Generative AI | Understanding Business Use Cases and Current Examples of Generative AI Application

“Am I going to be replaced by AI?” That is one of the top five questions people have when it comes to AI. Maybe it’s because you’ve read the Goldman Sachs’ articles saying how AI is going to expose 300 million full-time jobs to automation. Or maybe it’s because Ben Goertzel foresees AI taking over 80% of jobs.

“Am I going to be replaced by AI?

AI Won't Steal Your Job, It'll Give You One

Generative AI is not just a buzzword—it's a transformative technology that's shifting paradigms and creating new landscapes of opportunity. What was once a field dominated by data-driven predictions and retroactive analysis, AI has evolved into a proactive generator, creating content, suggesting new ideas, and even innovating in ways previously thought exclusive to the human mind. By synthesizing vast amounts of information and understanding intricate patterns, Generative AI is now turning mere concepts into tangible realities, fostering an unprecedented era of

Generative AI is not just a buzzword—it's a transformative technology that's shifting paradigms and creating new landscapes of opportunity.

How AI Will Shift the Innovation Landscape | Our End-to-End Process for Leveraging AI Innovation

The financial sector stands on the brink of a transformative era, fueled by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

6 Transformative AI Use Cases in the Financial Services Industry

RachelAI isn't just a responsive chatbot; The tool is an embodiment of what customer service can and should be. Answering in real-time, it provides tailored product suggestions, explains company policies, and provides relevant company information. Not only does it elevate the customer experience of any user, but it also redefines accessibility in the digital retail space.

RachelAI isn't just a responsive chatbot; The tool is an embodiment of what customer service can and should be.

September 4, 2023

RachelAI: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Creating a Virtual AI Chatbot in 24 Hours

Onova is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Copy.ai, an industry leader in generative AI platforms, to expand on our generative AI capabilities.

Onova is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Copy.ai

Onova x Copy.ai Partnership Press Release

Case Studies

Explore industry playbooks that put you ahead in innovation.

January 14, 2025

CEO Corner: Reflecting on 2024 and Exciting Launches for 2025

As we close out 2024, Onova reflects on a year of growth and innovation, highlighted by hosting one of the largest private GenAI hackathons.

November 21, 2024

Hackathon-Led Growth: How Capgemini and AWS are Accelerating Generative AI Adoption Through Large-Scale Virtual Hackathons

In today’s fast-evolving landscape, Generative AI is proving to be a game-changer across industries, from energy to aerospace.

November 15, 2024

A Career-Changing Odyssey Like No Otter! 🦦 How Destination Digital Transformed Two Careers at BMO 🚀

You wouldn’t normally think that a creative team name could rewrite the trajectory of someone’s career.

October 23, 2024

Hackathon-Led Growth Extends Beyond 2 Weeks: The Ripple Effect of Capgemini’s AWS Global Gen AI Hackathon

The AWS Global Gen AI Hackathon 2024 brought together 1,664 participants from 41 countries to tackle real-world industry challenges.

Pioneering Innovation: The First Capgemini Microsoft Hackathon – The Largest Virtual Private Hackathon in the World

The A4 Enablement Innovate Hackathon 2024 marked the first of many Capgemini Microsoft hackathons

The 4 Stages of Being a BMO DD24 Innovator

Destination Digital is designed to immerse participants in new and exciting experiences.

Building An Effective Learning Curriculum at BMO's Internal Innovation Sprint

Our primary goal in designing the learning curriculum for Destination Digital 2024 was inclusivity.

Fostering Innovation Culture at BMO Destination Digital 2024

This year's Destination Digital event was a milestone, held at the brand-new BMO Place in downtown Toronto and BMO Tower in Chicago.

Innovating Across Borders at One of Capgemini’s Largest Global Hackathons — Interview with Rick Pollock

Innovation isn’t invention. It’s not coming up with a brand new widget necessarily, it’s about how to do things better, quicker, more efficiently.

Innovating Across Borders at One of Capgemini’s Largest Global Hackathons — Interview with Rick Pollock

November 28, 2023

How to Create a Sustainable Hackathon: Nurturing Innovation Responsibly

Hackathons, the hub of innovation and creativity, have become integral for companies striving to stay ahead in the dynamic technology landscape.

Building a Founder’s Mindset Among C-Suite Executives at HSBC

“We’re going to need to be as innovative as a FinTech. And what that means is that everyone at HSBC needs to become innovators. And that starts with you, our leaders.”

October 31, 2023

Building a Founder Mindset Within a Large Fortune 500 Company: How Bradley Hadfield Discovered Destination Digital at BMO

Interview with Bradley Hadfield- the founder of BMO Destination Digital and a Lead Technology Officer at BMO Insurance.

Daring to be Different: A Deep Dive into Andrew Wilkinson and Building Tiny

In a world where entrepreneurship often conjures images of Silicon Valley tech wizards and flashy startup launches, Andrew Wilkinson's story is a refreshing departure from the norm.

October 5, 2023

Earth: The Ultimate Hackathon Management Platform for Organizers, Judges, and Hackers

The status quo for traditional hackathons and innovation events is to integrate multiple third-party providers - each of which reside over a specific domain.

From Remote to Hybrid: Why Onova Switched From Being A Remote-First Company To Getting An Office

For years, our company has thrived as a fully remote organization, building an exceptional culture that has garnered praise from our employees and the industry alike.

Mission: Branding BMO Destination Digital

Mission control, we have an upcoming innovation sprint, request event branding support!

Behind the Scenes of Organizing a Generative AI Hackathon for 1000+ Employees in 3 Weeks

There are two key reasons why a company should consider running a generative AI hackathon

We Host Burger Hack Because We Need It: Reflecting on 5 Years of Global Hackathons with McDonald’s

Five years. That's how long Onova, in collaboration with Capgemini, has been partnering with McDonald's to host their annual 28-hour Hackathon.

McDonald's 24 Hour Global Hackathon

McDonald's ran its second annual global challenge, where 75 teams located in 7 different countries worked for 24 hours to develop innovative solutions across three different categories.

What Does An Innovation Sprint at a Large Fortune 500 Company Look Like?

June 5, 2023

Onova's Rebrand: A Bold Step Towards The Future of Innovation

Onova is an innovation consulting firm that has, for years, helped large companies and Fortune 500s generate hundreds of ideas.

Inoki Bathhouse: A Case Study For Lean Growth and Innovation

Learn how digital start-ups are innovating faster than ever

Four Innovative DEI Solutions that will Revolutionize the Workplace

Onova was invited back by The Forum of Workplace Inclusion to lead an innovation sprint focused on “workplace revolution”.

Innovating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Less than 3 Days

The Onova team led a 3-day invention sprint at the Forum on Workplace Inclusion conference where 1500+ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leaders gathered to learn, discuss, and innovate.