Posted on Thu, May 16, 2013
Affinnova, Inc., a global provider of software and services used by companies to dramatically improve their innovation and marketing success rates, today announced that it has won the New England Innovation Award, sponsored by the Small Business Association of New England (SBANE).
Out of 20 finalists, Affinnova was one of eight organizations selected for the award, which is presented annually to showcase technology-driven enterprises who are "game changers" in their industry. Affinnova stood out due to its 500% growth rate over the past five years, as well as its proprietary technology that helps brands optimize their product, advertising and design ideas using genetic-based algorithms. Past winners of the same award include Staples, Ben & Jerry's, iRobot, Zip Car and Vistaprint.
"Winning the SBANE award marks an important milestone in the trajectory of our business," said Waleed Al-Atraqchi, CEO of Affinnova. "Many past winners of this award have gone on to become iconic brands in their industry. I'm honored to be among this prestigious group and extremely proud of the people in our company for helping us to get here."
"As is the case each and every year, the task of selecting our 20 finalists from a pool of over 200 nominees is an arduous one, with this year being no exception," said SBANE's New England Innovation Awards Committee Chairman, Todd Faber, President, The Faber Group. "All of our winners have exemplified what SBANE considers true industry agnostic innovation and we are delighted that they have joined an exclusive group of tremendous companies and organizations from throughout New England in SBANE's 'Circle of Excellence.'"
The winners were announced at the May 8(th) Evening of Innovation program held at the Westin Hotel, Waltham, MA. For more information about the awards, visit www.sbane.org.
Posted on Fri, Apr 12, 2013
Paris, France (April 12, 2013) – Affinnova, Inc., a global provider of software and services used by brands to dramatically improve their innovation and marketing success rates, today announced that Ani Maral Cargill, Vice President and Jerome Simulin, Senior Vice President of Affinnova Europe, together with client the Bel Group presented, "How the use of optimization algorithm allow to increase concept, pack, communication performances by 60% and double in market success," as part of the Printemps des Etudes on April 4 2013 in Paris, France.
The Printemps des Etudes trade show was created by and for the Communications, Marketing and Research profession in response to the industry’s need for a comprehensive event. This meant combining exhibits, conferences and meet-ups focused on intellectual content, with professional insights, feedback and flash benchmarking workshops.
The presentation focused on how the use of an optimization algorithm allows clients to bring better initiatives to market faster. The presenters explored the opportunities that exist to use optimization algorithms to improve marketing outcomes and share client's feedback.
Posted on Mon, Apr 08, 2013
WALTHAM, MA, USA (April 8, 2013) – Affinnova, Inc., a global provider of software and services used by brands to dramatically improve their innovation and marketing success rates, today announced that it has been named a finalist for two prestigious awards focused on innovation and software.
Affinnova is one of 20 finalists for the New England Innovation Awards, sponsored by SBANE. Affinnova’s patented optimization technology platform - which empowers brands to optimize potential product, messaging and design ideas using predictive consumer insights - was selected from a group of more than 200 companies to compete in the final phase of the competition. Affinnova set itself apart based on its 500% revenue growth over a five-year period as well as its impressive client list, which includes many global Fortune 500 companies.
Additionally, the company’s web-based Affinnova Studio is a finalist for the 2013 SIIA Software CODiE Awards, in the highly competitive “Best Collaboration Tool” category. Affinnova Studio enables concept collaboration and development for new products, designs and marketing campaigns by giving creative and marketing teams a platform to capture and manage ideas in a shared visual workspace. Using Affinnova Studio, companies can explore and then test an unlimited range of potential marketing ideas. The SIIA CODiE Awards are the premier award for the software and information industries and have been recognizing product excellence for 27 years.
“We’re incredibly proud to be named as a finalist for both of these prestigious awards, and to be competing against companies that we admire in the technology and innovation space both regionally and nationally,” said Waleed Al-Atraqchi, CEO of Affinnova. “For us, it’s further validation that the hard work we’ve done to set Affinnova apart is paying off. Our technology is truly changing the way our customers innovate and market their products and services, and we continue to improve upon that every single day.”
Winners of the SBANE Awards will be announced at the “Evening of Innovation” Gala Dinner on May 8, 2013 at the Westin Hotel in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Winners of the SIIA CODiE Awards will be announced during a special awards luncheon on May 9 in San Francisco, California during the industry's most comprehensive ISV conference, All About the Cloud.
Posted on Mon, Jan 28, 2013
WALTHAM, MA, USA (January 28, 2013) –Affinnova, Inc., the global leader in innovation software and services, announced that Kevin Karty, Vice President of Analytics at Affinnova, and Erik Overby, Vice Present of Client Services, Affinnova Life Sciences, will be presenting, Using Behavioral Economics to Improve Research Results, as part of the Pharma Market Research Conference. The event will be held February 5-6, 2013 in Woodcliff Lake, NJ.
The Pharma Market Research Conference is a premier gathering of senior-level pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostics executives in market research. This forum provides an opportunity to gather new information, learn about new techniques, interact with the industry’s best speakers, and share best practices while networking with colleagues.
Who: Kevin Karty, Vice President of Analytics, Affinnova, and Erik Overby, Vice Present of Client Services, Affinnova Life Sciences
What: Using Behavioral Economics to Improve Research Results
When: Wednesday, February 6, 2013; 9:10 am – 9:50 am EST
Where: Hilton Woodcliff Lake, Woodcliff Lake, NJ
This presentation will focus on Behavioral Economics (BE) and how BE is transforming our understanding of customer decision making and health decision making. The presenters will explore the opportunities that exist to use BE-inspired techniques to improve the validity of traditional surveys. The Affinnova team will share the results of an extensive head-to-to head study of BE-inspired techniques versus the best-in-class traditional monadic approach to demonstrate how the accuracy of surveys can be dramatically improved and how the audience can incorporate this into their own study design.
Posted on Mon, Jan 07, 2013
Strong domestic growth leads to new office and expansion of staffWALTHAM, MA, USA (January 8, 2013) – Affinnova, Inc., the global leader in innovation software and services, has opened a new office in Chicago. The office is located in the Willis Building (formerly Sears Tower) at 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 6225, in Chicago.
“We are significantly expanding our operations in Chicago to provide more local resources to several key clients in the Midwest.” said Waleed Al-Atraqchi, President and CEO of Affinnova. “Increasing our presence in Chicago will not only enhance service to our growing client base, but will also provide better access to the huge talent pool in the region.” Affinnova plans to hire additional personnel in Chicago over the coming months.
Responding to strong demand, Affinnova recently doubled the size of its headquarters in Waltham, MA. The company also expanded its European operations, which are headquartered in France, and grew its European employee base by 50 percent.
Affinnova’s innovation platform transforms how companies develop and market their products and services to create better and more profitable outcomes. Affinnova’s best-in-class technology is used by a diversified client base that includes the most respected companies, from mid-sized enterprises to the Fortune Global 500, in consumer goods, retail, financial services, health care and technology.
Posted on Wed, Dec 05, 2012
Affinnova ranks in the top 10 of Massachusetts companies
WALTHAM, MA, USA (December 5, 2012) – Waltham-based Affinnova, Inc., the global leader in innovation software and services, today announced that it is featured in the inaugural ranking of Inc.’s Hire Power Awards, recognizing the private businesses that have generated the most jobs in the past three years. Affinnova generated 84 jobs from 2008 to 2011, placing it among the 10 private business job creators within the state of Massachusetts.
“It is an honor to be recognized by Inc. for our commitment to job creation,” said Affinnova’s Chief Executive Officer, Waleed Al-Atraqchi. “Fundamental to our success is the quality, drive and ingenuity of our people. We take this very seriously. Our philosophy is simple: You can’t revolutionize the way companies innovate with anything less than an all-star team. The continued good news is that we plan to hire at an even higher rate in 2013.” The company is hiring across multiple disciplines from engineering to sales.
Affinnova provides software and services that enable marketers to develop better-performing products, advertising and designs. The most respected organizations from mid-sized enterprises to Global Fortune 500 companies use Affinnova’s optimization platform. The company is experiencing hyper growth as a result of increasing adoption in its core markets, entry into new markets and expansion globally.
Inc. is the only major business media brand aimed solely at CEOs of fast-growing private companies. The Hire Power Awards will appear in Inc.’s December/January issue, as well as the brand’s web site, www.inc.com.
The inaugural Inc. Hire Power Awards are sponsored by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which is proud to recognize American companies that have greatly increased their workforces. Inc.’s Hire Power Awards celebrates private companies on the forefront of American job creation, giving these businesses the recognition they deserve.
About Inc.
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 6,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
About Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Bank of America Merrill Lynch is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 57 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,700 retail banking offices and approximately 17,250 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users. For more information, visit: http://corp.bankofamerica.com/business/smb.
Posted on Wed, Nov 14, 2012
WALTHAM, MA, USA (November 14, 2012) – Affinnova, Inc., the global leader in innovation software and services, today announced it ranked 274 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America. Affinnova grew 279 percent during this period.
Affinnova’s chief executive officer, Waleed Al-Atraqchi, credits leadership in innovation and a dedicated, all-star team of professionals with the company’s 279 revenue growth. He said, “We are honored to be named one of North America’s fastest growing companies. This recognition demonstrates our excellence in technological innovation and the commitment of an expert team. When the most respected companies in the world depend on our innovative solutions to help develop and market better performing products, we know we are on the right trajectory for growth. We look forward to expanding our innovative offerings with the launch of new initiatives in early 2013.
Overall, 2012 Technology Fast 500™ companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 128 percent to 279,684 percent from 2007 to 2011, with an average growth of 2,774 percent.
About Deloitte’s 2012 Technology Fast 500™
Technology Fast 500, conducted by Deloitte & Touche LLP, provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies – both public and private - in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2007 to 2011.
In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD or CD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD or CD. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of five years, and be headquartered within North America.
Posted on Mon, Oct 15, 2012
WALTHAM, MA, USA (October 9, 2012) –Affinnova, Inc., the global leader in innovation software and services, announced today that
Charu Chaturvedi, Senior Vice President, Affinnova Life Sciences, will be a distinguished panelist on the discussion, Catalysts for Innovation
Collaboration: How Teams Can Work Together to Create an ‘Out of the Box’ Market Research Environment, as part of the
Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group’s (PMRG) Annual Meeting. The event will be held October 14-16, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA.
The PMRG’s Annual Meeting is a dynamic and collaborative forum for professionals involved in research supporting the marketing of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics, medical and related products. This year’s theme,
Getting Ahead of the Curve – Advancing the Marketing Researcher, will focus on innovation and helping market researchers understand new techniques and methodologies and hone vital collaborative, communications and consultative skills. The agenda features prestigious keynotes, an industry panel discussion, poster sessions and 12 smaller educational presentations.
Who: Charu Chaturvedi, Senior Vice President, Affinnova, and panelists: Lisa Courtade, Merck; Mark Strong, Vertex Pharmaceuticals; and Tim O’Rourke, Healogix
What:
Getting Ahead of the Curve – Advancing the Marketing ResearcherWhen: Monday, October 15, 2012; 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
Where: Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
This presentation will feature a lively discussion with industry leaders on collaborating around innovation. They will explore not only why innovation is challenging, but its continued importance in today’s market research environment. Panelists will share success stories and useful suggestions for how professionals can collaborate in individual teams, as organizations and as an industry for more meaningful innovation.
Posted on Tue, Oct 02, 2012
WALTHAM, Massachusetts (September 27, 2012) – Affinnova, Inc., the global leader in innovation software and services, is pleased to announce its selection to the Global Hot 100 by The World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (THEWSIE). The Global Hot 100 companies from around the world are selected to encourage action toward the development of what’s yet to come in lifestyle, health, energy, cities, technology, education and communication.
As part of this honor, Affinnova will be recognized at THEWSIE taking place in Boston from September 26-28, 2012. The Summit is a forum for innovators to converge and exchange ideas and inspiring stories, as well as share and discuss innovations in their industries. It represents an amazing collaboration of the most innovative dreamers, drivers and doers from 60 developed and emerging nations.
During the event, Affinnova’s Chief Innovation Officer, Steve Lamoureux, will take part in an interactive panel discussion, “The Future We Will Design: The Forgotten 2022”. The panelists will lead discussions and share insight on innovation in design.
“We are honored to be selected as a Global Hot 100 company,” said Waleed Al-Atraqchi, President and CEO of Affinnova. “This recognition underscores our leadership in innovation and the traction we are achieving in the marketplace.”
About the World Summit:
The World Summit on Innovation & Entrepreneurship was launched in 2006 at the United Nations under the support of key multinationals. The Summit is an exclusive, by-invitation only event that connects an elected group of the world’s most innovative people to exchange inspiring stories and architect meaningful actions for economic and social innovation. Summit partners include Deloitte, Dassault Systemes, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, MIT Enterprise Forum, and Akira Foundation. More info at http://www.thewsie.org.
Posted on Thu, Sep 13, 2012
WALTHAM, Massachusetts (September 11, 2012) – Facing increased competition in the U.S., Swiss-based Ricola sought to capitalize on consumer demand for premium, herbal cough drops by creating a new product. The Ricola USA team turned to Affinnova, Inc., the global leader in innovation software and services, to optimize and test a concept for a dual-action cough drop. U.S. sales have been so successful that a global rollout is now planned.
“When we came to Affinnova, we had a general idea – we believed that there was a need for an herbal, dual-action cough and sore throat drop,” said Melissa Robinson, Director of Innovation for Ricola USA. “What we didn’t know was the best product form, packaging and claims. We also knew that certain product forms would require new manufacturing capabilities, and if such investment were necessary, the product had to succeed.”
On the front end, the Ricola marketing team used Concept Studio, Affinnova’s cloud-based concept collaboration and development application, to create over 2,500 possible dual-action cough drop concepts. Then using Affinnova’s evolutionary optimization and active benchmarking capabilities, target consumers were engaged to identify the best dual-action product and determine the product’s performance versus the competition and incrementality to the Ricola line. The winning product incorporated a liquid center that would require additional R&D and manufacturing investment.
In just six months since its launch, new Ricola Dual Action has achieved US$5 million in sales – four times more sales than its nearest competitor’s new product. The launch has been so successful that Ricola now plans to rollout the dual-action product globally starting in Europe.
“Making the new dual-action product successful was of paramount importance to Ricola USA,” said John Nathenson, Affinnova’s Senior Vice President of Client Services Select. “By leveraging their knowhow and creativity with our innovation platform, they were able to develop a dual-action product that exceeded all expectations.”
“Companies need to expose as many of their ideas as possible to consumers in order to identify products with the greatest potential for success,” said Waleed Al-Atraqchi, President and CEO of Affinnova. “Ricola has been a valued customer for years, and we are proud to be an integrated partner helping to systemically improve their innovation and marketing outcomes.”
