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73% of companies prioritize AI over all other digital investments, with 90% of business leaders applying AI to tackle aspects of operational resilience. The possibilities of AI are endless, but executives must understand its multifaceted approach and holistic grasp, spanning technical, organizational, regulatory, societal, and philosophical aspects.

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

Artificial Intelligence

73% of companies prioritize AI over all other digital investments, with 90% of business leaders applying AI to tackle aspects of operational resilience. The possibilities of AI are endless, but executives must understand its multifaceted approach and holistic grasp, spanning technical, organizational, regulatory, societal, and philosophical aspects.

There are two key reasons why a company should consider running a generative AI hackathon:
1. Rapidly develop hundreds of GenAI proof-of-concepts (POCs) to enhance internal workflows, upgrade customer-facing products, or launch new market-ready solutions. For consulting firms, these POCs can serve as instant sales assets for both existing and prospective clients."
2. Enable and upskill employees on the latest and rapidly evolving landscape of GenAI tools (such as Google Cloud’s Vertex AI Platform, Cohere’s Command model or Copy.ai’s Workflows product). Hackathons are one of the best ways to take advantage of and learn about any new technology inflection.We recently achieved these goals with our client Capgemini, who partnered with Google to host their first-ever global generative AI hackathon.

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

Not all work days are created equal, which is why we created an 8-hour “idea sprint” process to help you build effective, high-impact strategy and solution proposals with your team. Idea sprints help condense months of strategic planning into a single 8-hour action-driven working session.

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

There are two key reasons why a company should consider running a generative AI hackathon:
1. Rapidly develop hundreds of GenAI proof-of-concepts (POCs) to enhance internal workflows, upgrade customer-facing products, or launch new market-ready solutions. For consulting firms, these POCs can serve as instant sales assets for both existing and prospective clients."
2. Enable and upskill employees on the latest and rapidly evolving landscape of GenAI tools (such as Google Cloud’s Vertex AI Platform, Cohere’s Command model or Copy.ai’s Workflows product). Hackathons are one of the best ways to take advantage of and learn about any new technology inflection.We recently achieved these goals with our client Capgemini, who partnered with Google to host their first-ever global generative AI hackathon.

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

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.

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

Onova is an innovation consulting firm that has, for years, helped large companies and Fortune 500s generate hundreds of ideas. Building a lasting innovation culture and cultivating employee engagement through innovation sprints and hackathons have been our key offering to clients all around the world. But now, we are evolving and eager to take on a new look. This rebrand is not just a cosmetic change; it's a strategic move that fully represents our new identity, aspirations, and capabilities.

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

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.

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

An innovation sprint is a time-bound internal hackathon competition, in which teams collaborate intensively to ideate, prototype, and pitch unique solutions to real business challenges and problems. It’s a structured process aimed at accelerating idea generation for new products and services. Innovation sprint competitions are usually run over 1 to 2 days, but can also be run over the course of a few weeks.

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

Mission control, we have an upcoming innovation sprint, request event branding support! At Onova, we had the pleasure of driving event branding operations for BMO's Destination Digital alongside the BMO team. Read on to learn more about the step-by-step process and key takeaways from our journey. Mission: Branding BMO Destination Digital, ready for launch!

Mission: Branding BMO Destination Digital

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AI is dramatically improving the way we execute on ideas and go from ideation to delivery. But with its increasing capabilities, the core human elements are going to be even more important than ever before. Certain things like empathy, clarifying user prompts, and appropriate regulations are essential roles for humans to interface with AI in.
This means that there is a higher emphasis on how users interact, engage, and utilize AI in order to harvest GenAI’s full potential, but to also ensure that it’s done in the right way. So, the question becomes: what’s the best way for users to learn about GenAI? We’re strong advocates for learning through building - and that’s exactly what a hackathon can do for you and your business.

Hackathons as the Best Medium to Learn about Generative AI

Artificial Intelligence

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.

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

Artificial Intelligence

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

Artificial Intelligence

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?

Artificial Intelligence

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

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

Artificial Intelligence

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.

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

Artificial Intelligence

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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. It is a journey that requires dedication, collaboration, and the involvement of numerous individuals throughout the organization.

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

Creating a customized learning curriculum for an internal corporate hackathon is a vital element in maximizing the event's effectiveness. It not only promotes continuous skill development but also creates future growth opportunities for all participants.

Upskilling for the Future: Designing a Tailored Hackathon Learning Curriculum

A hackathon is a whirlwind of activity packed into 24 or 30 hours. 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

Our ultimate hackathon playbook is your one-stop resource for everything you will ever need to know on “how to run a Hackathon”. This playbook will guide you from the initial stages of pre-event branding and setup, all the way to the actual implementation and development of the most promising Hackathon solutions.

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

Branding and Marketing Your Hackathon in a Truly Unforgettable Way

The significance of a well-articulated innovation challenge cannot be overstated. It sets the tone for the Hackathon and serves as a compass guiding the direction of innovation within the company. However, crafting these challenges requires more than a cursory effort — it demands a thoughtful and organized approach. This process involves gathering key insights from business leaders and experts, and pinpointing the most significant opportunity areas or challenges facing your business. It's not just about identifying problems — it's about understanding where the greatest potential for innovation lies.

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

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At first glance, the technology and software-based world of corporate hackathons might seem worlds apart from the intense physicality, drama and action that we see unfold on the courts of Flushing Meadows in New York, at the US Open. Yet, beneath the surface of it all, they share striking similarities, both serving as platforms where competition and pressure can help forge, shape and upskill top-tier talent, in addition to developing game-changing innovations that truly revolutionize businesses and industries.

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

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.

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

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)

Working and travelling is an action-packed and rewarding adventure... But did you know that there’s so much more prep involved besides finding good wifi and the best Pastel de Nata spots? 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

In June of 2020, I started what would be a six-month consulting internship with Onova. When I first received the role, I was just happy and relieved to have an opportunity to work during a summer where countless internships were cancelled by COVID-19. Little did I know, it would be a summer that I would truly come to cherish for the lessons I learned, the people I met, and the experiences I gained.

3 Takeaways From My 6-Month Internship at Onova

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

This blog post covers blockchain technology and its relationship with financial services. The convergence of these two industries has created a new market segment known as decentralized finance (DeFi).

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

With low barriers to entry, the beauty product industry is growing at an unprecedented rate. Alongside growth that has empowered consumers and business owners to create new products comes an environmental cost of mass production that often goes unnoticed. We interviewed Laura Burget, Co-Founder of Three Ships Beauty, and Dion Hughes, Co-Founder of HiBAR, to discuss sustainability in the beauty industry.

Can The Beauty Industry Address Its Big Sustainability Problem?

The Top 6 Beauty Industry Trends That Shaped This Decade

The Opportunity for Creator Ecosystems

There are now 2 million active podcast shows – a huge jump from only 500 000 back in February 2018. Without a doubt, the world of audio is on the rise as this trend seems likely to continue thriving in the coming years.

The Rise of Podcasts

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