The Journey: From Application to Finalist

The road to the summit began with a clear mission: to tackle recycling contamination at the point of action and empower organizations with analytical data and structured waste management. When the Charlotte Hornets and Bank of America opened applications for their 2025 Innovation Summit, we knew our connected material validation platform was ready for the spotlight.

After submitting our application, we made it through the initial review phase. This milestone unlocked access to entrepreneurial training from the UNC Charlotte Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where we honed our presentation and deepened our understanding of how to scale our regional impact.

Making the Cut: The Final Round

The competition was intense, with innovative businesses from across the region vying for a spot in the finals. Thanks to the support of our community and the strength of our mission, our material validation platform was selected as a finalist. We advanced to the live pitch event at the Spectrum Center, home of the Charlotte Hornets, where we presented our vision to a panel of corporate judges and a crowd of supporters.

Our presentation focused on the real-world challenges of institutional recycling, including high contamination rates, processing inefficiencies, and the lack of actionable, audit-ready data. We demonstrated how our Material Authentication Units directly address these systemic issues. By retrofitting existing recycling infrastructure with connected technology, we help organizations restrict contaminants, collect secure deposit data, and incentivize better recycling habits through digital, app-based rewards.

And the Winner Is… Waste Wise Innovation!

The moment our name was announced as the grand prize winner was unforgettable. The $25,000 investment from the Charlotte Hornets, along with the corporate exposure and connections gained through the summit, will accelerate our deployment of connected infrastructure across communities, businesses, and sports venues everywhere.

What’s Next for Waste Wise Innovation

Winning the Charlotte Hornets 2025 Innovation Summit is just the beginning. We are committed to expanding the reach of our Material Authentication Units and our comprehensive software stack, including Infrastructure Analytics, EcoLedger, and our specialized monitoring frameworks. These tools will help municipalities, businesses, and sports organizations optimize collection operations, reduce waste, and build a truly circular economy.

We are deeply grateful to the Charlotte Hornets, Bank of America, UNC Charlotte, and everyone who supported us on this journey. Together, we are innovating a cleaner future. It was an exceptional honor to receive the official news of our victory directly from the Charlotte Hornets Head Coach, Charles Lee. Thank you all for a truly memorable and impactful experience.

Briana Bloodworth is the Chief Marketing Officer at Waste Wise Innovation, where she applies a unique background in psychology and education to drive strategic marketing and brand engagement. A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, Briana leverages her deep understanding of human behavior to craft campaigns that encourage sustainable habits and foster community connection. Her expertise in communication and strategic management is central to scaling the Waste Wise mission, ensuring that the company’s innovative recycling solutions resonate with diverse audiences while making a measurable impact on global sustainability goals.

As advocates for sustainable practices, Waste Wise Innovation leverages its advanced technology and deep expertise to lead in this endeavor. Through our membership with the Green Sports Alliance, we’re dedicated to driving meaningful change. Our goal is to implement forward-thinking strategies that reduce waste, enhance recycling efforts, and promote sustainability throughout sporting events and venues around the globe.

Embark on this transformative journey with us, where passion meets purpose. Through the universal platform of sports, we aim to cultivate a more sustainable, pristine world for future generations. Together, we will achieve significant victories for both our planet and the sports we cherish.

WE ARE EXHIBITING AT THE 2024 GSA SUMMIT

Join us at the Green Sports Alliance Summit June 11th – 13th. Visit our booth to discover how our recycling technology and data solutions can prevent contamination of the recycling and collect valuable data about the materials collected. We look forward to meeting you there!
#PlayToZero #GreenSports #Recycling #Sustainability #GSASummit

Jailyn Bloodworth is the Chief Operations Officer at Waste Wise Innovation, where she integrates business leadership with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Holding an M.A. in Communication and Business Leadership from High Point University, Jailyn oversees the operational strategies that bring the company’s sustainability technologies to life. Her background as a community health worker and executive leader provides a unique perspective on holistic, human-centered solutions, ensuring that organizational growth aligns with social and environmental responsibility. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, she focuses on scaling eco-conscious initiatives that harmonize business objectives with the global transition toward a circular economy.