We are thrilled to announce that Waste Wise Innovation has been named the grand prize winner of the Charlotte Hornets 2025 Innovation Summit. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to reshaping recycling infrastructure and building a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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.
