Innovation Bets Misplaced, Social Entrepreneur Argues

The author, a social entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience supporting young people in creating change, asserts that current approaches to innovation are misdirected, particularly in how they identify and fund promising individuals. The argument is rooted in personal experience, starting at age 14 when the author partnered with peers to foster a more inclusive high school environment for students with disabilities, demonstrating that systemic change often arises from peer-led initiatives rather than solely adult-imposed disciplinary measures. This foundational belief has guided over three decades of work with more than a million young people who have independently identified problems and developed solutions, ranging from a water filtration system utilizing waste materials to a malaria diagnostic tool employing enzymes, and a program designed to de-escalate youth-police interactions. Despite these achievements, the author contends that young people are frequently relegated to the status of "the future" rather than being recognized and supported as present-day innovators, especially those lacking privileged backgrounds or established networks.

Venture funding is presented as a prime example of this concentrated focus. According to the National Venture Capital Association, in 2025, California, New York, and Massachusetts collectively attracted nearly three-quarters of all venture capital investment. While these regions are acknowledged for producing significant talent, the author criticizes the over-reliance on familiar networks and credentials as a shortcut for evaluating innovative ideas. This reliance, the author argues, can lead to a situation where access to these established hubs and networks, rather than the inherent merit of an idea, dictates which innovations receive attention. The core issue identified is that "access is not innovation," implying that the system inadvertently favors those already within established circles, potentially stifling diverse perspectives and groundbreaking concepts from outside these privileged environments.

The author further elaborates on the mechanism by which innovators with connections gain traction. Early visibility leads to early funding and the expansion of professional networks, creating a self-reinforcing cycle where familiar signals are repeatedly rewarded. This pattern can lead to the overlooking of potentially transformative innovations. As an illustration, the author introduces Joshua Ichor, a 25-year-old Nigerian hydrologist and founder of Geotech Water. Ichor's venture was inspired by a personal health crisis resulting from contaminated water in his community. He subsequently pursued hydrology and developed Geotech Water, a technology aimed at empowering communities to monitor water quality, detect contamination, and maintain their water infrastructure. This case highlights how individuals driven by direct experience and local needs, even from regions with less venture capital activity, can develop critical solutions that might be missed by a funding system heavily concentrated in a few geographic areas and reliant on conventional indicators of success.