Innovate100 Hosts Fall Social in Princeton

By Jim Pytell, Managing Editor On Nov 19, 2025

Last night, Innovate100 hosted its fall social, bringing together innovative leaders spanning multiple industries for a night of heavy networking at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton.

Spearheaded by James Barrood, founder and CEO of Innovation+, the event was purposefully designed to provide those in attendance with the opportunity to network and socialize without any agenda, creating the perfect environment to spawn innovative collaborations.

“[Events like this] are essential to a thriving ecosystem because they foster new relationship building and relationship strengthening, both of which lead to new collaborations as well as better resources for startups and more engaged growth for companies and corporates,” said Barrood.

Additionally, Innovate100 will be hosting its annual awards celebration on May 13, 2026 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. That event aims to honor individuals who are shaping the future of innovation in New Jersey through their work in companies, universities, non-profits, and government.

“We are excited to continue our mission of celebrating the innovators who are shaping New Jersey’s future,” Barrood said, adding that through the celebration, the goal is to highlight and elevate the state’s finest innovation leaders and to showcase collaboration within companies and among organizations. 

“It is only through sustained and visionary leadership that innovation can thrive in both good times and bad,” Barrood said of last year’s celebration. “That is why we didn’t simply honor CEOs, presidents and department/division heads, but also their colleagues who drive innovation throughout companies and organizations. We’ve also elevated the community leaders in our great state. They are the catalysts who make things happen. In addition, we’ve highlighted ‘Innovators to Watch,’ who represent the next generation of extraordinary leaders.”

Commenting on New Jersey’s innovation community as whole, Barrood says, “we have not only the smartest people on the planet innovating every day, but that we are a warm community that embraces and supports all newcomers.

Barrood currently leads Innovation+, a curated global community of 10,000+ entrepreneurs and innovators. He serves as an advisor to startups, growth companies and higher ed institutions as well as TechAid, Tech Council Venture Fund, and JumpStart Angel Network. In addition, he developed and oversees executive education programs focusing on AI.

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