Many innovative companies shattered our expectations in 2018, whether they developed novel cancer treatment, generated new energy sources, or even planned a mission to Mars. Though there are too many such companies to count, here are 7 companies–of all sizes and across industries–to watch in 2019:

1. Molekule (Environmental Science):

In 2018, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimated that nearly 50 million Americans each year acquire a chronic illness related to allergies; in fact, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. Molekule utilizes innovative nanotechnology that breaks down pollutants at a molecular level. Molekule will continue developing their air-purifying nanotechnology in 2019, bringing their vision of a pollution-free world one step closer to reality.

2. Open Robotics (Robotics):

Open Robotics emerged as one of the top players in the robotics space in 2018. The company’s open-source software has already been used to create a number of the leading robots on the market.  In 2019, the company plans to optimize their software and hopes to become a household name in the near future.

3. SpaceX (Aerospace):

Since its establishment in 2002, SpaceX has introduced cutting-edge innovations into the commercial aerospace industry at an astonishing rate. In 2018, SpaceX pushed new limits. The company organized 18 successful shuttle launches and 48 satellite launches, delivered nearly 23,000 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station, and announced their intent to colonize Mars. This year, SpaceX will test their Mars spaceship prototype and assist NASA with new engines and boosters.

4. Blue River Technology (Agriculture):

Blue River Technology hopes to revolutionize farming with robotics and AI. One of their products eliminates weeds with the assistance of computer vision and AI; another product completely automates fertilization. This year, Blue River will continue to refine their computer imaging, robotics, and artificial intelligence technologies.

5. White Raven (Automotive):

Founded in Israel, White Raven is redefining the way self-driving cars interact with their environments by utilizing a visual search engine that enables cars to recognize and analyze information like street signs and landmarks. In 2019, White Raven will develop deep learning, computer vision, and self-driving technologies.

6. Sonnen (Energy):

The Germany-based clean energy company created the first housing development in which houses are connected via a virtual solar power plant. This year, Sonnen will continue to expand their project, which will eventually share energy across 4,000 homes.

7. Novartis (Pharmaceutical):

Dedicated to treating and curing the most common forms of childhood cancer, Novartis is a pharmaceutical company at the forefront of drug development. In 2018, Novartis held a number of clinical trials to test a new drug for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Novartis’s treatment was the first gene therapy drug to be approved by the FDA, and the three-month remission rate for patients treated with this therapy surpassed 83%. Novartis will continue to test this drug and hopes to fully eliminate the disease in the near future.

Interested in connecting with companies like these? Check out the network! You’ll find thousands of startups and hundreds of research institutions and large corporations leading innovation across 20 science-based industries. Happy networking!