Innovation Incubator
We harness collective experience and resources to uncover, guide, and accelerate digital infrastructure innovation for startups
About the Innovation Incubator
Who's it for
Are you an entrepreneur with a growing business or an innovative startup? We’re excited to announce that applications for our Incubator Program are now open! If you’re looking for support to take your venture to the next level, we want to hear from you.
What you get
We are creating a platform to turn ideas into reality, aligned with the Sustainability Framework and in collaboration with the Climate Accord. Supporting innovators at every stage—from start-ups to established businesses—we aim to deliver real value to the industry by driving progress toward sustainability goals.
How it works
This platform helps innovative and sustainable projects find their place, tackles problem areas hindered by conventions or funding gaps, and fosters radical collaboration. Connect with peers, brainstorm ideas, and develop tailored solutions to meet the industry’s evolving challenges.
Current Startups
“The iMasons Innovation Incubator stood out for its genuine care and consistent overdelivery, fostering a collaborative community driving positive impact. It sparked new business, partnerships, friendships—and more innovation. Thank you to the iMasons team.”
“From Dragons' Den to global panels and podcasts, the iMasons Innovation Incubator gave RE24 a launchpad into the data centre community—a network moving the industry forward.”
"As demand for AI and high-density compute accelerates, it’s critical that we rethink how we design and cool data centers. This program gives us the opportunity to scale faster and smarter, with the right partners at the table."
"As we’re redefining sustainability in digital infrastructure by turning waste heat into pure water and cooler data centers. We’re thrilled to work with partners who share our vision for a sustainable, water-positive future for AI infrastructure.”
"It embodies everything the innovation we are implementing in our startup"
George Hancock
Co-Founder
Octaipipe
"It embodies everything the innovation we are implementing in our startup"
Matt Stroud
CEO
Icebox
Mentors
Supported by a network of expert mentors who help guide and accelerate participating startups.
Dragons’ Den meets Shark Tank… iMasons-style!
Dragons’ Den is iMasons’ signature Innovation Pitch, designed to spotlight emerging solutions and give our community a direct voice in championing the next wave of digital infrastructure innovation. Every session follows the same format—3 startups, a panel of Dragons, and real-time voting from members. The locations change, but the experience is the same: a fast, focused competition that surfaces the brightest ideas in the industry.
How it Works
Audience voting
Winners progress toward the end-of-year final at Yotta 2026.
Members of our iMasons community became investors for the day, casting their support through digital coins and deciding who would walk away with the win.
The Startups
The Dragons
Dean Nelson
Founder, Infrastructure Masons and Cato Digital
Princina Stone
Lead, Regulatory Management, Google
Julie M. Albright
Lecturer, University of Southern California, and acclaimed tech author.
Jonathan Freegard, Sr.
Solutions Director, Wesco
Dean Nelson, Founder, Infrastructure Masons and Cato Digital
Princina Stone, Lead, Regulatory Management, Google
Dr. Julie M. Albright, Lecturer, University of Southern California, and acclaimed tech author
Jonathan Freegard, Sr. Solutions Director, Wesco
And the crowd-favorite at Datacloud Cannes 2025?
OctaiPipe took the prize!
Their edge-AI platform won the hearts and investments of our member community.
Huge thanks to our sponsor Wesco Anixter, and to everyone who joined us for this energetic, idea-fueled moment. The passion for digital infrastructure innovation is real and growing.
Upcoming Dragons' Den
We’re currently planning the 2026 Dragons’ Den series, with regional events proposed for New York, MENA, Cannes, and Hong Kong—culminating in the end-of-year final at Yotta. Participating startups and confirmed dates will be announced soon.
2026 Event #X — Placeholder Title
Location TBD | Date TBDParticipating startups will be announced closer to the event.
2025 Dragons' Den Innovation Pitches
Datacloud Cannes | 2025
- Winner
Clear Decisions — Represented by Maximilian WeidlClear Decisions provides decision-support intelligence to simplify complex digital infrastructure planning and optimize investment outcomes.
OctaiPipe — Pitched by George HancockOctaiPipe applies AI-powered optimization to improve data-center cooling performance and reduce energy consumption across large-scale environments.
RE24 — Led by Dhanushka TennakoonRE24 focuses on renewable-energy optimization and digital tools that help operators integrate cleaner power sources into their infrastructure.
Dublin – Royal Dublin Society | 2025
- Winner
RISE/Hillstone — Jon Summers & Paula SmethurstRISE is developing a next-generation Chip Load Server Emulator to push the limits of cooling performance and collaborate with industry innovators.
Oleon — Maarten TrautmannOleon is launching a new demo and training space near Paris to showcase advanced liquid-cooling technologies and support hands-on innovation.
Super6 — Hector LancasterSuper6 is pioneering a breakthrough supercapacitor and working with iMasons to explore how their technology fits within the future of data center energy systems.
OctaiPipe — George HancockOctaiPipe uses AI-driven optimization models to enhance data center cooling efficiency and is scaling rapidly through the iMasons Innovation Incubator.
What’s Next for the Innovation Pitch?
The Dragons’ Den energy is only gaining momentum. Following the success of our debut at Datacloud Cannes 2025 and the dynamic DCD>Connect London session, the Innovation Pitch is heading to new stages across the globe.
Next Stop: EMEA – Dublin
Join us at the Royal Dublin Society on November 20, 2025, as three new startups take the stage to pitch their cutting-edge ideas to industry leaders and our iMasons community.
This next round of the Innovation Pitch continues our mission to spotlight innovators who are shaping the sustainable, inclusive, and efficient digital infrastructure of the future.
More Coming Soon
Two additional Innovation Pitch events are already in the works for 2026—stay tuned for announcements on dates and locations.
Interested in the Incubator?
Schedule a time to connect with our Chair and share your innovation.
Past work with participants
Dalton Flory
The Innovation Committee embodies the spirit of Infrastructure Masons: "Connect, Grow, Give Back." Our mission for 2025 is clear—"Every Innovation is Realized."
Anna Bernas-Kelly
The Innovation Committee embodies the spirit of Infrastructure Masons: "Connect, Grow, Give Back." Our mission for 2025 is clear—"Every Innovation is Realized."
Jason Carter
The Innovation Committee embodies the spirit of Infrastructure Masons: "Connect, Grow, Give Back." Our mission for 2025 is clear—"Every Innovation is Realized."
Melanie Holguin
The Innovation Committee embodies the spirit of Infrastructure Masons: "Connect, Grow, Give Back." Our mission for 2025 is clear—"Every Innovation is Realized."