RealLIST Innovators 2025: 15 Philadelphians building the city’s future

Across major companies, startups and research institutions, Philadelphia is swirling with innovators building impactful technology. 

Every year, we shine a light on these local professionals, recognizing their roles in the city’s innovation ecosystem. Formerly known as RealLIST Engineers, we expanded the category to include a wider variety of professions, renaming the list to RealLIST Innovators. 

After collecting nominations and reviewing our reporting, we curated a list of 15 technologists, scientists, developers and engineers making a difference. We also sent a survey asking them to share their journeys, from breakthroughs in advanced research to launching startups, to creating space for the community to gather.

This year’s list includes meetup organizers, researchers at places like Drexel University and the Wistar Institute and developers creating useful open-source projects. Want to meet their predecessors, too? Check out past lists from 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Scroll down to meet Philly’s 2025 RealLIST Innovators.

Can’t see the info above? View it in a new tab.