We tend not to think of hotels as cultural centers. In fact, chains do a lot of work to vanilla-fy so that customers have the same experience in Fargo as they do in Flagstaff. But one Seattle Challenger Brand is bringing the culture and rejecting the notion that a hotel’s only earthly purpose is to provide you with single-use shampoos.

When it comes to getting kids interested in learning, nothing beats unabashed trickery. And robots.

Most of us exercise to look good, but Banglz is here to help us look good while we’re exercising. Challenging the fitness industry, Banglz’s products are designed to help both girly girls and fitness freaks make more headway in losing extra pounds while going about their everyday business.

As high school BFFs and college roommates know, swapping clothes is a time-honored tradition. thredUP is challenging the retail clothing industry by allowing its members to grab items from other people’s closets without leaving home.

Before the “staycation,” taking time off to stay home was dubbed “a trip to Porchville.” Second Porch provides an alternative for vacationers who want a change of scenery: hang out on a friend’s porch!

In the past few years, social media tools have forged connections between many with common interests. Zootoo has found a cozy spot to curl up in cyberspace, focusing on pets and the people who love them, to exemplify “social petworking” at its best.

With so many brands to choose from, nearly everyone has a favorite beer; New Belgium Brewing has a number of powerful fans. Literally. This environmentally-conscious company is the first wind-powered brewery in the US, and one that operates on a core purpose: “to operate a profitable brewery which makes our love and talent manifest.”