Washington, D.C., March 4, 2026 — Hupside, the creator of the world’s first Original Intelligence infrastructure platform, today announced it has been named to Technical.ly’s 2026 RealLIST Startups, an annual roster recognizing the most promising young companies in the DC region.
The recognition comes amid a period of significant momentum for Hupside. In February, the company launched its Affiliate Partner Program, welcoming cyber workforce strategy firm skillrex as its inaugural partner. Days later, Hupside introduced Hupchecker 2.0, a major platform update that expanded its measurement capabilities beyond individual originality to include structural autonomy metrics and a new AI Readiness Index.
Together, these milestones signal growing market demand for a new approach to AI transformation, one centered not just on technology adoption, but on measuring and elevating human originality. As AI tools become ubiquitous, the ability to prioritize Original Intelligence is emerging as the defining factor in whether organizations differentiate or disappear into sameness.
“Being named to Technical.ly’s RealLIST underscores something we are seeing every day in the market: as AI adoption accelerates, organizations are realizing that tools alone do not create advantage,” said Jonathan Aberman, Co-Founder and CEO of Hupside. “The companies that will cut through the noise and stand out from their competitors are the ones that prioritize human originality on top of AI adoption and work intentionally with their teams to ensure they can use AI effectively. This recognition reflects the growing need to focus on Original Intelligence as the defining advantage in an AI-driven economy.”
Technical.ly’s RealLIST Startups highlights early-stage companies headquartered in the DMV that have demonstrated traction, innovation, and long-term potential. Hupside joins a 2026 cohort spanning health tech, defense technology, energy innovation, and civic software, reflecting the region’s expanding role in shaping the future of technology.
As enterprises, government agencies, and institutions invest heavily in AI, Hupside continues to position originality not as a soft skill, but as measurable infrastructure critical to sustained competitive advantage. Organizations ready to turn AI adoption into true differentiation can learn more at www.hupside.com.
About Hupside
Hupside is a transformational software company that measures and elevates human originality. Backed by rigorous cognitive science and built for a world reshaped by AI, Hupside’s tools help individuals and organizations identify the ideas, talent, and thinking that spark true innovation. At the heart of the platform is the Hupchecker, a first-of-its-kind assessment that generates an Original Intelligence Quotient (OIQ)—a quantifiable measure of how individuals think beyond conventional and AI-generated ideas. Whether you're hiring a visionary, building a high-performing team, or preparing your workforce for what’s next, Hupside helps you lead with originality. To learn more, visit www.hupside.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
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Eileen Belden
REQ for Hupside
