Collaboration and community in action
In early 2025, EQDerivatives (EQD) – a global financial media and data company – issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to reimagine their brand and digital presence. Among the respondents was Lucas Media, a boutique design agency based at Launchpad.
With EQD headquarters in Chicago, and offices in New York, Hong Kong, Launchpad, and a growing presence in the Middle East, the RFP was distributed internationally to agencies across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Operating across financial publishing, data services, and large-scale international events, EQD was seeking partners that could deliver a standout visual identity and a high-performing website aligned with their complex, global business.
Turning crossed paths into successful collaboration
Lucas Media, founded by Dariush Hessami, joined Launchpad in 2023, seeking a space that offered creative energy alongside professional infrastructure.
As fate would have it, EQDerivatives – already working from Launchpad – had been successfully growing their global footprint and network and were looking towards ambitious next steps.
Through the natural, collaborative atmosphere fostered at Launchpad, paths crossed. Conversations sparked. Insights shared. And when the time came for EQD to consider creative partners, Lucas Media was already on their radar.
Dariush submitted a compelling pitch, standing out not just with design credentials but with a deep understanding of EQD’s niche, having worked in financial publishing and fintech branding for over a decade. EQD’s team recognised this synergy immediately: Lucas Media spoke their language and understood their markets.
EQD was blown away. Lucas Media won the pitch to deliver a full brand refresh. What started as a competitive international tender ended in a local collaboration.
This is a perfect example of Launchpad’s community-first ethos. By placing like-minded businesses under one roof, Launchpad creates a space where unexpected partnerships can flourish.
A powerful partnership
Lucas Media has since led EQD through a strategic discovery phase, covering everything from ideal customer personas to visual storytelling. With a focus on EQD’s core values and global ambitions, the new branding and digital direction has already been implemented at EQDs flagship event in Las Vegas, where it was positively received by the company’s long-standing customers.
This partnership also reflects EQD’s long-term goals: investing in sustainable, local talent while maintaining an international standard.
Laura Laline, CEO, EQDerivatives, explained:
“When we set out to refresh our brand in preparation for a new website, we sought a creative partner that would understand our client and their needs.
“The Lucas Media team took the time to understand our client, our internal and external needs, and our brand’s personality, as well as our personalities.
“Through their thorough work, they were able to develop a brand identity that surpassed our expectations and reflects who we are: bold and youthful yet premium and an authority in the space.
“We are thrilled to have deployed the brand at our Global EQD event in Las Vegas, where the reaction from our attendees and clients was overwhelmingly positive.
“Lucas Media will continue to be our partner in creative initiatives as we grow our brand.
The EQDerivatives // Lucas Media collaboration exemplifies what Launchpad is all about: enabling innovation through community.
It shows how the right environment can not only support businesses but help them grow together – organically, effectively, and meaningfully.
Dariush Hessami, Founder, Lucas Media, sums it up:
“The team at Launchpad has created more than just a workspace. They’ve built an ecosystem that helps great work happen.
“Our relationship with EQDerivatives has been cultivated within these walls and is being extended to new projects as we continue to be their go-to source for strategic and tactical services.”
