vanguard

nouns

the leading units moving at the head of an army
van, vanguard
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
avant-garde, new wave, van, vanguard
the position of greatest importance or advancement; the leading position in any movement or field
"the Cotswolds were once at the forefront of woollen manufacturing in England"; "the idea of motion was always to the forefront of his mind and central to his philosophy"
cutting edge, forefront, vanguard