pioneer; leader; taking the initiative; forerunner; harbinger; herald
leading an attack; charging ahead of others (towards the enemy)
先駆けとなった発明だ。
It was a pioneering invention.
その企業はオンライン教育の先駆けだ。
That company is a pioneer in online education.
日本の先駆けとなった技術が世界を変えた。
Technology that pioneered the way in Japan changed the world.