Stories of Innovation

In Middle Tennessee’s fast-growing economy, small businesses are driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of communities. But too often, promising businesses and catalytic projects can’t access traditional financing. That’s where Pathway Lending steps in. As a mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Nashville, Pathway strengthens communities...

Mill Village Ministries is a family of nonprofit social enterprises that was founded in 2012 by Furman University Alum Dan Weidenbenner. Weidenbenner serves as the Executive Director of the West Greenville based “umbrella” nonprofit. The organization is a faith based family of enterprises that aims to elevate the whole community...

OUR COMPANYIn business, decisions can be made in two ways: by what you think or perceive is the truth, called the gut feeling, or by making data-driven decisions. That is especially important in the public health and healthcare space, where a single decision can affect the well-being of an entire...

Sunland Logistics Solutions is a 3PL partner leveraging leading technologies and lean principles to help shippers and manufacturers improve performance, innovate, and drive value in their supply chains. Specializing in supporting companies in the chemical, industrial, automotive, beverage, and retail industries, Sunland is positioned to become a flexible extension of...

Bristol Media is the membership body combining Bristol’s creative sectors into a force for championing the region on the national and international stage. About Bristol MediaCreated in 2005, Bristol Media is a non-profit CIC and one of the largest creative networks in the UK. We are a membership organisation, whose...

The shared kitchen industry, also known as commissaries, is a rapidly growing sector that is changing how people think about food and culinary entrepreneurship. When starting or scaling a business, food and beverage based entrepreneurs face significant challenges and risks and require significant investment in space, equipment, and overhead costs....

The DIAMENT Chair is the strategic research chair of UQAM (University of Quebec in Montreal) in design for cybermental health. It is led by Professor Stéphane Vial. Mission and VisionEstablished in January 2020, the DIAMENT Chair is hosted by the School of Design at the University of Quebec in Montreal...

“Don’t worry I am not gonna steal it,” says one of Edsvärd’s co-founders to a man who sits by himself at a table. He is holding on to his backpack for dear life. The man cracks into a warm, bubbly laughter showing off his flawless white smile. His name is...

Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) represents a bold vision for the future of manufacturing in Georgia and serves as a blueprint for the nation. This future is inclusive, innovative, and impactful, propelling the state of Georgia into the forefront of AI-driven manufacturing. STATEWIDE REACH AND FOCUS At its...

In today’s competitive IT procurement landscape, transparency is crucial for optimizing purchasing processes. Markit stands out as a leading platform that champions transparency, simplifying the B2B IT channel for businesses worldwide. With over 10,000 companies—including more than 400 from the Forbes 2000 list—relying on Markit daily, it has become a trusted partner...

With a mantra of ‘Esports for Everyone,’ Aquatik Esports is truly unique and has propelled an abrupt tidal wave of followers, fans, and participants spread across multiple channels and touchpoints across the world. By providing approachable spaces, opportunities, and platforms for amateur competitive gamers, creators, and streamers to launch their...

It’s Time for a Major Change For two decades, the digital economy has been driven by growth at any cost. Platforms built fortunes by selling data first and asking forgiveness later. Success was measured by clicks and likes – often at the expense of genuine value. That playbook is collapsing....

LOCAL TECH BANKING VETERANS BRING CANADIAN INFLUENCE TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Since its founding in early 2018, CIBC Innovation Banking has been rapidly building its presence in key innovation clusters across the U.S. and Europe.In 2022, its Seattle team began serving the vibrant innovation economy of the Pacific Northwest. John...

The Rivera brothers returned to their island Puerto Rico decided to honor their grandmother Dolores and her secret recipe for corn tortillas, passed down from generation to generation for more than 100 years. As a Puerto Rican and half-Mexican family, wanted to share the secret of their family gatherings, where...

Creator Connect came to me in October 2017, lying on my couch in Boca Raton, Florida. I thought to myself, what if every time someone posted to Facebook or Instagram they could turn their post into an inspiration for custom artwork. That day the concept of Creator Connect was born....

Grundfos Is One Of The World’s Leading Water Technology Companies. We Are Committed To Pioneering Solutions To The World’s Water And Climate Challenges And Improving The Quality Of Life For People.   Pumps are our business. We  are a pump company connecting with millions and millions of people every day, and we set the standard in terms of...

Motus Drive was founded by Ferhan Jemal after seeing firsthand the challenges his uncle faced due to limited mobility and the high costs associated with powered wheelchairs. Motivated by this experience, Ferhan spent eight years studying the wheelchair market, talking with industry experts, prototyping, and gathering direct feedback from wheelchair...

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO? We are a leading staffing and recruiting firm that have been laser focus to deliver the best talent for the Food and Beverage departments of the most luxurious and iconic brands in the hospitality industry (Hotels, Restaurants, Catering and Special Events) in the...

Founded in Vancouver in 2011 by Beth Boyle, Katie Dunsworth-Reiach, and Sara Padidar, Talk Shop’s vision is to help it’s clients get known, and be understood. Under the leadership of the founding partners and Managing Partner Katie Stevens, Talk Shop has grown substantially to include more than fifty team members....

Tucked into a hill on the west campus of the University of Kansas, a group of engineers is tackling global climate change with technology to recycle refrigerants. A team of industry professionals and academic researchers is staying ahead of cybersecurity threats using NSA-licensed technology. A married team of PhDs is...

The gaming community has always been full of diverse people and communities. However, the developers of games have not always reflected the same diversity. Marginalized people have not been offered many of the same opportunities as their counterparts. It’s time to move across the country, and the only person with...

Its vision is simple: to prepare students for a world where today’s jobs may not exist in the future. Global in outlook, bold in its approach, DIDI instils youth with the confidence to take risks, push boundaries, and challenge ways of thinking, making and creating.   The private non-profit university...

That’s the motto of Startup TNT. An organization that fosters community, connection, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the tech ecosystem while raising millions of dollars for local startups from local investors. Through a range of engaging events and programs, Startup TNT aims to empower entrepreneurs, connect new and seasoned investors with...

The energy transition is in full swing. The energy industry is undergoing profound transformations prompted by the search for sustainable solutions to address the impacts of climate change, meet our customers’ evolving needs and consumption habits and reap the benefits of the broad accessibility of new technologies. The invention of...