Stories of Innovation
INNOVATION Quebec
MONTÉRÉGIE ÉCONOMIQUE
THE INNOVATIVE ECOSYSTEM OF THE MONTÉRÉGIE
Espace régional d’accélération et de croissance de la Montérégie was established in 2020 and is powered by Montérégie Économique, which brings together economic development organizations from the MRCs and the agglomeration of Longueuil. The NPO supports economic operators, guides businesses towards business support and acceleration services and cooperates with key...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
JUST VERTICAL
FURNITURE THAT FEEDS YOU - INDOOR GARDENS BUILT BY PLANT SCIENCE FOR EVERY GROWER AND EVERY HOME.
How salmon & sangria started a green revolution.Some of the most inspiring inventions come at the most innocuous times. In 2017, Just Vertical co-founders Conner Tidd and Kevin Jakiela were completing their Masters of Science at the University of Toronto. Bright eyed and full of enthusiasm, they hoped to equip...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
CREATING KLEIN JAN
CREATIVITY IN THE KALAHARI
When Michelin star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen first laid eyes on Boscia House, a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse situated at the beautiful Tswalu Kalahari in the Northern Cape, he saw the vastness of the region as a canvas on which to create something special. Worlds away from the beautiful waters...
INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath
UWE BRISTOL
WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE
Skills for economic and inclusive growth UWE Bristol is a large, diverse university with over 3,500 staff and 27,000 students, contributing over £400m to the West of England economy – equivalent to 1.3% of the region’s economic output. Every year more than 50% of the University’s graduates remain in the...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
UNSTUCK LABS
Unleashing Potential
“Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you need the right people to help you overcome challenges.”Unstuck Labs carves a unique path under the leadership of Wa’il Ashshowwaf, embodying innovation, collaboration, and relentless ambition. It’s a story not just of a company’s success but of transformation and belief in the...
INNOVATE® Seattle
Arzeda.
SOLVING TODAY’S HARDEST CHALLENGES THROUGH INTELLIGENT PROTEIN DESIGN
SOLVING TODAY’S HARDEST CHALLENGES THROUGH INTELLIGENT PROTEIN DESIGN It’s no secret that the future of more sustainable products is already being driven by cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking innovation. Among the leaders defining this future is Seattle-based industry-leading Protein Design Company, Arzeda. Recognizing the vast potential and opportunity to transform the...
INNOVATION Quebec
ISEQ
THE PÔLE D’EXCELLENCE DE L’INDUSTRIE DES SYSTÈMES ÉLECTRONIQUES DU QUÉBEC (ISEQ)
It acts as a vehicle for collaboration to foster innovation, industry recognition, expanded opportunities, commercialization, and business competitiveness. Promote the export of electronics goods, services, and innovations to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the North American restructuring of electronic systems supply chains. ISEQ was created by the Ministère...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
NAII
ACCELERATING AI AND QUANTUM IMPACT: FROM STOCKHOLM TO THE WORLD
Founded in 2017, the Stockholm-based Nordic Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII) is an independent think-and-do tank that converts advances in AI, quantum, energy, and space technologies into executive-level strategy and delivery. NAII sits at the intersection of technology, industry, policy, and society with a consistent lens on European technological sovereignty. VIRTUAL...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
ALPA KIDS
LOCALISED E-LEARNING GAMES FOR CHILDREN ACROSS THE GLOBE
Founded in 2018, ALPA Kids creates digital learning games for children aged 3–8, developed in close collaboration with local teachers and researchers to ensure pedagogically sound, age-appropriate content in each child’s native language. ALPA Kids mission is to turn children’s screen time into a safe, enriching learning experience by offering...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
SSE BUSINESS LAB
CREATING THE CONDITIONS FOR UNICORNS
SSE Business Lab is the startup incubator of the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), one of Europe’s top business schools. Since its founding in 2001, the incubator has supported more than 300 startups, including some of Sweden’s most recognized success stories such as Klarna, Voi, Instabee (formerly Budbee), and Legora....
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
BEAMABLE
WE FREE THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF GAME MAKERS TO FOCUS ON WHAT THEY LOVE MOST: CREATIVITY
Trapper, Ali and I had lived through building and operating live games like Star Trek Timelines, investing millions to build up the infrastructure to enable it. We didn’t think anyone should have to do all of that again. Our team has a unique background that includes not only making games—but...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
MINIONE
INTRODUCED IN 2014, MINIONE® SYSTEMS IS A BRAND OF EDUCATIONAL LIFE SCIENCE PRODUCTS DEVELOPED BY THE COMPANY EMBI TEC®, WHICH HAS FOR YEARS MANUFACTURED BIOTECH EQUIPMENT AND REAGENTS USED BY TOP RESEARCH FACILITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD
When its founders, Richard Chan and Winston Walker, learned that educators were purchasing their research-grade equipment to help students get hands-on experience with electrophoresis in their classrooms, they sought to develop a teacher and student-friendly electrophoresis system that was safe, compact, fast, and affordable, making it possible to complete inquiry...
INNOVATE® Miami
Recipes for Change
A localized society created to evoke social change
Recipes for Change is a non – profit organization founded by Chef Santiago Gomez in 2017. Is localized society created to evoke social change by inspiring and educating people through gastronomy, volunteer programs, educational workshops and fundraising events. Our aim is to unite Miami’s local community in order to educate...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
ZONES AND ZONE LEARNING
TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY- ( FORMERLY RYERSON UNIVERSITY )
Located at the commercial centre of Canada, Ryerson University’s 10-incubator network provides Toronto’s ecosystem with an accessible first step for early-stage startups and entrepreneurs, as well as support for the growth of their ventures. At any time of year, you’ll find more than 300 startups on campus, and each incubator,...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
FORBIZ BUSINESS SOFTWARE
INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE
With a history spanning over three decades, Forbiz Business Software has consistently pioneered innovation and excellence in the business landscape. Strategically located in Curitiba, the company has established itself as the Diamond Distribution Channel for the esteemed Senior Sistemas, reaffirming its dedication to delivering solutions that not only enhance productivity...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Urban SDK
Helping To Transform Cities’ Mobility, Transportation And Safety Operations
Urban SDK streamlines government and IoT data to automate performance measures and discover insights in real-time, helping to transform cities’ mobility, transportation, and safety operations. Established in 2018 by Justin Dennis and Drew Messer, Urban SDK is a digital government intelligence platform combining real-time location data with predictive analytics. It...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
SEARCY FINANCIAL
REDEFINING FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR THE MODERN ERA
In an industry often defined by numbers, Searcy Financial Services stands apart by focusing on people. Founded in 1976 and independently owned by second-generation leaders Jessica Kmetty, Marc Shaffer, John Fales, and Ryan Brooke, the firm has built a reputation not just for managing wealth, but for helping people make...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
SANEPAR
INNOVABILITY IN WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES FOR CURITIBA PEOPLE
The Water and Sanitation Company of Paraná State (Sanepar), a Brazilian mixed economy and publicly traded company, marked its 60th anniversary in 2023, reaffirming its steadfast dedication to innovability the seamless integration of sustainability and innovation – deeply ingrained in its corporate culture focused on generating societal value. Sanepar consistently...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
JOHN OBERG ADVISORY & INVESTMENTS
MISSION-DRIVEN ADVISORY WITH AN EYE TO THE FINANCIAL SCOREBOARD
John Oberg Advisory and Investment (JOA) partners with organizations that are on a mission to positively impact our daily lives. Our clients and investments are primarily those that serve others across healthcare, technology, nonprofits, and institutions. Dr. John Oberg and the experienced team at JOA balance strategic direction and tactical...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
RIVER CLEANUP
From a 10-minute cleanup to 1000 plastic-free rivers
River Cleanup is a Belgium-based organization with one clear goal: making rivers plastic-free. The non-profit started with manual cleanup actions and evolved into a pioneer in the field of river protection, with mentions in Forbes, De Tijd, The Economist and many more. Their recently launched Clean River Model offers a...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
BELLBERRY LIMITED
SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND ETHICS
ADVANCING RESEARCH THROUGH PHILANTHROPY Established in 2004, Adelaide’s Bellberry Limited continues to transform the way medical research is undertaken with its unique model for Human Research Ethics Commitees (HRECs). Traditionally HRECs are attached to universities and hospitals to undertake scientific and ethics reviews of any human based research associated with...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
DEALERSITES
LEADS DIGITALIZATION IN THE BRAZILIAN AUTOMOTIVE MARKET.
Ensuring competitive advantages, fostering business opportunities, introducing new products and optimizing processes. When it comes to innovation, startups serve as crucial partners for propelling progress in the automotive sector. In this scenario, those who stand out are the ones helping dealerships identify opportunities to enhance the customer experience while adapting...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
FREELY PAYMENTS
HARNESSING INNOVATION TO TRANSFORM FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
“We are not just facilitating transactions; we are redefining them to create tangible benefits for our clients.” In the bustling city of Washington, D.C., a pioneering force is reshaping the financial contours of the food and beverage industry. freely Payments, a visionary B2B payments gateway, has not just entered the...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
VIL
Empowering logistics for over 20 years
Creating added value for and enhancing competitiveness of all Flemish companies with logistics operations is VIL’s main focus. And it has been for over twenty years. From a small non-profit organization, VIL has grown to be a hands-on, company driven organization, with a staff of 35 employees. Since 2017 VIL...
INNOVATION Quebec
MONTÉRÉGIE ÉCONOMIQUE
THE INNOVATIVE ECOSYSTEM OF THE MONTÉRÉGIE
Espace régional d’accélération et de croissance de la Montérégie was established in 2020 and is powered by Montérégie Économique, which brings together economic development organizations from the MRCs and the agglomeration of Longueuil. The NPO supports economic operators, guides businesses towards business support and acceleration services and cooperates with key...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
JUST VERTICAL
FURNITURE THAT FEEDS YOU - INDOOR GARDENS BUILT BY PLANT SCIENCE FOR EVERY GROWER AND EVERY HOME.
How salmon & sangria started a green revolution.Some of the most inspiring inventions come at the most innocuous times. In 2017, Just Vertical co-founders Conner Tidd and Kevin Jakiela were completing their Masters of Science at the University of Toronto. Bright eyed and full of enthusiasm, they hoped to equip...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
CREATING KLEIN JAN
CREATIVITY IN THE KALAHARI
When Michelin star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen first laid eyes on Boscia House, a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse situated at the beautiful Tswalu Kalahari in the Northern Cape, he saw the vastness of the region as a canvas on which to create something special. Worlds away from the beautiful waters...
INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath
UWE BRISTOL
WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE
Skills for economic and inclusive growth UWE Bristol is a large, diverse university with over 3,500 staff and 27,000 students, contributing over £400m to the West of England economy – equivalent to 1.3% of the region’s economic output. Every year more than 50% of the University’s graduates remain in the...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
UNSTUCK LABS
Unleashing Potential
“Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you need the right people to help you overcome challenges.”Unstuck Labs carves a unique path under the leadership of Wa’il Ashshowwaf, embodying innovation, collaboration, and relentless ambition. It’s a story not just of a company’s success but of transformation and belief in the...
INNOVATE® Seattle
Arzeda.
SOLVING TODAY’S HARDEST CHALLENGES THROUGH INTELLIGENT PROTEIN DESIGN
SOLVING TODAY’S HARDEST CHALLENGES THROUGH INTELLIGENT PROTEIN DESIGN It’s no secret that the future of more sustainable products is already being driven by cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking innovation. Among the leaders defining this future is Seattle-based industry-leading Protein Design Company, Arzeda. Recognizing the vast potential and opportunity to transform the...
INNOVATION Quebec
ISEQ
THE PÔLE D’EXCELLENCE DE L’INDUSTRIE DES SYSTÈMES ÉLECTRONIQUES DU QUÉBEC (ISEQ)
It acts as a vehicle for collaboration to foster innovation, industry recognition, expanded opportunities, commercialization, and business competitiveness. Promote the export of electronics goods, services, and innovations to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the North American restructuring of electronic systems supply chains. ISEQ was created by the Ministère...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
NAII
ACCELERATING AI AND QUANTUM IMPACT: FROM STOCKHOLM TO THE WORLD
Founded in 2017, the Stockholm-based Nordic Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII) is an independent think-and-do tank that converts advances in AI, quantum, energy, and space technologies into executive-level strategy and delivery. NAII sits at the intersection of technology, industry, policy, and society with a consistent lens on European technological sovereignty. VIRTUAL...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
ALPA KIDS
LOCALISED E-LEARNING GAMES FOR CHILDREN ACROSS THE GLOBE
Founded in 2018, ALPA Kids creates digital learning games for children aged 3–8, developed in close collaboration with local teachers and researchers to ensure pedagogically sound, age-appropriate content in each child’s native language. ALPA Kids mission is to turn children’s screen time into a safe, enriching learning experience by offering...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
SSE BUSINESS LAB
CREATING THE CONDITIONS FOR UNICORNS
SSE Business Lab is the startup incubator of the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), one of Europe’s top business schools. Since its founding in 2001, the incubator has supported more than 300 startups, including some of Sweden’s most recognized success stories such as Klarna, Voi, Instabee (formerly Budbee), and Legora....
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
BEAMABLE
WE FREE THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF GAME MAKERS TO FOCUS ON WHAT THEY LOVE MOST: CREATIVITY
Trapper, Ali and I had lived through building and operating live games like Star Trek Timelines, investing millions to build up the infrastructure to enable it. We didn’t think anyone should have to do all of that again. Our team has a unique background that includes not only making games—but...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
MINIONE
INTRODUCED IN 2014, MINIONE® SYSTEMS IS A BRAND OF EDUCATIONAL LIFE SCIENCE PRODUCTS DEVELOPED BY THE COMPANY EMBI TEC®, WHICH HAS FOR YEARS MANUFACTURED BIOTECH EQUIPMENT AND REAGENTS USED BY TOP RESEARCH FACILITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD
When its founders, Richard Chan and Winston Walker, learned that educators were purchasing their research-grade equipment to help students get hands-on experience with electrophoresis in their classrooms, they sought to develop a teacher and student-friendly electrophoresis system that was safe, compact, fast, and affordable, making it possible to complete inquiry...
INNOVATE® Miami
Recipes for Change
A localized society created to evoke social change
Recipes for Change is a non – profit organization founded by Chef Santiago Gomez in 2017. Is localized society created to evoke social change by inspiring and educating people through gastronomy, volunteer programs, educational workshops and fundraising events. Our aim is to unite Miami’s local community in order to educate...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
ZONES AND ZONE LEARNING
TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY- ( FORMERLY RYERSON UNIVERSITY )
Located at the commercial centre of Canada, Ryerson University’s 10-incubator network provides Toronto’s ecosystem with an accessible first step for early-stage startups and entrepreneurs, as well as support for the growth of their ventures. At any time of year, you’ll find more than 300 startups on campus, and each incubator,...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
FORBIZ BUSINESS SOFTWARE
INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE
With a history spanning over three decades, Forbiz Business Software has consistently pioneered innovation and excellence in the business landscape. Strategically located in Curitiba, the company has established itself as the Diamond Distribution Channel for the esteemed Senior Sistemas, reaffirming its dedication to delivering solutions that not only enhance productivity...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Urban SDK
Helping To Transform Cities’ Mobility, Transportation And Safety Operations
Urban SDK streamlines government and IoT data to automate performance measures and discover insights in real-time, helping to transform cities’ mobility, transportation, and safety operations. Established in 2018 by Justin Dennis and Drew Messer, Urban SDK is a digital government intelligence platform combining real-time location data with predictive analytics. It...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
SEARCY FINANCIAL
REDEFINING FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR THE MODERN ERA
In an industry often defined by numbers, Searcy Financial Services stands apart by focusing on people. Founded in 1976 and independently owned by second-generation leaders Jessica Kmetty, Marc Shaffer, John Fales, and Ryan Brooke, the firm has built a reputation not just for managing wealth, but for helping people make...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
SANEPAR
INNOVABILITY IN WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES FOR CURITIBA PEOPLE
The Water and Sanitation Company of Paraná State (Sanepar), a Brazilian mixed economy and publicly traded company, marked its 60th anniversary in 2023, reaffirming its steadfast dedication to innovability the seamless integration of sustainability and innovation – deeply ingrained in its corporate culture focused on generating societal value. Sanepar consistently...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
JOHN OBERG ADVISORY & INVESTMENTS
MISSION-DRIVEN ADVISORY WITH AN EYE TO THE FINANCIAL SCOREBOARD
John Oberg Advisory and Investment (JOA) partners with organizations that are on a mission to positively impact our daily lives. Our clients and investments are primarily those that serve others across healthcare, technology, nonprofits, and institutions. Dr. John Oberg and the experienced team at JOA balance strategic direction and tactical...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
RIVER CLEANUP
From a 10-minute cleanup to 1000 plastic-free rivers
River Cleanup is a Belgium-based organization with one clear goal: making rivers plastic-free. The non-profit started with manual cleanup actions and evolved into a pioneer in the field of river protection, with mentions in Forbes, De Tijd, The Economist and many more. Their recently launched Clean River Model offers a...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
BELLBERRY LIMITED
SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND ETHICS
ADVANCING RESEARCH THROUGH PHILANTHROPY Established in 2004, Adelaide’s Bellberry Limited continues to transform the way medical research is undertaken with its unique model for Human Research Ethics Commitees (HRECs). Traditionally HRECs are attached to universities and hospitals to undertake scientific and ethics reviews of any human based research associated with...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
DEALERSITES
LEADS DIGITALIZATION IN THE BRAZILIAN AUTOMOTIVE MARKET.
Ensuring competitive advantages, fostering business opportunities, introducing new products and optimizing processes. When it comes to innovation, startups serve as crucial partners for propelling progress in the automotive sector. In this scenario, those who stand out are the ones helping dealerships identify opportunities to enhance the customer experience while adapting...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
FREELY PAYMENTS
HARNESSING INNOVATION TO TRANSFORM FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
“We are not just facilitating transactions; we are redefining them to create tangible benefits for our clients.” In the bustling city of Washington, D.C., a pioneering force is reshaping the financial contours of the food and beverage industry. freely Payments, a visionary B2B payments gateway, has not just entered the...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
VIL
Empowering logistics for over 20 years
Creating added value for and enhancing competitiveness of all Flemish companies with logistics operations is VIL’s main focus. And it has been for over twenty years. From a small non-profit organization, VIL has grown to be a hands-on, company driven organization, with a staff of 35 employees. Since 2017 VIL...