Stories of Innovation

INNOVATION Quebec

FINTECH MONTRÉAL

“THE QUEBEC FINTECH INDUSTRY IS THRIVING. WITH THE LARGEST FINTECH HUB IN CANADA AND THE FINTECH CANADA FORUM, A MAJOR ANNUAL INDUSTRY GATHERING, THE STAGE IS SET FOR INNOVATION TO MEET THE REAL NEEDS OF A TRANSFORMING INDUSTRY.” Sebastian Boisjoly, vice-président, FinTech et Innovations technologiques, Finance Montréal Financial technologies (FinTech)...

INNOVATION Quebec

QUEBEC CENTER FOR INNOVATION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (CQIB)

THE QBIC, AT THE HEART OF THE LIFE SCIENCES ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

Readers of this publication know that Quebec is an incredibly fertile breeding ground for innovation. One of the reasons we generate so much innovation in Quebec is that we have mobilizing organizations in place that catalyze our expertise and knowledge. Among these organizations, the Québec Biotechnology Innovation Centre (QBIC) stands...

INNOVATION Quebec

THE INSTITUT QUANTIQUE OF UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE

Founded in 2016, the Institut quantique (IQ) of the Université de Sherbrooke brings together more than 300 world-renowned scientists specializing in quantum materials, information and engineering to conduct fundamental research and develop quantum technologies. From the architecture of quantum computers to superconductivity and the exploration of new states of matter,...

INNOVATION Quebec

LLIO

CCTT IN OPEN INNOVATION

Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup’s Laboratoire en innovation ouverte (LLio) is a college centre for technology transfer specializing in open and collaborative innovation. Our mission is to facilitate the implementation of open innovation practices, particularly those involving users. Our focus is on open innovation practices, players and spaces. With our team of...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

VIDCRUITER

FROM A TEAM OF TWO TO 100+ – VIDCRUITER DRIVES THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL RECRUITMENT

When Sean Fahey, CEO of VidCruiter, was faced with a challenge of hiring 200 people in a time crunch, he learned how frustrating and inefficient it was to find and hire candidates the traditional way. He asked, “What if there’s a way to improve and scale the interviewing process for...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

MOLCAJETE FOODS

PASSION FOR CONTRIBUTING TO PUERTO RICO, FOREMOST HONORING, ABUELA DOÑA LOLA

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...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PLAYHAUS

DATA MANAGEMENT BUILT FOR ALL

playhaus is an emerging technology company working at the intersection of web3 systems and artificial intelligence. It has always had a Midwest-based identity, with the company having started in Ann Arbor, MI, but relocated to Kansas City, MO, in June of 2022 to be immersed in KC’s vibrant creative and...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Frost Brown Todd

National in Scope. Excellence in Practice and Client Service.

Frost Brown Todd isn’t just a law firm—we’re a strategic collaborator and advisor to businesses nationwide. With more than 600 attorneys in key markets across the U.S., we bring solution-driven legal insight to every corner of commerce. Our firm is especially known for its strength in the middle market and...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

AXIOFORCE

MAKING REVOLUTIONARY SMART MATERIALS TO BRING FORCE SENSING TO APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE.

MAKING REVOLUTIONARY SMART MATERIALS TO BRING FORCE SENSING TO APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE. Axioforce is a sensor company based on a smart materials breakthrough made by Drs. Cory Berkland and Jonathan Miller at the University of Kansas. The two were working on a DoE sponsored project developing cushions that leverage...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO

YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO-WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S OLDEST INCUBATOR. THE YMCA OF METRO CHICAGO IS INNOVATING FROM THE INSIDE

WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S OLDEST INCUBATOR. THE YMCA OF METRO CHICAGO IS INNOVATING FROM THE INSIDE

In 2022, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago celebrated its 164th birthday. There are only a handful of organizations in the country with that kind of history. But all those candles on the cake are not merely a reminder of accomplishments passed. It’s also a light leading the way forward, illuminating...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

HUMAN ROBOTICS

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH SMART ROBOTS

In the heart of Brazil’s technological innovation landscape stands Human Robotics, a company that has distinguished itself as a pioneer in the field of autonomous robotics. Founded by Olivier Smadja, in 2017, a French entrepreneur who has made Brazil his home for over 26 years, Human Robotics is a testament...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Claflin University

Enduring Legacy of Innovation

Claflin University’s enduring legacy of innovation reflects the institution’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence, creativity, and transformative leadership. Founded in 1869, Claflin is the oldest Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in South Carolina. It was the first higher education institution in South Carolina to admit students regardless of their ethnic origin,...

INNOVATION Quebec

PARI-G

REGIONAL SUPPORT PLATFORM FOR INNOVATION – ENGINEERING (PARI-G)

The need for companies to innovate is no longer to be demonstrated in a world where product development is happening on increasingly shorter cycles and where competition is more intense and less predictable. Innovation, whether it is related to the company’s products or its processes and equipment, is essential. Recognizing...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

SPLINTERLANDS

THE MAGIC OF GAMING IN THE CRYPTO AGE

The game Splinterlands may evoke a world of magic and mayhem, but the wizards who built it live firmly in the realm of modern gaming technology. Splinterlands was founded in 2018 to combine two concepts that founders Matt Rosen and Dr. Jesse “Aggroed” Reich were already both passionate about: blockchain...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Thrive Health

Making Healthcare Work Better for Everyone

Thrive Health is a digital healthcare platform company, founded in 2016 with a mission to make healthcare work better for everyone. The company provides an interactive patient engagement solution that enables healthcare providers to build custom clinical workflows, and offers patients enhanced access to their health data. Thrive Health’s innovative...

Global Innovation Spotlight

3 Proven Hacks to Shield Expensive Gear

Forklift lifting stacked equipment cases.

3 Proven Hacks to Shield Expensive Gear To shield expensive industrial gear effectively, implement impact-resistant custom casing and utilize specialized heavy-haul logistics. Adopting proactive risk-mitigation strategies like real-time shock monitoring prevents catastrophic damage and ensures operational continuity.  Unplanned downtime costs global manufacturers approximately $1.4 trillion annually, equivalent to 11% of...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GUARDIANGAMER

GUARDIANGAMER-GAMING FROM A DIFFERENT VIEW

GAMING FROM A DIFFERENT VIEW

Heidi is an entrepreneur and computer scientist who anticipates the needs of businesses and society as they’re transformed by digital technology. She earned her Master’s in Computer Science at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. She is constantly seeking the edge of change and where she finds it, she...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

KELLY DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Solving the Labor Crisis Powering the Digital World

Digital infrastructure rarely makes headlines. Yet it quietly underpins nearly every modern innovation, from artificial intelligence and cloud computing to 5G connectivity and edge networks. Behind the hyperscale data centers and fiber routes reshaping the global economy lies a less visible challenge that has become existential for the industry: skilled...

INNOVATION Quebec

L’Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT)

Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT) is part of the Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance

L’Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT) fait partie de la démarche des Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance mis en place par le ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec en 2018

La création de l’organisation s’est faite en 2018, à la suite d’un processus de consultation et de concertation régional, pour établir le positionnement adéquat de l’organisation. La complémentarité de la mission de l’organisation avec l’ensemble des partenaires de l’écosystème de développement et d’innovation en région a permis de conclure à...

INNOVATION Quebec

INÉDI

CCTT EN DESIGN INDUSTRIEL

Les designers industriels interviennent dans la conception de produits avec lesquels vous interagissez au quotidien. Que vous soyez agriculteur, athlète, thérapeute, artiste de cirque ou manufacturier, il est fort probable qu’un designer industriel ait été impliqué dans laconception des expériences, des services ou des produits que vous utilisez. Le design...

INNOVATION Quebec

JACOBB

CCTT IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Our mission at JACOBB, a centre for innovation and applied research in artificial intelligence (AI), is to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into Quebec’s economic fabric. Our CCTT has experienced rapid growth since it was created in 2019, with now more than a dozen specialists on board under the...

INNOVATION Quebec

MEDTECH CANADA

MEDTECH CANADA-Advocate for Healthcare Innovation

Advocate for Healthcare Innovation

For five decades, Medtech Canada has been a strong advocate for healthcare innovation in Quebec. As the national association representing the medical technology industry, our members provide innovations that are used every day to diagnose, treat, and enhance the quality of life of patients in Canada, and around the world....

INNOVATION Quebec

SCALE AI

TOWARDS AN AI-POWERED ECONOMY FOR CANADA

As Canada’s AI Global Innovation Cluster, Scale AI acts as an investment and innovation hub to accelerate the adoption and rapid integration of artificial intelligence in supply chains with projects that have a high potential for our economy. Scale AI brings together the pillars of the pan-Canadian AI community, encouraging...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FLOW TRAVEL

FLOW TRAVEL- A BOUTIQUE OFFERING OUT OF AFRICA THAT’S GOING PLACES

A BOUTIQUE OFFERING OUT OF AFRICA THAT’S GOING PLACES

When Tara Turkington, CEO of marketing agency Flow Communications, was asked to arrange a visit for a few people to South Africa, nobody realised it was the genesis of something remarkable. Flow Travel organises exciting, immersive trips for small groups to wherever our guests lead us. We like to do...

INNOVATION Quebec

FINTECH MONTRÉAL

“THE QUEBEC FINTECH INDUSTRY IS THRIVING. WITH THE LARGEST FINTECH HUB IN CANADA AND THE FINTECH CANADA FORUM, A MAJOR ANNUAL INDUSTRY GATHERING, THE STAGE IS SET FOR INNOVATION TO MEET THE REAL NEEDS OF A TRANSFORMING INDUSTRY.” Sebastian Boisjoly, vice-président, FinTech et Innovations technologiques, Finance Montréal Financial technologies (FinTech)...

INNOVATION Quebec

QUEBEC CENTER FOR INNOVATION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (CQIB)

THE QBIC, AT THE HEART OF THE LIFE SCIENCES ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

Readers of this publication know that Quebec is an incredibly fertile breeding ground for innovation. One of the reasons we generate so much innovation in Quebec is that we have mobilizing organizations in place that catalyze our expertise and knowledge. Among these organizations, the Québec Biotechnology Innovation Centre (QBIC) stands...

INNOVATION Quebec

THE INSTITUT QUANTIQUE OF UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE

Founded in 2016, the Institut quantique (IQ) of the Université de Sherbrooke brings together more than 300 world-renowned scientists specializing in quantum materials, information and engineering to conduct fundamental research and develop quantum technologies. From the architecture of quantum computers to superconductivity and the exploration of new states of matter,...

INNOVATION Quebec

LLIO

CCTT IN OPEN INNOVATION

Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup’s Laboratoire en innovation ouverte (LLio) is a college centre for technology transfer specializing in open and collaborative innovation. Our mission is to facilitate the implementation of open innovation practices, particularly those involving users. Our focus is on open innovation practices, players and spaces. With our team of...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

VIDCRUITER

FROM A TEAM OF TWO TO 100+ – VIDCRUITER DRIVES THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL RECRUITMENT

When Sean Fahey, CEO of VidCruiter, was faced with a challenge of hiring 200 people in a time crunch, he learned how frustrating and inefficient it was to find and hire candidates the traditional way. He asked, “What if there’s a way to improve and scale the interviewing process for...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

MOLCAJETE FOODS

PASSION FOR CONTRIBUTING TO PUERTO RICO, FOREMOST HONORING, ABUELA DOÑA LOLA

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...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PLAYHAUS

DATA MANAGEMENT BUILT FOR ALL

playhaus is an emerging technology company working at the intersection of web3 systems and artificial intelligence. It has always had a Midwest-based identity, with the company having started in Ann Arbor, MI, but relocated to Kansas City, MO, in June of 2022 to be immersed in KC’s vibrant creative and...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Frost Brown Todd

National in Scope. Excellence in Practice and Client Service.

Frost Brown Todd isn’t just a law firm—we’re a strategic collaborator and advisor to businesses nationwide. With more than 600 attorneys in key markets across the U.S., we bring solution-driven legal insight to every corner of commerce. Our firm is especially known for its strength in the middle market and...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

AXIOFORCE

MAKING REVOLUTIONARY SMART MATERIALS TO BRING FORCE SENSING TO APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE.

MAKING REVOLUTIONARY SMART MATERIALS TO BRING FORCE SENSING TO APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE. Axioforce is a sensor company based on a smart materials breakthrough made by Drs. Cory Berkland and Jonathan Miller at the University of Kansas. The two were working on a DoE sponsored project developing cushions that leverage...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO

YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO-WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S OLDEST INCUBATOR. THE YMCA OF METRO CHICAGO IS INNOVATING FROM THE INSIDE

WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S OLDEST INCUBATOR. THE YMCA OF METRO CHICAGO IS INNOVATING FROM THE INSIDE

In 2022, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago celebrated its 164th birthday. There are only a handful of organizations in the country with that kind of history. But all those candles on the cake are not merely a reminder of accomplishments passed. It’s also a light leading the way forward, illuminating...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

HUMAN ROBOTICS

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH SMART ROBOTS

In the heart of Brazil’s technological innovation landscape stands Human Robotics, a company that has distinguished itself as a pioneer in the field of autonomous robotics. Founded by Olivier Smadja, in 2017, a French entrepreneur who has made Brazil his home for over 26 years, Human Robotics is a testament...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Claflin University

Enduring Legacy of Innovation

Claflin University’s enduring legacy of innovation reflects the institution’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence, creativity, and transformative leadership. Founded in 1869, Claflin is the oldest Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in South Carolina. It was the first higher education institution in South Carolina to admit students regardless of their ethnic origin,...

INNOVATION Quebec

PARI-G

REGIONAL SUPPORT PLATFORM FOR INNOVATION – ENGINEERING (PARI-G)

The need for companies to innovate is no longer to be demonstrated in a world where product development is happening on increasingly shorter cycles and where competition is more intense and less predictable. Innovation, whether it is related to the company’s products or its processes and equipment, is essential. Recognizing...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

SPLINTERLANDS

THE MAGIC OF GAMING IN THE CRYPTO AGE

The game Splinterlands may evoke a world of magic and mayhem, but the wizards who built it live firmly in the realm of modern gaming technology. Splinterlands was founded in 2018 to combine two concepts that founders Matt Rosen and Dr. Jesse “Aggroed” Reich were already both passionate about: blockchain...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Thrive Health

Making Healthcare Work Better for Everyone

Thrive Health is a digital healthcare platform company, founded in 2016 with a mission to make healthcare work better for everyone. The company provides an interactive patient engagement solution that enables healthcare providers to build custom clinical workflows, and offers patients enhanced access to their health data. Thrive Health’s innovative...

Global Innovation Spotlight

3 Proven Hacks to Shield Expensive Gear

Forklift lifting stacked equipment cases.

3 Proven Hacks to Shield Expensive Gear To shield expensive industrial gear effectively, implement impact-resistant custom casing and utilize specialized heavy-haul logistics. Adopting proactive risk-mitigation strategies like real-time shock monitoring prevents catastrophic damage and ensures operational continuity.  Unplanned downtime costs global manufacturers approximately $1.4 trillion annually, equivalent to 11% of...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GUARDIANGAMER

GUARDIANGAMER-GAMING FROM A DIFFERENT VIEW

GAMING FROM A DIFFERENT VIEW

Heidi is an entrepreneur and computer scientist who anticipates the needs of businesses and society as they’re transformed by digital technology. She earned her Master’s in Computer Science at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. She is constantly seeking the edge of change and where she finds it, she...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

KELLY DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Solving the Labor Crisis Powering the Digital World

Digital infrastructure rarely makes headlines. Yet it quietly underpins nearly every modern innovation, from artificial intelligence and cloud computing to 5G connectivity and edge networks. Behind the hyperscale data centers and fiber routes reshaping the global economy lies a less visible challenge that has become existential for the industry: skilled...

INNOVATION Quebec

L’Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT)

Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT) is part of the Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance

L’Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT) fait partie de la démarche des Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance mis en place par le ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec en 2018

La création de l’organisation s’est faite en 2018, à la suite d’un processus de consultation et de concertation régional, pour établir le positionnement adéquat de l’organisation. La complémentarité de la mission de l’organisation avec l’ensemble des partenaires de l’écosystème de développement et d’innovation en région a permis de conclure à...

INNOVATION Quebec

INÉDI

CCTT EN DESIGN INDUSTRIEL

Les designers industriels interviennent dans la conception de produits avec lesquels vous interagissez au quotidien. Que vous soyez agriculteur, athlète, thérapeute, artiste de cirque ou manufacturier, il est fort probable qu’un designer industriel ait été impliqué dans laconception des expériences, des services ou des produits que vous utilisez. Le design...

INNOVATION Quebec

JACOBB

CCTT IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Our mission at JACOBB, a centre for innovation and applied research in artificial intelligence (AI), is to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into Quebec’s economic fabric. Our CCTT has experienced rapid growth since it was created in 2019, with now more than a dozen specialists on board under the...

INNOVATION Quebec

MEDTECH CANADA

MEDTECH CANADA-Advocate for Healthcare Innovation

Advocate for Healthcare Innovation

For five decades, Medtech Canada has been a strong advocate for healthcare innovation in Quebec. As the national association representing the medical technology industry, our members provide innovations that are used every day to diagnose, treat, and enhance the quality of life of patients in Canada, and around the world....

INNOVATION Quebec

SCALE AI

TOWARDS AN AI-POWERED ECONOMY FOR CANADA

As Canada’s AI Global Innovation Cluster, Scale AI acts as an investment and innovation hub to accelerate the adoption and rapid integration of artificial intelligence in supply chains with projects that have a high potential for our economy. Scale AI brings together the pillars of the pan-Canadian AI community, encouraging...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FLOW TRAVEL

FLOW TRAVEL- A BOUTIQUE OFFERING OUT OF AFRICA THAT’S GOING PLACES

A BOUTIQUE OFFERING OUT OF AFRICA THAT’S GOING PLACES

When Tara Turkington, CEO of marketing agency Flow Communications, was asked to arrange a visit for a few people to South Africa, nobody realised it was the genesis of something remarkable. Flow Travel organises exciting, immersive trips for small groups to wherever our guests lead us. We like to do...

Ecosystems