Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THE FLAMING HEART OF NANDO’S

THE FLAMING HEART OF NANDO’S -WE ARE PROUD TO COUNT OURSELVES ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST LOVED EXPORTS

WE ARE PROUD TO COUNT OURSELVES ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST LOVED EXPORTS

The story of Nando’s is well-known to South Africans who grew up alongside us in our relatively new democracy. In 1987 two friends shared a meal at a humble Portuguese eatery in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. Here they were inspired by the taste of the African Bird’s Eye Chilli, a spice that...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NanoBioFAB

Pioneering the Future of Medical Sensing Technology

NanoBioFab blends nanotechnology with artificial intelligence to create innovative solutions for early infection detection and personalized healthcare. Founded by Dr. Xiaonao Liu, this medtech company is revolutionizing the medical industry with its AI-driven smart sensors and high-throughput 3D nano-printing technology. NanoBioFab is on a journey fueled by personal motivation, cutting-edge...

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™ Curitiba

BRBATEL

WAS FOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 2020 BY ENTREPRENEURS

BRBATEL WAS FOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 2020 BY ENTREPRENEURS LUCAS FLORES, GABRIEL NASSER, AND MARCOS MENDONÇA WITH THE GOAL OF BRINGING TECHNOLOGY TO THE DEBT CAPITAL MARKET (DCM), USING A UNIQUE TECHNOLOGY FOR ORIGINATION AND STRUCTURING DEVELOPED BY THE COMPANY ITSELF. The company originated more than 1,100 deals through its over...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

SHOUT-IT-NOW

SHOUT-IT-NOW - TACKLING HIV THROUGH INNOVATIVE

TACKLING HIV THROUGH INNOVATIVE, TECH-ENABLED, COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING

Shout-It-Now (Shout) is an innovative social enterprise, empowering youth to own their sexuality. We concentrate on hard to reach communities; we go to the places where they are, provide services they want, in such a way that they choose to keep coming back. We are a local South African organisation...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIRANO

KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION

CIRANO is the leading institution in Quebec for knowledge enhancement in the economic evaluation of decisions on major societal issues, and for the development and evaluation of public policies. Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin, Polytechnique Montreal professor, President and CEO, CIRANO Catherine Beaudry Polytechnique Montréal “CIRANO plays a crucial role in Quebec’s...

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...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Anand Sweets-Spreading Happiness, Sweetly

Pivoting from an old school traditional mithai brand to the go-to brand for every celebration, Anand Sweets has used every technological aid to gallop ahead in its category. What is now one of South India’s largest sweets’ brands started its story with one man’s dream to revolutionise the sweetmeat industry and ‘make...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

THE CITY OF ANTWERP

THE CITY OF ANTWERP-A SMART CITY

A SMART CITY, WHERE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION GO HAND IN HAND

Antwerp, just another historic city with a port? Think again. The urge to excel, a nose for opportunities and an impressive flamboyance make Antwerp an ideal breeding ground for creative ideas. Discover in this introduction the story of an extended network for innovation and entrepreneurship, across a wide range of...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

XElement Technology 

TACKLING THE CHALLENGES OF WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT: XELEMENT TECHNOLOGY LEADS THE WAY

TACKLING THE CHALLENGES OF WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT: XELEMENT TECHNOLOGY LEADS THE WAY As climate change accelerates, the effects on our environment become more pronounced. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and dwindling resources create a host of problems, with water quality being acritical concern. Warmer temperatures and oxygen depletion disrupt the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

TEDCO

LEADING INNOVATION TO MARKET

TEDCO is Maryland’s powerhouse of technology and innovation, driving progress and creating boundless opportunities. Founded by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998, TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) has been at the forefront of fostering an inclusive and entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Troy A. LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

NJEDA

FACILITIES AND SPACESThe New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the state’s principal agency for driving economic growth, offers numerous resources to support emerging companies choosing to grow in the Garden State. As part of Governor Phil Murphy’s economic development strategy to reclaim New Jersey’s role as a leader in innovation,...

INNOVATION Quebec

Centre d’expertise industrielle de Montréal (CEI MTL)

CEI MONTREAL-Since 1998

Depuis 1998, Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent, un organisme à but non lucratif, a pour mission de propulser l’excellence des entreprises manufacturières en stimulant l’adoption de pratiques innovantes, technologiques et durables

Son offre se déploie en cinq services spécialisés : soutien aux entreprises, innovation, exportation, développement durable et mobilité alternative.   Un hub manufacturier au cœur de MontréalParmi l’un des plus grand pôle industriel et technologique du Québec, le territoire de Saint-Laurent détient de nombreux atouts, opportunités et forces de développement...

INNOVATE® Detroit

InvestNext

Fostering Growth and Potential

InvestNext is on a mission to transform how investment firms raise and manage real estate investment capital. Founded in 2016 by Michael Gisi, Kevin Heras, and Matthew Attou, this Detroit startup was conceived to revolutionize how the industry operates. What they’ve created democratizes real estate investing and empowers investors to...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

INVEST ALBERTA

MAKING AMBITIONS A REALITY – ALBERTA’S INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO INVESTMENT ATTRACTION

ALBERTA IS THE HEADQUARTERS FOR BOLD THINKERS AND CREATIVE INNOVATORS As one of North America’s premier investment attraction organizations, Invest Alberta expedites business operations, fosters collaboration, and goes the extra mile to ensure long-term success for businesses. With a robust entrepreneurial culture and team members strategically positioned worldwide, Invest Alberta...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

KOLISI FOUNDATION

KOLISI FOUNDATION- REMEMBER THE ONE

REMEMBER THE ONE, ONE BY ONE.

Rachel and Siya Kolisi founded the Kolisi Foundation with this belief in mind: it is through the power of listening that positive change can happen in South Africa. We need to listen to what people dealing with challenging circumstances really need. We need to listen to the people already working...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

FARPOINT

ENGINEERING AI SOLUTIONS FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), Farpoint has established itself as an influential entity. Led by founder and CEO, Nicholas Ning, Farpoint is an AI consulting firm that thrives at the crossroads of technological innovation and practical application. Farpoint’s unique selling proposition lies in its ability to...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

CFI Workspace

Project Spotlight: Drexel University, Kelly Hall

Shaping the Future of Workplace Design

The spaces where people work, learn, and heal influence how they collaborate, perform, and grow. For more than four decades, CFI Workspace has helped organizations create environments that support those experiences through thoughtful workplace design and commercial furniture solutions. Founded in 1985, CFI Workspace partners with organizations across the Philadelphia...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION

Forging the Future of Technology Innovation

For the past 100 years, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® has been a driving force in technology, transforming ideas into groundbreaking innovations that enhance everyday life. Founded in 1924 as the Radio Manufacturers Association, CTA has grown to represent over 1,300 companies in the $505 billion U.S. consumer technology industry,...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC SBDC

Supporting the visionaries whose innovations have the power to transform lives and shape the future.

The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) advances the state’s economic development by providing entrepreneurs world-class consulting services, access to a wellspring of resources and affordable training programs. The SC SBDC operates as a cohesive network, offering clients at every stage of the business lifecycle (from pre-venture and...

INNOVATION Quebec

PROPULSION QUÉBEC

Propulsion Québec en quelques motsLa volonté de l’industrie et du gouvernement québécois d’accélérer le développement du secteur québécois des véhicules électriques et intelligents (TEI) a mené à la création de Propulsion Québec, la grappe industrielle des transports électriques et intelligents du Québec le 20 avril 2017. En tant que grappe...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

ENLIGHTENED, INC

Leading Innovation Through Technology and Thought Leadership

Enlightened, Inc. is not just another technology firm in Washington, D.C. It is a haven of innovation and thought leadership, dedicated to solving the most pressing challenges of its clients. With a mission to provide intelligent solutions that make a measurable impact, Enlightened stands out as an award-winning HUBZone-certified Information...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY

PERSONAL. GLOBAL. TRANSFORMATIONAL

THE HALLMARKS OF AN FDU EDUCATION ARE PERSONAL SUPPORT AND CONCERN, GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES, AND TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES. HISTORY AND BACKGROUNDFounded in 1942 by Dr. Peter Sammartino and his wife, Sylvia (Sally), Fairleigh Dickinson University has grown into the largest private university in New Jersey. More than 11,000 students from...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

voco™ - Brussels City North

Experience Unmatched Hospitality at voco ™ Brussels City North, Where Innovation and Sustainability Meet

Nestled in the heart of Vilvoorde, just outside Brussels, voco™ Brussels City North offers a unique stay at the Living Tomorrow Innovation Campus—the innovation hub for futuristic developments and forward-thinking technology. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, voco™ Brussels City North provides a welcoming atmosphere designed to make your...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THE FLAMING HEART OF NANDO’S

THE FLAMING HEART OF NANDO’S -WE ARE PROUD TO COUNT OURSELVES ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST LOVED EXPORTS

WE ARE PROUD TO COUNT OURSELVES ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST LOVED EXPORTS

The story of Nando’s is well-known to South Africans who grew up alongside us in our relatively new democracy. In 1987 two friends shared a meal at a humble Portuguese eatery in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. Here they were inspired by the taste of the African Bird’s Eye Chilli, a spice that...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NanoBioFAB

Pioneering the Future of Medical Sensing Technology

NanoBioFab blends nanotechnology with artificial intelligence to create innovative solutions for early infection detection and personalized healthcare. Founded by Dr. Xiaonao Liu, this medtech company is revolutionizing the medical industry with its AI-driven smart sensors and high-throughput 3D nano-printing technology. NanoBioFab is on a journey fueled by personal motivation, cutting-edge...

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™ Curitiba

BRBATEL

WAS FOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 2020 BY ENTREPRENEURS

BRBATEL WAS FOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 2020 BY ENTREPRENEURS LUCAS FLORES, GABRIEL NASSER, AND MARCOS MENDONÇA WITH THE GOAL OF BRINGING TECHNOLOGY TO THE DEBT CAPITAL MARKET (DCM), USING A UNIQUE TECHNOLOGY FOR ORIGINATION AND STRUCTURING DEVELOPED BY THE COMPANY ITSELF. The company originated more than 1,100 deals through its over...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

SHOUT-IT-NOW

SHOUT-IT-NOW - TACKLING HIV THROUGH INNOVATIVE

TACKLING HIV THROUGH INNOVATIVE, TECH-ENABLED, COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING

Shout-It-Now (Shout) is an innovative social enterprise, empowering youth to own their sexuality. We concentrate on hard to reach communities; we go to the places where they are, provide services they want, in such a way that they choose to keep coming back. We are a local South African organisation...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIRANO

KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION

CIRANO is the leading institution in Quebec for knowledge enhancement in the economic evaluation of decisions on major societal issues, and for the development and evaluation of public policies. Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin, Polytechnique Montreal professor, President and CEO, CIRANO Catherine Beaudry Polytechnique Montréal “CIRANO plays a crucial role in Quebec’s...

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...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Anand Sweets-Spreading Happiness, Sweetly

Pivoting from an old school traditional mithai brand to the go-to brand for every celebration, Anand Sweets has used every technological aid to gallop ahead in its category. What is now one of South India’s largest sweets’ brands started its story with one man’s dream to revolutionise the sweetmeat industry and ‘make...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

THE CITY OF ANTWERP

THE CITY OF ANTWERP-A SMART CITY

A SMART CITY, WHERE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION GO HAND IN HAND

Antwerp, just another historic city with a port? Think again. The urge to excel, a nose for opportunities and an impressive flamboyance make Antwerp an ideal breeding ground for creative ideas. Discover in this introduction the story of an extended network for innovation and entrepreneurship, across a wide range of...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

XElement Technology 

TACKLING THE CHALLENGES OF WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT: XELEMENT TECHNOLOGY LEADS THE WAY

TACKLING THE CHALLENGES OF WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT: XELEMENT TECHNOLOGY LEADS THE WAY As climate change accelerates, the effects on our environment become more pronounced. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and dwindling resources create a host of problems, with water quality being acritical concern. Warmer temperatures and oxygen depletion disrupt the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

TEDCO

LEADING INNOVATION TO MARKET

TEDCO is Maryland’s powerhouse of technology and innovation, driving progress and creating boundless opportunities. Founded by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998, TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) has been at the forefront of fostering an inclusive and entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Troy A. LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

NJEDA

FACILITIES AND SPACESThe New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the state’s principal agency for driving economic growth, offers numerous resources to support emerging companies choosing to grow in the Garden State. As part of Governor Phil Murphy’s economic development strategy to reclaim New Jersey’s role as a leader in innovation,...

INNOVATION Quebec

Centre d’expertise industrielle de Montréal (CEI MTL)

CEI MONTREAL-Since 1998

Depuis 1998, Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent, un organisme à but non lucratif, a pour mission de propulser l’excellence des entreprises manufacturières en stimulant l’adoption de pratiques innovantes, technologiques et durables

Son offre se déploie en cinq services spécialisés : soutien aux entreprises, innovation, exportation, développement durable et mobilité alternative.   Un hub manufacturier au cœur de MontréalParmi l’un des plus grand pôle industriel et technologique du Québec, le territoire de Saint-Laurent détient de nombreux atouts, opportunités et forces de développement...

INNOVATE® Detroit

InvestNext

Fostering Growth and Potential

InvestNext is on a mission to transform how investment firms raise and manage real estate investment capital. Founded in 2016 by Michael Gisi, Kevin Heras, and Matthew Attou, this Detroit startup was conceived to revolutionize how the industry operates. What they’ve created democratizes real estate investing and empowers investors to...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

INVEST ALBERTA

MAKING AMBITIONS A REALITY – ALBERTA’S INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO INVESTMENT ATTRACTION

ALBERTA IS THE HEADQUARTERS FOR BOLD THINKERS AND CREATIVE INNOVATORS As one of North America’s premier investment attraction organizations, Invest Alberta expedites business operations, fosters collaboration, and goes the extra mile to ensure long-term success for businesses. With a robust entrepreneurial culture and team members strategically positioned worldwide, Invest Alberta...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

KOLISI FOUNDATION

KOLISI FOUNDATION- REMEMBER THE ONE

REMEMBER THE ONE, ONE BY ONE.

Rachel and Siya Kolisi founded the Kolisi Foundation with this belief in mind: it is through the power of listening that positive change can happen in South Africa. We need to listen to what people dealing with challenging circumstances really need. We need to listen to the people already working...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

FARPOINT

ENGINEERING AI SOLUTIONS FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), Farpoint has established itself as an influential entity. Led by founder and CEO, Nicholas Ning, Farpoint is an AI consulting firm that thrives at the crossroads of technological innovation and practical application. Farpoint’s unique selling proposition lies in its ability to...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

CFI Workspace

Project Spotlight: Drexel University, Kelly Hall

Shaping the Future of Workplace Design

The spaces where people work, learn, and heal influence how they collaborate, perform, and grow. For more than four decades, CFI Workspace has helped organizations create environments that support those experiences through thoughtful workplace design and commercial furniture solutions. Founded in 1985, CFI Workspace partners with organizations across the Philadelphia...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION

Forging the Future of Technology Innovation

For the past 100 years, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® has been a driving force in technology, transforming ideas into groundbreaking innovations that enhance everyday life. Founded in 1924 as the Radio Manufacturers Association, CTA has grown to represent over 1,300 companies in the $505 billion U.S. consumer technology industry,...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC SBDC

Supporting the visionaries whose innovations have the power to transform lives and shape the future.

The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) advances the state’s economic development by providing entrepreneurs world-class consulting services, access to a wellspring of resources and affordable training programs. The SC SBDC operates as a cohesive network, offering clients at every stage of the business lifecycle (from pre-venture and...

INNOVATION Quebec

PROPULSION QUÉBEC

Propulsion Québec en quelques motsLa volonté de l’industrie et du gouvernement québécois d’accélérer le développement du secteur québécois des véhicules électriques et intelligents (TEI) a mené à la création de Propulsion Québec, la grappe industrielle des transports électriques et intelligents du Québec le 20 avril 2017. En tant que grappe...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

ENLIGHTENED, INC

Leading Innovation Through Technology and Thought Leadership

Enlightened, Inc. is not just another technology firm in Washington, D.C. It is a haven of innovation and thought leadership, dedicated to solving the most pressing challenges of its clients. With a mission to provide intelligent solutions that make a measurable impact, Enlightened stands out as an award-winning HUBZone-certified Information...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY

PERSONAL. GLOBAL. TRANSFORMATIONAL

THE HALLMARKS OF AN FDU EDUCATION ARE PERSONAL SUPPORT AND CONCERN, GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES, AND TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES. HISTORY AND BACKGROUNDFounded in 1942 by Dr. Peter Sammartino and his wife, Sylvia (Sally), Fairleigh Dickinson University has grown into the largest private university in New Jersey. More than 11,000 students from...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

voco™ - Brussels City North

Experience Unmatched Hospitality at voco ™ Brussels City North, Where Innovation and Sustainability Meet

Nestled in the heart of Vilvoorde, just outside Brussels, voco™ Brussels City North offers a unique stay at the Living Tomorrow Innovation Campus—the innovation hub for futuristic developments and forward-thinking technology. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, voco™ Brussels City North provides a welcoming atmosphere designed to make your...

Ecosystems