Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Nashville

CIRCA

BRANDING THAT DRIVES MEANINGFUL & MEASURED GROWTH

Circa helps organizations in vital growth periods uncover who they are, connect with who they serve, and build brands that last. In 2015, founders Tori Thomas and Laura Deleot set out with a clear vision: create what matters. They built Circa to not only deliver value for clients, but also...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

ELIXIR D’ANVERS

ELIXIR D’ANVERS-ARTISAN LIQUEUR. UNIQUE TASTE. UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY. 160 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

ARTISAN LIQUEUR. UNIQUE TASTE. UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY. 160 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

19th of March 1863, in a house in a suburb of Antwerp, François-Xavier de Beukelaer – after finishing his studies as a doctor and pharmacist – discovered early in the morning after years of research, the recipe for a delicious liqueur: Elixir d’Anvers. Elixir d’Anvers soon became famous for his...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Hackathons International

Where ideas are put into action!

Many of us have ideas, but how many of us have actually tried to make their ideas a reality? While often seen as tech events for coders, Hackathons offers tremendous value – more than meets the eye. Hackathons are a framework used by CEOs, educators, community leaders, and marketers across...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ICI (INSTITUTO DAS CIDADES INTELIGENTES)

TECHNOLOGY THAT CONNECTS CITIES AND PEOPLE

A SMART CITY IS ONLY MADE WITH GREAT CARE, PLANNING, MANAGEMENT CAPACITY, AND TECHNOLOGY. For over 25 years, the Institute of Smart Cities (ICI), a social organization located in Curitiba, has been involved in developing Information Technology and Communication solutions for public management. With recognized experience throughout Brazil in the...

INNOVATE™ Kitchener Waterloo

ALERT LABS

SIMPLE BY DESIGN: HOW ALERT LABS MAKES WATER MANAGEMENT SMARTER

From the very beginning, Alert Labs set out to make things easier. Whether for building managers, property owners, or their own team, the goal was always to create solutions that customers would love to use and a company that people wanted to be part of. Alert Labs was founded in...

INNOVATION Quebec

CATALIS Québec

CATALIS Québec-Véritable cheffe de file dans l’accélération des processus d’autorisation d’essais cliniques et leader de l’engagement des patient·e·s enrecherche clinique

Véritable cheffe de file dans l’accélération des processus d’autorisation d’essais cliniques et leader de l’engagement des patient·e·s enrecherche clinique, est déterminée à positionner le Québec sur l’échiquier mondial de la recherche clinique

Portée par un mandat gouvernemental et appuyée par le ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie et le ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, CATALIS est un berceau d’innovation en recherche clinique. L’OBNL, créé en 2017, entreprend le mandat audacieux d’optimiser l’environnement de la recherche clinique au...

INNOVATE® Maryland

NEU-ION

Reimagining Water Purification From Maryland to the World

In 1991, Lee Heikkinen and Bob Housaman founded Neu-Ion on a simple conviction: clients should be able to focus entirely on their own work, not on their water system. They built the company around great service first, taking full ownership of a client’s water quality so hospitals, laboratories, and manufacturers...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

ASQ

PIONEERING QUALITY FOR A THRIVING FUTURE

For nearly eight decades, the American Society for Quality (ASQ) has been a global leader in quality management. From its origins in the post-World War II era to its role today, ASQ has driven innovation, guided industries through transformation, and fostered continuous improvement. Headquartered in Milwaukee, ASQ is instrumental in...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

Daikin

Daikin - Air Conditioning Portugal

Air Conditioning Portugal

With more than 90 years of experience in the design and manufacture of heating and cooling technologies, Daikin is the European market leader in air conditioning and heat pump systems, providing perfect thermal conditions for homes, businesses and industries. At Daikin Portugal we are working with passionate people to provide...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College

Driving Economic Growth and Career Success Through Innovative Education

In today’s rapidly evolving workforce landscape, the need for skilled, job-ready employees has never been greater. Industries are facing critical labor shortages and actively seeking workers who can contribute from day one. At the same time, students and job seekers are increasingly looking for fast, flexible training that leads directly...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (BIUST)

EMBRACING BOTSWANA’S TRANSFORMATION TO KNOWLEDGE BASED ECONOMY

The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) is a research-intensive University and the only specialised University in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). It aims to increase: The mission of BIUST is to produce world-class research and innovation in science, engineering and technology contributing to industry growth and...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

GLOBAL ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION

GLOBAL ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION-

Is a boutique law firm located in San Juan Puerto Rico, founded in 2018 by Giovanni Méndez Feliciano

Our mission is to provide our clients with a one-stop, unique, and transparent entry to the various economic incentive programs, optimize their business structures, and ensure compliance while we help them to make informed decisions. GEO’s customized approach provides each client with a wide range of services including but not...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

ABCO SYSTEMS

Driving Efficiency, Accuracy, and Sustainability in Warehouses and Distribution Centers

Driving Efficiency, Accuracy, and Sustainability in Warehouses and Distribution Centers Meeting the ever-growing demands of modern distribution and order fulfillment requires more than incremental improvements—it demands innovative solutions that revolutionize how businesses operate. FastFetch, powered by ABCO Systems, has emerged as a transformative tool that combines efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

FBBA

FBBA-THE FLORIDA BLOCKCHAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

THE FLORIDA BLOCKCHAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Founded in 2018, the FBBA is a dedicated and diverse network of business leaders who work together to represent and unite the blockchain community in the state of Florida. We bring together regulators, representatives, and industry leaders to create an innovation and technology focused environment, which benefits all Floridians. The...

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

ClearlyAgile

A Custom Mobile And Web Application Development Firm Based In Tampa

Nominated for Technology Project of the Year and a finalist for the Technologist and Technology Leader of the Year by the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, ClearlyAgile is a custom mobile and web application development firm based in Tampa, FL founded by Fred Mastropasqua and Edmund Gorski. “Our goal is to...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC Competes | Transform SC

South Carolina’s Industry & Education Cluster

Transform SC was launched in 2013 as a collaboration of business leaders, educators, students, parents, and policy makers transforming the public education system so every student graduates prepared for careers, college, and civic life. During its initial phase, Transform SC partnered with more than 70 schools from 29 districts, including...

INNOVATE® Detroit

DCI MARKETING

FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INNOVATION FOCUSED ON INVENTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR LEADING AUTOMOTIVE AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS, MAJOR RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS

Even in its earliest history, DCI Marketing was focused on brand-building. Originally known as ColorPrint Products Printing, the company built a name for itself producing window signage for shoe stores. But new opportunities with Cadillac and Harley-Davidson propelled DCI Marketing forward, establishing it as not only an innovative design firm,...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

DAILY MAVERICK

DAILY MAVERICK- SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

Innovation is the lifeblood of Daily Maverick – from its origins as a print magazine featuring long-form current affairs, to its current form as a digital news publisher with more than five million unique visitors every month.   Founded by Editor-in-chief Branko Brkic and CEO Styli Charalambous in 2009, eagle-eyed...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

ZENUS BANK

ZENUS BANK-Banking beyond borders

Banking beyond borders

We’re on a mission to build a financial institution that gives people and businesses around the world access to the security, freedom and convenience of US banking. And to create a world where physical borders don’t limit the financial services you have access to – taking banking beyond borders. By...

INNOVATION Quebec

INÉDI

CCTT IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Industrial designers contribute to the creation of the products that you interact with. Whether you are a farmer, athlete, therapist, circus performer or manufacturer, it is likely that an industrial designer has been involved in the design of the experiences, services and products that you use on a daily basis....

Global Innovation Spotlight

Flutterwave’s Olugbenga Agboola

What It Takes To Found a Successful Tech Firm

Take it from someone who knows: Scaling a firm from simple startup to unicorn status isn’t for the faint of heart. For Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, the founder and CEO of the African e-payments platform Flutterwave, earning a valuation of more than $1 billion wasn’t about having the best idea or...

INNOVATION Quebec

REAI

TRANSFORMING MANUFACTURERS ONE PROJECT AT A TIME

For the past 18 years, REAI has been a non-profit organization bringing together members specialized in automation, robotics and services from all areas of automation expertise and manufacturing niches. As part of MEIE’s digital transformation offensive, we are pursuing our mission to stimulate collaboration between innovative companies as part of...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

QUIMBY

QUIMBY-KNOW HOW YOUR PEOPLE ARE FEELING AND WHY

KNOW HOW YOUR PEOPLE ARE FEELING AND WHY

Quimby encourages a more connected, present, and mentally healthier world, starting from building emotionally resilient and psychologically safe workplaces. Quimby focuses on equipping employees with emotional resilience tools, and leaders with training and insights to have more productive conversations at work. These are challenging times for people (outside of work)....

INNOVATE® Detroit

POCKETNEST

Financial Wellness for the Next Generation

Many people think having a “financial plan” means having a budget, a retirement savings account, and maybe a small cash reserve. But, those basic financials are only scratching the surface and exclude some key details like estate documents, saving strategies, or debt elimination plans. With that popular—and lacking—mindset, it’s perhaps...

INNOVATE® Nashville

CIRCA

BRANDING THAT DRIVES MEANINGFUL & MEASURED GROWTH

Circa helps organizations in vital growth periods uncover who they are, connect with who they serve, and build brands that last. In 2015, founders Tori Thomas and Laura Deleot set out with a clear vision: create what matters. They built Circa to not only deliver value for clients, but also...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

ELIXIR D’ANVERS

ELIXIR D’ANVERS-ARTISAN LIQUEUR. UNIQUE TASTE. UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY. 160 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

ARTISAN LIQUEUR. UNIQUE TASTE. UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY. 160 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

19th of March 1863, in a house in a suburb of Antwerp, François-Xavier de Beukelaer – after finishing his studies as a doctor and pharmacist – discovered early in the morning after years of research, the recipe for a delicious liqueur: Elixir d’Anvers. Elixir d’Anvers soon became famous for his...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Hackathons International

Where ideas are put into action!

Many of us have ideas, but how many of us have actually tried to make their ideas a reality? While often seen as tech events for coders, Hackathons offers tremendous value – more than meets the eye. Hackathons are a framework used by CEOs, educators, community leaders, and marketers across...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ICI (INSTITUTO DAS CIDADES INTELIGENTES)

TECHNOLOGY THAT CONNECTS CITIES AND PEOPLE

A SMART CITY IS ONLY MADE WITH GREAT CARE, PLANNING, MANAGEMENT CAPACITY, AND TECHNOLOGY. For over 25 years, the Institute of Smart Cities (ICI), a social organization located in Curitiba, has been involved in developing Information Technology and Communication solutions for public management. With recognized experience throughout Brazil in the...

INNOVATE™ Kitchener Waterloo

ALERT LABS

SIMPLE BY DESIGN: HOW ALERT LABS MAKES WATER MANAGEMENT SMARTER

From the very beginning, Alert Labs set out to make things easier. Whether for building managers, property owners, or their own team, the goal was always to create solutions that customers would love to use and a company that people wanted to be part of. Alert Labs was founded in...

INNOVATION Quebec

CATALIS Québec

CATALIS Québec-Véritable cheffe de file dans l’accélération des processus d’autorisation d’essais cliniques et leader de l’engagement des patient·e·s enrecherche clinique

Véritable cheffe de file dans l’accélération des processus d’autorisation d’essais cliniques et leader de l’engagement des patient·e·s enrecherche clinique, est déterminée à positionner le Québec sur l’échiquier mondial de la recherche clinique

Portée par un mandat gouvernemental et appuyée par le ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie et le ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, CATALIS est un berceau d’innovation en recherche clinique. L’OBNL, créé en 2017, entreprend le mandat audacieux d’optimiser l’environnement de la recherche clinique au...

INNOVATE® Maryland

NEU-ION

Reimagining Water Purification From Maryland to the World

In 1991, Lee Heikkinen and Bob Housaman founded Neu-Ion on a simple conviction: clients should be able to focus entirely on their own work, not on their water system. They built the company around great service first, taking full ownership of a client’s water quality so hospitals, laboratories, and manufacturers...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

ASQ

PIONEERING QUALITY FOR A THRIVING FUTURE

For nearly eight decades, the American Society for Quality (ASQ) has been a global leader in quality management. From its origins in the post-World War II era to its role today, ASQ has driven innovation, guided industries through transformation, and fostered continuous improvement. Headquartered in Milwaukee, ASQ is instrumental in...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

Daikin

Daikin - Air Conditioning Portugal

Air Conditioning Portugal

With more than 90 years of experience in the design and manufacture of heating and cooling technologies, Daikin is the European market leader in air conditioning and heat pump systems, providing perfect thermal conditions for homes, businesses and industries. At Daikin Portugal we are working with passionate people to provide...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College

Driving Economic Growth and Career Success Through Innovative Education

In today’s rapidly evolving workforce landscape, the need for skilled, job-ready employees has never been greater. Industries are facing critical labor shortages and actively seeking workers who can contribute from day one. At the same time, students and job seekers are increasingly looking for fast, flexible training that leads directly...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (BIUST)

EMBRACING BOTSWANA’S TRANSFORMATION TO KNOWLEDGE BASED ECONOMY

The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) is a research-intensive University and the only specialised University in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). It aims to increase: The mission of BIUST is to produce world-class research and innovation in science, engineering and technology contributing to industry growth and...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

GLOBAL ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION

GLOBAL ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION-

Is a boutique law firm located in San Juan Puerto Rico, founded in 2018 by Giovanni Méndez Feliciano

Our mission is to provide our clients with a one-stop, unique, and transparent entry to the various economic incentive programs, optimize their business structures, and ensure compliance while we help them to make informed decisions. GEO’s customized approach provides each client with a wide range of services including but not...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

ABCO SYSTEMS

Driving Efficiency, Accuracy, and Sustainability in Warehouses and Distribution Centers

Driving Efficiency, Accuracy, and Sustainability in Warehouses and Distribution Centers Meeting the ever-growing demands of modern distribution and order fulfillment requires more than incremental improvements—it demands innovative solutions that revolutionize how businesses operate. FastFetch, powered by ABCO Systems, has emerged as a transformative tool that combines efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

FBBA

FBBA-THE FLORIDA BLOCKCHAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

THE FLORIDA BLOCKCHAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Founded in 2018, the FBBA is a dedicated and diverse network of business leaders who work together to represent and unite the blockchain community in the state of Florida. We bring together regulators, representatives, and industry leaders to create an innovation and technology focused environment, which benefits all Floridians. The...

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

ClearlyAgile

A Custom Mobile And Web Application Development Firm Based In Tampa

Nominated for Technology Project of the Year and a finalist for the Technologist and Technology Leader of the Year by the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, ClearlyAgile is a custom mobile and web application development firm based in Tampa, FL founded by Fred Mastropasqua and Edmund Gorski. “Our goal is to...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC Competes | Transform SC

South Carolina’s Industry & Education Cluster

Transform SC was launched in 2013 as a collaboration of business leaders, educators, students, parents, and policy makers transforming the public education system so every student graduates prepared for careers, college, and civic life. During its initial phase, Transform SC partnered with more than 70 schools from 29 districts, including...

INNOVATE® Detroit

DCI MARKETING

FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INNOVATION FOCUSED ON INVENTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR LEADING AUTOMOTIVE AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS, MAJOR RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS

Even in its earliest history, DCI Marketing was focused on brand-building. Originally known as ColorPrint Products Printing, the company built a name for itself producing window signage for shoe stores. But new opportunities with Cadillac and Harley-Davidson propelled DCI Marketing forward, establishing it as not only an innovative design firm,...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

DAILY MAVERICK

DAILY MAVERICK- SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

Innovation is the lifeblood of Daily Maverick – from its origins as a print magazine featuring long-form current affairs, to its current form as a digital news publisher with more than five million unique visitors every month.   Founded by Editor-in-chief Branko Brkic and CEO Styli Charalambous in 2009, eagle-eyed...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

ZENUS BANK

ZENUS BANK-Banking beyond borders

Banking beyond borders

We’re on a mission to build a financial institution that gives people and businesses around the world access to the security, freedom and convenience of US banking. And to create a world where physical borders don’t limit the financial services you have access to – taking banking beyond borders. By...

INNOVATION Quebec

INÉDI

CCTT IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Industrial designers contribute to the creation of the products that you interact with. Whether you are a farmer, athlete, therapist, circus performer or manufacturer, it is likely that an industrial designer has been involved in the design of the experiences, services and products that you use on a daily basis....

Global Innovation Spotlight

Flutterwave’s Olugbenga Agboola

What It Takes To Found a Successful Tech Firm

Take it from someone who knows: Scaling a firm from simple startup to unicorn status isn’t for the faint of heart. For Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, the founder and CEO of the African e-payments platform Flutterwave, earning a valuation of more than $1 billion wasn’t about having the best idea or...

INNOVATION Quebec

REAI

TRANSFORMING MANUFACTURERS ONE PROJECT AT A TIME

For the past 18 years, REAI has been a non-profit organization bringing together members specialized in automation, robotics and services from all areas of automation expertise and manufacturing niches. As part of MEIE’s digital transformation offensive, we are pursuing our mission to stimulate collaboration between innovative companies as part of...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

QUIMBY

QUIMBY-KNOW HOW YOUR PEOPLE ARE FEELING AND WHY

KNOW HOW YOUR PEOPLE ARE FEELING AND WHY

Quimby encourages a more connected, present, and mentally healthier world, starting from building emotionally resilient and psychologically safe workplaces. Quimby focuses on equipping employees with emotional resilience tools, and leaders with training and insights to have more productive conversations at work. These are challenging times for people (outside of work)....

INNOVATE® Detroit

POCKETNEST

Financial Wellness for the Next Generation

Many people think having a “financial plan” means having a budget, a retirement savings account, and maybe a small cash reserve. But, those basic financials are only scratching the surface and exclude some key details like estate documents, saving strategies, or debt elimination plans. With that popular—and lacking—mindset, it’s perhaps...

Ecosystems