Stories of Innovation
INNOVATE™ Flanders
CITY OF GHENT
Imagine a city where centuries-old architecture seamlessly blends with cutting-edge innovation—where creativity, dynamism, and growth are the norm. Welcome to Ghent, the European technology capital that attracts entrepreneurs from around the globe. Ghent’s strength lies in its strategic alliances across biotech, healthtech, digital tech, and cleantech. This collaborative community is...
INNOVATE® Georgia
WHEEL DATA STRATEGIES
STEERING ANALYTICS TOWARDS SOCIAL AND BUSINESS IMPACT
Executives and knowledge workers in corporate America view the world through the lens of their company’s products, services, and their profitability. Successful corporations adopt focused product development strategies that align with their corporate objectives and deliver projects using planned resources and expertise. Dr. Priya Sarathy, founder of Wheel Data Strategies...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
HAVE YOU HEARD
WE ARE A MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY, HOWEVER, OUR DNA, HOW WE STARTED AND OUR REASON FOR BEING HAS ALWAYS MADE US DIFFERENT
We were never just advertising people wanting to do big TV ads, we were entrepreneurs wanting to build brands and businesses. We were also very inexperienced and naïve and while that made things much more challenging in the early years, it has made us more effective the more time has...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
OpenGrid Technologies
Democratizing Urban EV Charging
Charging an EV (electric vehicle) outside your city home can be problematic for most urban EV drivers. Simply put, public charging operators aren’t incentivized to build urban fast-charging networks due to the uncertainty in demand, lack of access to prime locations, and power availability issues. What’s more, private charging isn’t...
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® Philadelphia
BUILT ON VISION. DRIVEN BY EXECUTION
The Business of Hi-Impact Experiences
As Philadelphia celebrates 250 years of innovation, independence, and impact, HiTouch Enterprises marks a milestone of its own — ten years of building experiences that move communities, elevate brands, and deliver measurable results. Founded in 2016 by marketing and event strategist Felicia D. Williams, HiTouch Enterprises has grown into a...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
FORECHECK
THE SECRET WEAPON IN WINNING THE CYBERCRIME WAR
Cyber security is an arms race that is positioned to continue indefinitely. New technologies are constantly emerging to combat cyber criminals, but regardless, criminals discover how to exploit them. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and other security-focused vendors detect many of these attacks and alert their customers and the community,...
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
GAME QUITTERS
Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content, Community And Coaching
Game Quitters provides the best tools, resources, and support for gamers of all ages to keep gaming under control and maintain their health and wellbeing. We believe there are benefits and risks associated with playing video games and individuals should be equipped to navigate that experience. We do this by...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
SMARTMIRROR
Shaping the Future of Dentistry
The dental mirror is the single-most important tool for dentists and hygienists alike, but it hasn’t changed in form or function for more than 100 years. SmartMirror looks, feels and acts like a traditional dental mirror, but features pioneering technology that meets the needs of today’s dentists and patients alike....
INNOVATE™ Estonia
SENSOWELL
TRANSFORMING SLEEP INTO A LIFE-SAVING SCIENCE
Modern medicine is extraordinary – but it often arrives too late. By the time patients enter a hospital, many health conditions have already compromised their quality of life. Sensowell was created to turn this model on its head, leading a shift from reactive treatments to proactive prevention. The company’s mission...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Centrepolis Accelerator
Empowering Hardtech Startups & Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing
Centrepolis Accelerator @ LTU is committed to strengthening supply chain resiliency to drive economic growth and innovation in Michigan. It offers hardtech startups and small to medium-sized manufacturers access to product development services and tailored funding solutions, ensuring they have the resources needed to scale and succeed. Centrepolis Accelerator @LTU’s...
INNOVATE® Seattle
Madrona
A PARTNER AND BACKER OF FOUNDERS AT THE INNOVATION, EARLY AND ACCELERATION STAGES
A PARTNER AND BACKER OF FOUNDERS AT THE INNOVATION, EARLY AND ACCELERATION STAGES. Madrona starts working with leadership teams before the first investment, supporting them with capital and hard work. We have been doing this since 1995 and actively invest in AI, enterprise technology, marketplaces, and more. As the tech...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
AUSLAND
PIONEERING INNOVATION IN THE HEART OF CURITIBA
In the bustling city of Curitiba, renowned for its innovation and forward-thinking ethos, Ausland Consultoria & Informatica has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of ERP technology and consulting. With a rich history steeped in innovation and over 30-years of expertise, this dynamic firm has become synonymous with customer...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
Intention 2 Impact
Innovating Social Impact Measurement
Intention 2 Impact (I2I) is a dynamic social change organization at the forefront of impact measurement. Founded in October 2018 by the visionary Nina Sabarre, I2I is a minority, women-owned small business known for disrupting the status quo in philanthropy through innovative and equity-centered monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL)...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
OnTraccr
On Track to Disrupt Construction Management
OnTraccr is on a mission to automate the way construction work is managed. This company provides next-generation automation software that helps any construction contractor automate their documentation, eliminate manual data entry, and gain real-time visibility into every aspect of its operations. OnTraccr was founded by a group of experienced construction...
INNOVATE® Maryland
TEDCO
LEADING INNOVATION TO MARKET – A MISSION IN ACTION
As a state filled with brilliant minds, access to world-class laboratories and researchers, and high-ranking universities, it only makes sense for Maryland to lead efforts to support the innovation derived from these assets to the commercial market. At the center of this vision stands TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation); founded...
INNOVATION Quebec
MILA
EN TANT QU’INSTITUT QUÉBÉCOIS D’INTELLIGENCE ARTIFICIELLE, MILA EST L’ÉPICENTRE DE L’EXPERTISE EN APPRENTISSAGE PROFOND (DEEP LEARNING) AU CANADA
Dirigé par le professeur Yoshua Bengio, corécipiendaire en 2018 du prix Turing pour ses travaux fondateurs sur l’apprentissage profond, Mila regroupe une communauté de plus de 1000 chercheuses et chercheurs en IA parmi les plus talentueux au monde. Cette concentration d’experts effectuant des travaux de pointe a permis au Québec...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Pittsburgh Institute for Aeronautics
Keeping America’s Aviation Industry Flying High
Originally founded in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1929, PIA has offered industry-leading aviation training for nearly a century. As the organization’s newest campus, PIA Myrtle Beach first opened its doors in January 2012 in the same building that once housed the avionics facilities for the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. This...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
CODEWORKS
PURPOSE. PASSION. PEOPLE.
Codeworks began in 1995 when Mark Theisen, a software developer, recognized the need for a software development consulting firm that provided high-level quality talent at reasonable rates. There was a lot of competition popping up in the IT consulting industry at the time, but he saw companies that were inefficient...
INNOVATE® Miami
Papa
By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations
Papa is a platform dedicated to solve the loneliness crisis. By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations. Our enthusiastic students – known as Papa Pals, are considered “Grandkids On-Demand!” to our members. Companionship, assistance, and transportation provided by our pals can be...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
THINCLAB
GIVE YOUR IDEAS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE
ThincLab is the University of Adelaide’s business incubator and provides start-ups with a dynamic space and community in which to nurture ideas, develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and facilitate valuable connections and networks with mentors, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. ThincLab supports students, alumni, staff and the wider community create and...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
NVNG
ELEVATING WISCONSIN’S VENTURE SCENE: THE POWER OF NETWORKS UNLEASHED
Wisconsin-based NVNG is a boutique investment advisory firm with a unique superpower: curating connections. Founded by Carrie Thome and Grady Buchanan in 2019, NVNG (Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained) is on a mission to make Wisconsin’s venture ecosystem globally competitive by leveraging the power of strategic networks. “We have the right...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
BrightMa Farms
Building a Circular Ecosystem for Climate-Smart Innovation
From seed to system, BrightMa Farms has redefined what it means to grow innovation from the ground up. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Harold Singletary, BrightMa Farms, Inc. has emerged as one of South Carolina’s most dynamic AgTech enterprises — a company transforming agricultural waste into climate-smart, high-value materials that serve...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Global Health Connector
Nashville Becomes U.S. Hub for Global Health Innovation: Global Health Connector Expands to Accelerate Change
Nashville, Tennessee – a city once known primarily for country music – is now becoming synonymous with health innovation. With the establishment of its U.S. Operations Hub, Global Health Connector has solidified its presence in a city poised to lead a new era of healthcare transformation. As a global nonprofit...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
CITY OF GHENT
Imagine a city where centuries-old architecture seamlessly blends with cutting-edge innovation—where creativity, dynamism, and growth are the norm. Welcome to Ghent, the European technology capital that attracts entrepreneurs from around the globe. Ghent’s strength lies in its strategic alliances across biotech, healthtech, digital tech, and cleantech. This collaborative community is...
INNOVATE® Georgia
WHEEL DATA STRATEGIES
STEERING ANALYTICS TOWARDS SOCIAL AND BUSINESS IMPACT
Executives and knowledge workers in corporate America view the world through the lens of their company’s products, services, and their profitability. Successful corporations adopt focused product development strategies that align with their corporate objectives and deliver projects using planned resources and expertise. Dr. Priya Sarathy, founder of Wheel Data Strategies...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
HAVE YOU HEARD
WE ARE A MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY, HOWEVER, OUR DNA, HOW WE STARTED AND OUR REASON FOR BEING HAS ALWAYS MADE US DIFFERENT
We were never just advertising people wanting to do big TV ads, we were entrepreneurs wanting to build brands and businesses. We were also very inexperienced and naïve and while that made things much more challenging in the early years, it has made us more effective the more time has...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
OpenGrid Technologies
Democratizing Urban EV Charging
Charging an EV (electric vehicle) outside your city home can be problematic for most urban EV drivers. Simply put, public charging operators aren’t incentivized to build urban fast-charging networks due to the uncertainty in demand, lack of access to prime locations, and power availability issues. What’s more, private charging isn’t...
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® Philadelphia
BUILT ON VISION. DRIVEN BY EXECUTION
The Business of Hi-Impact Experiences
As Philadelphia celebrates 250 years of innovation, independence, and impact, HiTouch Enterprises marks a milestone of its own — ten years of building experiences that move communities, elevate brands, and deliver measurable results. Founded in 2016 by marketing and event strategist Felicia D. Williams, HiTouch Enterprises has grown into a...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
FORECHECK
THE SECRET WEAPON IN WINNING THE CYBERCRIME WAR
Cyber security is an arms race that is positioned to continue indefinitely. New technologies are constantly emerging to combat cyber criminals, but regardless, criminals discover how to exploit them. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and other security-focused vendors detect many of these attacks and alert their customers and the community,...
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
GAME QUITTERS
Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content, Community And Coaching
Game Quitters provides the best tools, resources, and support for gamers of all ages to keep gaming under control and maintain their health and wellbeing. We believe there are benefits and risks associated with playing video games and individuals should be equipped to navigate that experience. We do this by...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
SMARTMIRROR
Shaping the Future of Dentistry
The dental mirror is the single-most important tool for dentists and hygienists alike, but it hasn’t changed in form or function for more than 100 years. SmartMirror looks, feels and acts like a traditional dental mirror, but features pioneering technology that meets the needs of today’s dentists and patients alike....
INNOVATE™ Estonia
SENSOWELL
TRANSFORMING SLEEP INTO A LIFE-SAVING SCIENCE
Modern medicine is extraordinary – but it often arrives too late. By the time patients enter a hospital, many health conditions have already compromised their quality of life. Sensowell was created to turn this model on its head, leading a shift from reactive treatments to proactive prevention. The company’s mission...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Centrepolis Accelerator
Empowering Hardtech Startups & Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing
Centrepolis Accelerator @ LTU is committed to strengthening supply chain resiliency to drive economic growth and innovation in Michigan. It offers hardtech startups and small to medium-sized manufacturers access to product development services and tailored funding solutions, ensuring they have the resources needed to scale and succeed. Centrepolis Accelerator @LTU’s...
INNOVATE® Seattle
Madrona
A PARTNER AND BACKER OF FOUNDERS AT THE INNOVATION, EARLY AND ACCELERATION STAGES
A PARTNER AND BACKER OF FOUNDERS AT THE INNOVATION, EARLY AND ACCELERATION STAGES. Madrona starts working with leadership teams before the first investment, supporting them with capital and hard work. We have been doing this since 1995 and actively invest in AI, enterprise technology, marketplaces, and more. As the tech...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
AUSLAND
PIONEERING INNOVATION IN THE HEART OF CURITIBA
In the bustling city of Curitiba, renowned for its innovation and forward-thinking ethos, Ausland Consultoria & Informatica has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of ERP technology and consulting. With a rich history steeped in innovation and over 30-years of expertise, this dynamic firm has become synonymous with customer...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
Intention 2 Impact
Innovating Social Impact Measurement
Intention 2 Impact (I2I) is a dynamic social change organization at the forefront of impact measurement. Founded in October 2018 by the visionary Nina Sabarre, I2I is a minority, women-owned small business known for disrupting the status quo in philanthropy through innovative and equity-centered monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL)...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
OnTraccr
On Track to Disrupt Construction Management
OnTraccr is on a mission to automate the way construction work is managed. This company provides next-generation automation software that helps any construction contractor automate their documentation, eliminate manual data entry, and gain real-time visibility into every aspect of its operations. OnTraccr was founded by a group of experienced construction...
INNOVATE® Maryland
TEDCO
LEADING INNOVATION TO MARKET – A MISSION IN ACTION
As a state filled with brilliant minds, access to world-class laboratories and researchers, and high-ranking universities, it only makes sense for Maryland to lead efforts to support the innovation derived from these assets to the commercial market. At the center of this vision stands TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation); founded...
INNOVATION Quebec
MILA
EN TANT QU’INSTITUT QUÉBÉCOIS D’INTELLIGENCE ARTIFICIELLE, MILA EST L’ÉPICENTRE DE L’EXPERTISE EN APPRENTISSAGE PROFOND (DEEP LEARNING) AU CANADA
Dirigé par le professeur Yoshua Bengio, corécipiendaire en 2018 du prix Turing pour ses travaux fondateurs sur l’apprentissage profond, Mila regroupe une communauté de plus de 1000 chercheuses et chercheurs en IA parmi les plus talentueux au monde. Cette concentration d’experts effectuant des travaux de pointe a permis au Québec...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Pittsburgh Institute for Aeronautics
Keeping America’s Aviation Industry Flying High
Originally founded in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1929, PIA has offered industry-leading aviation training for nearly a century. As the organization’s newest campus, PIA Myrtle Beach first opened its doors in January 2012 in the same building that once housed the avionics facilities for the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. This...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
CODEWORKS
PURPOSE. PASSION. PEOPLE.
Codeworks began in 1995 when Mark Theisen, a software developer, recognized the need for a software development consulting firm that provided high-level quality talent at reasonable rates. There was a lot of competition popping up in the IT consulting industry at the time, but he saw companies that were inefficient...
INNOVATE® Miami
Papa
By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations
Papa is a platform dedicated to solve the loneliness crisis. By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations. Our enthusiastic students – known as Papa Pals, are considered “Grandkids On-Demand!” to our members. Companionship, assistance, and transportation provided by our pals can be...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
THINCLAB
GIVE YOUR IDEAS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE
ThincLab is the University of Adelaide’s business incubator and provides start-ups with a dynamic space and community in which to nurture ideas, develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and facilitate valuable connections and networks with mentors, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. ThincLab supports students, alumni, staff and the wider community create and...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
NVNG
ELEVATING WISCONSIN’S VENTURE SCENE: THE POWER OF NETWORKS UNLEASHED
Wisconsin-based NVNG is a boutique investment advisory firm with a unique superpower: curating connections. Founded by Carrie Thome and Grady Buchanan in 2019, NVNG (Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained) is on a mission to make Wisconsin’s venture ecosystem globally competitive by leveraging the power of strategic networks. “We have the right...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
BrightMa Farms
Building a Circular Ecosystem for Climate-Smart Innovation
From seed to system, BrightMa Farms has redefined what it means to grow innovation from the ground up. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Harold Singletary, BrightMa Farms, Inc. has emerged as one of South Carolina’s most dynamic AgTech enterprises — a company transforming agricultural waste into climate-smart, high-value materials that serve...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Global Health Connector
Nashville Becomes U.S. Hub for Global Health Innovation: Global Health Connector Expands to Accelerate Change
Nashville, Tennessee – a city once known primarily for country music – is now becoming synonymous with health innovation. With the establishment of its U.S. Operations Hub, Global Health Connector has solidified its presence in a city poised to lead a new era of healthcare transformation. As a global nonprofit...