Stories of Innovation
INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation
Stateside Brands
An Innovative Leader
Few ready-to-drink beverage brands have captivated the market like Surfside. Since its 2022 launch, Surfside has taken off like a rocket ship, becoming the fastest-growing brand within the entire alcoholic beverage sector. At the close of 2025, Surfside achieved 11.1 million case sales, growing an astounding 6.2 million cases from...
INNOVATION Quebec
Centre ACER
The maple syrup research, development and technology transfer center, has been a world leader in innovation for the maple industry since 1998
For nearly 25 years, Centre ACER has been stimulating excellence and supporting the quality and profitability of the maple syrup industry. By combining knowledge and vision, this network of true innovation promotes the influence and international development of the maple industry in Quebec and ensures its sustainability. Comprised of...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
DIGITAL NOVA SCOTIA (DNS)
LEADING NOVA SCOTIA’S DIGITAL INDUSTRY SINCE 1989
With digital adoption and transformation now vital, Digital Nova Scotia (DNS) leads the charge in championing the growth of the province’s digital economy. DNS is the industry association for Nova Scotia’s$3.6 billion ICT and digital technologies industry – and it has been representing the sector for more than three decades....
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
TRIBE NETWORK
IS BUILDINGA GLOBAL NETWORK OF ENTREPRENEURS AND INNOVATORS FOR RACIALIZED PEOPLE.
Tribe Network is a community of racialized people pursuing technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. They envision a world where Black, Indigenous, and people of colour are at the forefront of these disciplines, fully armed with the knowledge, resources, skills, and connections they need to start, build, and scale thriving businesses. TRIBE...
Global Innovation Spotlight
Explainable Is Too Soft:
in 2026 We Need Forensic Audit Trails in Medical AI
The epiphany didn’t come from a breakthrough in model architecture or a surge in accuracy metrics. It came from watching a physiotherapist from Lviv stare blankly at a screen. Dmytro Grybeniuk and Oleh Ivchenko, specialists in machine learning infrastructure, were attending the MedAI hackathon at Odesa National Polytechnic University not...
INNOVATION Quebec
LE CENTRE DE GÉOMATIQUE DU QUÉBEC (CGQ)
CCTT IN GEOMATICS
The Centre de géomatique du Québec (CGQ) is a college centre for the transfer of technology (CCTT) affiliated with the Cégep de Chicoutimi. Our centre is part of Tech-Access Canada’s network of technology access centres (TACs). Our mission is to promote the development of businesses and organizations through innovation, research...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
METTĀ CREATIVE
GATHERING INTENTIONALLY IN THE PRESENT TO CO-CREATE A BETTER FUTURE
Born out of a desire for an alternative to unfulfilling college night-life, Mettā Creative has existed on the fringes of DMV culture since November 2016. Mettā, which means “loving-kindness” in Sanskrit, is a bonding agent, a glue between people, their community, and the public good. In the early days, Creative...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
BIKE TO THE BEACH+ADD IMPACT NETWORK
IS A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS
The foundation of our mission lies in the collective capacity building of local non-profits, and the engagement of community members through events like Bike to the Beach, a renowned national cycling series that raises funds for autism and disabilities. This initiative began as a small gathering of friends who shared...
INNOVATION Manitoba
PARALLEL
SOLVING THE SIZING PUZZLE
Pluto Ventures developed an AI tool that generates accurate 3D body measurements from 2D photos in just seconds. However, a significant challenge remained: the mismatch between body measurements and the retail industry’s “vanity sizing” and inaccurate size charts often resulted in a disappointing consumer experience. To address this issue, founder...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
VOON
IS AN ESTONIAN GREENTECH COMPANY THAT HAS SET ITS SIGHTS ON TRANSFORMING A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM INTO A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Co-founded by a young entrepreneur just in her twenties, Eliise Lehtsaar, the company produces biodegradable air filters from waste wool, offering a solution to the staggering figure of nine billion plastic ventilation system filters discarded worldwide each year. For Voon, the goal is straightforward yet compelling: why continue to landfill...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
PRCCI
INNOVATION.INVESTIGATION.WELL BEING
The Puerto Rico Consortium for Clinical Investigation (PRCCI) is the largest network of top academic and private research sites working in strong partnership with the wider Puerto Rico clinical investigation ecosystem to promote the island’s positioning as a preferred location for clinical investigation. PRCCI is a 501c3 non-profit organization established...
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
QUILES LAW
POWERLEVELING ESPORTS BUSINESSES AND TALENT SINCE 2015, WE ARE A BUSINESS-FORWARD LAW FIRM FOR THE GLOBAL ESPORTS AND GAMING INDUSTRIES
Quiles Law is one of the world’s first esports and gaming focused law firms. Based in New York City and founded by Roger Quiles in 2014, Roger merged his interest in sports and video games to focus the firm on the then nascent esports industry in 2015. Our firm represents...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
7RIVERS
THE CONFLUENCE OF DATA AND STRATEGY
7Rivers is pioneering a path for businesses to navigate the uncharted waters of a new era of technology.With a keen focus on data modernization and artificial intelligence, 7Rivers is not just a technology services company but a leader for organizations ready to embark on a transformative journey, helping solve some...
INNOVATE® Nashville
DARVIS
Fueling companies of the future with automation and innovation
DARVIS empowers companies with ultimate visibility of objects, processes and efficient solutions. This productivity as a service platform uses cutting edge artificial intelligence and computer vision technology to track objects and processes with the highest precision and privacy standards on the market. OUR TECHNOLOGY Using an existing camera infrastructure, DARVIS...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
GUNKII
REDESIGNING AFFORDABLE LUXURY ORAL CARE
It is possible to have fresher breath and a healthier mouth with a tongue cleaner. gunkii brings affordable luxury oral care to the market. Founded in May 2020, gunkii is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Jayesh and Nicole Parmar, who had the vision to offer a tongue scraper to help...
INNOVATION Quebec
INNOVLOG CCTT EN LOGISTIQUE
L’INSTITUT D’INNOVATION EN LOGISTIQUE DU QUÉBEC (INNOVLOG) AU SERVICE DE L’INNOVATION QUÉBÉCOISE!
Depuis plusieurs années, l’innovation dans le domaine de la logistique est restée dans l’ombre, laissant place à d’autres priorités : expansion du marché, rentabilité financière, développement de nouveaux produits, etc. Cependant, avec la pandémie COVID-19, il y a eu une prise de conscience collective de l’importance de la logistique sur...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
ENVISIONING LABS
PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
In the face of climate change, the need for sustainable solutions has never been greater. Envisioning Labs, a Vancouver based deep tech firm, is at the forefront of this challenge, developing social and technological solutions that counter climate change and foster a carbon neutral future. Their focus on first principles-based,...
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™ Stockholm
4thBrain
Reimagining Enterprises for the AI Age
Tackling The Outdated Enterprise Software in a New Era Despite advancements in technology, many enterprises remain trapped in outdated software systems. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools, the backbone of modern organizations, are static, rigid, and expensive to implement and maintain. They fail to keep pace with the speed and complexity...
INNOVATION Quebec
THE ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITATES INNOVATION
THE ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITATES INNOVATION PROJECTS AND GROWS VALUE CREATION IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT. Our interventions include networking, collaboration and referral of experts who offer entrepreneurs technical and business support services. Exemplary regional cooperationThe EAC BSL is led by the Collectif régional de développement (CRD)....
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
RASA
Igniting Culinary Passions
A culinary revolution is brewing in the D.C. area, led by two visionaries, Rahul and Sahil, whose destinies were intertwined by their heritage and an indomitable spirit to redefine Indian cuisine. RASA, their brainchild, emerged from the rich tapestry of their upbringing, deeply rooted in the vibrant flavors and traditions...
INNOVATE® Detroit
SNIFFER ROBOTICS
Reaching New Heights Through Environmental Innovation
Sniffer Robotics has quickly become an industry leader in the environmental technology sector. The company develops unique solutions and provides crucial emissions monitoring services to the waste, biogas, and renewable natural gas industries. Their mission is clear: to detect and mitigate methane emissions to help protect our environment. Surface emissions...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
SIWA THERAPEUTICS
We Founded SIWA, Drawing Upon An Understanding Of Aging And The AGEs, To Combat Cancer
SIWA Therapeutics, Inc. has developed 318H, a monoclonal antibody that we believe can become a broadly effective cancer immunotherapeutic. Most recently, we showed that 318H enabled complete remission of pancreatic cancer in vivo in humanized mice – we hope to file an IND application for pancreatic cancer next year. Our...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
THE CO-OP AT SHOAL CREEK
FOSTERING INNOVATION AND COMMUNITY IN KANSAS CITY
The Co-Op at Shoal Creek was born from the pandemic’s unprecedented surge in home-based businesses, offering a sanctuary for growth, innovation, and community. It provides co-working offices, conference rooms, and event spaces thoughtfully designed to inspire and elevate work experiences to new heights. “We exist to help small businesses thrive...
INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation
Stateside Brands
An Innovative Leader
Few ready-to-drink beverage brands have captivated the market like Surfside. Since its 2022 launch, Surfside has taken off like a rocket ship, becoming the fastest-growing brand within the entire alcoholic beverage sector. At the close of 2025, Surfside achieved 11.1 million case sales, growing an astounding 6.2 million cases from...
INNOVATION Quebec
Centre ACER
The maple syrup research, development and technology transfer center, has been a world leader in innovation for the maple industry since 1998
For nearly 25 years, Centre ACER has been stimulating excellence and supporting the quality and profitability of the maple syrup industry. By combining knowledge and vision, this network of true innovation promotes the influence and international development of the maple industry in Quebec and ensures its sustainability. Comprised of...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
DIGITAL NOVA SCOTIA (DNS)
LEADING NOVA SCOTIA’S DIGITAL INDUSTRY SINCE 1989
With digital adoption and transformation now vital, Digital Nova Scotia (DNS) leads the charge in championing the growth of the province’s digital economy. DNS is the industry association for Nova Scotia’s$3.6 billion ICT and digital technologies industry – and it has been representing the sector for more than three decades....
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
TRIBE NETWORK
IS BUILDINGA GLOBAL NETWORK OF ENTREPRENEURS AND INNOVATORS FOR RACIALIZED PEOPLE.
Tribe Network is a community of racialized people pursuing technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. They envision a world where Black, Indigenous, and people of colour are at the forefront of these disciplines, fully armed with the knowledge, resources, skills, and connections they need to start, build, and scale thriving businesses. TRIBE...
Global Innovation Spotlight
Explainable Is Too Soft:
in 2026 We Need Forensic Audit Trails in Medical AI
The epiphany didn’t come from a breakthrough in model architecture or a surge in accuracy metrics. It came from watching a physiotherapist from Lviv stare blankly at a screen. Dmytro Grybeniuk and Oleh Ivchenko, specialists in machine learning infrastructure, were attending the MedAI hackathon at Odesa National Polytechnic University not...
INNOVATION Quebec
LE CENTRE DE GÉOMATIQUE DU QUÉBEC (CGQ)
CCTT IN GEOMATICS
The Centre de géomatique du Québec (CGQ) is a college centre for the transfer of technology (CCTT) affiliated with the Cégep de Chicoutimi. Our centre is part of Tech-Access Canada’s network of technology access centres (TACs). Our mission is to promote the development of businesses and organizations through innovation, research...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
METTĀ CREATIVE
GATHERING INTENTIONALLY IN THE PRESENT TO CO-CREATE A BETTER FUTURE
Born out of a desire for an alternative to unfulfilling college night-life, Mettā Creative has existed on the fringes of DMV culture since November 2016. Mettā, which means “loving-kindness” in Sanskrit, is a bonding agent, a glue between people, their community, and the public good. In the early days, Creative...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
BIKE TO THE BEACH+ADD IMPACT NETWORK
IS A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS
The foundation of our mission lies in the collective capacity building of local non-profits, and the engagement of community members through events like Bike to the Beach, a renowned national cycling series that raises funds for autism and disabilities. This initiative began as a small gathering of friends who shared...
INNOVATION Manitoba
PARALLEL
SOLVING THE SIZING PUZZLE
Pluto Ventures developed an AI tool that generates accurate 3D body measurements from 2D photos in just seconds. However, a significant challenge remained: the mismatch between body measurements and the retail industry’s “vanity sizing” and inaccurate size charts often resulted in a disappointing consumer experience. To address this issue, founder...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
VOON
IS AN ESTONIAN GREENTECH COMPANY THAT HAS SET ITS SIGHTS ON TRANSFORMING A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM INTO A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Co-founded by a young entrepreneur just in her twenties, Eliise Lehtsaar, the company produces biodegradable air filters from waste wool, offering a solution to the staggering figure of nine billion plastic ventilation system filters discarded worldwide each year. For Voon, the goal is straightforward yet compelling: why continue to landfill...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
PRCCI
INNOVATION.INVESTIGATION.WELL BEING
The Puerto Rico Consortium for Clinical Investigation (PRCCI) is the largest network of top academic and private research sites working in strong partnership with the wider Puerto Rico clinical investigation ecosystem to promote the island’s positioning as a preferred location for clinical investigation. PRCCI is a 501c3 non-profit organization established...
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
QUILES LAW
POWERLEVELING ESPORTS BUSINESSES AND TALENT SINCE 2015, WE ARE A BUSINESS-FORWARD LAW FIRM FOR THE GLOBAL ESPORTS AND GAMING INDUSTRIES
Quiles Law is one of the world’s first esports and gaming focused law firms. Based in New York City and founded by Roger Quiles in 2014, Roger merged his interest in sports and video games to focus the firm on the then nascent esports industry in 2015. Our firm represents...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
7RIVERS
THE CONFLUENCE OF DATA AND STRATEGY
7Rivers is pioneering a path for businesses to navigate the uncharted waters of a new era of technology.With a keen focus on data modernization and artificial intelligence, 7Rivers is not just a technology services company but a leader for organizations ready to embark on a transformative journey, helping solve some...
INNOVATE® Nashville
DARVIS
Fueling companies of the future with automation and innovation
DARVIS empowers companies with ultimate visibility of objects, processes and efficient solutions. This productivity as a service platform uses cutting edge artificial intelligence and computer vision technology to track objects and processes with the highest precision and privacy standards on the market. OUR TECHNOLOGY Using an existing camera infrastructure, DARVIS...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
GUNKII
REDESIGNING AFFORDABLE LUXURY ORAL CARE
It is possible to have fresher breath and a healthier mouth with a tongue cleaner. gunkii brings affordable luxury oral care to the market. Founded in May 2020, gunkii is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Jayesh and Nicole Parmar, who had the vision to offer a tongue scraper to help...
INNOVATION Quebec
INNOVLOG CCTT EN LOGISTIQUE
L’INSTITUT D’INNOVATION EN LOGISTIQUE DU QUÉBEC (INNOVLOG) AU SERVICE DE L’INNOVATION QUÉBÉCOISE!
Depuis plusieurs années, l’innovation dans le domaine de la logistique est restée dans l’ombre, laissant place à d’autres priorités : expansion du marché, rentabilité financière, développement de nouveaux produits, etc. Cependant, avec la pandémie COVID-19, il y a eu une prise de conscience collective de l’importance de la logistique sur...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
ENVISIONING LABS
PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
In the face of climate change, the need for sustainable solutions has never been greater. Envisioning Labs, a Vancouver based deep tech firm, is at the forefront of this challenge, developing social and technological solutions that counter climate change and foster a carbon neutral future. Their focus on first principles-based,...
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™ Stockholm
4thBrain
Reimagining Enterprises for the AI Age
Tackling The Outdated Enterprise Software in a New Era Despite advancements in technology, many enterprises remain trapped in outdated software systems. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools, the backbone of modern organizations, are static, rigid, and expensive to implement and maintain. They fail to keep pace with the speed and complexity...
INNOVATION Quebec
THE ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITATES INNOVATION
THE ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITATES INNOVATION PROJECTS AND GROWS VALUE CREATION IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT. Our interventions include networking, collaboration and referral of experts who offer entrepreneurs technical and business support services. Exemplary regional cooperationThe EAC BSL is led by the Collectif régional de développement (CRD)....
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
RASA
Igniting Culinary Passions
A culinary revolution is brewing in the D.C. area, led by two visionaries, Rahul and Sahil, whose destinies were intertwined by their heritage and an indomitable spirit to redefine Indian cuisine. RASA, their brainchild, emerged from the rich tapestry of their upbringing, deeply rooted in the vibrant flavors and traditions...
INNOVATE® Detroit
SNIFFER ROBOTICS
Reaching New Heights Through Environmental Innovation
Sniffer Robotics has quickly become an industry leader in the environmental technology sector. The company develops unique solutions and provides crucial emissions monitoring services to the waste, biogas, and renewable natural gas industries. Their mission is clear: to detect and mitigate methane emissions to help protect our environment. Surface emissions...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
SIWA THERAPEUTICS
We Founded SIWA, Drawing Upon An Understanding Of Aging And The AGEs, To Combat Cancer
SIWA Therapeutics, Inc. has developed 318H, a monoclonal antibody that we believe can become a broadly effective cancer immunotherapeutic. Most recently, we showed that 318H enabled complete remission of pancreatic cancer in vivo in humanized mice – we hope to file an IND application for pancreatic cancer next year. Our...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
THE CO-OP AT SHOAL CREEK
FOSTERING INNOVATION AND COMMUNITY IN KANSAS CITY
The Co-Op at Shoal Creek was born from the pandemic’s unprecedented surge in home-based businesses, offering a sanctuary for growth, innovation, and community. It provides co-working offices, conference rooms, and event spaces thoughtfully designed to inspire and elevate work experiences to new heights. “We exist to help small businesses thrive...