Stories of Innovation

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Vision Behind Soft2Bet:

How Uri Poliavich Built More Than a Platform

Not every founder is a product person. Fewer still are patient. But Uri Poliavich built Soft2Bet by being both. From the start, he wasn’t chasing headlines or hype—he was building an engine for growth. Not the flashy kind. The kind that lasts. He understood something early on that many in...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

BAIRD

DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND BEYOND

Founded in 1919 in Milwaukee, Baird’s financial advice and expertise has helped guide clients through changing market cycles and unexpected events across generations. Today, Baird is actively investing in many initiatives throughout Wisconsin to position the state as a center for innovation. These activities are part of the firm’s ongoing...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

SMARTGREEN

CONNECTING EVERYTHING

CONNECT TO THE FUTURESMARTGREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR SMARTCITIESWe create solutions to connect devices and sensors to the cities through mesh network infrastructure. 1998 – The Beginning of a New Era and the HistoryThe history of Smartgreen begins in 1998 in Brazil when its founders participated in a project called Rede Omega,...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Casino Signup Bonuses vs. Loyalty Programs

Which is Better for Players?

In the online casino space, casino signup bonuses and loyalty programs are among the most attractive offers. These promotional offers have diverse values and purposes that make them different. After reading this guide, you’ll have a more extensive understanding of what casino signup bonuses and loyalty programs entail. Additionally, you’ll...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

Aon

Aon-INNOVATION’S ROLE IN A HIGHLY VOLATILE WORLD

INNOVATION’S ROLE IN A HIGHLY VOLATILE WORLD

One of the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic experience is that companies have fundamentally changed the way they look at risk. Risks are more interconnected, so the impact is more profound. For example, increased weather events and supply chain disruptions are happening more frequently and having a greater impact...

INNOVATION Quebec

ZONE AGTECH

STIMULER L’ÉMERGENCE ET PROPULSER LESTECHNOLOGIES AGRICOLES INNOVANTES DU QUÉBEC

Depuis 2020, le Québec fait figure de pionnier dans le domaine des technologies agricoles innovantes et des bioproduits végétaux grâce au développement de la Zone Agtech, un écosystème d’innovation localisé situé près de la Ville de Montréal dans la MRC de L’Assomption. Sa mission ? Intensifier le développement de technologies...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NEDBANK

NEDBANK -A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS

A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS

Digitisation and technological innovation are nothing new to the South African banking industry, but those banks that had made significant progress on their digital journeys before the Covid-19 pandemic, have been best placed to meet the fast-changing needs of their clients and, as is the case with Nedbank, gain efficiencies...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Stockholm Stad

Stockholm is Building Tomorrow's Innovation Leaders

Stockholm has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic innovation and technology hubs. Known for its thriving startup ecosystem, cutting-edge research, and a strong culture of collaboration, the Swedish capital consistently ranks among the top cities for entrepreneurship and technological advancement. With a highly educated workforce, a...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PORTER HOUSE KC

GOING BEYOND SURFACE-LEVEL IMPACT

The Porter House KC is renowned in Kansas City for its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship among the underrepresented. Its story is not just about an entrepreneurship support organization; it’s about a catalyst for change in Kansas City’s urban core, pushing the envelope of what it means to ‘scale deep’ in...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

ALTUS ASSESSMENTS

ALTUS ASSESSMENTS-USING DATA AND TECH TO BRING THE HUMAN SIDE OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION BACK INTO FOCUS

USING DATA AND TECH TO BRING THE HUMAN SIDE OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION BACK INTO FOCUS

Over 33,000 Canadians have died of Covid-19, most of whom were alone in the hospital or in long-term care homes known for poor conditions and mistreatment of residents. Against the backdrop of a long-existing labour shortage, health care workers’ resilience and compassion are being tested, and many are quitting. It’s...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

XANDYE

XANDYE-THE QUINTESSENTIAL

THE QUINTESSENTIAL, MODERN COVER TABLE, CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS AND LIFESTYLE BRAND THAT PRIDES ITSELF IN EXCELLENT QUALITY THAT IS ON PAR WITH ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY PIECES

According to its founder and current Creative Director, Sandra Tebogo Kenanao, “Xandye is another name for ‘luxury’. We don’t compromise when it comes to quality. We design our products from scratch, taking time on detail and simple – yet elegant – aesthetics. We select the material and hardware to be...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Once Troubled

Andrew Jackson High School Evolves Into Advanced Technology Magnet

Video games are anything but child’s play for students at Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology where computer coding, animation and simulation programming are the daily classroom lessons. ELEVATOR PITCH Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology, a top-performing magnet school in Duval County, paves the way for its...

INNOVATION Quebec

CETAB+

L’AGRONOMIE POUR FAIRE AVANCER L’AGRICULTURE BIO AU QUÉBEC

À Victoriaville, et rayonnant dans plusieurs régions du Québec, une équipe d’agronomes, de biologistes et de techniciens s’affaire à l’amélioration de méthodes de production agricole propres et modernes. Le Centre d’expertise et de transfert en agriculture biologique et de proximité (CETAB+), affilié au Cégep de Victoriaville, œuvre depuis 2010 de...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NEXTGENPRENEUR

Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

NEXTGENPRENEUR is revolutionizing the future for young women and girls, transforming them into tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. This powerhouse of empowerment is an edtech and learning platform that arms middle and high-school-aged girls with crucial life and leadership skills missing from traditional education. Leading this bold initiative is Founder...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Next Health

Redefining Longevity in Nashville and Beyond

Next Health, the most advanced and comprehensive brand of health optimization and longevity centers in the world, empowers individuals with the tools, data, and personalized healthcare to potentially live healthier for longer. With 70+ locations open or in development worldwide, the company is bringing cutting-edge services – such as biomarker...

INNOVATION Quebec

Xn Québec

Mobiliser la créativité numérique au service de l’innovation

Xn Québec est l’association des producteur. rice.s d’expériences numériques du Québec. L’association regroupe les principaux acteurs de l’industrie de la créativité numérique, soit plus de 165 studios membres – producteur.rice.s de contenu, original ou de commande, pour différentes plateformes, lieux et espaces. Elle représente les intérêts de l’industrie auprès des...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

DR. PEANUT

WHO SAID THAT HEALTHY FOOD HAS TO BE TASTELESS OR BORING?

Motivated by the unwavering and curious desire to respond to that question, in 2017, Lucas Castro, founder and CMO of DR PEANUT, decided to embark and find an ideal recipe that would bring an unbelievable flavor to people focused on health, sports and whoever require balanced energy. This is the...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

GUMPTION

GUMPTION -TACKLES DIGITAL AND BUSINESS ISSUES WITH CO-CREATION

TACKLES DIGITAL AND BUSINESS ISSUES WITH CO-CREATION

The health crisis has presented companies with new challenges. The appetite for digitization is now larger than ever before. Start-ups play an important role as drivers of innovation. Gumption is an innovation hub and ecosystem for young companies. The group’s 20 companies focus on business challenges and IT solutions, such...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

CREATOMUS

REPROGRAMMING THE FUTURE OF CITIES

Across Europe, cities face growing pressure: build schools and kindergartens faster, adapt public spaces to changing needs, and cut the environmental cost of construction. Estonian company Creatomus believes it has a solution. By combining modular design with digital precision, Creatomus offers municipalities a way to build smarter, more transparent, and...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

THE MUNICIPALITY OF OEIRAS ARTS AND CULTURE

THE MUNICIPALITY OF OEIRAS ARTS AND CULTURE-Oeiras

Oeiras, Facing Its Future

In recent decades, Oeiras has seen some very significant changes. Namely, the housing qualification cycle – Oeiras was the first municipality in the country to eliminate shanties, providing decent housing to all residents. The cycle of attracting business, science and innovation is also worth mentioning; Oeiras is home to the...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

MICROSOFT SOUTH AFRICA

MICROSOFT SOUTH AFRICA - Unlocking The Value Of Mixed Reality In Manufacturing

Unlocking The Value Of Mixed Reality In Manufacturing

Mixed reality continues to grow exponentially because of its ability to help businesses and their employees complete crucial tasks faster, safer, and more efficiently. It also creates new ways to connect to customers and partners by blending the physical and digital worlds so that they coexist and interact in real-time....

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® Washington DMV Edition

SHANDA STUDIO

Empowering Voices to Share Their Stories Through Podcasting

In a world where storytelling has the power to inspire, educate, and connect people, two Georgetown MBA students, Dumi and Paul, have embarked on a mission to democratize the podcasting medium with their innovative startup, Shanda Studio. Born out of Dumi’s personal experience growing up in Zimbabwe, where media freedom...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Rethreaded

Rethreaded-Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

ELEVATOR PITCH Rethreaded provides a second chance at life through employment for survivors of human trafficking. Women have employment opportunities in different facets of the company, including production, inventory, sales, marketing and finance/admin. Through its own enterprise and its distribution company that partners with like-minded businesses, Rethreaded’s mission is to...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Vision Behind Soft2Bet:

How Uri Poliavich Built More Than a Platform

Not every founder is a product person. Fewer still are patient. But Uri Poliavich built Soft2Bet by being both. From the start, he wasn’t chasing headlines or hype—he was building an engine for growth. Not the flashy kind. The kind that lasts. He understood something early on that many in...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

BAIRD

DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND BEYOND

Founded in 1919 in Milwaukee, Baird’s financial advice and expertise has helped guide clients through changing market cycles and unexpected events across generations. Today, Baird is actively investing in many initiatives throughout Wisconsin to position the state as a center for innovation. These activities are part of the firm’s ongoing...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

SMARTGREEN

CONNECTING EVERYTHING

CONNECT TO THE FUTURESMARTGREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR SMARTCITIESWe create solutions to connect devices and sensors to the cities through mesh network infrastructure. 1998 – The Beginning of a New Era and the HistoryThe history of Smartgreen begins in 1998 in Brazil when its founders participated in a project called Rede Omega,...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Casino Signup Bonuses vs. Loyalty Programs

Which is Better for Players?

In the online casino space, casino signup bonuses and loyalty programs are among the most attractive offers. These promotional offers have diverse values and purposes that make them different. After reading this guide, you’ll have a more extensive understanding of what casino signup bonuses and loyalty programs entail. Additionally, you’ll...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

Aon

Aon-INNOVATION’S ROLE IN A HIGHLY VOLATILE WORLD

INNOVATION’S ROLE IN A HIGHLY VOLATILE WORLD

One of the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic experience is that companies have fundamentally changed the way they look at risk. Risks are more interconnected, so the impact is more profound. For example, increased weather events and supply chain disruptions are happening more frequently and having a greater impact...

INNOVATION Quebec

ZONE AGTECH

STIMULER L’ÉMERGENCE ET PROPULSER LESTECHNOLOGIES AGRICOLES INNOVANTES DU QUÉBEC

Depuis 2020, le Québec fait figure de pionnier dans le domaine des technologies agricoles innovantes et des bioproduits végétaux grâce au développement de la Zone Agtech, un écosystème d’innovation localisé situé près de la Ville de Montréal dans la MRC de L’Assomption. Sa mission ? Intensifier le développement de technologies...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NEDBANK

NEDBANK -A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS

A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS

Digitisation and technological innovation are nothing new to the South African banking industry, but those banks that had made significant progress on their digital journeys before the Covid-19 pandemic, have been best placed to meet the fast-changing needs of their clients and, as is the case with Nedbank, gain efficiencies...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Stockholm Stad

Stockholm is Building Tomorrow's Innovation Leaders

Stockholm has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic innovation and technology hubs. Known for its thriving startup ecosystem, cutting-edge research, and a strong culture of collaboration, the Swedish capital consistently ranks among the top cities for entrepreneurship and technological advancement. With a highly educated workforce, a...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PORTER HOUSE KC

GOING BEYOND SURFACE-LEVEL IMPACT

The Porter House KC is renowned in Kansas City for its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship among the underrepresented. Its story is not just about an entrepreneurship support organization; it’s about a catalyst for change in Kansas City’s urban core, pushing the envelope of what it means to ‘scale deep’ in...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

ALTUS ASSESSMENTS

ALTUS ASSESSMENTS-USING DATA AND TECH TO BRING THE HUMAN SIDE OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION BACK INTO FOCUS

USING DATA AND TECH TO BRING THE HUMAN SIDE OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION BACK INTO FOCUS

Over 33,000 Canadians have died of Covid-19, most of whom were alone in the hospital or in long-term care homes known for poor conditions and mistreatment of residents. Against the backdrop of a long-existing labour shortage, health care workers’ resilience and compassion are being tested, and many are quitting. It’s...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

XANDYE

XANDYE-THE QUINTESSENTIAL

THE QUINTESSENTIAL, MODERN COVER TABLE, CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS AND LIFESTYLE BRAND THAT PRIDES ITSELF IN EXCELLENT QUALITY THAT IS ON PAR WITH ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY PIECES

According to its founder and current Creative Director, Sandra Tebogo Kenanao, “Xandye is another name for ‘luxury’. We don’t compromise when it comes to quality. We design our products from scratch, taking time on detail and simple – yet elegant – aesthetics. We select the material and hardware to be...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Once Troubled

Andrew Jackson High School Evolves Into Advanced Technology Magnet

Video games are anything but child’s play for students at Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology where computer coding, animation and simulation programming are the daily classroom lessons. ELEVATOR PITCH Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology, a top-performing magnet school in Duval County, paves the way for its...

INNOVATION Quebec

CETAB+

L’AGRONOMIE POUR FAIRE AVANCER L’AGRICULTURE BIO AU QUÉBEC

À Victoriaville, et rayonnant dans plusieurs régions du Québec, une équipe d’agronomes, de biologistes et de techniciens s’affaire à l’amélioration de méthodes de production agricole propres et modernes. Le Centre d’expertise et de transfert en agriculture biologique et de proximité (CETAB+), affilié au Cégep de Victoriaville, œuvre depuis 2010 de...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NEXTGENPRENEUR

Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

NEXTGENPRENEUR is revolutionizing the future for young women and girls, transforming them into tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. This powerhouse of empowerment is an edtech and learning platform that arms middle and high-school-aged girls with crucial life and leadership skills missing from traditional education. Leading this bold initiative is Founder...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Next Health

Redefining Longevity in Nashville and Beyond

Next Health, the most advanced and comprehensive brand of health optimization and longevity centers in the world, empowers individuals with the tools, data, and personalized healthcare to potentially live healthier for longer. With 70+ locations open or in development worldwide, the company is bringing cutting-edge services – such as biomarker...

INNOVATION Quebec

Xn Québec

Mobiliser la créativité numérique au service de l’innovation

Xn Québec est l’association des producteur. rice.s d’expériences numériques du Québec. L’association regroupe les principaux acteurs de l’industrie de la créativité numérique, soit plus de 165 studios membres – producteur.rice.s de contenu, original ou de commande, pour différentes plateformes, lieux et espaces. Elle représente les intérêts de l’industrie auprès des...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

DR. PEANUT

WHO SAID THAT HEALTHY FOOD HAS TO BE TASTELESS OR BORING?

Motivated by the unwavering and curious desire to respond to that question, in 2017, Lucas Castro, founder and CMO of DR PEANUT, decided to embark and find an ideal recipe that would bring an unbelievable flavor to people focused on health, sports and whoever require balanced energy. This is the...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

GUMPTION

GUMPTION -TACKLES DIGITAL AND BUSINESS ISSUES WITH CO-CREATION

TACKLES DIGITAL AND BUSINESS ISSUES WITH CO-CREATION

The health crisis has presented companies with new challenges. The appetite for digitization is now larger than ever before. Start-ups play an important role as drivers of innovation. Gumption is an innovation hub and ecosystem for young companies. The group’s 20 companies focus on business challenges and IT solutions, such...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

CREATOMUS

REPROGRAMMING THE FUTURE OF CITIES

Across Europe, cities face growing pressure: build schools and kindergartens faster, adapt public spaces to changing needs, and cut the environmental cost of construction. Estonian company Creatomus believes it has a solution. By combining modular design with digital precision, Creatomus offers municipalities a way to build smarter, more transparent, and...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

THE MUNICIPALITY OF OEIRAS ARTS AND CULTURE

THE MUNICIPALITY OF OEIRAS ARTS AND CULTURE-Oeiras

Oeiras, Facing Its Future

In recent decades, Oeiras has seen some very significant changes. Namely, the housing qualification cycle – Oeiras was the first municipality in the country to eliminate shanties, providing decent housing to all residents. The cycle of attracting business, science and innovation is also worth mentioning; Oeiras is home to the...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

MICROSOFT SOUTH AFRICA

MICROSOFT SOUTH AFRICA - Unlocking The Value Of Mixed Reality In Manufacturing

Unlocking The Value Of Mixed Reality In Manufacturing

Mixed reality continues to grow exponentially because of its ability to help businesses and their employees complete crucial tasks faster, safer, and more efficiently. It also creates new ways to connect to customers and partners by blending the physical and digital worlds so that they coexist and interact in real-time....

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® Washington DMV Edition

SHANDA STUDIO

Empowering Voices to Share Their Stories Through Podcasting

In a world where storytelling has the power to inspire, educate, and connect people, two Georgetown MBA students, Dumi and Paul, have embarked on a mission to democratize the podcasting medium with their innovative startup, Shanda Studio. Born out of Dumi’s personal experience growing up in Zimbabwe, where media freedom...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Rethreaded

Rethreaded-Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

ELEVATOR PITCH Rethreaded provides a second chance at life through employment for survivors of human trafficking. Women have employment opportunities in different facets of the company, including production, inventory, sales, marketing and finance/admin. Through its own enterprise and its distribution company that partners with like-minded businesses, Rethreaded’s mission is to...

Ecosystems