Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Miami

Papa

Papa - By connecting older adults to college students

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™ 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™ Flanders

Sightera

Complex Patient-Derived Biology Meets AI-Drug Design

Sightera Biosciences accelerates drug discovery with an innovative approach that combines chemical structure analysis with complex patient-relevant preclinical models to design novel therapies. Due to the organization’s exclusive research collaboration with the DrugVision.AI screening platform of the University of Antwerp/UZA, it can produce exclusive datasets from patient-derived models to train...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

BLK WOMEN IN EXCELLENCE SOCIETY

In a World Where Entrepreneurship Can Be a Daunting Journey, the Canadian BLK Women in Excellence Society has Emerged as a Beacon of Support, empowerment, and Innovation.

Founded in 2020, BWIE is a pioneering organization dedicated to providing Black women with the tools, resources, and community necessary to thrive in the business world. Through a combination of mentorship, education, and funding opportunities, BWIE has cultivated an ecosystem that uplifts Black women and fosters economic development in Canada....

INNOVATE™ Toronto

KPMG-The Art of Turning Bold Ideas Into Game-Changing Realities

Innovation is about harnessing change, testing boundaries, and deciding to lead instead of follow. True, the process is rarely simple (let alone straightforward), but those who take the risk get a chance to write their futures. There’s no “right” path to innovation. As our experiences at KPMG’s Ignition Center reveal...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

FREELY PAYMENTS

HARNESSING INNOVATION TO TRANSFORM FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS

“We are not just facilitating transactions; we are redefining them to create tangible benefits for our clients.” In the bustling city of Washington, D.C., a pioneering force is reshaping the financial contours of the food and beverage industry. freely Payments, a visionary B2B payments gateway, has not just entered the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Mintwood Strategies

THE INNOVATORS OF UNOFFICIAL WASHINGTON

There is official Washington you see on TV, which features the National Mall, Congress, and the White House, and there is unofficial Washington, which is home to 700,000 citizens who are denied the ability to electorally participate in official Washington. Mintwood Strategies has carved out a niche in the media...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

UFPR

FOUNDED IN 1912, UFPR IS THE OLDEST UNIVERSITY IN BRAZIL.

It was initially known as the University of Paraná, and it has been since then a national reference when it comes to teaching, research, and outreach services. Therefore, the UFPR historic building, located at Praça Santos Andrade, was chosen by Curitiba residents as the very symbol of the city. Initially,...

INNOVATION Quebec

AXELYS

AN ESSENTIAL MISSION FOR THE FUTURE OF QUÉBEC Axelys integrates innovations from Quebec’s public research into the mainstream of society. Our mission is at the heart of the new 2022 2027 Québec strategy to support research and investment in innovation, launched in May 2022 by the Quebec government. At Axelys,...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

pH7 TECHNOLOGIES

At the forefront of sustainable resource extraction

Specialized cleantech solutions.pH7 Technologies Inc. delivers specialized cleantech solutions for the extraction of critical metals necessary for the transition to renewable energies. We have pioneered a proprietary process that provides a near-net-zero environmental impact in the extraction of key metals and minerals. This sustainable closed-loop process makes it an ideal...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Tropoly

WE EXIST NOW FOR THE FUTURE

Tropoly, founded by Neel Singh, Brady Dahmer, and Julien Phipps, aims to transform industries and propel humanity forward. This strategic marketing and innovation firm distinguishes itself by addressing clients’ business challenges and implementing strategies to revolutionize their organizations. In a world bombarded by messages, Tropoly cuts through the noise, positioning...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

ESPOSURE

THE GOAL FOR ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS IS TO EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN, ENGAGE AND EMPOWER

“Esposure is connecting esports and education to create opportunities. We are committed to doing our part in building the esports talent pipeline through our Education to Entertainment ecosystem.” — Danny R. Martin Danny R. Martin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Esposure, Inc., a global esports technology company with an...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

INNOVATING IN FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 165 YEARS

INNOVATING IN FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 165 YEARS Founded in 1857, Northwestern Mutual, a FORTUNE 500® financial services company, embodies a unique culture dedicated to helping people achieve financial security. As a mutual company, Northwestern Mutual answers to its policy owners — not Wall Street. Through a comprehensive planning...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

METRO ESPORTS

METRO ESPORTS-IS A BLACK-OWNED GAMING PLATFORM AIMED AT MAKING ESPORTS FOR EVERYBODY

IS A BLACK-OWNED GAMING PLATFORM AIMED AT MAKING ESPORTS FOR EVERYBODY

METRO IS A MULTICULTURAL ESPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION AGENCY, CREATING AND PRODUCING DIGITAL, SOCIAL, MOBILE AND LIVE EVENTS DESIGNED TO ATTRACT, ENGAGE AND UPLIFT A BROAD AND DIVERSE AUDIENCE OF GAMING AND TECHNOLOGY ENTHUSIASTS. A college football player, I don’t come from the world of esports as I only understood...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

PECO

POWERING PROGRESS

How PECO Is Building a More Reliable, Affordable, and Innovative Energy Future for Greater Philadelphia Powering Innovation for America’s Next Chapter Philadelphia has long been defined by innovation and leadership—from its role as the birthplace of American democracy to its legacy as a center of industrial and technological progress. As...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

JIVA CONSULTING

TRANSFORMING HOW THE INDUSTRY TRANSFERS DEEPLY TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIVERSITY

Jiva is an independent training and consulting organization focused on the energy and infrastructure industries. Jiva has a unique differentiator in the knowledge-transfer services it offers: Jiva has developed a process that marries technical expertise and educational theory with a deep knowledge of effective communication and robust project management through...

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™ South Africa

MAHLAKO A PHAHLA

MAHLAKO A PHAHLA - AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED

AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED, MANAGED AND INSPIRED, THAT PROMOTES AFRICAN AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EXCELLENCE

Mahlako a Phahla, founded by sisters Makole Mupita and Meta Mhlarhi, is named after our mother Mahlako to pay homage to her pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit in building a successful family business at a time when it was difficult for many black people to do so.   Mahlako is an...

INNOVATE® Georgia

REPAY

ATLANTA’S REPAY REVAMPS PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE ADVANTAGES FOR CONSUMERS & BUSINESSES

History & PurposeREPAY was founded in 2006 by John Morris and Shaler Alias with the goal of providing fast, frictionless, and fail-safe integrated payment processing solutions for consumers and businesses. Morris serves as REPAY’s CEO to this day, and Alias co-leads as president from the company’s headquarters in Atlanta. REPAY’s...

INNOVATION Quebec

INVESTISSEMENT QUÉBEC

UNE HISTOIRE D’AVENIR

1998 Investissement Québec est créée. L’organisation permet aux entreprises et aux investisseurs d’accéder à l’ensemble des programmes offerts par le gouvernement du Québec. Bien que ce ne soit pas énoncé ainsi à l’époque, l’objectif est fondamentalement de développer l’économie du Québec et le positionner comme terre propice à l’innovation, à...

INNOVATE® Nashville

JAILCORE

LISTENING FIRST, INNOVATING FAST

Guided by real-world feedback, JailCore blends clear logic with human understanding to create technology that truly serves those who serve. When JailCore was founded, it wasn’t built on the old “if you build it, they will come” mindset. The goal wasn’t to create software and hope facilities would adapt to...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

UHN

UHN-Is the Leading and Largest Research Hospital in Canada. The Scope of Research and Complexity of Cases at UHN Has Made It a National and International Source of Discovery

Is the Leading and Largest Research Hospital in Canada. The Scope of Research and Complexity of Cases at UHN Has Made It a National and International Source of Discovery, Education and Excellence in Patient Care

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is the only institution in Canada devoted exclusively to applied health sciences education, Michener is Canada’s first-ever merger between a hospital and a post-secondary health education institution and the only post-secondary institution devoted exclusively to specialized applied health education in the country.  ...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ANTHOR

THE FUTURE OF WORK IS ANTHOR

ANTHOR IS A CURITIBA BASED STARTUP THAT IS CREATING THE FUTURE OF WORK, REVOLUTIONIZING COMPANIES STAFFING, & CONNECTING GIG WORKERS AND COMPANIES FOR EFFICIENT WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS AND SERVICE LEVELS. Anthor is transforming the retail staffing landscapeLet’s start with a statement: “When you request an Uber, it doesn’t take you three...

INNOVATE® Nashville

CELERO COMMERCE

CELERO COMMERCE

WAS FOUNDED WITH ONE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE: TO HELP SMALL AND MID-SIZED BUSINESSES WIN

We know that we can deliver that by leveraging our investment in FinTech and our commitment to partnerships with community /regional banks. It is this combination that truly empowers local businesses in a way that enables them to compete and win in this ever more complex and competitive market.  ...

INNOVATE® Miami

Papa

Papa - By connecting older adults to college students

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™ 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™ Flanders

Sightera

Complex Patient-Derived Biology Meets AI-Drug Design

Sightera Biosciences accelerates drug discovery with an innovative approach that combines chemical structure analysis with complex patient-relevant preclinical models to design novel therapies. Due to the organization’s exclusive research collaboration with the DrugVision.AI screening platform of the University of Antwerp/UZA, it can produce exclusive datasets from patient-derived models to train...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

BLK WOMEN IN EXCELLENCE SOCIETY

In a World Where Entrepreneurship Can Be a Daunting Journey, the Canadian BLK Women in Excellence Society has Emerged as a Beacon of Support, empowerment, and Innovation.

Founded in 2020, BWIE is a pioneering organization dedicated to providing Black women with the tools, resources, and community necessary to thrive in the business world. Through a combination of mentorship, education, and funding opportunities, BWIE has cultivated an ecosystem that uplifts Black women and fosters economic development in Canada....

INNOVATE™ Toronto

KPMG-The Art of Turning Bold Ideas Into Game-Changing Realities

Innovation is about harnessing change, testing boundaries, and deciding to lead instead of follow. True, the process is rarely simple (let alone straightforward), but those who take the risk get a chance to write their futures. There’s no “right” path to innovation. As our experiences at KPMG’s Ignition Center reveal...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

FREELY PAYMENTS

HARNESSING INNOVATION TO TRANSFORM FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS

“We are not just facilitating transactions; we are redefining them to create tangible benefits for our clients.” In the bustling city of Washington, D.C., a pioneering force is reshaping the financial contours of the food and beverage industry. freely Payments, a visionary B2B payments gateway, has not just entered the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Mintwood Strategies

THE INNOVATORS OF UNOFFICIAL WASHINGTON

There is official Washington you see on TV, which features the National Mall, Congress, and the White House, and there is unofficial Washington, which is home to 700,000 citizens who are denied the ability to electorally participate in official Washington. Mintwood Strategies has carved out a niche in the media...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

UFPR

FOUNDED IN 1912, UFPR IS THE OLDEST UNIVERSITY IN BRAZIL.

It was initially known as the University of Paraná, and it has been since then a national reference when it comes to teaching, research, and outreach services. Therefore, the UFPR historic building, located at Praça Santos Andrade, was chosen by Curitiba residents as the very symbol of the city. Initially,...

INNOVATION Quebec

AXELYS

AN ESSENTIAL MISSION FOR THE FUTURE OF QUÉBEC Axelys integrates innovations from Quebec’s public research into the mainstream of society. Our mission is at the heart of the new 2022 2027 Québec strategy to support research and investment in innovation, launched in May 2022 by the Quebec government. At Axelys,...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

pH7 TECHNOLOGIES

At the forefront of sustainable resource extraction

Specialized cleantech solutions.pH7 Technologies Inc. delivers specialized cleantech solutions for the extraction of critical metals necessary for the transition to renewable energies. We have pioneered a proprietary process that provides a near-net-zero environmental impact in the extraction of key metals and minerals. This sustainable closed-loop process makes it an ideal...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Tropoly

WE EXIST NOW FOR THE FUTURE

Tropoly, founded by Neel Singh, Brady Dahmer, and Julien Phipps, aims to transform industries and propel humanity forward. This strategic marketing and innovation firm distinguishes itself by addressing clients’ business challenges and implementing strategies to revolutionize their organizations. In a world bombarded by messages, Tropoly cuts through the noise, positioning...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

ESPOSURE

THE GOAL FOR ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS IS TO EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN, ENGAGE AND EMPOWER

“Esposure is connecting esports and education to create opportunities. We are committed to doing our part in building the esports talent pipeline through our Education to Entertainment ecosystem.” — Danny R. Martin Danny R. Martin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Esposure, Inc., a global esports technology company with an...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

INNOVATING IN FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 165 YEARS

INNOVATING IN FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 165 YEARS Founded in 1857, Northwestern Mutual, a FORTUNE 500® financial services company, embodies a unique culture dedicated to helping people achieve financial security. As a mutual company, Northwestern Mutual answers to its policy owners — not Wall Street. Through a comprehensive planning...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

METRO ESPORTS

METRO ESPORTS-IS A BLACK-OWNED GAMING PLATFORM AIMED AT MAKING ESPORTS FOR EVERYBODY

IS A BLACK-OWNED GAMING PLATFORM AIMED AT MAKING ESPORTS FOR EVERYBODY

METRO IS A MULTICULTURAL ESPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION AGENCY, CREATING AND PRODUCING DIGITAL, SOCIAL, MOBILE AND LIVE EVENTS DESIGNED TO ATTRACT, ENGAGE AND UPLIFT A BROAD AND DIVERSE AUDIENCE OF GAMING AND TECHNOLOGY ENTHUSIASTS. A college football player, I don’t come from the world of esports as I only understood...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

PECO

POWERING PROGRESS

How PECO Is Building a More Reliable, Affordable, and Innovative Energy Future for Greater Philadelphia Powering Innovation for America’s Next Chapter Philadelphia has long been defined by innovation and leadership—from its role as the birthplace of American democracy to its legacy as a center of industrial and technological progress. As...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

JIVA CONSULTING

TRANSFORMING HOW THE INDUSTRY TRANSFERS DEEPLY TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIVERSITY

Jiva is an independent training and consulting organization focused on the energy and infrastructure industries. Jiva has a unique differentiator in the knowledge-transfer services it offers: Jiva has developed a process that marries technical expertise and educational theory with a deep knowledge of effective communication and robust project management through...

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™ South Africa

MAHLAKO A PHAHLA

MAHLAKO A PHAHLA - AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED

AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED, MANAGED AND INSPIRED, THAT PROMOTES AFRICAN AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EXCELLENCE

Mahlako a Phahla, founded by sisters Makole Mupita and Meta Mhlarhi, is named after our mother Mahlako to pay homage to her pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit in building a successful family business at a time when it was difficult for many black people to do so.   Mahlako is an...

INNOVATE® Georgia

REPAY

ATLANTA’S REPAY REVAMPS PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE ADVANTAGES FOR CONSUMERS & BUSINESSES

History & PurposeREPAY was founded in 2006 by John Morris and Shaler Alias with the goal of providing fast, frictionless, and fail-safe integrated payment processing solutions for consumers and businesses. Morris serves as REPAY’s CEO to this day, and Alias co-leads as president from the company’s headquarters in Atlanta. REPAY’s...

INNOVATION Quebec

INVESTISSEMENT QUÉBEC

UNE HISTOIRE D’AVENIR

1998 Investissement Québec est créée. L’organisation permet aux entreprises et aux investisseurs d’accéder à l’ensemble des programmes offerts par le gouvernement du Québec. Bien que ce ne soit pas énoncé ainsi à l’époque, l’objectif est fondamentalement de développer l’économie du Québec et le positionner comme terre propice à l’innovation, à...

INNOVATE® Nashville

JAILCORE

LISTENING FIRST, INNOVATING FAST

Guided by real-world feedback, JailCore blends clear logic with human understanding to create technology that truly serves those who serve. When JailCore was founded, it wasn’t built on the old “if you build it, they will come” mindset. The goal wasn’t to create software and hope facilities would adapt to...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

UHN

UHN-Is the Leading and Largest Research Hospital in Canada. The Scope of Research and Complexity of Cases at UHN Has Made It a National and International Source of Discovery

Is the Leading and Largest Research Hospital in Canada. The Scope of Research and Complexity of Cases at UHN Has Made It a National and International Source of Discovery, Education and Excellence in Patient Care

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is the only institution in Canada devoted exclusively to applied health sciences education, Michener is Canada’s first-ever merger between a hospital and a post-secondary health education institution and the only post-secondary institution devoted exclusively to specialized applied health education in the country.  ...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ANTHOR

THE FUTURE OF WORK IS ANTHOR

ANTHOR IS A CURITIBA BASED STARTUP THAT IS CREATING THE FUTURE OF WORK, REVOLUTIONIZING COMPANIES STAFFING, & CONNECTING GIG WORKERS AND COMPANIES FOR EFFICIENT WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS AND SERVICE LEVELS. Anthor is transforming the retail staffing landscapeLet’s start with a statement: “When you request an Uber, it doesn’t take you three...

INNOVATE® Nashville

CELERO COMMERCE

CELERO COMMERCE

WAS FOUNDED WITH ONE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE: TO HELP SMALL AND MID-SIZED BUSINESSES WIN

We know that we can deliver that by leveraging our investment in FinTech and our commitment to partnerships with community /regional banks. It is this combination that truly empowers local businesses in a way that enables them to compete and win in this ever more complex and competitive market.  ...

Ecosystems