Stories of Innovation

Global Innovation Spotlight

How Small Businesses Can Eliminate the IT Problems That Drain Productivity

Practical fixes for the everyday tech headaches that quietly cost small teams hours every week.

When you run a small business, every minute counts. You have customers to serve, deadlines to meet, and a dozen decisions to make. The last thing you need is a Wi-Fi connection that drops mid-meeting or a computer that freezes just as you save an important file. Yet, these small...

INNOVATE® Nashville

CONFIRMATION.COM

CONFIRMATION.COM - Helping the Good Guys Catch the Bad Guys

Helping the Good Guys Catch the Bad Guys

Our Founder Brian Fox’s focus was always to “help the good guys catch the bad guys” through the use of the Confirmation.com service which garnered 7 patents and throughout the years caught billions in financial fraud while processing more than a trillion dollars in confirmation data every year. Suresh, Chris,...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GALAXIS

Reimagining Content Sharing To Make Monetization Better For Everyone

This is the story about a company with such potential, it could become a top 10 startup. A bold claim? Sure! Backed by facts? Stay tuned. It has adventure, love, death, and much, much more. It’s the story about a company with a concept so innovative, its creator accurately predicted...

INNOVATION Quebec

INAF

EN AVANT VERS UNE ALIMENTATION DURABLE

Les défis du secteur bioalimentaire sont complexes et exacerbés par de grandes menaces telles que les changements climatiques et les inégalités sociales. Il est crucial de se préoccuper de l’impact de nos choix alimentaires sur la société et l’environnement. Favoriser l’accès à une alimentation saine, variée et durable tout en...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

GAIRDNER FOUNDATION

GAIRDNER FOUNDATION -WAS ESTABLISHED BY TORONTO STOCKBROKER

WAS ESTABLISHED BY TORONTO STOCKBROKER, JAMES GAIRDNER IN 1957

The Foundation awards the annual Canada Gairdner Awards to leading scientists from around the world whose discoveries have had a major impact on scientific progress and human health. The awards are Canada’s only globally recognized international scientific prize. Since 1959, more than 400 scientists from 40 countries have received 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® Washington DMV Edition

BuildWithin

Potential over Credential

A pioneering company stands tall in the bustling world of tech innovation and workforce development in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. BuildWithin, an emblem of transformative learning and forward thinking solutions, marks a significant shift in how we approach skill development and career growth. This journey of innovation began with...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

LIFESEEDS

BUILDING THE NORDIC BRIDGE TO PERSONALIZED LONGEVITY

Aging is the single greatest risk factor for every major chronic disease — yet the global wellness and supplement market still treats human biology as if one size fits all. Consumers spend billions on generic products, vague claims and underdosed formulas — yet see little measurable impact. At the same...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

RON ARTESANO

RON ARTESANO

Artesano is the product of inspiration, perspiration, hard work and perseverance

This is what we call Ron Artesano. This craft rum brand is hand-made in small batches in the mountains of Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The founders are a solid team of professionals that handle the different aspects of the business: Commercial Operations & Business Development, Distillation, Production & Aging and Rum...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

POWER REVIEWS

POWER REVIEWS- ENABLING BRANDS AND RETAILERS TO DRIVE MORE REVENUE WITH RATINGS AND REVIEWS

ENABLING BRANDS AND RETAILERS TO DRIVE MORE REVENUE WITH RATINGS AND REVIEWS

PowerReviews works with more than 1,000 global brands and retailers to help them collect, display and analyze user-generated content – Ratings and Reviews, Questions and Answers, and images and videos – on their websites. As more consumers flocked online as a result of Covid, this content actually became significantly more...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

SnapIT Solutions

USING TECHNOLOGY TO GROW PEOPLE

USING TECHNOLOGY TO GROW PEOPLE SnapIT Solutions, based in Overland Park, Kansas, is an innovative technology solutions and services company specializing in web and mobile applications, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, DevOps, IT Managed services and cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), and 3Dphotogrammetry. Established in...

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® South Carolina

SC TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM

SOUTH CAROLINA’S TECHNICAL COLLEGES ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE

In a state known for its industrious spirit and manufacturing strength, the South Carolina Technical College System has quietly – and powerfully – become the engine driving economic growth, workforce transformation, and social mobility. With 16 colleges strategically located across the state, this system isn’t just preparing students for jobs...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

HOW KCADC IS REWRITING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAYBOOK

Economic development is competitive. Projects move fast and expectations are high. The competition for the same companies, the same talent, the same headline wins leaves little margin for error. Standing out takes more than good infrastructure or a central location. It takes alignment. The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FLOW

FLOW- IS FLIPPING THE PROPERTY INDUSTRY

IS FLIPPING THE PROPERTY INDUSTRY

FLOW IS DEMOCRATISING THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY’S ARCHAIC OPERATING MODEL FOR AGENTS, EMPOWERING THEM IN A DIGITAL WORLD AND GIVING BUYER, SELLER AND AGENT THE BENEFIT OF A BETTER, MORE TRANSPARENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE PROCESS. THE FACE OF TECHNOLOGY CAN STILL BE HUMAN – AND FLOW MAKES SURE THAT ESTATE AGENTS...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

THE CITY OF ANTWERP

THE CITY OF ANTWERP-A SMART CITY

A SMART CITY, WHERE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION GO HAND IN HAND

Antwerp, just another historic city with a port? Think again. The urge to excel, a nose for opportunities and an impressive flamboyance make Antwerp an ideal breeding ground for creative ideas. Discover in this introduction the story of an extended network for innovation and entrepreneurship, across a wide range of...

AI Québec

IA QUÉBEC

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB- AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT

LE LABORATOIRE D’INNOVATION EN COMMERCE AU DÉTAIL À L’ÉCOLE BENSADOUN DE COMMERCE AU DÉTAIL DE L’UNIVERSITÉ MCGILL

L’École Bensadoun de commerce au détail de l’Université McGill a récemment lancé un laboratoire d’innovation en commerce au détail, fruit d’une collaboration entre l’Université McGill et Alimentation Couche-Tard inc. (ACT). Situé sur le campus de l’Université McGill, le laboratoire est à la fois un dépanneur et un laboratoire vivant, et...

Global Innovation Spotlight

6 Simple Innovations Keeping Projects Moving

Hotshot truck hauling a compact utility machine on a gooseneck trailer

Six innovations keeping equipment, parts and crews moving when a job site cannot wait.

Idle equipment on an active construction site acts as a sequencing failure with severe downstream consequences. One grounded excavator can stall a dig crew, compress the concrete pour window, and push site completion past the contract deadline. Construction equipment idle time burns roughly a gallon of diesel per machine per...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC Thrive

Celebrating 15 Years of Leadership, Impact, and Innovation.

Over the past 15 years, SC Thrive has served as our state’s leader in linking South Carolinians with community and essential resources. In partnership with the Palmetto Institute, the BlueCross BlueShield of SC Foundation, and The Duke Endowment, SC Thrive began as a program of the SC Office of Rural...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

POLYCADE

Reimagining Arcade Gaming For The Modern Day

Polycade is the gaming platform for in-person play. The Polycade software powers PC-based consoles and arcade machines, including their proprietary commercial-grade two and four-player arcade machines. The software features are designed to support in-person and location-based gaming, while connecting these physical communities with their digital counterparts — features like small-pond...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Launch Tennessee

Advances legacy of innovation

Public-private partnership Launch Tennessee has spent more than a decade creating a unique statewide startup ecosystem, supporting entrepreneurs in all 95 counties across the Volunteer State by providing capital, commercialization support, and connections. “It’s a great privilege to work on behalf of the entire state to boost innovation and entrepreneurship,”...

INNOVATION Quebec

CTRI

CCTT EN RÉSIDUS INDUSTRIELS

Le Centre technologique des résidus industriels (CTRI) a pour mission de soutenir les entreprises et le milieu socio-économique dans les secteurs minier, forestier et agricole. Le centre participe à l’exploration, l’identification et la proposition de solutions novatrices visantà valoriser les résidus industriels et les ressources naturelles sous-utilisées. L’objectif est d’accélérer...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CAPITAL WORKFORCE INNOVATION CONSORTIUM

Empowering D.C.’s Future Through Workforce Innovation

The InnovationFounded in 2024, the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium is a Next Generation Sector Partnership formed by the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) and convened by BuildWithin. This initiative serves as an engine for aligning local talent with market demands through robust public-private partnerships, particularly in the...

INNOVATION Quebec

PROMPT

VOTRE DÉTONATEUR D’INNOVATION POUR LA RECHERCHE ET LE DÉVELOPPEMENT EN NOUVELLES TECHNOLOGIES

Depuis 20 ans, Prompt, regroupement sectoriel de recherche industrielle (RSRI) mandaté par le gouvernement du Québec, stimule les collaborations et finance les projets de R-D à fort impact. Nous sommes les pionniers de l’innovation collaborative, où les actrices et les acteurs de première ligne des mondes entrepreneuriaux travaillent avec celles...

Global Innovation Spotlight

How Small Businesses Can Eliminate the IT Problems That Drain Productivity

Practical fixes for the everyday tech headaches that quietly cost small teams hours every week.

When you run a small business, every minute counts. You have customers to serve, deadlines to meet, and a dozen decisions to make. The last thing you need is a Wi-Fi connection that drops mid-meeting or a computer that freezes just as you save an important file. Yet, these small...

INNOVATE® Nashville

CONFIRMATION.COM

CONFIRMATION.COM - Helping the Good Guys Catch the Bad Guys

Helping the Good Guys Catch the Bad Guys

Our Founder Brian Fox’s focus was always to “help the good guys catch the bad guys” through the use of the Confirmation.com service which garnered 7 patents and throughout the years caught billions in financial fraud while processing more than a trillion dollars in confirmation data every year. Suresh, Chris,...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GALAXIS

Reimagining Content Sharing To Make Monetization Better For Everyone

This is the story about a company with such potential, it could become a top 10 startup. A bold claim? Sure! Backed by facts? Stay tuned. It has adventure, love, death, and much, much more. It’s the story about a company with a concept so innovative, its creator accurately predicted...

INNOVATION Quebec

INAF

EN AVANT VERS UNE ALIMENTATION DURABLE

Les défis du secteur bioalimentaire sont complexes et exacerbés par de grandes menaces telles que les changements climatiques et les inégalités sociales. Il est crucial de se préoccuper de l’impact de nos choix alimentaires sur la société et l’environnement. Favoriser l’accès à une alimentation saine, variée et durable tout en...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

GAIRDNER FOUNDATION

GAIRDNER FOUNDATION -WAS ESTABLISHED BY TORONTO STOCKBROKER

WAS ESTABLISHED BY TORONTO STOCKBROKER, JAMES GAIRDNER IN 1957

The Foundation awards the annual Canada Gairdner Awards to leading scientists from around the world whose discoveries have had a major impact on scientific progress and human health. The awards are Canada’s only globally recognized international scientific prize. Since 1959, more than 400 scientists from 40 countries have received 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® Washington DMV Edition

BuildWithin

Potential over Credential

A pioneering company stands tall in the bustling world of tech innovation and workforce development in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. BuildWithin, an emblem of transformative learning and forward thinking solutions, marks a significant shift in how we approach skill development and career growth. This journey of innovation began with...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

LIFESEEDS

BUILDING THE NORDIC BRIDGE TO PERSONALIZED LONGEVITY

Aging is the single greatest risk factor for every major chronic disease — yet the global wellness and supplement market still treats human biology as if one size fits all. Consumers spend billions on generic products, vague claims and underdosed formulas — yet see little measurable impact. At the same...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

RON ARTESANO

RON ARTESANO

Artesano is the product of inspiration, perspiration, hard work and perseverance

This is what we call Ron Artesano. This craft rum brand is hand-made in small batches in the mountains of Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The founders are a solid team of professionals that handle the different aspects of the business: Commercial Operations & Business Development, Distillation, Production & Aging and Rum...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

POWER REVIEWS

POWER REVIEWS- ENABLING BRANDS AND RETAILERS TO DRIVE MORE REVENUE WITH RATINGS AND REVIEWS

ENABLING BRANDS AND RETAILERS TO DRIVE MORE REVENUE WITH RATINGS AND REVIEWS

PowerReviews works with more than 1,000 global brands and retailers to help them collect, display and analyze user-generated content – Ratings and Reviews, Questions and Answers, and images and videos – on their websites. As more consumers flocked online as a result of Covid, this content actually became significantly more...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

SnapIT Solutions

USING TECHNOLOGY TO GROW PEOPLE

USING TECHNOLOGY TO GROW PEOPLE SnapIT Solutions, based in Overland Park, Kansas, is an innovative technology solutions and services company specializing in web and mobile applications, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, DevOps, IT Managed services and cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), and 3Dphotogrammetry. Established in...

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® South Carolina

SC TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM

SOUTH CAROLINA’S TECHNICAL COLLEGES ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE

In a state known for its industrious spirit and manufacturing strength, the South Carolina Technical College System has quietly – and powerfully – become the engine driving economic growth, workforce transformation, and social mobility. With 16 colleges strategically located across the state, this system isn’t just preparing students for jobs...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

HOW KCADC IS REWRITING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAYBOOK

Economic development is competitive. Projects move fast and expectations are high. The competition for the same companies, the same talent, the same headline wins leaves little margin for error. Standing out takes more than good infrastructure or a central location. It takes alignment. The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FLOW

FLOW- IS FLIPPING THE PROPERTY INDUSTRY

IS FLIPPING THE PROPERTY INDUSTRY

FLOW IS DEMOCRATISING THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY’S ARCHAIC OPERATING MODEL FOR AGENTS, EMPOWERING THEM IN A DIGITAL WORLD AND GIVING BUYER, SELLER AND AGENT THE BENEFIT OF A BETTER, MORE TRANSPARENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE PROCESS. THE FACE OF TECHNOLOGY CAN STILL BE HUMAN – AND FLOW MAKES SURE THAT ESTATE AGENTS...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

THE CITY OF ANTWERP

THE CITY OF ANTWERP-A SMART CITY

A SMART CITY, WHERE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION GO HAND IN HAND

Antwerp, just another historic city with a port? Think again. The urge to excel, a nose for opportunities and an impressive flamboyance make Antwerp an ideal breeding ground for creative ideas. Discover in this introduction the story of an extended network for innovation and entrepreneurship, across a wide range of...

AI Québec

IA QUÉBEC

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB- AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT

LE LABORATOIRE D’INNOVATION EN COMMERCE AU DÉTAIL À L’ÉCOLE BENSADOUN DE COMMERCE AU DÉTAIL DE L’UNIVERSITÉ MCGILL

L’École Bensadoun de commerce au détail de l’Université McGill a récemment lancé un laboratoire d’innovation en commerce au détail, fruit d’une collaboration entre l’Université McGill et Alimentation Couche-Tard inc. (ACT). Situé sur le campus de l’Université McGill, le laboratoire est à la fois un dépanneur et un laboratoire vivant, et...

Global Innovation Spotlight

6 Simple Innovations Keeping Projects Moving

Hotshot truck hauling a compact utility machine on a gooseneck trailer

Six innovations keeping equipment, parts and crews moving when a job site cannot wait.

Idle equipment on an active construction site acts as a sequencing failure with severe downstream consequences. One grounded excavator can stall a dig crew, compress the concrete pour window, and push site completion past the contract deadline. Construction equipment idle time burns roughly a gallon of diesel per machine per...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC Thrive

Celebrating 15 Years of Leadership, Impact, and Innovation.

Over the past 15 years, SC Thrive has served as our state’s leader in linking South Carolinians with community and essential resources. In partnership with the Palmetto Institute, the BlueCross BlueShield of SC Foundation, and The Duke Endowment, SC Thrive began as a program of the SC Office of Rural...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

POLYCADE

Reimagining Arcade Gaming For The Modern Day

Polycade is the gaming platform for in-person play. The Polycade software powers PC-based consoles and arcade machines, including their proprietary commercial-grade two and four-player arcade machines. The software features are designed to support in-person and location-based gaming, while connecting these physical communities with their digital counterparts — features like small-pond...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Launch Tennessee

Advances legacy of innovation

Public-private partnership Launch Tennessee has spent more than a decade creating a unique statewide startup ecosystem, supporting entrepreneurs in all 95 counties across the Volunteer State by providing capital, commercialization support, and connections. “It’s a great privilege to work on behalf of the entire state to boost innovation and entrepreneurship,”...

INNOVATION Quebec

CTRI

CCTT EN RÉSIDUS INDUSTRIELS

Le Centre technologique des résidus industriels (CTRI) a pour mission de soutenir les entreprises et le milieu socio-économique dans les secteurs minier, forestier et agricole. Le centre participe à l’exploration, l’identification et la proposition de solutions novatrices visantà valoriser les résidus industriels et les ressources naturelles sous-utilisées. L’objectif est d’accélérer...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CAPITAL WORKFORCE INNOVATION CONSORTIUM

Empowering D.C.’s Future Through Workforce Innovation

The InnovationFounded in 2024, the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium is a Next Generation Sector Partnership formed by the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) and convened by BuildWithin. This initiative serves as an engine for aligning local talent with market demands through robust public-private partnerships, particularly in the...

INNOVATION Quebec

PROMPT

VOTRE DÉTONATEUR D’INNOVATION POUR LA RECHERCHE ET LE DÉVELOPPEMENT EN NOUVELLES TECHNOLOGIES

Depuis 20 ans, Prompt, regroupement sectoriel de recherche industrielle (RSRI) mandaté par le gouvernement du Québec, stimule les collaborations et finance les projets de R-D à fort impact. Nous sommes les pionniers de l’innovation collaborative, où les actrices et les acteurs de première ligne des mondes entrepreneuriaux travaillent avec celles...

Ecosystems