Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Nashville

GEEQ

FROM THE VULNERABLE ECONOMY TO THE VERIFIED ECONOMY

It’s Time for a Major Change For two decades, the digital economy has been driven by growth at any cost. Platforms built fortunes by selling data first and asking forgiveness later. Success was measured by clicks and likes – often at the expense of genuine value. That playbook is collapsing....

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

CONNECTPLUG

RETAIL AUTOMATION CAN BE MORE AFFORDABLE AND EFFECTIVE FOR EVERYONE

2014 doesn’t seem like a long time ago, but the technology was very different back then. AI was just science fiction, the internet was much slower — and retail software was expensive and unnecessarily complex. This scenario led to ConnectPlug’s creation by computer engineer Rafael Hasson. Hasson, who has worked...

INNOVATION Quebec

MEDTEQ+

SUPPORTING AND ACCELERATING THE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES

How can we ensure that the healthcare technologies we develop are robust enough to break into different markets? How can we support, and coach Quebec entrepreneurs as well as help stimulate the innovation ecosystem? This is the mission of MEDTEQ+ , a panCanadian consortium for industrial research and innovation in...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES

MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES-FOOD

FOOD, HOPE, DIGNITY … AND THE MOST TALKED ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

What started as five men in Austin, Texas answering God’s call to “love your neighbor” by serving meals out of the back of a green minivan has turned into one of the country’s most innovative approaches for mitigating homelessness. In 1998, the seed of the idea for Mobile Loaves &...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Plug and Play Detroit

Driving the Future of Mobility

A city synonymous with automotive innovation, Plug and Play’s Detroit operation is making waves with its groundbreaking approach to mobility. As a global leader in fostering innovation, Plug and Play has established itself as a critical player in the tech ecosystem. However, in Detroit, the organization is doing more than...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Latoria Williams — Chief Executive Officer, 1F Cash Advance

1F Cash Advance is a fintech company that provides short-term financial support for people who have trouble qualifying for traditional bank loans. The company was founded and is led by CEO Latoria Williams. Her business journey began with the realization that nearly half of Americans do not have an emergency...

INNOVATE® Nashville

BOON LEGAL

BOON LEGAL-MAKE MORE MISTAKES AND FAIL EARLY AND OFTEN IN SERVICE OF DISCOVERY

MAKE MORE MISTAKES AND FAIL EARLY AND OFTEN IN SERVICE OF DISCOVERY

It’s all too easy to get swept up in the fervor of “innovation.” In the polished, produced world of prime-time, venture capitalists drop seven figures into start-ups while founders celebrate exits. Like most things that reach a level of celebrity status in our world of “reality” entertainment, the true story...

INNOVATION Quebec

LLIO

CCTT IN OPEN INNOVATION

Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup’s Laboratoire en innovation ouverte (LLio) is a college centre for technology transfer specializing in open and collaborative innovation. Our mission is to facilitate the implementation of open innovation practices, particularly those involving users. Our focus is on open innovation practices, players and spaces. With our team of...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SCRA

A Unique and Pivotal Player in SC’s Innovation Ecosystem

The South Carolina Research Authority has the distinct honor and responsibility to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy. In 2024, it contributed over $1.33 billion to the state’s economy and supported 6624 South Carolina-based jobs. The average annual salary of these jobs was almost $92,000, 71% higher than the statewide average....

INNOVATE® Georgia

BLACKROCK

CHARTING THE WAY FORWARD

For BlackRock, continuous innovation is key. BlackRock’s Aladdin® business—which provides an investment management platform for institutional investors and wealth managers—is at the heart of the company’s tech innovation. Aladdin provides a unified investment management platform that gives clients a full view of their portfolio, across public and private markets—and enables...

INNOVATE® Seattle

Turkish Delight

NO FRILLS, JUST VERY TASTY FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED WITH LOTS OF LOVE.

NO FRILLS, JUST VERY TASTY FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED WITH LOTS OF LOVE. Turkish Delight Turkish Delight was established in 1982, and with Ahmet and Semra’s dedication, it has become a cherished tradition with locals and also a delectable experience for visitors. A foodie delight with a spectacular view tucked...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

THE GIFT PLACE

THE TRUE VALUE OF A GIFT IS THE SENTIMENT BEHIND THE GIFTING

NOTE FROM FOUNDER A few years ago, I realized how strenuous it is for some to come up with or present a thoughtful gift for any occasion. The idea of The Gift Place grew from my passion to create a gift by simply sourcing various items from different outlets to...

INNOVATE® South Florida

MyBundle

SIBLINGS SIMPLIFY STREAMING BY THE SEASHORE

SIBLINGS SIMPLIFY STREAMING BY THE SEASHORE For years now, households all over the United States have heard rallying cries to “cut the cord,” to spend less and get more, including better internet service, by canceling their traditional cable television packages and, instead, subscribing to live streaming television services like YouTube...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

BLOCK TIME FINANCIAL

PIONEERING THE FUTURE: VISION FOR DISRUPTION

PIONEERING THE FUTURE: VISION FOR DISRUPTION Block Time Financial is pioneering the financial technology sector in Milwaukee—and beyond. With a profound understanding of the rapidly changing landscape of global finance, CEO Bruce Rosenheimer, a seasoned Wall Street veteran, and CTO Lou Morgan, with three decades’ experience in the financial trading...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CarpeDM

Innovating the Dating Experience for Professional Black Women

“CarpeDM can have a massive positive impact on the collective economic and health status of the Black community.” Swiping right and superficial connections often dominate the realm of online dating. Naza Shelley founded CarpeDM to revolutionize how professional Black women find love in Washington, D.C., and beyond. This exclusive, member-only...

INNOVATIONS in Pharmaceutical Development®

MBQ PHARMA

The first biopharmaceutical drug development company started in Puerto Rico based on proprietary research in cancer, autoimmune and fibrotic diseases

Selective Targeting of GTPases – A novel, promising approach to treating Cancer, Autoimmune Conditions and Chronic Fibrotic DiseaseMBQ PHARMA – The Company and its missionMBQ Pharma is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing treatments with high unmet medical needs such as Cancer, Autoimmune Disease and Chronic Fibrotic Syndromes. Our...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

XTENDEVENT

AFRICAN INNOVATION ENABLES BRAND SUCCESS WITH XTENDEVENT.COM

Traditional in person trade exhibitions have been historically expensive, effectively restricting participation of smaller businesses and start-ups....

INNOVATION Quebec

LA GUILDE DU JEU VIDÉO DU QUÉBEC

A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE INDUSTRY

La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, born from the merger between the Alliance numérique and La Guilde des développeurs de jeux indépendants du Québec, is a Cooperative which brings together video game studios, academic institutions and entrepreneurs from related fields established in Quebec. With more than 300 members, the...

Global Innovation Spotlight

How AI Is Reshaping the Future of Student Assignments

How AI Is Reshaping the Future of Student Assignments Artificial intelligence has already creeped into normal life in academia. It is used to check grammar, locate sources and organize ideas by students. The topic of how this technology should be incorporated in modern learning is being debated by many teachers....

INNOVATION Quebec

CONNEXION LAURENTIDES

THE ESSENTIAL LINK FOR SUCCESSFUL INNOVATIVE PROJECTS IN THE LAURENTIANS

Connexion Laurentides is a not for profit organization founded in November 2018. As an acceleration and growth space for the greater Laurentians region, it has been led from its very beginning by a dedicated team, with its main objectives being to mobilize the entrepreneurial ecosystem actors in the Laurentians around...

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAIRE DIAMENT

HUMANISER L’INNOVATION NUMÉRIQUE EN SANTÉ MENTALE

La Chaire Diament est la Chaire de recherche stratégique de l’UQAM en design pour la cybersanté mentale. Son titulaire est le professeur Stéphane Vial. Mission et visionCréée en janvier 2020, la Chaire Diament est hébergée à l’École de design de l’Université du Québec à Montréal, et rattachée au Centre de...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

THEGAMEHERS

THEGAMEHERS-IS THE FIRST AND LARGEST MEDIA PLATFORM

IS THE FIRST AND LARGEST MEDIA PLATFORM, SOCIAL NETWORKING COMMUNITY, AND LIFESTYLE BRAND FOR WOMEN WHO GAME AND WHO WORK IN THE GAMING SPACE

The global gaming market is forecast to worth $257 billion by 2025 and of the 2.7 billion gamers worldwide, 46% of them are women. The majority of these women experience hate and toxicity while gaming, simply for being women. In fact, in an effort to avoid harassment, 75% of women...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

PREÂMBULO TECH

WITH DETERMINATION AND A REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT, PREÂMBULO TECH EMERGED

WITH DETERMINATION AND A REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT, PREÂMBULO TECH EMERGED TO TRANSFORM THE BRAZILIAN LEGAL LANDSCAPE. Investing heavily in technology and innovation, the company has established itself as a benchmark in the country’s Legaltech market. The founder and CEO, Hamilton Andreatta, takes pride in being an example for his city, state,...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

BLOCKCHAIN CENTER

MIAMI – A CENTRAL PLACE FOR BUILDING THE DECENTRALIZED FUTURE

When the Blockchain Center opened its doors, it marked a defining moment in the history of Miami’s Tech Scene. From the beginning, the vision of the blockchain center was to make Miami the crypto capital of the Americas and educate the masses. It was a physical location that became a...

INNOVATE® Nashville

GEEQ

FROM THE VULNERABLE ECONOMY TO THE VERIFIED ECONOMY

It’s Time for a Major Change For two decades, the digital economy has been driven by growth at any cost. Platforms built fortunes by selling data first and asking forgiveness later. Success was measured by clicks and likes – often at the expense of genuine value. That playbook is collapsing....

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

CONNECTPLUG

RETAIL AUTOMATION CAN BE MORE AFFORDABLE AND EFFECTIVE FOR EVERYONE

2014 doesn’t seem like a long time ago, but the technology was very different back then. AI was just science fiction, the internet was much slower — and retail software was expensive and unnecessarily complex. This scenario led to ConnectPlug’s creation by computer engineer Rafael Hasson. Hasson, who has worked...

INNOVATION Quebec

MEDTEQ+

SUPPORTING AND ACCELERATING THE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES

How can we ensure that the healthcare technologies we develop are robust enough to break into different markets? How can we support, and coach Quebec entrepreneurs as well as help stimulate the innovation ecosystem? This is the mission of MEDTEQ+ , a panCanadian consortium for industrial research and innovation in...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES

MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES-FOOD

FOOD, HOPE, DIGNITY … AND THE MOST TALKED ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

What started as five men in Austin, Texas answering God’s call to “love your neighbor” by serving meals out of the back of a green minivan has turned into one of the country’s most innovative approaches for mitigating homelessness. In 1998, the seed of the idea for Mobile Loaves &...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Plug and Play Detroit

Driving the Future of Mobility

A city synonymous with automotive innovation, Plug and Play’s Detroit operation is making waves with its groundbreaking approach to mobility. As a global leader in fostering innovation, Plug and Play has established itself as a critical player in the tech ecosystem. However, in Detroit, the organization is doing more than...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Latoria Williams — Chief Executive Officer, 1F Cash Advance

1F Cash Advance is a fintech company that provides short-term financial support for people who have trouble qualifying for traditional bank loans. The company was founded and is led by CEO Latoria Williams. Her business journey began with the realization that nearly half of Americans do not have an emergency...

INNOVATE® Nashville

BOON LEGAL

BOON LEGAL-MAKE MORE MISTAKES AND FAIL EARLY AND OFTEN IN SERVICE OF DISCOVERY

MAKE MORE MISTAKES AND FAIL EARLY AND OFTEN IN SERVICE OF DISCOVERY

It’s all too easy to get swept up in the fervor of “innovation.” In the polished, produced world of prime-time, venture capitalists drop seven figures into start-ups while founders celebrate exits. Like most things that reach a level of celebrity status in our world of “reality” entertainment, the true story...

INNOVATION Quebec

LLIO

CCTT IN OPEN INNOVATION

Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup’s Laboratoire en innovation ouverte (LLio) is a college centre for technology transfer specializing in open and collaborative innovation. Our mission is to facilitate the implementation of open innovation practices, particularly those involving users. Our focus is on open innovation practices, players and spaces. With our team of...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SCRA

A Unique and Pivotal Player in SC’s Innovation Ecosystem

The South Carolina Research Authority has the distinct honor and responsibility to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy. In 2024, it contributed over $1.33 billion to the state’s economy and supported 6624 South Carolina-based jobs. The average annual salary of these jobs was almost $92,000, 71% higher than the statewide average....

INNOVATE® Georgia

BLACKROCK

CHARTING THE WAY FORWARD

For BlackRock, continuous innovation is key. BlackRock’s Aladdin® business—which provides an investment management platform for institutional investors and wealth managers—is at the heart of the company’s tech innovation. Aladdin provides a unified investment management platform that gives clients a full view of their portfolio, across public and private markets—and enables...

INNOVATE® Seattle

Turkish Delight

NO FRILLS, JUST VERY TASTY FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED WITH LOTS OF LOVE.

NO FRILLS, JUST VERY TASTY FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED WITH LOTS OF LOVE. Turkish Delight Turkish Delight was established in 1982, and with Ahmet and Semra’s dedication, it has become a cherished tradition with locals and also a delectable experience for visitors. A foodie delight with a spectacular view tucked...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

THE GIFT PLACE

THE TRUE VALUE OF A GIFT IS THE SENTIMENT BEHIND THE GIFTING

NOTE FROM FOUNDER A few years ago, I realized how strenuous it is for some to come up with or present a thoughtful gift for any occasion. The idea of The Gift Place grew from my passion to create a gift by simply sourcing various items from different outlets to...

INNOVATE® South Florida

MyBundle

SIBLINGS SIMPLIFY STREAMING BY THE SEASHORE

SIBLINGS SIMPLIFY STREAMING BY THE SEASHORE For years now, households all over the United States have heard rallying cries to “cut the cord,” to spend less and get more, including better internet service, by canceling their traditional cable television packages and, instead, subscribing to live streaming television services like YouTube...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

BLOCK TIME FINANCIAL

PIONEERING THE FUTURE: VISION FOR DISRUPTION

PIONEERING THE FUTURE: VISION FOR DISRUPTION Block Time Financial is pioneering the financial technology sector in Milwaukee—and beyond. With a profound understanding of the rapidly changing landscape of global finance, CEO Bruce Rosenheimer, a seasoned Wall Street veteran, and CTO Lou Morgan, with three decades’ experience in the financial trading...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CarpeDM

Innovating the Dating Experience for Professional Black Women

“CarpeDM can have a massive positive impact on the collective economic and health status of the Black community.” Swiping right and superficial connections often dominate the realm of online dating. Naza Shelley founded CarpeDM to revolutionize how professional Black women find love in Washington, D.C., and beyond. This exclusive, member-only...

INNOVATIONS in Pharmaceutical Development®

MBQ PHARMA

The first biopharmaceutical drug development company started in Puerto Rico based on proprietary research in cancer, autoimmune and fibrotic diseases

Selective Targeting of GTPases – A novel, promising approach to treating Cancer, Autoimmune Conditions and Chronic Fibrotic DiseaseMBQ PHARMA – The Company and its missionMBQ Pharma is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing treatments with high unmet medical needs such as Cancer, Autoimmune Disease and Chronic Fibrotic Syndromes. Our...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

XTENDEVENT

AFRICAN INNOVATION ENABLES BRAND SUCCESS WITH XTENDEVENT.COM

Traditional in person trade exhibitions have been historically expensive, effectively restricting participation of smaller businesses and start-ups....

INNOVATION Quebec

LA GUILDE DU JEU VIDÉO DU QUÉBEC

A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE INDUSTRY

La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, born from the merger between the Alliance numérique and La Guilde des développeurs de jeux indépendants du Québec, is a Cooperative which brings together video game studios, academic institutions and entrepreneurs from related fields established in Quebec. With more than 300 members, the...

Global Innovation Spotlight

How AI Is Reshaping the Future of Student Assignments

How AI Is Reshaping the Future of Student Assignments Artificial intelligence has already creeped into normal life in academia. It is used to check grammar, locate sources and organize ideas by students. The topic of how this technology should be incorporated in modern learning is being debated by many teachers....

INNOVATION Quebec

CONNEXION LAURENTIDES

THE ESSENTIAL LINK FOR SUCCESSFUL INNOVATIVE PROJECTS IN THE LAURENTIANS

Connexion Laurentides is a not for profit organization founded in November 2018. As an acceleration and growth space for the greater Laurentians region, it has been led from its very beginning by a dedicated team, with its main objectives being to mobilize the entrepreneurial ecosystem actors in the Laurentians around...

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAIRE DIAMENT

HUMANISER L’INNOVATION NUMÉRIQUE EN SANTÉ MENTALE

La Chaire Diament est la Chaire de recherche stratégique de l’UQAM en design pour la cybersanté mentale. Son titulaire est le professeur Stéphane Vial. Mission et visionCréée en janvier 2020, la Chaire Diament est hébergée à l’École de design de l’Université du Québec à Montréal, et rattachée au Centre de...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

THEGAMEHERS

THEGAMEHERS-IS THE FIRST AND LARGEST MEDIA PLATFORM

IS THE FIRST AND LARGEST MEDIA PLATFORM, SOCIAL NETWORKING COMMUNITY, AND LIFESTYLE BRAND FOR WOMEN WHO GAME AND WHO WORK IN THE GAMING SPACE

The global gaming market is forecast to worth $257 billion by 2025 and of the 2.7 billion gamers worldwide, 46% of them are women. The majority of these women experience hate and toxicity while gaming, simply for being women. In fact, in an effort to avoid harassment, 75% of women...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

PREÂMBULO TECH

WITH DETERMINATION AND A REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT, PREÂMBULO TECH EMERGED

WITH DETERMINATION AND A REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT, PREÂMBULO TECH EMERGED TO TRANSFORM THE BRAZILIAN LEGAL LANDSCAPE. Investing heavily in technology and innovation, the company has established itself as a benchmark in the country’s Legaltech market. The founder and CEO, Hamilton Andreatta, takes pride in being an example for his city, state,...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

BLOCKCHAIN CENTER

MIAMI – A CENTRAL PLACE FOR BUILDING THE DECENTRALIZED FUTURE

When the Blockchain Center opened its doors, it marked a defining moment in the history of Miami’s Tech Scene. From the beginning, the vision of the blockchain center was to make Miami the crypto capital of the Americas and educate the masses. It was a physical location that became a...

Ecosystems