Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

SPOON

SPOON-CHOOSE YOUR CULINARY EXPERIENCE

CHOOSE YOUR CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Founded in 2012 by Paulina Salach and Gustavo Antonetti, Spoon is Puerto Rico’s leading tour operator and travel planning & logistics company with a specialization in culinary experiences. We craft immersive, authentic, and educational gastronomic & cultural experiences for the leisure and corporate markets. On the leisure segment we service...

INNOVATE® Los Angeles

WAVEMAKER THREE-SIXTY HEALTH

LA’s Go-To Health-tech Venture Capital Firm

The WHY L.A.’s healthcare innovation ecosystem is so incredibly strong thanks to remarkable institutions like UCLA Medical Center, CedarsSinai Medical Center, City of Hope, Keck Hospital of USC, SCAN, Amgen, and many more, plus world-class universities including Caltech, UCLA and USC. Yet for decades, the city was missing a venture...

INNOVATION Quebec

FINTECH MONTRÉAL

“THE QUEBEC FINTECH INDUSTRY IS THRIVING. WITH THE LARGEST FINTECH HUB IN CANADA AND THE FINTECH CANADA FORUM, A MAJOR ANNUAL INDUSTRY GATHERING, THE STAGE IS SET FOR INNOVATION TO MEET THE REAL NEEDS OF A TRANSFORMING INDUSTRY.” Sebastian Boisjoly, vice-président, FinTech et Innovations technologiques, Finance Montréal Financial technologies (FinTech)...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

Carolina Almeida Cruz

Carolina Almeida Cruz Co-Founder Of Sapana.org And Entrepreneur @C-More – Beyond The Obvious I believe that I’m going to change the world. I love the sea, my biological family and beyond, my team of leaders of change and above all I belong to the world and the world is mine....

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Klehr

Redefining the Practice: A Law Firm at the Forefront of Philadelphia's Growth

Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP is a dynamic, multi-service law firm known in the business, financial and legal communities for its attorneys’ aggressive and creative problem-solving skills. Founded in 1975, the firm prides itself on prompt, insightful and business-focused legal solutions for clients ranging from entrepreneurs to large institutions. Klehr...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

Infotek Consulting ENGINEERING THE FUTURE OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

How Infotek Consulting Builds the Systems Behind Federal Growth

In Northern Virginia, innovation is often associated with cybersecurity breakthroughs, defense technologies, and mission-driven advancements. Less visible, but equally critical, are the systems that allow those innovations to scale, withstand scrutiny, and operate securely. Infotek Consulting, LLC has built its reputation by strengthening that foundation. Founded to support government contractors...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

WE ARE CISCO

WE ARE CISCO- Cisco Helps Seize The Opportunities Of Tomorrow By Proving That Amazing Things Can Happen When You Connect The Unconnected

Cisco Helps Seize The Opportunities Of Tomorrow By Proving That Amazing Things Can Happen When You Connect The Unconnected

An integral part of our DNA is creating long-lasting customer partnerships, working together to identify our customers’ needs and provide solutions that fuel their success. We have preserved this keen focus on solving business challenges since our founding in 1984. Len Bosack and wife Sandy Lerner, both working for Stanford...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

AXIOMCPAs

DOUG SMITH AND MELINDA D’ANTOUNO CREATED A PROGRESSIVE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ACCOUNTING FIRM

DOUG SMITH AND MELINDA D’ANTOUNO CREATED A PROGRESSIVE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ACCOUNTING FIRM TO UNIQUELY ADDRESS THE FRUSTRATIONS OF SMALL BUSINESSES. In 2011, Doug and Melinda set out to start a new kind of CPA firm. They wanted to take a fresh look at the industry and create a firm that really...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Innovations in the Entertainment Industry in 2026

AI, cloud gaming, VR/AR and personalised streaming are reshaping how people play, watch and interact.

In 2026, the entertainment industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by new technologies and digital solutions. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and cloud services are transforming how entertainment content is created and consumed. Companies are introducing innovations designed to make leisure activities more interactive, accessible, and personalized. Notable shifts are taking...

INNOVATE® Nashville

FIRSTBANK

FIRSTBANK-PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW WAVE

PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW WAVE

It’s not often you hear about companies that thrive for over a century, but FirstBank, from its humble start in rural West Tennessee in 1906 continues to evolve and conquer 117 years later. From its original mission of serving a small-town farming community, FirstBank, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with a...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HOME OF MY OWN

HOME OF MY OWN-MANY SOUTH AFRICANS STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE VITAL ROLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PLAYS IN GETTING AHEAD FINANCIALLY

MANY SOUTH AFRICANS STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE VITAL ROLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PLAYS IN GETTING AHEAD FINANCIALLY

At Home of My Own, we are passionate about homeownership because:• It generates wealth for homeowners and their families• Creates a more stable home environment• Results in better educational and behavioral outcomes for children• Improves physical and mental health homeowners• Builds stronger and more engaged communities Our mission is to...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Design Core Detroit

Plays a Critical Role in Amplifying the Impact of Detroit’s Innovation Community

With over a century of innovation in automobiles, a groundbreaking music scene, amazing architecture and one-of-a-kind fashion labels, DETROIT has long been a place where technical possibility meets great design. Few creative communities truly match the diversity and depth of Detroit’s design roots: a fact well reflected by its designation...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

GIRLS FLY PROGRAM AFRICA FOUNDATION

GIRLS FLY PROGRAM AFRICA FOUNDATION- AVIATION AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR SOUTH AFRICAN GIRLS – UNLEASHING THEIR POTENTIAL

AVIATION AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR SOUTH AFRICAN GIRLS – UNLEASHING THEIR POTENTIAL

In SA, despite the gains girls have made in access and efficiency markers of education, they still lag boys in quality of performance in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Even though, more girls than boys sat the Grade 12 examination in math and physical science, boys outperformed girls...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Hack for Earth Foundation

Unleashing Citizen-Driven Innovation with the Power of Hackathons

Hack for Earth began as an ambitious experiment to reinvent the hackathon tool, but it has since evolved into a global movement redefining innovation and democracy for the 21st century. At its core is the concept of citizen-driven innovation, which empowers citizens all over the world to co-create solutions for...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

Nova Scotia Health

Innovation Hub

Making Healthcare in Nova Scotia Better There is a smarter way to deliver quality healthcare, but achieving it requires fresh thinking, a forward-focused approach, and the courage to move beyond traditional methods. That is exactly what the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub is designed to do. Established in 2023, the...

INNOVATE® South Florida

Miami Dade College

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT There’s a tech revolution happening in the heart of Miami. It’s being fueled by big thinkers, risk-taking entrepreneurs, public and private supporters. And alongside them at the grown-up’s table: Miami Dade College. Long acknowledged as one of the nation’s biggest and most diverse institutions of...

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® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Global Philadelphia Association

2025 World Heritage City Celebration

Connecting Heritage, People, and Global Ideas

Innovation as Civic Infrastructure in America’s First World Heritage City In a global landscape where cities compete for visibility, talent, and influence, innovation is often defined narrowly—through technology, startups, or commercial growth. The Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) offers a broader, more civic-minded model. Rather than innovating through a single product...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FRIENDS AND ALLIES, SCALLYWAGS CLIMBING

FRIENDS AND ALLIES

CLIMBING IS A WELCOMING SPORT AND A UNIQUE AND DIVERSE WAY OF LIFE, WHICH IS A REFLECTION OF THE PEOPLE THAT CHOOSE TO SPEND THEIR TIME HERE

This journey all started with a boo boo. The excitement of climbing and over doing it leads to cuts, scrapes and worn down finger tips. With the psyche high to continue climbing I mixed a concoction of ingredients that I thought would help nourish my tender tips and treat any...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SOL NAVITAS

SOLAR VENTILATION FOR HEALTHIER, DRIER, SMARTER HOMES

Sol Navitas is an Estonian cleantech company on a mission to make buildings healthier, smarter, and more sustainable — by harnessing solar energy to drive ventilation, moisture control, and indoor climate solutions. At the heart of its approach is a simple belief: a building should support well-being, not compromise it....

INNOVATE® Georgia

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA (UNG)

UNG STEPS INTO ITS BRIGHT FUTURE

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of higher education thanks to its willingness to think outside the box in crafting experiences that will prepare students to serve as leaders in an ever-changing world. UNG does this in three specific ways: Seeing its...

INNOVATION Quebec

ÉCOLE DE TECHNOLOGIE SUPÉRIEURE

ON THE INTEGRATION OF INDUSTRY 4.0 TECHNOLOGIES (2018-2028)

The three major research projects headed by Siemens Research Chair on the Integration of Industry 4.0 Technologies are the result of a work carried out over a year by Professor Hany Moustapha and many collaborators. Funded by Siemens, NSERC and MITACS, these projects bring together the expertise of 20 professors...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

STORYTAILOR

CREATE MOMENTS OF TOGETHERNESS, NOT MORE SCREEN TIME.

Storytailor®is a Kansas City studio turning story time into a hands on adventure for families everywhere. Founded in 2022 by award winning children’s author and illustrator JQ Sirls and product builder Herston Fails, the company builds live stories that wrap around each child like a custom fitted cape. One moment...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Smarter Transportation Planning Without Replacing Everything

Container ship, freight truck and cargo aircraft moving shipments across connected transport modes

Connect the systems you already run, then close only the gaps that are slowing planning down.

Transportation planning rarely fails because a single system is bad. It fails because data lives in too many places at once. Most shippers run their operations across an ERP, a WMS, a transportation management systems solution, several carrier portals, and at least one spreadsheet that everyone quietly depends on. Each...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

SPOON

SPOON-CHOOSE YOUR CULINARY EXPERIENCE

CHOOSE YOUR CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Founded in 2012 by Paulina Salach and Gustavo Antonetti, Spoon is Puerto Rico’s leading tour operator and travel planning & logistics company with a specialization in culinary experiences. We craft immersive, authentic, and educational gastronomic & cultural experiences for the leisure and corporate markets. On the leisure segment we service...

INNOVATE® Los Angeles

WAVEMAKER THREE-SIXTY HEALTH

LA’s Go-To Health-tech Venture Capital Firm

The WHY L.A.’s healthcare innovation ecosystem is so incredibly strong thanks to remarkable institutions like UCLA Medical Center, CedarsSinai Medical Center, City of Hope, Keck Hospital of USC, SCAN, Amgen, and many more, plus world-class universities including Caltech, UCLA and USC. Yet for decades, the city was missing a venture...

INNOVATION Quebec

FINTECH MONTRÉAL

“THE QUEBEC FINTECH INDUSTRY IS THRIVING. WITH THE LARGEST FINTECH HUB IN CANADA AND THE FINTECH CANADA FORUM, A MAJOR ANNUAL INDUSTRY GATHERING, THE STAGE IS SET FOR INNOVATION TO MEET THE REAL NEEDS OF A TRANSFORMING INDUSTRY.” Sebastian Boisjoly, vice-président, FinTech et Innovations technologiques, Finance Montréal Financial technologies (FinTech)...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

Carolina Almeida Cruz

Carolina Almeida Cruz Co-Founder Of Sapana.org And Entrepreneur @C-More – Beyond The Obvious I believe that I’m going to change the world. I love the sea, my biological family and beyond, my team of leaders of change and above all I belong to the world and the world is mine....

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Klehr

Redefining the Practice: A Law Firm at the Forefront of Philadelphia's Growth

Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP is a dynamic, multi-service law firm known in the business, financial and legal communities for its attorneys’ aggressive and creative problem-solving skills. Founded in 1975, the firm prides itself on prompt, insightful and business-focused legal solutions for clients ranging from entrepreneurs to large institutions. Klehr...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

Infotek Consulting ENGINEERING THE FUTURE OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

How Infotek Consulting Builds the Systems Behind Federal Growth

In Northern Virginia, innovation is often associated with cybersecurity breakthroughs, defense technologies, and mission-driven advancements. Less visible, but equally critical, are the systems that allow those innovations to scale, withstand scrutiny, and operate securely. Infotek Consulting, LLC has built its reputation by strengthening that foundation. Founded to support government contractors...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

WE ARE CISCO

WE ARE CISCO- Cisco Helps Seize The Opportunities Of Tomorrow By Proving That Amazing Things Can Happen When You Connect The Unconnected

Cisco Helps Seize The Opportunities Of Tomorrow By Proving That Amazing Things Can Happen When You Connect The Unconnected

An integral part of our DNA is creating long-lasting customer partnerships, working together to identify our customers’ needs and provide solutions that fuel their success. We have preserved this keen focus on solving business challenges since our founding in 1984. Len Bosack and wife Sandy Lerner, both working for Stanford...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

AXIOMCPAs

DOUG SMITH AND MELINDA D’ANTOUNO CREATED A PROGRESSIVE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ACCOUNTING FIRM

DOUG SMITH AND MELINDA D’ANTOUNO CREATED A PROGRESSIVE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ACCOUNTING FIRM TO UNIQUELY ADDRESS THE FRUSTRATIONS OF SMALL BUSINESSES. In 2011, Doug and Melinda set out to start a new kind of CPA firm. They wanted to take a fresh look at the industry and create a firm that really...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Innovations in the Entertainment Industry in 2026

AI, cloud gaming, VR/AR and personalised streaming are reshaping how people play, watch and interact.

In 2026, the entertainment industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by new technologies and digital solutions. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and cloud services are transforming how entertainment content is created and consumed. Companies are introducing innovations designed to make leisure activities more interactive, accessible, and personalized. Notable shifts are taking...

INNOVATE® Nashville

FIRSTBANK

FIRSTBANK-PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW WAVE

PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW WAVE

It’s not often you hear about companies that thrive for over a century, but FirstBank, from its humble start in rural West Tennessee in 1906 continues to evolve and conquer 117 years later. From its original mission of serving a small-town farming community, FirstBank, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with a...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HOME OF MY OWN

HOME OF MY OWN-MANY SOUTH AFRICANS STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE VITAL ROLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PLAYS IN GETTING AHEAD FINANCIALLY

MANY SOUTH AFRICANS STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE VITAL ROLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PLAYS IN GETTING AHEAD FINANCIALLY

At Home of My Own, we are passionate about homeownership because:• It generates wealth for homeowners and their families• Creates a more stable home environment• Results in better educational and behavioral outcomes for children• Improves physical and mental health homeowners• Builds stronger and more engaged communities Our mission is to...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Design Core Detroit

Plays a Critical Role in Amplifying the Impact of Detroit’s Innovation Community

With over a century of innovation in automobiles, a groundbreaking music scene, amazing architecture and one-of-a-kind fashion labels, DETROIT has long been a place where technical possibility meets great design. Few creative communities truly match the diversity and depth of Detroit’s design roots: a fact well reflected by its designation...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

GIRLS FLY PROGRAM AFRICA FOUNDATION

GIRLS FLY PROGRAM AFRICA FOUNDATION- AVIATION AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR SOUTH AFRICAN GIRLS – UNLEASHING THEIR POTENTIAL

AVIATION AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR SOUTH AFRICAN GIRLS – UNLEASHING THEIR POTENTIAL

In SA, despite the gains girls have made in access and efficiency markers of education, they still lag boys in quality of performance in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Even though, more girls than boys sat the Grade 12 examination in math and physical science, boys outperformed girls...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Hack for Earth Foundation

Unleashing Citizen-Driven Innovation with the Power of Hackathons

Hack for Earth began as an ambitious experiment to reinvent the hackathon tool, but it has since evolved into a global movement redefining innovation and democracy for the 21st century. At its core is the concept of citizen-driven innovation, which empowers citizens all over the world to co-create solutions for...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

Nova Scotia Health

Innovation Hub

Making Healthcare in Nova Scotia Better There is a smarter way to deliver quality healthcare, but achieving it requires fresh thinking, a forward-focused approach, and the courage to move beyond traditional methods. That is exactly what the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub is designed to do. Established in 2023, the...

INNOVATE® South Florida

Miami Dade College

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT There’s a tech revolution happening in the heart of Miami. It’s being fueled by big thinkers, risk-taking entrepreneurs, public and private supporters. And alongside them at the grown-up’s table: Miami Dade College. Long acknowledged as one of the nation’s biggest and most diverse institutions of...

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® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Global Philadelphia Association

2025 World Heritage City Celebration

Connecting Heritage, People, and Global Ideas

Innovation as Civic Infrastructure in America’s First World Heritage City In a global landscape where cities compete for visibility, talent, and influence, innovation is often defined narrowly—through technology, startups, or commercial growth. The Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) offers a broader, more civic-minded model. Rather than innovating through a single product...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FRIENDS AND ALLIES, SCALLYWAGS CLIMBING

FRIENDS AND ALLIES

CLIMBING IS A WELCOMING SPORT AND A UNIQUE AND DIVERSE WAY OF LIFE, WHICH IS A REFLECTION OF THE PEOPLE THAT CHOOSE TO SPEND THEIR TIME HERE

This journey all started with a boo boo. The excitement of climbing and over doing it leads to cuts, scrapes and worn down finger tips. With the psyche high to continue climbing I mixed a concoction of ingredients that I thought would help nourish my tender tips and treat any...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SOL NAVITAS

SOLAR VENTILATION FOR HEALTHIER, DRIER, SMARTER HOMES

Sol Navitas is an Estonian cleantech company on a mission to make buildings healthier, smarter, and more sustainable — by harnessing solar energy to drive ventilation, moisture control, and indoor climate solutions. At the heart of its approach is a simple belief: a building should support well-being, not compromise it....

INNOVATE® Georgia

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA (UNG)

UNG STEPS INTO ITS BRIGHT FUTURE

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of higher education thanks to its willingness to think outside the box in crafting experiences that will prepare students to serve as leaders in an ever-changing world. UNG does this in three specific ways: Seeing its...

INNOVATION Quebec

ÉCOLE DE TECHNOLOGIE SUPÉRIEURE

ON THE INTEGRATION OF INDUSTRY 4.0 TECHNOLOGIES (2018-2028)

The three major research projects headed by Siemens Research Chair on the Integration of Industry 4.0 Technologies are the result of a work carried out over a year by Professor Hany Moustapha and many collaborators. Funded by Siemens, NSERC and MITACS, these projects bring together the expertise of 20 professors...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

STORYTAILOR

CREATE MOMENTS OF TOGETHERNESS, NOT MORE SCREEN TIME.

Storytailor®is a Kansas City studio turning story time into a hands on adventure for families everywhere. Founded in 2022 by award winning children’s author and illustrator JQ Sirls and product builder Herston Fails, the company builds live stories that wrap around each child like a custom fitted cape. One moment...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Smarter Transportation Planning Without Replacing Everything

Container ship, freight truck and cargo aircraft moving shipments across connected transport modes

Connect the systems you already run, then close only the gaps that are slowing planning down.

Transportation planning rarely fails because a single system is bad. It fails because data lives in too many places at once. Most shippers run their operations across an ERP, a WMS, a transportation management systems solution, several carrier portals, and at least one spreadsheet that everyone quietly depends on. Each...

Ecosystems