Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

CITADEL CREDIT UNION

INNOVATION WITH PURPOSE

Citadel’s Member-Owned Growth Story in Philadelphia Innovation in financial services is often measured by speed: faster payments, faster approvals, faster digital access. For Citadel Credit Union, innovation begins with a more human question: how can financial services help people build stronger lives, businesses, and communities? That question is guiding Citadel’s...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

SUGAR GAMERS

SUGAR GAMERS- MEET THE NEW FACE OF GEEK CULTURE

MEET THE NEW FACE OF GEEK CULTURE

GAMING APPEALS TO OUR INNATE SENSE OF HUMANITY. IT INSPIRES CREATIVITY, PLAY, CONNECTIVITY, AND COMMUNITY These also happen to be the fundamentals of today’s video games. This wasn’t designed by accident, either. Playing video games empowers people no matter their backgrounds, religion, politics, race, gender or location. Sugar Gamers exemplify...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

THE ESTONIAN CANCER SOCIETY (EESTI VÄHILIIT)

A COMMUNITY UNITED AGAINST CANCER

The Estonian Cancer Society (Eesti Vähiliit) is not just an organization – it’s a lifeline. Since its founding in 1992, it has become the largest umbrella group for cancer patients and associations in Estonia, uniting 14 member organizations and nearly 2,000 members across the country. Its purpose is simple yet...

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® Miami

Chargello

Chargello - Now in twenty-six countries and over 6000 restaurants and other venues

Now in twenty-six countries and over 6000 restaurants and other venues

Chargello makes portable phone charging kits, places them in restaurants and other venues, and uses this unique location to sell targeted ads. By doing this, they have built a highly focused new media channel while also solving the universal need for charging your phone away from home. “My phone was...

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...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

INTECSO

PIONEERING EXCELLENCE IN LABORATORY ANALYSIS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Founded under the visionary leadership of Paula Fernandes de Siqueira Machado, Intecso emerged in response to the challenges encountered in research and development within the feed industry. Motivated by her passion for innovation, Paula spearheaded the development of disruptive industrial processes in the soybean processing chain. Recognizing the obstacles and...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

UNLEASHING INNOVATION

THE THINKNIMBLE REVOLUTION

“We are a product design and software development agency that turns clients into confident tech leaders who understand their customers and build great tech.” ThinkNimble is a guiding light of innovation. It’s carved out a niche that’s as unique as its approach to technology and entrepreneurship. Founded on the principle...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

Enduvo’s

Enduvo’s -No-Code Platform Enables Anyone With the Power to Create and Share Immersive Content Within Their Organizations and the Metaverse

No-Code Platform Enables Anyone With the Power to Create and Share Immersive Content Within Their Organizations and the Metaverse

Enduvo was born at the University of Illinois and initially funded through a Jump Applied Research for Community Health through Engineering and Simulation (ARCHES) grant. These grants support collaborative research and development between OSF Healthcare and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. Dr. Matt Bramlet, Justin Drawz,...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SEMETRON

INNOVATION IN HEALTHCARE: MOBILE MODULAR HOSPITAL

The healthcare sector faces increasingly complex challenges — from the impacts of climate change and natural disasters to global pandemics and conflict-related crises. In these situations, timely access to quality medical care can be a matter of life and death. This is where Semetron steps in, an innovative leader from...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Why Brand Protection Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Modern Consumer Brands

For years, brand protection was viewed primarily as a defensive function. Companies invested in trademarks, monitored counterfeit activity, and occasionally addressed unauthorized sellers when issues became impossible to ignore. Most leadership teams considered brand protection a necessary but largely reactive part of doing business. That mindset is changing. As ecommerce...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

RAINFOREST ALBERTA

Building the framework for tech and innovation in Alberta

RAINFOREST ALBERTA IS ROOTED IN AN ANALOGYAlthough the cold, dry climate of Alberta might not seem to have much in common with the Rainforest, our innovation ecosystem sure does. This connection is explored in the book: “The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley” by Greg Horowitt and...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE- NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The third eye represents intuition and insight—an inner vision and enlightenment beyond what the physical eye can see. Modern shoppers are increasingly time-starved and brand-agnostic. It is therefore imperative for brands to understand as much as they can about the people who are buying their products and how they feel...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Bristol Media - A Force For Championing The Region On The National And International Stage

Bristol Media - A Force For Championing The Region On The National And International Stage

Bristol Media is the membership body combining Bristol’s creative sectors into a force for championing the region on the national and international stage. About Bristol MediaCreated in 2005, Bristol Media is a non-profit CIC and one of the largest creative networks in the UK. We are a membership organisation, whose...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

HERAN PARTNERS & THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE

HERAN PARTNERS & THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE -HERAN PARTNERS WAS LAUNCHED IN 2020 WITH THE MISSION TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE BY FOCUSSING ON DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION ON THE VERGE OF LIFE SCIENCES AND DATA

HERAN PARTNERS WAS LAUNCHED IN 2020 WITH THE MISSION TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE BY FOCUSSING ON DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION ON THE VERGE OF LIFE SCIENCES AND DATA

HERAN empowered and took the investment experience and track record of its founders into the future. As an investment firm active in the Venture Capital space, HERAN aims to fuel growth of innovative technologies by supporting start-ups & scale-ups. HERAN’s sole focus lies within the healthcare market with investments ranging...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

So Kids SOAR (SKS)

What is one thing shared by all of the innovators within these pages?

THEIR DESIRE TO IMPACT THIS WORLD. One of the most fulfilling ways to feel that impact is by watching the beneficiaries of that impact excel in their lives—and making their own ripple of change in the world. Like a successful rocket launch into space, So Kids SOAR (Formerly Dreams For...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

ILLINOIS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ILLINOIS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-Helping Latino-Owned Businesses Grow

Helping Latino-Owned Businesses Grow

The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is a community of business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals committed to empowering individuals by helping them start and grow their businesses. As the largest community of Latino business owners across Illinois and the Midwest, they represent more than 100,000 businesses. Latinos in Illinois...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PIPELINE ENTREPRENEURS

A MIDWEST MOVEMENT WITH GLOBAL REACH

Kansas City has long been a center of industry and grit. In recent years, it has also proven itself to be a center of innovation. Pipeline Entrepreneurs sits at the heart of that shift. Founded in 2007, the organization supports the Midwest’s most driven founders and proves that world-class companies...

INNOVATION Quebec

MYCÉLIUM

Is Quebec City’s incubator-accelerator dedicated to food manufacturing companies looking to improve the existing food supply with an innovative product or process that has a positive and lasting impact on health, the economy, society or on the environment

MYCÉLIUM boasts an innovative incubation model enhanced by the involvement of the regional business network, stakeholders’ expertise and access to the talent of several scientists from the Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels de l’Université Laval (INAF), the largest research centre in Canada dedicated to food and nutrition....

INNOVATION Quebec

Calcul Québec

Calcul Québec- Collaborate to innovate

Collaborate to innovate

United for more powerQuébec is a pioneer in the field of advanced computing in the country. From 1992, several inter-institutional collaborations emerged. These collaborations made possible the acquisition of supercomputers, and the development of local expertise in order to support the research community. Thirty years ago, this support enabled Québec...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

RAPID RADICALS

UNLEASHING INNOVATION: RAPID RADICALS’ TORRENTIAL TRIUMPH

In July 2010, nine inches of rain fell in a very short amount of time, filling the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD) service area pipes with some 64 billion gallons of water. A storm of this severity is only likely to occur once every 500 years, but the frequency is...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TACIT EDGE

Disrupting the ambiguity in Product Management

When Renee Matsalla and Christa Hill first met, they were on the team that would scale a Calgary-based tech startup to global heights. The two women formed an immediate connection through their passion for Product Management and problem-solving, yet in those early days on the team of Benevity — a...

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® Milwaukee

Ideawake

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE In a world where ideas hold immense value, Ideawake is on a mission to empower companies to mine their most valuable resource: their employees’ creativity and insights. Founded in 2013 by Coby Skonord and Trae Tessmann, Ideawake began with a vision to make innovation accessible...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

CITADEL CREDIT UNION

INNOVATION WITH PURPOSE

Citadel’s Member-Owned Growth Story in Philadelphia Innovation in financial services is often measured by speed: faster payments, faster approvals, faster digital access. For Citadel Credit Union, innovation begins with a more human question: how can financial services help people build stronger lives, businesses, and communities? That question is guiding Citadel’s...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

SUGAR GAMERS

SUGAR GAMERS- MEET THE NEW FACE OF GEEK CULTURE

MEET THE NEW FACE OF GEEK CULTURE

GAMING APPEALS TO OUR INNATE SENSE OF HUMANITY. IT INSPIRES CREATIVITY, PLAY, CONNECTIVITY, AND COMMUNITY These also happen to be the fundamentals of today’s video games. This wasn’t designed by accident, either. Playing video games empowers people no matter their backgrounds, religion, politics, race, gender or location. Sugar Gamers exemplify...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

THE ESTONIAN CANCER SOCIETY (EESTI VÄHILIIT)

A COMMUNITY UNITED AGAINST CANCER

The Estonian Cancer Society (Eesti Vähiliit) is not just an organization – it’s a lifeline. Since its founding in 1992, it has become the largest umbrella group for cancer patients and associations in Estonia, uniting 14 member organizations and nearly 2,000 members across the country. Its purpose is simple yet...

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® Miami

Chargello

Chargello - Now in twenty-six countries and over 6000 restaurants and other venues

Now in twenty-six countries and over 6000 restaurants and other venues

Chargello makes portable phone charging kits, places them in restaurants and other venues, and uses this unique location to sell targeted ads. By doing this, they have built a highly focused new media channel while also solving the universal need for charging your phone away from home. “My phone was...

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...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

INTECSO

PIONEERING EXCELLENCE IN LABORATORY ANALYSIS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Founded under the visionary leadership of Paula Fernandes de Siqueira Machado, Intecso emerged in response to the challenges encountered in research and development within the feed industry. Motivated by her passion for innovation, Paula spearheaded the development of disruptive industrial processes in the soybean processing chain. Recognizing the obstacles and...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

UNLEASHING INNOVATION

THE THINKNIMBLE REVOLUTION

“We are a product design and software development agency that turns clients into confident tech leaders who understand their customers and build great tech.” ThinkNimble is a guiding light of innovation. It’s carved out a niche that’s as unique as its approach to technology and entrepreneurship. Founded on the principle...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

Enduvo’s

Enduvo’s -No-Code Platform Enables Anyone With the Power to Create and Share Immersive Content Within Their Organizations and the Metaverse

No-Code Platform Enables Anyone With the Power to Create and Share Immersive Content Within Their Organizations and the Metaverse

Enduvo was born at the University of Illinois and initially funded through a Jump Applied Research for Community Health through Engineering and Simulation (ARCHES) grant. These grants support collaborative research and development between OSF Healthcare and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. Dr. Matt Bramlet, Justin Drawz,...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SEMETRON

INNOVATION IN HEALTHCARE: MOBILE MODULAR HOSPITAL

The healthcare sector faces increasingly complex challenges — from the impacts of climate change and natural disasters to global pandemics and conflict-related crises. In these situations, timely access to quality medical care can be a matter of life and death. This is where Semetron steps in, an innovative leader from...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Why Brand Protection Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Modern Consumer Brands

For years, brand protection was viewed primarily as a defensive function. Companies invested in trademarks, monitored counterfeit activity, and occasionally addressed unauthorized sellers when issues became impossible to ignore. Most leadership teams considered brand protection a necessary but largely reactive part of doing business. That mindset is changing. As ecommerce...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

RAINFOREST ALBERTA

Building the framework for tech and innovation in Alberta

RAINFOREST ALBERTA IS ROOTED IN AN ANALOGYAlthough the cold, dry climate of Alberta might not seem to have much in common with the Rainforest, our innovation ecosystem sure does. This connection is explored in the book: “The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley” by Greg Horowitt and...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE- NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The third eye represents intuition and insight—an inner vision and enlightenment beyond what the physical eye can see. Modern shoppers are increasingly time-starved and brand-agnostic. It is therefore imperative for brands to understand as much as they can about the people who are buying their products and how they feel...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Bristol Media - A Force For Championing The Region On The National And International Stage

Bristol Media - A Force For Championing The Region On The National And International Stage

Bristol Media is the membership body combining Bristol’s creative sectors into a force for championing the region on the national and international stage. About Bristol MediaCreated in 2005, Bristol Media is a non-profit CIC and one of the largest creative networks in the UK. We are a membership organisation, whose...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

HERAN PARTNERS & THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE

HERAN PARTNERS & THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE -HERAN PARTNERS WAS LAUNCHED IN 2020 WITH THE MISSION TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE BY FOCUSSING ON DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION ON THE VERGE OF LIFE SCIENCES AND DATA

HERAN PARTNERS WAS LAUNCHED IN 2020 WITH THE MISSION TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE BY FOCUSSING ON DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION ON THE VERGE OF LIFE SCIENCES AND DATA

HERAN empowered and took the investment experience and track record of its founders into the future. As an investment firm active in the Venture Capital space, HERAN aims to fuel growth of innovative technologies by supporting start-ups & scale-ups. HERAN’s sole focus lies within the healthcare market with investments ranging...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

So Kids SOAR (SKS)

What is one thing shared by all of the innovators within these pages?

THEIR DESIRE TO IMPACT THIS WORLD. One of the most fulfilling ways to feel that impact is by watching the beneficiaries of that impact excel in their lives—and making their own ripple of change in the world. Like a successful rocket launch into space, So Kids SOAR (Formerly Dreams For...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

ILLINOIS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ILLINOIS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-Helping Latino-Owned Businesses Grow

Helping Latino-Owned Businesses Grow

The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is a community of business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals committed to empowering individuals by helping them start and grow their businesses. As the largest community of Latino business owners across Illinois and the Midwest, they represent more than 100,000 businesses. Latinos in Illinois...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PIPELINE ENTREPRENEURS

A MIDWEST MOVEMENT WITH GLOBAL REACH

Kansas City has long been a center of industry and grit. In recent years, it has also proven itself to be a center of innovation. Pipeline Entrepreneurs sits at the heart of that shift. Founded in 2007, the organization supports the Midwest’s most driven founders and proves that world-class companies...

INNOVATION Quebec

MYCÉLIUM

Is Quebec City’s incubator-accelerator dedicated to food manufacturing companies looking to improve the existing food supply with an innovative product or process that has a positive and lasting impact on health, the economy, society or on the environment

MYCÉLIUM boasts an innovative incubation model enhanced by the involvement of the regional business network, stakeholders’ expertise and access to the talent of several scientists from the Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels de l’Université Laval (INAF), the largest research centre in Canada dedicated to food and nutrition....

INNOVATION Quebec

Calcul Québec

Calcul Québec- Collaborate to innovate

Collaborate to innovate

United for more powerQuébec is a pioneer in the field of advanced computing in the country. From 1992, several inter-institutional collaborations emerged. These collaborations made possible the acquisition of supercomputers, and the development of local expertise in order to support the research community. Thirty years ago, this support enabled Québec...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

RAPID RADICALS

UNLEASHING INNOVATION: RAPID RADICALS’ TORRENTIAL TRIUMPH

In July 2010, nine inches of rain fell in a very short amount of time, filling the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MMSD) service area pipes with some 64 billion gallons of water. A storm of this severity is only likely to occur once every 500 years, but the frequency is...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TACIT EDGE

Disrupting the ambiguity in Product Management

When Renee Matsalla and Christa Hill first met, they were on the team that would scale a Calgary-based tech startup to global heights. The two women formed an immediate connection through their passion for Product Management and problem-solving, yet in those early days on the team of Benevity — a...

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® Milwaukee

Ideawake

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE In a world where ideas hold immense value, Ideawake is on a mission to empower companies to mine their most valuable resource: their employees’ creativity and insights. Founded in 2013 by Coby Skonord and Trae Tessmann, Ideawake began with a vision to make innovation accessible...

Ecosystems