Stories of Innovation
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
AUGUST BROWN
TRANSFORMING INNOVATION INTO MARKET SUCCESS
INSIGHT. INNOVATE. IMPROVE. August Brown has established itself as a trailblazer in Milwaukee’s innovation ecosystem, bridging the often-daunting gap between research and market execution. Founded by Dr. Gordon Nameni and Erik Vickstrom, this boutique agency has become synonymous with strategic excellence and groundbreaking impact. “It all really started in 2018,”...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
CSX
PULLING FOR AMERICA
Driving Growth and Connectivity Across South Carolina For nearly two centuries, CSX has been a cornerstone of America’s economic engine, connecting businesses and communities with safe, efficient, and innovative freight solutions. Today, as one of North America’s leading railroads, CSX continues to deliver what matters most—reliability, flexibility, and value—while powering...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
ULTIMATE ENDGAMERS LEAGUE
Unleashing the Future of Esports
“Our mission is to elevate esports to a global phenomenon, ensuring longevity and inclusivity in competitive gaming.” The world of esports is rapidly evolving. Staying ahead of the game, one company stands out not just for its innovative approach but for its vision to redefine the gaming industry: Ultimate Endgamers...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
K STREET CAPITAL (KSC)
FUELING INNOVATION IN HIGH-GROWTH MARKETS
K Street Capital (KSC) is at the heart of Washington, D.C.’s innovation scene, fueling the rise of high-growth startups in industries like fintech, climatetech, and cybersecurity. Since 2012, KSC has been more than just a venture capital firm – it’s a launchpad for groundbreaking companies. With over $65 million in...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Peoplr
Turning HR Headaches Into Great Business Results
ELEVATOR PITCH Peoplr is a team of Human Resources experts who tackle all kinds of headaches and turn them into great business results by providing flexible and cost-effective strategies that address a company’s human resources needs. From start-ups to thriving Fortune 100 companies, Peoplr has each client covered with expert...
Businesses that are resilient don’t usually rely on their own resources alone. They usually have strong networks of customers, suppliers, partners, and local institutions around them that help them notice changes early and act quickly. Those connections give you useful information, practical help, and better choices when a supply chain...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
POPPY FLOWERS
POPPY TRANSFORMS THE PROCESS OF BUYING WEDDING FLOWERS INTO A SEAMLESS DIGITAL EXPERIENCE.
Poppy Flowers, the fastest-growing wedding florist in the country, is revolutionizing the wedding and floral industries with its innovative booking and fulfillment platform for wedding flowers. Poppy’s platform offers a more enjoyable, fun, and transparent experience for couples, florists, and farmers, distinguishing itself in a $5 billion industry. Since its...
INNOVATE® Northern Virginia
Buzzy Rocket
Strategic marketing for startups shaping the future
Buzzy Rocket is a boutique startup marketing firm dedicated to helping early-stage and high-growth companies build awareness, engagement, and momentum through clear, credible storytelling and strategic execution. Founded in 2011, the firm partners with founders who are developing innovative solutions to real-world problems, positioning those companies so the audiences who...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
Grupo Ferré Rangel
A mission-driven, fourth-generation diversified family office, leading Puerto Rico and the global communities in which it operates to a sustainable and prosperous future
For generations, the family business of Grupo Ferré Rangel has been directly related to the social and economic development of Puerto Rico. Throughout its 100+ years, it has evolved and gained considerable experience in at least seven industries. Today, Grupo Ferré Rangel is a mission-driven, fourth generation diversified family office...
INNOVATE® Detroit
TECHTOWN DETROIT
Driving equitable economic development through entrepreneurship
“TechTown is foundational to the entrepreneurship community in and around Detroit and integral to Wayne State’s vision for innovation in the region,” said WSU President Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy. “In addition to elevating entrepreneurs in our community, TechTown’s community-based programs and services create enriching, impactful opportunities beyond the classroom for...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
#THISISMINING
PRESENTED BY THE ONTARIO MINING ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Mining Association is proud to represent an industry that provides the world with the building blocks of modern life and innovation. Minerals and metals are essential, irreplaceable components of everything from lifesaving medical devices to clean technologies, such as solar panels and EV batteries. We cannot have a...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Nashville Entrepreneur Center
Where Bold Ideas Become Businesses
If you’re serious about building a startup in Nashville, meet your secret weapon: the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC). Founded in 2010, EC is a nonprofit built by business leaders to be—literally—Nashville’s “home to entrepreneurship.” What sets it apart? It’s not just talk: EC has helped over 14,000 entrepreneurs, including more...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Florida State College - FSCJ
The Community’s College
Formerly known as Florida Junior College, Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) was founded in 1965 to serve the Northeast Florida region as the first integrated public, postsecondary educational institution in Duval and Nassau counties. The College is comprised of four campuses and three centers, providing necessary accessibility for our...
INNOVATE® Miami
Startup Safari Miami
An adventure into one of the fastest-growing startup hotspots in the Americas
Multi-day, Unconference that brings together startups and early-stage entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, service providers, accelerator programs, in a multi-venue to experience the city’s local startup ecosystem including a startup competition. DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE SELF AND GET EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE BEST STARTUPS AND TECH COMPANIES IN MIAMI. Startup SAFARI...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
SPLASH
A RIPPLE IN INNOVATION, A WAVE OF COMMUNITY.
A sustainably minded hub for entrepreneurship, start-up life, innovation, and community – leading the start-up world – that is Splash. Splash Coworking (Splash) the model of a shared work space and business resource center where entrepreneurs, independent professionals and creatives connect, collaborate and make business happen. Located in downtown San...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Catch Talent
We focus on understanding the career needs of individuals in the workforce.
Real Relationships Matter Catch Talent is a high-touch recruiting agency that delivers end-to-end talent acquisition solutions to growing technology, financial services, healthcare, digital & creative, professional services, and government contracting companies. Headquartered in Charleston, SC, Catch specializes in the full talent attraction life cycle by sourcing and recruiting qualified candidates...
INNOVATE® Nashville
VANDERBILT CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
THIS IS A COMMUNITY OF LEARNING DEDICATED TO THE FULFILLMENT OF HUMAN POTENTIAL
If you woke up with the opportunity to help empower the next generation of change makers, how would you maximize that opportunity? That’s the question we have the privilege of answering every day for our students. In the 150 years since Vanderbilt University’s founding, we’ve grown from a regional university into...
INNOVATE® Miami
Crowd Capital
We make investors happy by keeping families in their homes
Crowd Capital is a game changing social impact fintech operating at the intersection of crowd financing, investment platforms, and real estate. We help defaulting borrowers secure their homes while delivering above market average financial returns to our customers in a frictionless and transparent way. By leveraging machine learning and mobile...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S OLDEST INCUBATOR. THE YMCA OF METRO CHICAGO IS INNOVATING FROM THE INSIDE
In 2022, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago celebrated its 164th birthday. There are only a handful of organizations in the country with that kind of history. But all those candles on the cake are not merely a reminder of accomplishments passed. It’s also a light leading the way forward, illuminating...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
NOWY.IO
A Vision Born from Wanderlust
People travel and take holidays for many different reasons. “Think about shoes,” says Branda Fan, Founder of Nowy. “We all have different styles and needs, and no one else can tell you if a pair is actually comfortable. Just like that, travel isn’t one-size-fits-all. We might all be heading somewhere...
INNOVATION Quebec
CENTRE RISC
SPÉCIALISE EN SÉCURITÉ CIVILE ET EN INTERVENTION D’URGENCE EN ADRESSANT LES ENJEUX
Il dispose d’expertises multidisciplinaires à la fois scientifiques et pratiques, ainsi que d’infrastructures uniques faisant converger ses activités de recherche et développement, de formation et d’accompagnement. Son site expérimental multidisciplinaire – véritable laboratoire à ciel ouvert – permet de simuler avec réalisme la réponse aux principaux aléas, ainsi que les...
INNOVATE® Georgia
EQUIFAX
INNOVATION AT EQUIFAX
As a global data, analytics, and technology company, Equifax recognizes the importance of exploration and innovation. Equifax plays an important role in the lives of consumers, and its focus on innovation and driving greater financial inclusion is a part of a commitment to creating a positive impact on people’s personal...
INNOVATE® Nashville
S3 RECYCLING
HASSLE-FREE E-WASTE SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESSES
S3 Recycling Solutions is the right choice for businesses looking for an easy and hassle-free way to responsibly and safely manage excess electronics. Headquartered in Springfield, Tenn., S3 is an award-winning, R2-certified technology recycling firm that provides tailored e-waste solutions to businesses across the nation and in Canada. Since 2007,...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
AUGUST BROWN
TRANSFORMING INNOVATION INTO MARKET SUCCESS
INSIGHT. INNOVATE. IMPROVE. August Brown has established itself as a trailblazer in Milwaukee’s innovation ecosystem, bridging the often-daunting gap between research and market execution. Founded by Dr. Gordon Nameni and Erik Vickstrom, this boutique agency has become synonymous with strategic excellence and groundbreaking impact. “It all really started in 2018,”...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
CSX
PULLING FOR AMERICA
Driving Growth and Connectivity Across South Carolina For nearly two centuries, CSX has been a cornerstone of America’s economic engine, connecting businesses and communities with safe, efficient, and innovative freight solutions. Today, as one of North America’s leading railroads, CSX continues to deliver what matters most—reliability, flexibility, and value—while powering...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
ULTIMATE ENDGAMERS LEAGUE
Unleashing the Future of Esports
“Our mission is to elevate esports to a global phenomenon, ensuring longevity and inclusivity in competitive gaming.” The world of esports is rapidly evolving. Staying ahead of the game, one company stands out not just for its innovative approach but for its vision to redefine the gaming industry: Ultimate Endgamers...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
K STREET CAPITAL (KSC)
FUELING INNOVATION IN HIGH-GROWTH MARKETS
K Street Capital (KSC) is at the heart of Washington, D.C.’s innovation scene, fueling the rise of high-growth startups in industries like fintech, climatetech, and cybersecurity. Since 2012, KSC has been more than just a venture capital firm – it’s a launchpad for groundbreaking companies. With over $65 million in...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Peoplr
Turning HR Headaches Into Great Business Results
ELEVATOR PITCH Peoplr is a team of Human Resources experts who tackle all kinds of headaches and turn them into great business results by providing flexible and cost-effective strategies that address a company’s human resources needs. From start-ups to thriving Fortune 100 companies, Peoplr has each client covered with expert...
Businesses that are resilient don’t usually rely on their own resources alone. They usually have strong networks of customers, suppliers, partners, and local institutions around them that help them notice changes early and act quickly. Those connections give you useful information, practical help, and better choices when a supply chain...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
POPPY FLOWERS
POPPY TRANSFORMS THE PROCESS OF BUYING WEDDING FLOWERS INTO A SEAMLESS DIGITAL EXPERIENCE.
Poppy Flowers, the fastest-growing wedding florist in the country, is revolutionizing the wedding and floral industries with its innovative booking and fulfillment platform for wedding flowers. Poppy’s platform offers a more enjoyable, fun, and transparent experience for couples, florists, and farmers, distinguishing itself in a $5 billion industry. Since its...
INNOVATE® Northern Virginia
Buzzy Rocket
Strategic marketing for startups shaping the future
Buzzy Rocket is a boutique startup marketing firm dedicated to helping early-stage and high-growth companies build awareness, engagement, and momentum through clear, credible storytelling and strategic execution. Founded in 2011, the firm partners with founders who are developing innovative solutions to real-world problems, positioning those companies so the audiences who...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
Grupo Ferré Rangel
A mission-driven, fourth-generation diversified family office, leading Puerto Rico and the global communities in which it operates to a sustainable and prosperous future
For generations, the family business of Grupo Ferré Rangel has been directly related to the social and economic development of Puerto Rico. Throughout its 100+ years, it has evolved and gained considerable experience in at least seven industries. Today, Grupo Ferré Rangel is a mission-driven, fourth generation diversified family office...
INNOVATE® Detroit
TECHTOWN DETROIT
Driving equitable economic development through entrepreneurship
“TechTown is foundational to the entrepreneurship community in and around Detroit and integral to Wayne State’s vision for innovation in the region,” said WSU President Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy. “In addition to elevating entrepreneurs in our community, TechTown’s community-based programs and services create enriching, impactful opportunities beyond the classroom for...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
#THISISMINING
PRESENTED BY THE ONTARIO MINING ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Mining Association is proud to represent an industry that provides the world with the building blocks of modern life and innovation. Minerals and metals are essential, irreplaceable components of everything from lifesaving medical devices to clean technologies, such as solar panels and EV batteries. We cannot have a...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Nashville Entrepreneur Center
Where Bold Ideas Become Businesses
If you’re serious about building a startup in Nashville, meet your secret weapon: the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC). Founded in 2010, EC is a nonprofit built by business leaders to be—literally—Nashville’s “home to entrepreneurship.” What sets it apart? It’s not just talk: EC has helped over 14,000 entrepreneurs, including more...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Florida State College - FSCJ
The Community’s College
Formerly known as Florida Junior College, Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) was founded in 1965 to serve the Northeast Florida region as the first integrated public, postsecondary educational institution in Duval and Nassau counties. The College is comprised of four campuses and three centers, providing necessary accessibility for our...
INNOVATE® Miami
Startup Safari Miami
An adventure into one of the fastest-growing startup hotspots in the Americas
Multi-day, Unconference that brings together startups and early-stage entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, service providers, accelerator programs, in a multi-venue to experience the city’s local startup ecosystem including a startup competition. DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE SELF AND GET EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE BEST STARTUPS AND TECH COMPANIES IN MIAMI. Startup SAFARI...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
SPLASH
A RIPPLE IN INNOVATION, A WAVE OF COMMUNITY.
A sustainably minded hub for entrepreneurship, start-up life, innovation, and community – leading the start-up world – that is Splash. Splash Coworking (Splash) the model of a shared work space and business resource center where entrepreneurs, independent professionals and creatives connect, collaborate and make business happen. Located in downtown San...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Catch Talent
We focus on understanding the career needs of individuals in the workforce.
Real Relationships Matter Catch Talent is a high-touch recruiting agency that delivers end-to-end talent acquisition solutions to growing technology, financial services, healthcare, digital & creative, professional services, and government contracting companies. Headquartered in Charleston, SC, Catch specializes in the full talent attraction life cycle by sourcing and recruiting qualified candidates...
INNOVATE® Nashville
VANDERBILT CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
THIS IS A COMMUNITY OF LEARNING DEDICATED TO THE FULFILLMENT OF HUMAN POTENTIAL
If you woke up with the opportunity to help empower the next generation of change makers, how would you maximize that opportunity? That’s the question we have the privilege of answering every day for our students. In the 150 years since Vanderbilt University’s founding, we’ve grown from a regional university into...
INNOVATE® Miami
Crowd Capital
We make investors happy by keeping families in their homes
Crowd Capital is a game changing social impact fintech operating at the intersection of crowd financing, investment platforms, and real estate. We help defaulting borrowers secure their homes while delivering above market average financial returns to our customers in a frictionless and transparent way. By leveraging machine learning and mobile...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S OLDEST INCUBATOR. THE YMCA OF METRO CHICAGO IS INNOVATING FROM THE INSIDE
In 2022, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago celebrated its 164th birthday. There are only a handful of organizations in the country with that kind of history. But all those candles on the cake are not merely a reminder of accomplishments passed. It’s also a light leading the way forward, illuminating...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
NOWY.IO
A Vision Born from Wanderlust
People travel and take holidays for many different reasons. “Think about shoes,” says Branda Fan, Founder of Nowy. “We all have different styles and needs, and no one else can tell you if a pair is actually comfortable. Just like that, travel isn’t one-size-fits-all. We might all be heading somewhere...
INNOVATION Quebec
CENTRE RISC
SPÉCIALISE EN SÉCURITÉ CIVILE ET EN INTERVENTION D’URGENCE EN ADRESSANT LES ENJEUX
Il dispose d’expertises multidisciplinaires à la fois scientifiques et pratiques, ainsi que d’infrastructures uniques faisant converger ses activités de recherche et développement, de formation et d’accompagnement. Son site expérimental multidisciplinaire – véritable laboratoire à ciel ouvert – permet de simuler avec réalisme la réponse aux principaux aléas, ainsi que les...
INNOVATE® Georgia
EQUIFAX
INNOVATION AT EQUIFAX
As a global data, analytics, and technology company, Equifax recognizes the importance of exploration and innovation. Equifax plays an important role in the lives of consumers, and its focus on innovation and driving greater financial inclusion is a part of a commitment to creating a positive impact on people’s personal...
INNOVATE® Nashville
S3 RECYCLING
HASSLE-FREE E-WASTE SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESSES
S3 Recycling Solutions is the right choice for businesses looking for an easy and hassle-free way to responsibly and safely manage excess electronics. Headquartered in Springfield, Tenn., S3 is an award-winning, R2-certified technology recycling firm that provides tailored e-waste solutions to businesses across the nation and in Canada. Since 2007,...