Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Maryland

Upling

Delivering Equity, One Order at a Time.

In a world that often overlooks the most vulnerable, Upling is doing more than just delivering cannabis — it’s delivering purpose, access, and social equity. This Maryland-based, AI-powered cannabis delivery platform is rewriting the rules of healthcare access and digital entrepreneurship, all while confronting long-standing injustices in the cannabis industry....

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SKILLSGAPP

FROM GAMEPLAY TO PAYDAY

Reimagining South Carolina’s Workforce Pipeline Workforce needs have been at a crisis point for years, but traditional efforts for career awareness and access weren’t reaching the next generation in time. That gap in matching talent with in-demand jobs sparked South Carolina-based skillsgapp,a first-of-its kind workforce engagement platform. Its flagship products,...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SENSOWELL

TRANSFORMING SLEEP INTO A LIFE-SAVING SCIENCE

Modern medicine is extraordinary – but it often arrives too late. By the time patients enter a hospital, many health conditions have already compromised their quality of life. Sensowell was created to turn this model on its head, leading a shift from reactive treatments to proactive prevention. The company’s mission...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

TECHNOPOLIS

TECHNOPOLIS- EVERYTHING STARTS WITH WOW

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH WOW

Meet the new Technopolis. Bold, never afraid to reinvent itself and ready to blow everyone’s mind away. Everything starts with WOW is not just a tagline, it’s a promise to face the challenges of the future together. Not by waiting for the next Einstein, Marie Curie or Stephen Hawking to...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

CAY COLLECTIVE

REDEFINING THE CREATIVE MARKET

In a world where creative talent often struggles to meet commerce, Cay Collective is shaping a new path. Founded in 2023 by Johanna Gauffin and Natalie Navia, the Stockholm-based platform serves as a marketplace for independent artists, fashion designers, and lifestyle creators offering more than just a digital storefront. Cay...

INNOVATE® Maryland

OCCAMS GROUP

Building AI That Earns Its Place

Enterprise conversations about artificial intelligence sound very different today than they did just two years ago. Curiosity about what AI can do has given way to a more practical question: what can it reliably deliver? Occams Group helps organizations answer that question by turning complex technologies into practical solutions built...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

METRO MLS

A COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION

“Innovation is a cumulation of creativity and ingenuity with a splash of chaos that produces something of great substance.” Metro MLS has been reshaping the landscape of real estate in Wisconsin since its establishment in 1962. This powerhouse serves over 10,000 real estate professionals across the state, constantly pushing the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NEXT

THE FUTURE OF STARTUP LAW

NEXT is a trailblazer in the innovative business sector, offering advanced startup-centric legal solutions. Born from the established law firm Shulman Rogers, NEXT is redefining legal services for startups and emerging growth companies. NEXT founder Anthony Millin drew from his experience as an entrepreneur, partner in an early-stage VC Fund,...

INNOVATE® Maryland

TEDCO

LEADING INNOVATION TO MARKET – A MISSION IN ACTION

As a state filled with brilliant minds, access to world-class laboratories and researchers, and high-ranking universities, it only makes sense for Maryland to lead efforts to support the innovation derived from these assets to the commercial market. At the center of this vision stands TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation); founded...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NAHANA FOUNDATION

CREATIVITY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

The Nahana Communications Group is a collective of leading specialist agencies that provide creative solutions across the marketing ecosystem....

INNOVATION Quebec

CHUM

LE CHUM EST UN HÔPITAL INNOVANT AU SERVICE DE LA POPULATION DU QUÉBEC

Près de 18 000 personnes dédiées y travaillent, y pratiquent, y étudient et y œuvrent. Le CHUM offre les meilleurs soins, spécialisés et améliore la santé grâce à des connaissances scientifiques sans cesse mises à jour par une communauté de recherche et d’enseignement. Le Centre de recherche du CHUM est...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

302 INTERACTIVE

302 INTERACTIVE- IS A STUDIO OF GAME DESIGNERS ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE WORLD BY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY AND REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

IS A STUDIO OF GAME DESIGNERS ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE WORLD BY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY AND REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

Over the last seven years, their mission has been to provide an environment that brings game developers together to build the games of today and the metaverse of tomorrow. As digital experience developers, 302 Interactive has adopted the best practices of modern game development, product design, lean, and agile methodologies...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

DATEL

EMPOWERING SMART COMMUNITIES

PIONEERING SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR SMARTER INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Datel AS, an Estonian IT powerhouse with over three decades of expertise, stands out as a leader in geo-informatics, infrastructure solutions, and pioneering space-based technology. Since its establishment in 1990, Datel has consistently driven innovation and development in IT and communication...

INNOVATE® Nashville

NTT DATA

INVENTING WITH PURPOSE: How NTT DATA Powers Innovation in Nashville and Beyond

NTT DATA is a global leader in AI, digital business and technology services and a catalyst for transformation. With a presence in more than 70 countries and a legacy of innovation spanning decades, NTT DATA brings together deep industry expertise, cutting-edge technology and a human-centered approach to help clients solve...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

Saunum

Revolution in Sauna Technology

SAUNUM’S UNIQUE BENEFITS SAUNUM’S UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION: HEALTH, INNOVATION, AND MARKET DIFFERENTIATION The Story of Saunum Andrus Vare, Thermal Engineer and The Creator of Saunum: “Inspired by the experience of my grandparents’ 100-year-old smoke sauna, I set out to create an innovative solution that combines the best features of a...

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™ Botswana Vol.1

SENTIMENTAL VALUE ARTS AND CRAFTS

SENTIMENTAL VALUE ARTS AND CRAFTS- “IF IT’S DEAR TO YOU ITS DEAR TO US TOO.”

“IF IT’S DEAR TO YOU ITS DEAR TO US TOO.”

All of us have that something that we hold on dearly to. For some people it’s a family heirloom, handwritten post letters and to others a broken kettle they keep saying they will fix and never get around to doing it. I get it all. At Sentimental Value we allow...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

W3N

WHAT BEGAN AS AN EXPERIMENT QUICKLY GREW INTO ESTONIA’S LEADING EMERGING TECH FESTIVAL.

When Alexander Bitskov left Estonia at 12, he never imagined that nearly two decades later he would return to turn his hometown into a stage for global innovation. Narva, a city on the country’s eastern border long defined by smokestacks and heavy industry, was the last place most would associate...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CITY OF CHARLES STURT

IS RECOGNISED AS A VIBRANT, LIVEABLE AND BUSINESS- FRIENDLY CITY WITH A DIVERSE AND ADVANCED ECONOMY

Charles Sturt is a great place to invest, with a thriving hub of activity, education and employment opportunities. Located in the heart of Adelaide’s west, the City of Charles Sturt is home to over 124,000 residents and 105 different cultures, who enjoy the diverse experiences and cultural richness the City...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

CareerBeacon

A Human Approach to HR Technology

While the recruitment industry changes faster than ever, CareerBeacon stands apart through a fundamental principle often overlooked in tech innovation: empathy. When Yves Boudreau and co-founder Benoit Bourque acquired CareerBeacon in 2021, they saw more than just a job board – they saw the opportunity to transform how talent connects...

INNOVATION Quebec

TransMedTech Institute

Empowering human-centered medtech innovation

OUR MISSIONThe TransMedTech Institute (iTMT) aims to support innovation in medical technologies that meet the needs of users and the healthcare community, in order to facilitate and catalyze their development and implementation in the healthcare system. While supporting the industry and the innovation community, the iTMT also aims to train...

INNOVATE® Georgia

DATABANK

TAG25TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK

“Atlanta is one of the most sought-after markets for data center capacity across all segments of our customer base – enterprises, technology, and hyperscale public cloud providers,” said Raul Martynek, DataBank CEO. “And now with new AI applications coming online, we’re seeing an entirely new driver of demand that promises...

INNOVATE® Nashville

PAT SUMMITT

LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CHANGE

The workplace is evolving at record speed. Artificial intelligence, hybrid schedules, and multiple generations sharing the same office are reshaping how we work, creating challenges even seasoned leaders haven’t faced before. We all know that “the only constant is change.” During Pat Summitt’s 40 years of championship-level coaching, she worked...

INNOVATE® Miami

SmartBarrel

SmartBarrel - The ultimate construction workforce management solution

The ultimate construction workforce management solution

SmartBarrel is the ultimate construction workforce management solution. Solar powered, self connected and loaded with the latest computer vision technologies, it’s able to manage labor workforces from anywhere.  SmartBarrel was founded by Albert Bou Fadel, a glazing (glass) project manager with years of experience in construction. The concept sprouted from...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Upling

Delivering Equity, One Order at a Time.

In a world that often overlooks the most vulnerable, Upling is doing more than just delivering cannabis — it’s delivering purpose, access, and social equity. This Maryland-based, AI-powered cannabis delivery platform is rewriting the rules of healthcare access and digital entrepreneurship, all while confronting long-standing injustices in the cannabis industry....

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SKILLSGAPP

FROM GAMEPLAY TO PAYDAY

Reimagining South Carolina’s Workforce Pipeline Workforce needs have been at a crisis point for years, but traditional efforts for career awareness and access weren’t reaching the next generation in time. That gap in matching talent with in-demand jobs sparked South Carolina-based skillsgapp,a first-of-its kind workforce engagement platform. Its flagship products,...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SENSOWELL

TRANSFORMING SLEEP INTO A LIFE-SAVING SCIENCE

Modern medicine is extraordinary – but it often arrives too late. By the time patients enter a hospital, many health conditions have already compromised their quality of life. Sensowell was created to turn this model on its head, leading a shift from reactive treatments to proactive prevention. The company’s mission...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

TECHNOPOLIS

TECHNOPOLIS- EVERYTHING STARTS WITH WOW

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH WOW

Meet the new Technopolis. Bold, never afraid to reinvent itself and ready to blow everyone’s mind away. Everything starts with WOW is not just a tagline, it’s a promise to face the challenges of the future together. Not by waiting for the next Einstein, Marie Curie or Stephen Hawking to...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

CAY COLLECTIVE

REDEFINING THE CREATIVE MARKET

In a world where creative talent often struggles to meet commerce, Cay Collective is shaping a new path. Founded in 2023 by Johanna Gauffin and Natalie Navia, the Stockholm-based platform serves as a marketplace for independent artists, fashion designers, and lifestyle creators offering more than just a digital storefront. Cay...

INNOVATE® Maryland

OCCAMS GROUP

Building AI That Earns Its Place

Enterprise conversations about artificial intelligence sound very different today than they did just two years ago. Curiosity about what AI can do has given way to a more practical question: what can it reliably deliver? Occams Group helps organizations answer that question by turning complex technologies into practical solutions built...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

METRO MLS

A COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION

“Innovation is a cumulation of creativity and ingenuity with a splash of chaos that produces something of great substance.” Metro MLS has been reshaping the landscape of real estate in Wisconsin since its establishment in 1962. This powerhouse serves over 10,000 real estate professionals across the state, constantly pushing the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NEXT

THE FUTURE OF STARTUP LAW

NEXT is a trailblazer in the innovative business sector, offering advanced startup-centric legal solutions. Born from the established law firm Shulman Rogers, NEXT is redefining legal services for startups and emerging growth companies. NEXT founder Anthony Millin drew from his experience as an entrepreneur, partner in an early-stage VC Fund,...

INNOVATE® Maryland

TEDCO

LEADING INNOVATION TO MARKET – A MISSION IN ACTION

As a state filled with brilliant minds, access to world-class laboratories and researchers, and high-ranking universities, it only makes sense for Maryland to lead efforts to support the innovation derived from these assets to the commercial market. At the center of this vision stands TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation); founded...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NAHANA FOUNDATION

CREATIVITY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

The Nahana Communications Group is a collective of leading specialist agencies that provide creative solutions across the marketing ecosystem....

INNOVATION Quebec

CHUM

LE CHUM EST UN HÔPITAL INNOVANT AU SERVICE DE LA POPULATION DU QUÉBEC

Près de 18 000 personnes dédiées y travaillent, y pratiquent, y étudient et y œuvrent. Le CHUM offre les meilleurs soins, spécialisés et améliore la santé grâce à des connaissances scientifiques sans cesse mises à jour par une communauté de recherche et d’enseignement. Le Centre de recherche du CHUM est...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

302 INTERACTIVE

302 INTERACTIVE- IS A STUDIO OF GAME DESIGNERS ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE WORLD BY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY AND REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

IS A STUDIO OF GAME DESIGNERS ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE WORLD BY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY AND REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

Over the last seven years, their mission has been to provide an environment that brings game developers together to build the games of today and the metaverse of tomorrow. As digital experience developers, 302 Interactive has adopted the best practices of modern game development, product design, lean, and agile methodologies...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

DATEL

EMPOWERING SMART COMMUNITIES

PIONEERING SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR SMARTER INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Datel AS, an Estonian IT powerhouse with over three decades of expertise, stands out as a leader in geo-informatics, infrastructure solutions, and pioneering space-based technology. Since its establishment in 1990, Datel has consistently driven innovation and development in IT and communication...

INNOVATE® Nashville

NTT DATA

INVENTING WITH PURPOSE: How NTT DATA Powers Innovation in Nashville and Beyond

NTT DATA is a global leader in AI, digital business and technology services and a catalyst for transformation. With a presence in more than 70 countries and a legacy of innovation spanning decades, NTT DATA brings together deep industry expertise, cutting-edge technology and a human-centered approach to help clients solve...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

Saunum

Revolution in Sauna Technology

SAUNUM’S UNIQUE BENEFITS SAUNUM’S UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION: HEALTH, INNOVATION, AND MARKET DIFFERENTIATION The Story of Saunum Andrus Vare, Thermal Engineer and The Creator of Saunum: “Inspired by the experience of my grandparents’ 100-year-old smoke sauna, I set out to create an innovative solution that combines the best features of a...

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™ Botswana Vol.1

SENTIMENTAL VALUE ARTS AND CRAFTS

SENTIMENTAL VALUE ARTS AND CRAFTS- “IF IT’S DEAR TO YOU ITS DEAR TO US TOO.”

“IF IT’S DEAR TO YOU ITS DEAR TO US TOO.”

All of us have that something that we hold on dearly to. For some people it’s a family heirloom, handwritten post letters and to others a broken kettle they keep saying they will fix and never get around to doing it. I get it all. At Sentimental Value we allow...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

W3N

WHAT BEGAN AS AN EXPERIMENT QUICKLY GREW INTO ESTONIA’S LEADING EMERGING TECH FESTIVAL.

When Alexander Bitskov left Estonia at 12, he never imagined that nearly two decades later he would return to turn his hometown into a stage for global innovation. Narva, a city on the country’s eastern border long defined by smokestacks and heavy industry, was the last place most would associate...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CITY OF CHARLES STURT

IS RECOGNISED AS A VIBRANT, LIVEABLE AND BUSINESS- FRIENDLY CITY WITH A DIVERSE AND ADVANCED ECONOMY

Charles Sturt is a great place to invest, with a thriving hub of activity, education and employment opportunities. Located in the heart of Adelaide’s west, the City of Charles Sturt is home to over 124,000 residents and 105 different cultures, who enjoy the diverse experiences and cultural richness the City...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

CareerBeacon

A Human Approach to HR Technology

While the recruitment industry changes faster than ever, CareerBeacon stands apart through a fundamental principle often overlooked in tech innovation: empathy. When Yves Boudreau and co-founder Benoit Bourque acquired CareerBeacon in 2021, they saw more than just a job board – they saw the opportunity to transform how talent connects...

INNOVATION Quebec

TransMedTech Institute

Empowering human-centered medtech innovation

OUR MISSIONThe TransMedTech Institute (iTMT) aims to support innovation in medical technologies that meet the needs of users and the healthcare community, in order to facilitate and catalyze their development and implementation in the healthcare system. While supporting the industry and the innovation community, the iTMT also aims to train...

INNOVATE® Georgia

DATABANK

TAG25TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK

“Atlanta is one of the most sought-after markets for data center capacity across all segments of our customer base – enterprises, technology, and hyperscale public cloud providers,” said Raul Martynek, DataBank CEO. “And now with new AI applications coming online, we’re seeing an entirely new driver of demand that promises...

INNOVATE® Nashville

PAT SUMMITT

LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CHANGE

The workplace is evolving at record speed. Artificial intelligence, hybrid schedules, and multiple generations sharing the same office are reshaping how we work, creating challenges even seasoned leaders haven’t faced before. We all know that “the only constant is change.” During Pat Summitt’s 40 years of championship-level coaching, she worked...

INNOVATE® Miami

SmartBarrel

SmartBarrel - The ultimate construction workforce management solution

The ultimate construction workforce management solution

SmartBarrel is the ultimate construction workforce management solution. Solar powered, self connected and loaded with the latest computer vision technologies, it’s able to manage labor workforces from anywhere.  SmartBarrel was founded by Albert Bou Fadel, a glazing (glass) project manager with years of experience in construction. The concept sprouted from...

Ecosystems