Stories of Innovation

Global Innovation Spotlight

Original Technology Drives Commercial Applications, International Collaboration Confirms Sustained Reputation

HU Xiaokang, intelligent family education expert

How HU Xiaokang's AI-driven family education model reached the classroom and a cross-border partnership with Lexile.

In May 2025, Chinese intelligent family education expert HU Xiaokang signed a Digital Access and Distribution Agreement with Lexile, a subsidiary of Meta Metrics in the United States. More than a year has passed, and this cross-border cooperation has entered substantive operation from the signing stage: 5000 student assessment license...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

HOW KCADC IS REWRITING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAYBOOK

Economic development is competitive. Projects move fast and expectations are high. The competition for the same companies, the same talent, the same headline wins leaves little margin for error. Standing out takes more than good infrastructure or a central location. It takes alignment. The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)...

Vykon Performance Exhausts

From Humble Beginnings to a Global Brand

A New Chapter in Performance Excellence. Vykon Exhausts is not just a company; it’s a testament to a legacy of innovation, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Founded by Brad Anassis, Vykon is a continuation and evolution of the remarkable engineering prowess that began with his late father, Gerry, and...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

CONTINUUS

DATA ENABLEMENT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES INNOVATORS

Continuus is a data and analytics consulting firm headquartered in the heart of Milwaukee’s bustling Third Ward. Continuus is uniquely positioned to be the integrator and advisor that brings the Financial Services Data Cloud ecosystem together through technical expertise, partnerships, and core differentiator: industry expertise. Founder’s StoryMatt Moeser founded Continuus...

INNOVATION Quebec

BAS-SAINT-LAURENT

L’ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITE LES PROJETS

Nos interventions comprennent le réseautage, la collaboration et le référencement des experts·es qui offrent aux entrepreneurs·es des services d’accompagnement technique et d’affaires. Une concertation régionale exemplaireL’EAC BSL est animé par le Collectif régional de développement (CRD). Créé par les huit MRC du Bas-Saint-Laurent, cet organisme de concertation et de planification...

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™ Botswana Vol.1

ACCLAIM EXPRESS

ACCLAIM EXPRESS- IS A TECH START-UP THAT IS FOCUSING ON REVOLUTIONIZING AND TRANSFORMING THE TECH INDUSTRY WITH ITS VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE - ACCLAIM

IS A TECH START-UP THAT IS FOCUSING ON REVOLUTIONIZING AND TRANSFORMING THE TECH INDUSTRY WITH ITS VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE - ACCLAIM

Acclaim will serve as a Virtual Business Environment (VBE) for all small businesses globally. The idea is to take small businesses to the internet and be able to create virtual offices, stalls, and markets which are manageable. This innovation was inspired by the digital transformation of the economy and the...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

MINSAIT

MARK MAKING THE WAY FORWARD

Minsait is Indra’s leading company in digital transformation and Information Technologies. It focuses its offering on high-impact value propositions, based on end-to-end solutions, with a remarkable degree of segmentation, which enables it to achieve tangible impacts for its customers in each industry with a transformational focus. With more than 7.000...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

KOLISI FOUNDATION

KOLISI FOUNDATION- REMEMBER THE ONE

REMEMBER THE ONE, ONE BY ONE.

Rachel and Siya Kolisi founded the Kolisi Foundation with this belief in mind: it is through the power of listening that positive change can happen in South Africa. We need to listen to what people dealing with challenging circumstances really need. We need to listen to the people already working...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

RINSA

Creating Impact for Entrepreneurs

The Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta (RINSA) was formed in 2011 as a collaborative partnership between Alberta Innovates with Economic Development Lethbridge/ Tecconnect, Lethbridge College, and the University of Lethbridge. Through trusted relationship building and a commitment to serving rural/remote and under-represented groups, RINSA has expanded to 14 members....

INNOVATE™ Flanders

NEW VALMAR BV

INNOVATION BY AUTOMATION

Our core business is big distribution of baby items in- and outside the EU in a multi-channel setting. That means a lot of requirements by country legal systems and specific customer demands. Customers in more the 45 countries have different needs and requests. They must be reached to be successful....

INNOVATE® Georgia

ISACA ATLANTA CHAPTER

INNOVATING WITH A LEGACY OF SERVICE

Founded nearly four decades ago, the ISACA Atlanta Chapter has evolved significantly over the years while steadfastly adhering to its mission of serving its members, partners, and communities. With nearly 3,000 members across the state, this mission has only gained importance, prompting the current board to innovate and reinforce the...

INNOVATION Quebec

ÉCOFAUNE BORÉALE

CCTT EN INNOVATION ÉCORESPONSABLE DU SECTEUR CUIR, FOURRURE ET PRODUITS DÉRIVÉS

La mission du centre collégial de transfert technologique du Cégep de St-Félicien, Écofaune boréale, comprend principalement de la recherche appliquée combinant le développement technologique, l’aide technique, le transfert de connaissances, la diffusion d’information scientifique ainsi que l’acquisition de pratiques sociales novatrices permettant aux acteurs socio-économiques de la fourrure et du...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LOGCOMEX

TRANSFORMING THE WAY COMPANIES DO BUSINESSES ACROSS BORDERS

Founded in 2016, the Curitiba-based startup Logcomex develops technology solutions and offers a platform that helps companies plan, monitor, and automate their global supply chain. The largest startup in Brazil in its segment has approximately 300 employees and is present in more than 11 countries across five continents. The company...

INNOVATE® Ohio

AGILEBLUE

USING AI TO DEFEAT AI: HOW AN OHIO-BORN COMPANY IS REWRITING THE FUTURE OF SECURITY OPERATIONS

As cyberattacks become faster, more automated, and increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, many organizations are trying to defend themselves with fragmented tools, limited teams, and security models built for a different era. Cleveland-based AgileBlue was founded to change that. Established in 2019, AgileBlue set out to make sophisticated, autonomous security...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

DATADISTILLR

DATADISTILLR- COLLABORATE AND EXPLORE DATA LIKE NEVER BEFORE

COLLABORATE AND EXPLORE DATA LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Data is the source of all learning, and nothing should get in the way of that. Data should be easy to access and explore. We spend too long working on our data instead of with our data. Data tells a story, and it’s our job to unearth and tell that...

INNOVATION Quebec

MAIN

EST LE MOUVEMENT DES ACCÉLÉRATEURS D’INNOVATION DU QUÉBEC

Depuis 2016, nous avons la conviction que la collaboration et la mutualisation des pratiques et des ressources (le mouvement) de tous ceux et celles qui par leur accompagnement permettent de réaliser en moins de temps qu’il n’en faudrait autrement (les accélérateurs), peuvent décupler l’impact des startups (l’innovation) de toutes les...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

TEDCO

LEADING INNOVATION TO MARKET

TEDCO is Maryland’s powerhouse of technology and innovation, driving progress and creating boundless opportunities. Founded by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998, TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) has been at the forefront of fostering an inclusive and entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Troy A. LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO...

INNOVATE® Nashville

CELERO COMMERCE

CELERO COMMERCE

WAS FOUNDED WITH ONE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE: TO HELP SMALL AND MID-SIZED BUSINESSES WIN

We know that we can deliver that by leveraging our investment in FinTech and our commitment to partnerships with community /regional banks. It is this combination that truly empowers local businesses in a way that enables them to compete and win in this ever more complex and competitive market.  ...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

GEORGETOWN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Harnessing the Power of Innovation to Serve the Common Good

Create the FutureIn order to help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges — nationally and globally — Georgetown Entrepreneurship is dedicated to championing common good entrepreneurship across its programming, teachings, and networks. Serving all of Georgetown University from the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown Entrepreneurship uses the power...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

McNair Aerospace

USC Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

The McNAIR Aerospace Center, in partnership with the USC Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, engages university students in innovative, industry-led research in fields such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, automation, 3D printing, and materials manufacturing. This world-class, hands-on education, along with our commitment to cutting-edge innovation, actively creates leaders...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

BIGGINS LACEY SHAPIRO & CO

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN COMPANIES AND THEIR SITE SELECTION NEEDS THROUGH LOCATION ECONOMICS®

OUR STORYBiggins Lacy Shapiro & Company (BLS & Co.) is one of the largest independent firms in the specialty fields of site selection and economic development incentives advisory services. Our principals have been delivering our mix of services for more than twenty-five years and arehighly respected leaders in their field....

INNOVATE® Detroit

Driven

Ending legal debt traps with smart payments

In the U.S., over 11 million people havehad their driver’s licenses suspendeddue to unpaid fines. This isn’t just aninconvenience – it’s a direct hit to financialstability. Losing the ability to drive meanslosing access to jobs, education, andessential services. In cities like Detroit,where public transit is unreliable, asuspended license can mean...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET

FROM DISCOVERY TO IMPACT: HOW KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET INNOVATIONS TRANSFORMS LIFE SCIENCE

Innovation is essential for advancing healthcare and ensuring better patient outcomes. However, bringing deeptech Life Science innovations to market is a long and complex journey—one that requires not just groundbreaking research but also substantial investments, regulatory navigation, and perseverance. At KI Innovations, we support researchers and entrepreneurs in transforming scientific...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Original Technology Drives Commercial Applications, International Collaboration Confirms Sustained Reputation

HU Xiaokang, intelligent family education expert

How HU Xiaokang's AI-driven family education model reached the classroom and a cross-border partnership with Lexile.

In May 2025, Chinese intelligent family education expert HU Xiaokang signed a Digital Access and Distribution Agreement with Lexile, a subsidiary of Meta Metrics in the United States. More than a year has passed, and this cross-border cooperation has entered substantive operation from the signing stage: 5000 student assessment license...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

HOW KCADC IS REWRITING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAYBOOK

Economic development is competitive. Projects move fast and expectations are high. The competition for the same companies, the same talent, the same headline wins leaves little margin for error. Standing out takes more than good infrastructure or a central location. It takes alignment. The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)...

Vykon Performance Exhausts

From Humble Beginnings to a Global Brand

A New Chapter in Performance Excellence. Vykon Exhausts is not just a company; it’s a testament to a legacy of innovation, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Founded by Brad Anassis, Vykon is a continuation and evolution of the remarkable engineering prowess that began with his late father, Gerry, and...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

CONTINUUS

DATA ENABLEMENT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES INNOVATORS

Continuus is a data and analytics consulting firm headquartered in the heart of Milwaukee’s bustling Third Ward. Continuus is uniquely positioned to be the integrator and advisor that brings the Financial Services Data Cloud ecosystem together through technical expertise, partnerships, and core differentiator: industry expertise. Founder’s StoryMatt Moeser founded Continuus...

INNOVATION Quebec

BAS-SAINT-LAURENT

L’ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITE LES PROJETS

Nos interventions comprennent le réseautage, la collaboration et le référencement des experts·es qui offrent aux entrepreneurs·es des services d’accompagnement technique et d’affaires. Une concertation régionale exemplaireL’EAC BSL est animé par le Collectif régional de développement (CRD). Créé par les huit MRC du Bas-Saint-Laurent, cet organisme de concertation et de planification...

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™ Botswana Vol.1

ACCLAIM EXPRESS

ACCLAIM EXPRESS- IS A TECH START-UP THAT IS FOCUSING ON REVOLUTIONIZING AND TRANSFORMING THE TECH INDUSTRY WITH ITS VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE - ACCLAIM

IS A TECH START-UP THAT IS FOCUSING ON REVOLUTIONIZING AND TRANSFORMING THE TECH INDUSTRY WITH ITS VIRTUAL MARKETPLACE - ACCLAIM

Acclaim will serve as a Virtual Business Environment (VBE) for all small businesses globally. The idea is to take small businesses to the internet and be able to create virtual offices, stalls, and markets which are manageable. This innovation was inspired by the digital transformation of the economy and the...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

MINSAIT

MARK MAKING THE WAY FORWARD

Minsait is Indra’s leading company in digital transformation and Information Technologies. It focuses its offering on high-impact value propositions, based on end-to-end solutions, with a remarkable degree of segmentation, which enables it to achieve tangible impacts for its customers in each industry with a transformational focus. With more than 7.000...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

KOLISI FOUNDATION

KOLISI FOUNDATION- REMEMBER THE ONE

REMEMBER THE ONE, ONE BY ONE.

Rachel and Siya Kolisi founded the Kolisi Foundation with this belief in mind: it is through the power of listening that positive change can happen in South Africa. We need to listen to what people dealing with challenging circumstances really need. We need to listen to the people already working...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

RINSA

Creating Impact for Entrepreneurs

The Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta (RINSA) was formed in 2011 as a collaborative partnership between Alberta Innovates with Economic Development Lethbridge/ Tecconnect, Lethbridge College, and the University of Lethbridge. Through trusted relationship building and a commitment to serving rural/remote and under-represented groups, RINSA has expanded to 14 members....

INNOVATE™ Flanders

NEW VALMAR BV

INNOVATION BY AUTOMATION

Our core business is big distribution of baby items in- and outside the EU in a multi-channel setting. That means a lot of requirements by country legal systems and specific customer demands. Customers in more the 45 countries have different needs and requests. They must be reached to be successful....

INNOVATE® Georgia

ISACA ATLANTA CHAPTER

INNOVATING WITH A LEGACY OF SERVICE

Founded nearly four decades ago, the ISACA Atlanta Chapter has evolved significantly over the years while steadfastly adhering to its mission of serving its members, partners, and communities. With nearly 3,000 members across the state, this mission has only gained importance, prompting the current board to innovate and reinforce the...

INNOVATION Quebec

ÉCOFAUNE BORÉALE

CCTT EN INNOVATION ÉCORESPONSABLE DU SECTEUR CUIR, FOURRURE ET PRODUITS DÉRIVÉS

La mission du centre collégial de transfert technologique du Cégep de St-Félicien, Écofaune boréale, comprend principalement de la recherche appliquée combinant le développement technologique, l’aide technique, le transfert de connaissances, la diffusion d’information scientifique ainsi que l’acquisition de pratiques sociales novatrices permettant aux acteurs socio-économiques de la fourrure et du...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LOGCOMEX

TRANSFORMING THE WAY COMPANIES DO BUSINESSES ACROSS BORDERS

Founded in 2016, the Curitiba-based startup Logcomex develops technology solutions and offers a platform that helps companies plan, monitor, and automate their global supply chain. The largest startup in Brazil in its segment has approximately 300 employees and is present in more than 11 countries across five continents. The company...

INNOVATE® Ohio

AGILEBLUE

USING AI TO DEFEAT AI: HOW AN OHIO-BORN COMPANY IS REWRITING THE FUTURE OF SECURITY OPERATIONS

As cyberattacks become faster, more automated, and increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, many organizations are trying to defend themselves with fragmented tools, limited teams, and security models built for a different era. Cleveland-based AgileBlue was founded to change that. Established in 2019, AgileBlue set out to make sophisticated, autonomous security...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

DATADISTILLR

DATADISTILLR- COLLABORATE AND EXPLORE DATA LIKE NEVER BEFORE

COLLABORATE AND EXPLORE DATA LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Data is the source of all learning, and nothing should get in the way of that. Data should be easy to access and explore. We spend too long working on our data instead of with our data. Data tells a story, and it’s our job to unearth and tell that...

INNOVATION Quebec

MAIN

EST LE MOUVEMENT DES ACCÉLÉRATEURS D’INNOVATION DU QUÉBEC

Depuis 2016, nous avons la conviction que la collaboration et la mutualisation des pratiques et des ressources (le mouvement) de tous ceux et celles qui par leur accompagnement permettent de réaliser en moins de temps qu’il n’en faudrait autrement (les accélérateurs), peuvent décupler l’impact des startups (l’innovation) de toutes les...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

TEDCO

LEADING INNOVATION TO MARKET

TEDCO is Maryland’s powerhouse of technology and innovation, driving progress and creating boundless opportunities. Founded by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998, TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) has been at the forefront of fostering an inclusive and entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Troy A. LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO...

INNOVATE® Nashville

CELERO COMMERCE

CELERO COMMERCE

WAS FOUNDED WITH ONE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE: TO HELP SMALL AND MID-SIZED BUSINESSES WIN

We know that we can deliver that by leveraging our investment in FinTech and our commitment to partnerships with community /regional banks. It is this combination that truly empowers local businesses in a way that enables them to compete and win in this ever more complex and competitive market.  ...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

GEORGETOWN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Harnessing the Power of Innovation to Serve the Common Good

Create the FutureIn order to help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges — nationally and globally — Georgetown Entrepreneurship is dedicated to championing common good entrepreneurship across its programming, teachings, and networks. Serving all of Georgetown University from the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown Entrepreneurship uses the power...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

McNair Aerospace

USC Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing

The McNAIR Aerospace Center, in partnership with the USC Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, engages university students in innovative, industry-led research in fields such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, automation, 3D printing, and materials manufacturing. This world-class, hands-on education, along with our commitment to cutting-edge innovation, actively creates leaders...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

BIGGINS LACEY SHAPIRO & CO

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN COMPANIES AND THEIR SITE SELECTION NEEDS THROUGH LOCATION ECONOMICS®

OUR STORYBiggins Lacy Shapiro & Company (BLS & Co.) is one of the largest independent firms in the specialty fields of site selection and economic development incentives advisory services. Our principals have been delivering our mix of services for more than twenty-five years and arehighly respected leaders in their field....

INNOVATE® Detroit

Driven

Ending legal debt traps with smart payments

In the U.S., over 11 million people havehad their driver’s licenses suspendeddue to unpaid fines. This isn’t just aninconvenience – it’s a direct hit to financialstability. Losing the ability to drive meanslosing access to jobs, education, andessential services. In cities like Detroit,where public transit is unreliable, asuspended license can mean...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET

FROM DISCOVERY TO IMPACT: HOW KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET INNOVATIONS TRANSFORMS LIFE SCIENCE

Innovation is essential for advancing healthcare and ensuring better patient outcomes. However, bringing deeptech Life Science innovations to market is a long and complex journey—one that requires not just groundbreaking research but also substantial investments, regulatory navigation, and perseverance. At KI Innovations, we support researchers and entrepreneurs in transforming scientific...

Ecosystems