Stories of Innovation
INNOVATE® Philadelphia
Econsult Solutions, Inc.
Where Innovation Takes Root: The Economics of What Comes Next
Economic impact has a standard playbook: count jobs, measure spending, calculate activity, and produce a number. Oftentimes this approach defines how cities, institutions, and developers tell their economic story, but it can leave out the most important part—the context of the place and the tangible day-to-day impacts on the community....
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
STARTUP PEOPLE
WIDENING THE GATE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOUNDERS
When Stockholm’s startup scene began to thrive in the early 2010s, it was known for producing unicorns – but also for its fragmentation. Founders often worked in isolation, disconnected from the support, partners, and investors that could help them endure the long, difficult middle miles between idea and success. SUP...
INNOVATION Quebec
Centre d’expertise industrielle de Montréal (CEI MTL)
Depuis 1998, Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent, un organisme à but non lucratif, a pour mission de propulser l’excellence des entreprises manufacturières en stimulant l’adoption de pratiques innovantes, technologiques et durables
Son offre se déploie en cinq services spécialisés : soutien aux entreprises, innovation, exportation, développement durable et mobilité alternative. Un hub manufacturier au cœur de MontréalParmi l’un des plus grand pôle industriel et technologique du Québec, le territoire de Saint-Laurent détient de nombreux atouts, opportunités et forces de développement...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
PORT OF ANTWERP-BRUGES
BUILDING THE PORT OF THE FUTURE
Major challenges on energy transition, climate, mobility, and digital transformation are ahead of us and are closely linked to the activities of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, being the 2nd largest port in Europe and the 2nd largest integrated chemical cluster in the world. The recent merger between the ports of Antwerp...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
HARD ROCK CAFE
AN A UNIQUE AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
All over the world, anyone who visits a Hard Rock Cafe location knows that they will embark on an immersive journey through the universe of music and pop culture. From iconic autographed guitars to music legend’s most iconic outfits, each location transforms into a living art gallery. On the walls,...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
COHO COLLECTIVE KITCHENS
THE SECRET INGREDIENT FOR FOOD ENTREPRENEURS COHO IS REDEFINING THE SPACE-AS-A-SERVICE INDUSTRY AND THE FUTURE OF CULINARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The shared kitchen industry, also known as commissaries, is a rapidly growing sector that is changing how people think about food and culinary entrepreneurship. When starting or scaling a business, food and beverage based entrepreneurs face significant challenges and risks and require significant investment in space, equipment, and overhead costs....
INNOVATE™ Toronto
MERIC S. GERTLER PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO ” INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE ” “U of T’s remarkable diversity provides both a springboard to social mobility and a superb environment for education, research and innovation.” – MERIC S. GERTLER, PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO The strength of Toronto’s higher education, research and innovation enterprise...
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
FOUNDERSBOOST TORONTO
PROVES THAT GRASSROOTS EFFORTS CAN DEMOCRATIZE ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT FOUNDERS NEED TO SUCCEED
FoundersBoost Toronto is the city’s only 100% free, not-for-profit preaccelerator program for early-stage founders. We are a volunteer-only organization that runs six-week boot camps that prepare founders for accelerators, investment, and revenue. We take no equity and charge no fees from any of our startups. FoundersBoost Toronto is led by...
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
BRASS CITY GAMERS
WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY PERSON, REGARDLESS OF AGE OR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, CAN LEARN ADVANCED COMPUTER SCIENCE AND DIGITAL MEDIA SKILLS
Brass City Gamers Tournament’s mission is to educate our local community in STEM learning including digital media, gaming, coding, and information technology, our aim is to foster strong computer competency skills to prepare for the developing new-collar jobs of the 21st Century. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization located in...
INNOVATION Quebec
ZONE AGTECH
STIMULATING THE EMERGENCE AND PROPELLING INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES IN QUEBEC
Since 2020, Quebec has been a pioneer in innovative agricultural technologies and plant bioproducts thanks to the development of Zone Agtech, a localized innovation ecosystem near the city of Montreal in the MRC of L’Assomption. Its mission? It is to intensify the development of clean, efficient and viable innovative technologies...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
AVOKAADO
FROM LEGAL CHAOS TO OPERATIONAL CLARITY
For most businesses, contracts are critical but chaotic. They’re scattered across inboxes, cloud folders, and outdated templates. Legal teams spend days or even weeks managing reviews, chasing approvals, and mitigating compliance risks. The result is a bottleneck that slows deals, creates risk, and turns legal into a reactive cost center....
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
LOGGERHEAD TOOLS
Award-Winning American Innovation
LoggerHead Tools’ mission is to create innovative hand tools manufactured in America. The company’s flagship product is the Bionic Wrench™, a tool that combines the convenience of pliers with the performance of a wrench. The company launched the Bionic Wrench at the National Hardware Show in 2005 and has since...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING
THE HUNTER FAMILY & THE CREATION OF THE HUNTER HUB
THE HISTORY OF THE HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKINGThe Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking was founded in 2017 with a $40 million donation from the Hunter Family Foundation, marking one of the largest donations in the University of Calgary’s history. The Hunter Hub’s purpose is to spread entrepreneurial thinking throughout...
INNOVATE® Nashville
KCI
BRIDGING THE BUILT AND NATURAL WORLDS: KCI’S NASHVILLE LEGACY
From transportation networks to environmental stewardship, KCI’s multidisciplinary team is redefining what it means to engineer progress. The architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is constantly evolving at a rapid pace, driven by advancements in technology, sustainability, and design thinking. As cities grow and infrastructure needs intensify, firms are embracing...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
Curevo Health
With AI and smart automation, we believe the healthcare crisis is solvable.
Strengthening Primary Care Through Smarter Digital Collaboration Healthcare systems worldwide are under growing pressure. Ageing populations, strained primary care infrastructure, and rising patient expectations on accessibility and digital care are driving urgent demand for scalable solutions. At the same time, technology, especially AI, is unlocking new levels of efficiency and...
INNOVATE™ Kenya
NERDHUB KENYA
OUR MISSION IS TO UTILIZE OUR ESPORTS CENTRE TO HELP GIVE YOUNG ASPIRING ESPORT ATHLETES A PLATFORM TO GROW THEIR ESPORTS CAREERS AND COMPETE ON THE WORLD STAGE
Nerdhub Kenya was started as a platform to give talented Kenyan youth an opportunity to grow. Kenya is an underdeveloped country where youth really struggle to follow their dreams. We are giving the youth the opportunity to be the next pop star, Esports champion, Comic artist, Dancer etc. We are...
INNOVATE® Miami
Papa
By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations
Papa is a platform dedicated to solve the loneliness crisis. By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations. Our enthusiastic students – known as Papa Pals, are considered “Grandkids On-Demand!” to our members. Companionship, assistance, and transportation provided by our pals can be...
INNOVATION Quebec
PÔLE SUR LA VILLE RÉSILIENTE
(RESILIENT CITY RESEARCH HUB) OF THE UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À MONTRÉAL (UQAM)
Cities are being asked to undergo profound transformations in the coming decades, to adapt to major environmental changes resulting from a development model based on continuous growth and to attenuate the negative externalities of urbanization. It should be possible for cities to participate in the regeneration of ecosystems and the...
INNOVATE™ Oeiras
RENAULT
Is a Brand With 123 Years Of Existence, Which Has Always Been Distinguished By Its Ability To Innovate, Democratizing Technologies, Making Them Accessible To All
It all started in 1898, when Louis Renault drove his Renault “Voiturette” up Rue Lepic in Paris with astonishing ease. That ease came from one of his inventions, the first gearbox. Since then, this has been Renault’s DNA, to innovate and democratize the use of technologies that contribute to comfort,...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
LIFE SCIENCES NOVA SCOTIA
BUILDING A THRIVING COMMUNITY
Life Sciences Nova Scotia (LSNS) is more than just an organization; it is the cornerstone of Nova Scotia’s life sciences community, fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration across the province and Atlantic Canada. At its core, LSNS is driven by the belief that transformative ideas in biotechnology, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals can...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
SECCIONAL
THE COMPANY’S HISTORY IS INTERTWINED WITH ITS TRADITION OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION
Since 1976, Seccional researches, designs and manufactures innovative and robust solutions for the telecommunications, lighting, power transmission and wind turbine markets. The company’s laboratories and factories are located in two units in the Industrial City of Curitiba (CIC), totaling facilities of 120,000m², offering a high level of productivity and design,...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
THINCLAB
GIVE YOUR IDEAS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE
ThincLab is the University of Adelaide’s business incubator and provides start-ups with a dynamic space and community in which to nurture ideas, develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and facilitate valuable connections and networks with mentors, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. ThincLab supports students, alumni, staff and the wider community create and...
INNOVATE® Nashville
FIRSTBANK
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® Philadelphia
Econsult Solutions, Inc.
Where Innovation Takes Root: The Economics of What Comes Next
Economic impact has a standard playbook: count jobs, measure spending, calculate activity, and produce a number. Oftentimes this approach defines how cities, institutions, and developers tell their economic story, but it can leave out the most important part—the context of the place and the tangible day-to-day impacts on the community....
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
STARTUP PEOPLE
WIDENING THE GATE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOUNDERS
When Stockholm’s startup scene began to thrive in the early 2010s, it was known for producing unicorns – but also for its fragmentation. Founders often worked in isolation, disconnected from the support, partners, and investors that could help them endure the long, difficult middle miles between idea and success. SUP...
INNOVATION Quebec
Centre d’expertise industrielle de Montréal (CEI MTL)
Depuis 1998, Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent, un organisme à but non lucratif, a pour mission de propulser l’excellence des entreprises manufacturières en stimulant l’adoption de pratiques innovantes, technologiques et durables
Son offre se déploie en cinq services spécialisés : soutien aux entreprises, innovation, exportation, développement durable et mobilité alternative. Un hub manufacturier au cœur de MontréalParmi l’un des plus grand pôle industriel et technologique du Québec, le territoire de Saint-Laurent détient de nombreux atouts, opportunités et forces de développement...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
PORT OF ANTWERP-BRUGES
BUILDING THE PORT OF THE FUTURE
Major challenges on energy transition, climate, mobility, and digital transformation are ahead of us and are closely linked to the activities of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, being the 2nd largest port in Europe and the 2nd largest integrated chemical cluster in the world. The recent merger between the ports of Antwerp...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
HARD ROCK CAFE
AN A UNIQUE AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
All over the world, anyone who visits a Hard Rock Cafe location knows that they will embark on an immersive journey through the universe of music and pop culture. From iconic autographed guitars to music legend’s most iconic outfits, each location transforms into a living art gallery. On the walls,...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
COHO COLLECTIVE KITCHENS
THE SECRET INGREDIENT FOR FOOD ENTREPRENEURS COHO IS REDEFINING THE SPACE-AS-A-SERVICE INDUSTRY AND THE FUTURE OF CULINARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The shared kitchen industry, also known as commissaries, is a rapidly growing sector that is changing how people think about food and culinary entrepreneurship. When starting or scaling a business, food and beverage based entrepreneurs face significant challenges and risks and require significant investment in space, equipment, and overhead costs....
INNOVATE™ Toronto
MERIC S. GERTLER PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO ” INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE ” “U of T’s remarkable diversity provides both a springboard to social mobility and a superb environment for education, research and innovation.” – MERIC S. GERTLER, PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO The strength of Toronto’s higher education, research and innovation enterprise...
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
FOUNDERSBOOST TORONTO
PROVES THAT GRASSROOTS EFFORTS CAN DEMOCRATIZE ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT FOUNDERS NEED TO SUCCEED
FoundersBoost Toronto is the city’s only 100% free, not-for-profit preaccelerator program for early-stage founders. We are a volunteer-only organization that runs six-week boot camps that prepare founders for accelerators, investment, and revenue. We take no equity and charge no fees from any of our startups. FoundersBoost Toronto is led by...
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
BRASS CITY GAMERS
WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY PERSON, REGARDLESS OF AGE OR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, CAN LEARN ADVANCED COMPUTER SCIENCE AND DIGITAL MEDIA SKILLS
Brass City Gamers Tournament’s mission is to educate our local community in STEM learning including digital media, gaming, coding, and information technology, our aim is to foster strong computer competency skills to prepare for the developing new-collar jobs of the 21st Century. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization located in...
INNOVATION Quebec
ZONE AGTECH
STIMULATING THE EMERGENCE AND PROPELLING INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES IN QUEBEC
Since 2020, Quebec has been a pioneer in innovative agricultural technologies and plant bioproducts thanks to the development of Zone Agtech, a localized innovation ecosystem near the city of Montreal in the MRC of L’Assomption. Its mission? It is to intensify the development of clean, efficient and viable innovative technologies...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
AVOKAADO
FROM LEGAL CHAOS TO OPERATIONAL CLARITY
For most businesses, contracts are critical but chaotic. They’re scattered across inboxes, cloud folders, and outdated templates. Legal teams spend days or even weeks managing reviews, chasing approvals, and mitigating compliance risks. The result is a bottleneck that slows deals, creates risk, and turns legal into a reactive cost center....
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
LOGGERHEAD TOOLS
Award-Winning American Innovation
LoggerHead Tools’ mission is to create innovative hand tools manufactured in America. The company’s flagship product is the Bionic Wrench™, a tool that combines the convenience of pliers with the performance of a wrench. The company launched the Bionic Wrench at the National Hardware Show in 2005 and has since...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING
THE HUNTER FAMILY & THE CREATION OF THE HUNTER HUB
THE HISTORY OF THE HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKINGThe Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking was founded in 2017 with a $40 million donation from the Hunter Family Foundation, marking one of the largest donations in the University of Calgary’s history. The Hunter Hub’s purpose is to spread entrepreneurial thinking throughout...
INNOVATE® Nashville
KCI
BRIDGING THE BUILT AND NATURAL WORLDS: KCI’S NASHVILLE LEGACY
From transportation networks to environmental stewardship, KCI’s multidisciplinary team is redefining what it means to engineer progress. The architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is constantly evolving at a rapid pace, driven by advancements in technology, sustainability, and design thinking. As cities grow and infrastructure needs intensify, firms are embracing...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
Curevo Health
With AI and smart automation, we believe the healthcare crisis is solvable.
Strengthening Primary Care Through Smarter Digital Collaboration Healthcare systems worldwide are under growing pressure. Ageing populations, strained primary care infrastructure, and rising patient expectations on accessibility and digital care are driving urgent demand for scalable solutions. At the same time, technology, especially AI, is unlocking new levels of efficiency and...
INNOVATE™ Kenya
NERDHUB KENYA
OUR MISSION IS TO UTILIZE OUR ESPORTS CENTRE TO HELP GIVE YOUNG ASPIRING ESPORT ATHLETES A PLATFORM TO GROW THEIR ESPORTS CAREERS AND COMPETE ON THE WORLD STAGE
Nerdhub Kenya was started as a platform to give talented Kenyan youth an opportunity to grow. Kenya is an underdeveloped country where youth really struggle to follow their dreams. We are giving the youth the opportunity to be the next pop star, Esports champion, Comic artist, Dancer etc. We are...
INNOVATE® Miami
Papa
By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations
Papa is a platform dedicated to solve the loneliness crisis. By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations. Our enthusiastic students – known as Papa Pals, are considered “Grandkids On-Demand!” to our members. Companionship, assistance, and transportation provided by our pals can be...
INNOVATION Quebec
PÔLE SUR LA VILLE RÉSILIENTE
(RESILIENT CITY RESEARCH HUB) OF THE UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À MONTRÉAL (UQAM)
Cities are being asked to undergo profound transformations in the coming decades, to adapt to major environmental changes resulting from a development model based on continuous growth and to attenuate the negative externalities of urbanization. It should be possible for cities to participate in the regeneration of ecosystems and the...
INNOVATE™ Oeiras
RENAULT
Is a Brand With 123 Years Of Existence, Which Has Always Been Distinguished By Its Ability To Innovate, Democratizing Technologies, Making Them Accessible To All
It all started in 1898, when Louis Renault drove his Renault “Voiturette” up Rue Lepic in Paris with astonishing ease. That ease came from one of his inventions, the first gearbox. Since then, this has been Renault’s DNA, to innovate and democratize the use of technologies that contribute to comfort,...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
LIFE SCIENCES NOVA SCOTIA
BUILDING A THRIVING COMMUNITY
Life Sciences Nova Scotia (LSNS) is more than just an organization; it is the cornerstone of Nova Scotia’s life sciences community, fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration across the province and Atlantic Canada. At its core, LSNS is driven by the belief that transformative ideas in biotechnology, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals can...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
SECCIONAL
THE COMPANY’S HISTORY IS INTERTWINED WITH ITS TRADITION OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION
Since 1976, Seccional researches, designs and manufactures innovative and robust solutions for the telecommunications, lighting, power transmission and wind turbine markets. The company’s laboratories and factories are located in two units in the Industrial City of Curitiba (CIC), totaling facilities of 120,000m², offering a high level of productivity and design,...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
THINCLAB
GIVE YOUR IDEAS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE
ThincLab is the University of Adelaide’s business incubator and provides start-ups with a dynamic space and community in which to nurture ideas, develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and facilitate valuable connections and networks with mentors, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. ThincLab supports students, alumni, staff and the wider community create and...
INNOVATE® Nashville
FIRSTBANK
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...