Stories of Innovation
INNOVATE® Nashville
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® Kansas City
AXIOFORCE
MAKING REVOLUTIONARY SMART MATERIALS TO BRING FORCE SENSING TO APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE.
MAKING REVOLUTIONARY SMART MATERIALS TO BRING FORCE SENSING TO APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE. Axioforce is a sensor company based on a smart materials breakthrough made by Drs. Cory Berkland and Jonathan Miller at the University of Kansas. The two were working on a DoE sponsored project developing cushions that leverage...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Bluewave Technologies Inc.
A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub
Created in 2015 company, BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s Innovation Hub. Innovation Hub. BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup and the creator of the BLUEWAVE, a device that can deodorize items with its proprietary ozone infusion technology in as little as...
INNOVATE® Nashville
SHANE MAC
INVESTING IN THE SWITCHBOARD CITY
I have lived to work and, believe me, that’s no way to live… or work. This doesn’t mean don’t work hard. I’ve just discovered that when you love where you live you have a longer-term view of how you work. I spend my days supporting people who are in the...
Global Innovation Spotlight
HILCO CONSUMER - RETAIL
INNOVATING FOR THE RETAIL LIFECYCLE – FROM BEGINNING TO END AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
Can a business founded as a retail liquidation firm innovate to save retail? Hilco Consumer-Retail (HCR) is undoubtedly trying – and succeeding in BIG WAYS! Retail – and the consumer product businesses that feed them inventory – is among the most troubled sectors in the United States and worldwide. This...
INNOVATE® Seattle
FROM THE CULTURE
REVOLUTIONIZING BLACK INNOVATION IN THE AI STARTUP ECOSYSTEM
From The Culture is redefining the tech game, empowering Black founders to thrive in the fast-paced world of startups. Specializing in AI-driven product development, strategic guidance, and expanded market access, this startup studio transforms visionary ideas into scalable ventures. It’s more than an incubator—it’s a community built to amplify Black...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
INEOS
POWER TO METHANOL, FUTUREPROOF INNOVATION IN FUEL AND FEEDSTOCK
In 2022 the construction of the Power to Methanol Antwerp plant starts in the Port of Antwerp. The plant has a production capacity of 8,000 tonnes of sustainable methanol, produced from hydrogen generated from renewable energy and captured CO2. A consortium of seven companies is setting up the pilot plant...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
GREENFUELS
REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES AND CONTAMINATION ONE LANDFILL AT A TIME!”
Olmar López Vidal has over thirteen years of experience and has been involved with projects in Municipal Non-Hazardous Solid Waste s, primarily in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. His experience includes gas (LFG) systems, gas to energy systems (LFGTE), leachate treatment, leachate pumps, closure, post-closure maintenance and MRF (Materials...
INNOVATE® Philadelphia
US WorldMeds
How the Navy Yard is Expanding What’s Possible in Rare Disease
US WorldMeds is a specialty pharmaceutical company guided by a clear purpose: to improve the lives of patients facing rare and serious conditions. With a focus on areas that are often overlooked, the company is committed to identifying unmet needs and delivering therapies that create real impact for patients, families,...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
DAVID SOBEY RETAILING CENTRE
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF RETAIL
“In the past decade, retailers have been forced to innovate, and in some cases transform themselves in response to several external factors. Changing consumer behavior and employee expectations, the advent of AI, and the need to meet sustainability targets are just some of the factors driving big changes in the...
INNOVATE® Georgia
STABLE KERNEL
CULTIVATING CURIOSITY: THE LEARNING CULTURE BEHIND STABLE KERNEL’S WORLD-CLASS INNOVATIONS
There’s a reason why, every day, millions of people rely on technology developed by Stable Kernel. Over the past decade, while the tech world churned like river rapids, Stable Kernel has been steadily navigating the currents, charting a thoughtful and deliberate course— cultivating a work environment that fosters productivity and...
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™ Toronto
THE CCRM STORY
10 YEARS IN THE MAKING
“Regenerative medicine is the future, and not only is it the future, it’s a branch of medicine that Canada and the province of Ontario are actually quite good at.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau When it launched onto the scene in 2011, there was nothing else like it. Even today, ten years...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
CITY RIDERS
BRIDGING THE GAP: HOW CITY RIDERS LINKS LIKE-MINDED ENTHUSIASTS
City Riders, born in 2018 from the frustrations of its founder, Thomas McElroy, embodies a passion for community and exploration. Motivated by the inconsistency of his riding companions, McElroy envisioned a solution that would unite like-minded enthusiasts globally. This vision materialized into City Riders, a platform connecting individuals who share...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
LIVING TOMORROW
A BEACON AND LANDMARK OF INNOVATION
The Living Tomorrow Innovation Campus in Vilvoorde, Brussels, is one of Europe’s leading innovation centers. Along with a vast network of partners, they create ideas and visions that make living in the future more comfortable and enjoyable. A massive blue tower reaching 50 meters into the sky literally lifts you...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
CENTRO PARA EMPRENDEDORES:
NORMALIZING SUPPORT WHILE DOING A BUSINESS
Establishing a business is without a doubt one of the most rewarding experiences anyone can have, but it is also one of the most difficult journeys someone can go through. That was the main reason for creating Centro para Emprendedores, to celebrate every accomplishment of entrepreneurs and business owners in...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Apple Rose
Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking
Apple Rose Beauty is a natural skincare company that creates spa-quality organic beauty products with the tangible mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking. Products are sold on Amazon, at boutiques, and through an e-commerce website with ingredients that are natural, certified organic, and wildcrafted, with a focus...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
CHOOSE NEW JERSEY
New Jersey, a hub for entrepreneurs and multinationals alike, is located in the most highly connected region in the U.S., with all the assets and accessibility any business needs
Choose New Jersey is New Jersey’s leading nonprofit economic development organization. We stimulate job creation and attract capital investment with the aim of growing New Jersey’s economy. We market New Jersey globally as the most ideal state in the U.S. to live, work, and play, and we guide businesses in...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
CITS
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY – VANGUARD INSTITUTE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CITS-INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY – VANGUARD INSTITUTE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN CURITIBA Since its establishment in 1992, coinciding with the formulation of incentive policies by the Brazilian government for multinational companies to produce in Brazil and the creation of programs to foster the development of businesses, CITS has...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
BITCOIN.COM
Helping to Build and Expose the Works of Africa’s Fintech Innovators to the World
There is no question that the global financial services industry has failed to serve everyone and has for a long time not been for everyone. The fact that more than 1.5 billion people are still without a bank account or have no access to banking services is ample evidence of...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
GCT GLOBAL CONTAINER TERMINALS INC
SYNCHRONIZING CONTAINER LOGISTICS THROUGH INNOVATION, PRECISION,
GCT Global Container Terminals Inc. (GCT) is Vancouver’s homegrown success story in marine container terminal operations and innovation. GCT is among the most advanced operators on the continent and boasts the largest semi-automated on-dock rail facility in North America. Shipping line customers and cargo owners benefit from easy access to...
Global Innovation Spotlight
R.DAS
WE BRING BENEFICIAL INNOVATIONS TO PEOPLE UNDER SMART SOCIETY
Slovak tech company aiming at bringing smart innovations into various industries and applications. The overall ambition of R-DAS is to commercialize and apply integrated solutions for come-to-market products in several areas of electronics. The company is well established with a history of more than a decade and by now offers...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
PINATI
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED, SO HAVE THE SNACKS
Not wanting to conform with the snack industry, Waldemiro Pereira founded Pinati Snacks in 2013. But the beginning was not easy. With little financial resources, he would buy healthy homemade cereal bars from a local couple in the metropolitan area in Curitiba and, with personalized packaging, sell them on to...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Plug and Play Detroit
Driving the Future of Mobility
A city synonymous with automotive innovation, Plug and Play’s Detroit operation is making waves with its groundbreaking approach to mobility. As a global leader in fostering innovation, Plug and Play has established itself as a critical player in the tech ecosystem. However, in Detroit, the organization is doing more than...
INNOVATE® Nashville
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® Kansas City
AXIOFORCE
MAKING REVOLUTIONARY SMART MATERIALS TO BRING FORCE SENSING TO APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE.
MAKING REVOLUTIONARY SMART MATERIALS TO BRING FORCE SENSING TO APPLICATIONS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE. Axioforce is a sensor company based on a smart materials breakthrough made by Drs. Cory Berkland and Jonathan Miller at the University of Kansas. The two were working on a DoE sponsored project developing cushions that leverage...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Bluewave Technologies Inc.
A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub
Created in 2015 company, BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s Innovation Hub. Innovation Hub. BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup and the creator of the BLUEWAVE, a device that can deodorize items with its proprietary ozone infusion technology in as little as...
INNOVATE® Nashville
SHANE MAC
INVESTING IN THE SWITCHBOARD CITY
I have lived to work and, believe me, that’s no way to live… or work. This doesn’t mean don’t work hard. I’ve just discovered that when you love where you live you have a longer-term view of how you work. I spend my days supporting people who are in the...
Global Innovation Spotlight
HILCO CONSUMER - RETAIL
INNOVATING FOR THE RETAIL LIFECYCLE – FROM BEGINNING TO END AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
Can a business founded as a retail liquidation firm innovate to save retail? Hilco Consumer-Retail (HCR) is undoubtedly trying – and succeeding in BIG WAYS! Retail – and the consumer product businesses that feed them inventory – is among the most troubled sectors in the United States and worldwide. This...
INNOVATE® Seattle
FROM THE CULTURE
REVOLUTIONIZING BLACK INNOVATION IN THE AI STARTUP ECOSYSTEM
From The Culture is redefining the tech game, empowering Black founders to thrive in the fast-paced world of startups. Specializing in AI-driven product development, strategic guidance, and expanded market access, this startup studio transforms visionary ideas into scalable ventures. It’s more than an incubator—it’s a community built to amplify Black...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
INEOS
POWER TO METHANOL, FUTUREPROOF INNOVATION IN FUEL AND FEEDSTOCK
In 2022 the construction of the Power to Methanol Antwerp plant starts in the Port of Antwerp. The plant has a production capacity of 8,000 tonnes of sustainable methanol, produced from hydrogen generated from renewable energy and captured CO2. A consortium of seven companies is setting up the pilot plant...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
GREENFUELS
REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES AND CONTAMINATION ONE LANDFILL AT A TIME!”
Olmar López Vidal has over thirteen years of experience and has been involved with projects in Municipal Non-Hazardous Solid Waste s, primarily in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. His experience includes gas (LFG) systems, gas to energy systems (LFGTE), leachate treatment, leachate pumps, closure, post-closure maintenance and MRF (Materials...
INNOVATE® Philadelphia
US WorldMeds
How the Navy Yard is Expanding What’s Possible in Rare Disease
US WorldMeds is a specialty pharmaceutical company guided by a clear purpose: to improve the lives of patients facing rare and serious conditions. With a focus on areas that are often overlooked, the company is committed to identifying unmet needs and delivering therapies that create real impact for patients, families,...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
DAVID SOBEY RETAILING CENTRE
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF RETAIL
“In the past decade, retailers have been forced to innovate, and in some cases transform themselves in response to several external factors. Changing consumer behavior and employee expectations, the advent of AI, and the need to meet sustainability targets are just some of the factors driving big changes in the...
INNOVATE® Georgia
STABLE KERNEL
CULTIVATING CURIOSITY: THE LEARNING CULTURE BEHIND STABLE KERNEL’S WORLD-CLASS INNOVATIONS
There’s a reason why, every day, millions of people rely on technology developed by Stable Kernel. Over the past decade, while the tech world churned like river rapids, Stable Kernel has been steadily navigating the currents, charting a thoughtful and deliberate course— cultivating a work environment that fosters productivity and...
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™ Toronto
THE CCRM STORY
10 YEARS IN THE MAKING
“Regenerative medicine is the future, and not only is it the future, it’s a branch of medicine that Canada and the province of Ontario are actually quite good at.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau When it launched onto the scene in 2011, there was nothing else like it. Even today, ten years...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
CITY RIDERS
BRIDGING THE GAP: HOW CITY RIDERS LINKS LIKE-MINDED ENTHUSIASTS
City Riders, born in 2018 from the frustrations of its founder, Thomas McElroy, embodies a passion for community and exploration. Motivated by the inconsistency of his riding companions, McElroy envisioned a solution that would unite like-minded enthusiasts globally. This vision materialized into City Riders, a platform connecting individuals who share...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
LIVING TOMORROW
A BEACON AND LANDMARK OF INNOVATION
The Living Tomorrow Innovation Campus in Vilvoorde, Brussels, is one of Europe’s leading innovation centers. Along with a vast network of partners, they create ideas and visions that make living in the future more comfortable and enjoyable. A massive blue tower reaching 50 meters into the sky literally lifts you...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
CENTRO PARA EMPRENDEDORES:
NORMALIZING SUPPORT WHILE DOING A BUSINESS
Establishing a business is without a doubt one of the most rewarding experiences anyone can have, but it is also one of the most difficult journeys someone can go through. That was the main reason for creating Centro para Emprendedores, to celebrate every accomplishment of entrepreneurs and business owners in...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Apple Rose
Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking
Apple Rose Beauty is a natural skincare company that creates spa-quality organic beauty products with the tangible mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking. Products are sold on Amazon, at boutiques, and through an e-commerce website with ingredients that are natural, certified organic, and wildcrafted, with a focus...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
CHOOSE NEW JERSEY
New Jersey, a hub for entrepreneurs and multinationals alike, is located in the most highly connected region in the U.S., with all the assets and accessibility any business needs
Choose New Jersey is New Jersey’s leading nonprofit economic development organization. We stimulate job creation and attract capital investment with the aim of growing New Jersey’s economy. We market New Jersey globally as the most ideal state in the U.S. to live, work, and play, and we guide businesses in...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
CITS
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY – VANGUARD INSTITUTE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CITS-INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY – VANGUARD INSTITUTE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN CURITIBA Since its establishment in 1992, coinciding with the formulation of incentive policies by the Brazilian government for multinational companies to produce in Brazil and the creation of programs to foster the development of businesses, CITS has...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
BITCOIN.COM
Helping to Build and Expose the Works of Africa’s Fintech Innovators to the World
There is no question that the global financial services industry has failed to serve everyone and has for a long time not been for everyone. The fact that more than 1.5 billion people are still without a bank account or have no access to banking services is ample evidence of...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
GCT GLOBAL CONTAINER TERMINALS INC
SYNCHRONIZING CONTAINER LOGISTICS THROUGH INNOVATION, PRECISION,
GCT Global Container Terminals Inc. (GCT) is Vancouver’s homegrown success story in marine container terminal operations and innovation. GCT is among the most advanced operators on the continent and boasts the largest semi-automated on-dock rail facility in North America. Shipping line customers and cargo owners benefit from easy access to...
Global Innovation Spotlight
R.DAS
WE BRING BENEFICIAL INNOVATIONS TO PEOPLE UNDER SMART SOCIETY
Slovak tech company aiming at bringing smart innovations into various industries and applications. The overall ambition of R-DAS is to commercialize and apply integrated solutions for come-to-market products in several areas of electronics. The company is well established with a history of more than a decade and by now offers...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
PINATI
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED, SO HAVE THE SNACKS
Not wanting to conform with the snack industry, Waldemiro Pereira founded Pinati Snacks in 2013. But the beginning was not easy. With little financial resources, he would buy healthy homemade cereal bars from a local couple in the metropolitan area in Curitiba and, with personalized packaging, sell them on to...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Plug and Play Detroit
Driving the Future of Mobility
A city synonymous with automotive innovation, Plug and Play’s Detroit operation is making waves with its groundbreaking approach to mobility. As a global leader in fostering innovation, Plug and Play has established itself as a critical player in the tech ecosystem. However, in Detroit, the organization is doing more than...