Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Dartpoints

Building the Backbone: Dartpoints' Mission to Distribute High-Density Computing and Distributed Infrastructure

DartPoints is transforming South Carolina’s digital economy through innovative strategies that combine high-density computing with edge data infrastructure. By focusing on optimizing data center performance and placing resources where they are needed most, DartPoints empowers businesses, municipalities, and institutions to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world. “Our mission is to...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

VIRGENT AI

Move Beyond AI-Curious to AI-Powered

As we enter the largest technological revolution of our generation, Virgent AI is guiding leaders and industries beyond AI-curious to AI-powered. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, this forward-thinking AI-centric technology startup specializes in developing and deploying advanced AI agents and AI-enabled applications to solve real-world business problems. At their core, their...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

PILOTO 151

PILOTO 151-PUERTO RICO’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION

PUERTO RICO’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION

The year was 2012. Stolberg siblings, Sofia and Juan Carlos, had just moved back to their native Puerto Rico, ran their own businesses, and were searching for a coworking space to network with like-minded individuals. Noticing that coworking was not a thing on the Island, they took it upon themselves...

INNOVATE® Nashville

THNKS

THNKS-SPARKING A MOVEMENT OF GRATITUDE

SPARKING A MOVEMENT OF GRATITUDE

At Thnks, our mission is to leverage technology and the science of gratitude to help establish and build strong relationships for the modern world, through efficient, personalized, and thoughtful appreciation. Thnks has created a movement in workplaces with over 15,000 Thnks sent every week — helping business professionals improve their...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

1863 VENTURES

Unleashing Potential

“We’re excited about the continued progress on our path to creating $100B in new wealth by 2030.” In the heart of innovation, where dreams intertwine with reality, 1836 Ventures stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. Born from a modest volunteer project at Georgetown, it has evolved into an...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Vision Behind Soft2Bet:

How Uri Poliavich Built More Than a Platform

Not every founder is a product person. Fewer still are patient. But Uri Poliavich built Soft2Bet by being both. From the start, he wasn’t chasing headlines or hype—he was building an engine for growth. Not the flashy kind. The kind that lasts. He understood something early on that many in...

INNOVATE® Nashville

TEACH FOR AMERICA

TRANSFORMING CLASSROOMS AND EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES

A National Movement to Expand Educational Opportunity This year, Teach For America marks its 35th anniversary – a milestone that celebrates a movement of leaders working alongside communities to expand opportunity for all children. Since its founding in 1990, Teach For America has recruited, developed, and supported a diverse network...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

DUTCH BLOCKCHAIN COALITION

DUTCH BLOCKCHAIN COALITION-BLOCKCHAIN MAKES WEB 3.0 POSSIBLE

BLOCKCHAIN MAKES WEB 3.0 POSSIBLE

THE DUTCH BLOCKCHAIN COALITION (DBC) IS A COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION OF AFFILIATES FROM GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES, CENTERS OF EXPERTISE AND THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR. ITS MISSION IS TO INCREASE BOTH KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF BLOCKCHAIN IN THE NETHERLANDS, THEREBY SPEEDING UP THE DECENTRALIZATION OF DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE. IN THAT CONTEXT, THE DBC IS PRIMARILY...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

REVOLUTION

Pioneering the Next Wave of Innovation

Founded by AOL co-founder Steve Case, the DC-based investment firm Revolution emerged in 2005 with a bold mission: to invest in startups around the country – highlighting venture opportunity beyond Silicon Valley and partnering with founders who recognize thetransformative impact of policy and regulation in helping them build market-defining companies....

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

Ideawake

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE In a world where ideas hold immense value, Ideawake is on a mission to empower companies to mine their most valuable resource: their employees’ creativity and insights. Founded in 2013 by Coby Skonord and Trae Tessmann, Ideawake began with a vision to make innovation accessible...

INNOVATION Quebec

ERAC DU SAGUENAY-LAC ST-JEAN

The rootsFor nearly 20 years, in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean – a region of more than 275,000 inhabitants located 500 km northeast of Montréal – concerted initiatives have been deployed to stimulate innovation among SMEs. Idéa innovation PME (2004-2010), then Innovation 02 (2011-2019) generated activities in turn to support innovation. It was when...

INNOVATE® Nashville

BluWave

Expertly Connecting Businesses with Best-in-Class Solutions

When business leaders face high-stakes decisions, they don’t have the luxury of time or guesswork. BluWave was built precisely for these moments. Founded by private equity veteran Sean Mooney, BluWave is a groundbreaking market network that expertly connects business leaders with the exact specialized third-party advisory firms, technology solutions, and...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ICI (INSTITUTO DAS CIDADES INTELIGENTES)

TECHNOLOGY THAT CONNECTS CITIES AND PEOPLE

A SMART CITY IS ONLY MADE WITH GREAT CARE, PLANNING, MANAGEMENT CAPACITY, AND TECHNOLOGY. For over 25 years, the Institute of Smart Cities (ICI), a social organization located in Curitiba, has been involved in developing Information Technology and Communication solutions for public management. With recognized experience throughout Brazil in the...

INNOVATE® Georgia

SOFTPATH SYSTEM’S BOLD PLAY

REDEFINING STAFFING WITH AI

Softpath System, LLC, a trailblazer in the staffing industry, has long been recognized for its commitment to excellence and innovation. Softpath System, LLC is an award-winning technology consulting and talent management company catering to commercial and government agencies nationwide. Founded in 1999, they have since been providing their customers with...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

CINEVVA

CINEVVA-DECENTRALIZING GAMING CONTENT AND STORIES FOR CREATIVES LEFT BEHIND

DECENTRALIZING GAMING CONTENT AND STORIES FOR CREATIVES LEFT BEHIND

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create content for games or interactive stories. The overwhelming number of 30+ tools you must juggle? What is the chance for you to succeed amidst the endless pool of published games? The team developing VIO, Oleg Sidorkin, CTO, xIBM Chief AI Architect...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Rethreaded

Rethreaded-Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

ELEVATOR PITCH Rethreaded provides a second chance at life through employment for survivors of human trafficking. Women have employment opportunities in different facets of the company, including production, inventory, sales, marketing and finance/admin. Through its own enterprise and its distribution company that partners with like-minded businesses, Rethreaded’s mission is to...

INNOVATION Quebec

FINTECH MONTRÉAL

FINTECH MONTRÉAL « L’INDUSTRIE QUÉBÉCOISE DES FINTECHS EST FLORISSANTE. AVEC LE PLUS IMPORTANT HUB FINTECH AU CANADA ET LE FORUM FINTECH CANADA, LE GRAND RENDEZ-VOUS ANNUEL DE L’INDUSTRIE, LA TABLE EST MISE POUR QUE L’INNOVATION RENCONTRE LES BESOINS RÉELS D’UNE INDUSTRIE EN TRANSFORMATION. » Sebastian Boisjoly, vice-président, FinTech et Innovations...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

TEDxBristol - Delivering Inspirational Talks To Sell-Out Audiences

TEDxBristol - Delivering Inspirational Talks To Sell-Out Audiences

ELEVATOR PITCH TEDxBristol is one of the largest TEDx events in Europe, delivering talks to sell-out audiences, working with creative partners across the UK and reaching a global audience online. We’re a largely voluntary and not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating thought-provoking, world-class TEDx talks and delivering inspirational, inclusive and friendly...

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® South Carolina

Fusion Cyber

HUMAN LED, AI POWERED.

HUMAN LED, AI POWERED. Founded in 2021, Fusion Cyber has grown from a small start-up to are cognized leader in cybersecurity education. It has partnerships with fourw ell-known universities: the University of South Carolina, the University of Kentucky, Florida International University, and Denmark Technical College. Fusion Cyber offers cutting-edge courses...

INNOVATE® Miami

Radical Partners

Radical Partners - We’re an accelerator for social impact

We’re an accelerator for social impact

We’re an accelerator for social impact. We scout for people solving the issues that matter most to the future of our region and help them scale their impact. We mobilize locals to get engaged in strengthening our region, and we connect organizations and leaders to increase greater change together. Miami...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

ENCAST

DEEPENS CONNECTION BETWEEN PEOPLE, BRANDS, AND CAUSES

Our ecosystem simultaneously uplifts personal interactions, culture, brand affinity, and social impact. THE PROBLEMAbout 10,000 baby boomers retire daily. Millennials and Zoomers are taking their place, currently representing over 60% of the U.S. workforce. Younger generations care deeply about social causes. organizations who give them a greater purpose – other...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

MARYLAND SPORTS COMMISSION

About MSC and What they doIn 2008, when the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (now Department of Commerce) partnered to create the Office of Sports Marketing – (later rebranded as the Maryland Sports Commission in 2016) – their intention was clear: Become the...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRIM

L’innovation, c’est ici que ça se passe

Innover c’est transformer une idée en valeur, c’est transposer l’idée dans l’environnement de l’entreprise avec ses réalités, c’est permettre à l’entreprise de devenir plus compétitive. CRIM, le partenaire en innovationLes clients du CRIM ont en commun le désir d’innover et de garder le cap sur la concurrence. Ils nous viennent...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Dartpoints

Building the Backbone: Dartpoints' Mission to Distribute High-Density Computing and Distributed Infrastructure

DartPoints is transforming South Carolina’s digital economy through innovative strategies that combine high-density computing with edge data infrastructure. By focusing on optimizing data center performance and placing resources where they are needed most, DartPoints empowers businesses, municipalities, and institutions to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world. “Our mission is to...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

VIRGENT AI

Move Beyond AI-Curious to AI-Powered

As we enter the largest technological revolution of our generation, Virgent AI is guiding leaders and industries beyond AI-curious to AI-powered. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, this forward-thinking AI-centric technology startup specializes in developing and deploying advanced AI agents and AI-enabled applications to solve real-world business problems. At their core, their...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

PILOTO 151

PILOTO 151-PUERTO RICO’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION

PUERTO RICO’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION

The year was 2012. Stolberg siblings, Sofia and Juan Carlos, had just moved back to their native Puerto Rico, ran their own businesses, and were searching for a coworking space to network with like-minded individuals. Noticing that coworking was not a thing on the Island, they took it upon themselves...

INNOVATE® Nashville

THNKS

THNKS-SPARKING A MOVEMENT OF GRATITUDE

SPARKING A MOVEMENT OF GRATITUDE

At Thnks, our mission is to leverage technology and the science of gratitude to help establish and build strong relationships for the modern world, through efficient, personalized, and thoughtful appreciation. Thnks has created a movement in workplaces with over 15,000 Thnks sent every week — helping business professionals improve their...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

1863 VENTURES

Unleashing Potential

“We’re excited about the continued progress on our path to creating $100B in new wealth by 2030.” In the heart of innovation, where dreams intertwine with reality, 1836 Ventures stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. Born from a modest volunteer project at Georgetown, it has evolved into an...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Vision Behind Soft2Bet:

How Uri Poliavich Built More Than a Platform

Not every founder is a product person. Fewer still are patient. But Uri Poliavich built Soft2Bet by being both. From the start, he wasn’t chasing headlines or hype—he was building an engine for growth. Not the flashy kind. The kind that lasts. He understood something early on that many in...

INNOVATE® Nashville

TEACH FOR AMERICA

TRANSFORMING CLASSROOMS AND EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES

A National Movement to Expand Educational Opportunity This year, Teach For America marks its 35th anniversary – a milestone that celebrates a movement of leaders working alongside communities to expand opportunity for all children. Since its founding in 1990, Teach For America has recruited, developed, and supported a diverse network...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

DUTCH BLOCKCHAIN COALITION

DUTCH BLOCKCHAIN COALITION-BLOCKCHAIN MAKES WEB 3.0 POSSIBLE

BLOCKCHAIN MAKES WEB 3.0 POSSIBLE

THE DUTCH BLOCKCHAIN COALITION (DBC) IS A COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION OF AFFILIATES FROM GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES, CENTERS OF EXPERTISE AND THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR. ITS MISSION IS TO INCREASE BOTH KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF BLOCKCHAIN IN THE NETHERLANDS, THEREBY SPEEDING UP THE DECENTRALIZATION OF DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE. IN THAT CONTEXT, THE DBC IS PRIMARILY...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

REVOLUTION

Pioneering the Next Wave of Innovation

Founded by AOL co-founder Steve Case, the DC-based investment firm Revolution emerged in 2005 with a bold mission: to invest in startups around the country – highlighting venture opportunity beyond Silicon Valley and partnering with founders who recognize thetransformative impact of policy and regulation in helping them build market-defining companies....

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

Ideawake

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE In a world where ideas hold immense value, Ideawake is on a mission to empower companies to mine their most valuable resource: their employees’ creativity and insights. Founded in 2013 by Coby Skonord and Trae Tessmann, Ideawake began with a vision to make innovation accessible...

INNOVATION Quebec

ERAC DU SAGUENAY-LAC ST-JEAN

The rootsFor nearly 20 years, in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean – a region of more than 275,000 inhabitants located 500 km northeast of Montréal – concerted initiatives have been deployed to stimulate innovation among SMEs. Idéa innovation PME (2004-2010), then Innovation 02 (2011-2019) generated activities in turn to support innovation. It was when...

INNOVATE® Nashville

BluWave

Expertly Connecting Businesses with Best-in-Class Solutions

When business leaders face high-stakes decisions, they don’t have the luxury of time or guesswork. BluWave was built precisely for these moments. Founded by private equity veteran Sean Mooney, BluWave is a groundbreaking market network that expertly connects business leaders with the exact specialized third-party advisory firms, technology solutions, and...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ICI (INSTITUTO DAS CIDADES INTELIGENTES)

TECHNOLOGY THAT CONNECTS CITIES AND PEOPLE

A SMART CITY IS ONLY MADE WITH GREAT CARE, PLANNING, MANAGEMENT CAPACITY, AND TECHNOLOGY. For over 25 years, the Institute of Smart Cities (ICI), a social organization located in Curitiba, has been involved in developing Information Technology and Communication solutions for public management. With recognized experience throughout Brazil in the...

INNOVATE® Georgia

SOFTPATH SYSTEM’S BOLD PLAY

REDEFINING STAFFING WITH AI

Softpath System, LLC, a trailblazer in the staffing industry, has long been recognized for its commitment to excellence and innovation. Softpath System, LLC is an award-winning technology consulting and talent management company catering to commercial and government agencies nationwide. Founded in 1999, they have since been providing their customers with...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

CINEVVA

CINEVVA-DECENTRALIZING GAMING CONTENT AND STORIES FOR CREATIVES LEFT BEHIND

DECENTRALIZING GAMING CONTENT AND STORIES FOR CREATIVES LEFT BEHIND

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create content for games or interactive stories. The overwhelming number of 30+ tools you must juggle? What is the chance for you to succeed amidst the endless pool of published games? The team developing VIO, Oleg Sidorkin, CTO, xIBM Chief AI Architect...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Rethreaded

Rethreaded-Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

ELEVATOR PITCH Rethreaded provides a second chance at life through employment for survivors of human trafficking. Women have employment opportunities in different facets of the company, including production, inventory, sales, marketing and finance/admin. Through its own enterprise and its distribution company that partners with like-minded businesses, Rethreaded’s mission is to...

INNOVATION Quebec

FINTECH MONTRÉAL

FINTECH MONTRÉAL « L’INDUSTRIE QUÉBÉCOISE DES FINTECHS EST FLORISSANTE. AVEC LE PLUS IMPORTANT HUB FINTECH AU CANADA ET LE FORUM FINTECH CANADA, LE GRAND RENDEZ-VOUS ANNUEL DE L’INDUSTRIE, LA TABLE EST MISE POUR QUE L’INNOVATION RENCONTRE LES BESOINS RÉELS D’UNE INDUSTRIE EN TRANSFORMATION. » Sebastian Boisjoly, vice-président, FinTech et Innovations...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

TEDxBristol - Delivering Inspirational Talks To Sell-Out Audiences

TEDxBristol - Delivering Inspirational Talks To Sell-Out Audiences

ELEVATOR PITCH TEDxBristol is one of the largest TEDx events in Europe, delivering talks to sell-out audiences, working with creative partners across the UK and reaching a global audience online. We’re a largely voluntary and not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating thought-provoking, world-class TEDx talks and delivering inspirational, inclusive and friendly...

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® South Carolina

Fusion Cyber

HUMAN LED, AI POWERED.

HUMAN LED, AI POWERED. Founded in 2021, Fusion Cyber has grown from a small start-up to are cognized leader in cybersecurity education. It has partnerships with fourw ell-known universities: the University of South Carolina, the University of Kentucky, Florida International University, and Denmark Technical College. Fusion Cyber offers cutting-edge courses...

INNOVATE® Miami

Radical Partners

Radical Partners - We’re an accelerator for social impact

We’re an accelerator for social impact

We’re an accelerator for social impact. We scout for people solving the issues that matter most to the future of our region and help them scale their impact. We mobilize locals to get engaged in strengthening our region, and we connect organizations and leaders to increase greater change together. Miami...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

ENCAST

DEEPENS CONNECTION BETWEEN PEOPLE, BRANDS, AND CAUSES

Our ecosystem simultaneously uplifts personal interactions, culture, brand affinity, and social impact. THE PROBLEMAbout 10,000 baby boomers retire daily. Millennials and Zoomers are taking their place, currently representing over 60% of the U.S. workforce. Younger generations care deeply about social causes. organizations who give them a greater purpose – other...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

MARYLAND SPORTS COMMISSION

About MSC and What they doIn 2008, when the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (now Department of Commerce) partnered to create the Office of Sports Marketing – (later rebranded as the Maryland Sports Commission in 2016) – their intention was clear: Become the...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRIM

L’innovation, c’est ici que ça se passe

Innover c’est transformer une idée en valeur, c’est transposer l’idée dans l’environnement de l’entreprise avec ses réalités, c’est permettre à l’entreprise de devenir plus compétitive. CRIM, le partenaire en innovationLes clients du CRIM ont en commun le désir d’innover et de garder le cap sur la concurrence. Ils nous viennent...

Ecosystems