Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Castano Group-Changes the way people communicate with brands in digital and physical environments.

When innovation is combined with creativity, it not only captures attention, it can create an experience that can lead to change. Castano Group specializes in designing and producing these experiences: multimedia, multisensory engagements that change the way people communicate with brands in digital and physical environments. Castano Group was launched...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

DDB LATINA

CREATIVITY AND EFFECTIVENESS AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING

DDB, part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE), is one of the world’s leading and most influential advertising agencies, with 200+ offices in over 90 countries worldwide. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the industry’s leading advertising publications and has been recognized by top awards shows,...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Anand Sweets-Spreading Happiness, Sweetly

Pivoting from an old school traditional mithai brand to the go-to brand for every celebration, Anand Sweets has used every technological aid to gallop ahead in its category. What is now one of South India’s largest sweets’ brands started its story with one man’s dream to revolutionise the sweetmeat industry and ‘make...

INNOVATION Quebec

ARTENSO

CCTT EN ART ET ENGAGEMENT SOCIAL

Artenso est un acronyme signifiant art et engagement social. Le CCTT croit activement au pouvoir de la culture comme vecteur de développement économique et social des collectivités. Affilié au cégep de Saint-Laurent à Montréal, Artenso se démarque par son expertise croisée dans les champs des politiques publiques, des pratiques artistiques...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

YOCO

YOCO-PASSION

PASSION, TALENT AND A SHARED SENSE OF PURPOSE SEE YOCO GROW INTO A LEADING AFRICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPANY IN A FEW SHORT YEARS

In a few short years since launching in 2015, Yoco has grown into an African technology company that is ready to take on the world. With its focus on creating opportunities for small businesses, breaking down the barriers they face, and helping them to participate fully in a more inclusive...

INNOVATE® Nashville

MINDFUL

MINDFUL-Add kindness to your tech stack

Add kindness to your tech stack.

Revitalizing a 25-year-old software company is no small task, but can be a pathway towards innovation and compelling value creation for employees, customers, and investors. That’s the story of Mindful, a contact center software company that relocated to Nashville in 2018, which was acquired by Medallia in 2022 after an...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

UNIONWEAR

USA MADE BASEBALL CAPS AND TOTE BAGS: DESIGNED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, MANUFACTURED BY ROBOTS.

Unionwear manufactures – from scratch—100% made in USA baseball hats, backpacks, messenger bags, portfolios, and binders, with 160 union sewers in Newark, NJ. Mitch Cahn founded Unionwear in 1992 with six sewers and a contract to make baseball hats for Ralph Lauren, and has evolved by buying legacy manufacturers of...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

HUMAN ROBOTICS

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH SMART ROBOTS

In the heart of Brazil’s technological innovation landscape stands Human Robotics, a company that has distinguished itself as a pioneer in the field of autonomous robotics. Founded by Olivier Smadja, in 2017, a French entrepreneur who has made Brazil his home for over 26 years, Human Robotics is a testament...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

POLYGHOST

POLYGHOST-YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY TO UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRIAL FUTURE

YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY TO UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRIAL FUTURE

Hands-on experience is the key to create and open new opportunities that others don’t see and are not willing to seize the moment. Mixing, dosing and separation technologies are crucial for all worldwide industries. These industries are: water, wastewater, energy, oil, gas, pharma, mining, marine power; as well as, food...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

ASSOCIATED BANK

MAKING BANKING BETTER FOR EVERYONE

Associated Bank (Associated) operates under the guiding principle of being the “Champion of You.” Every choice and investment made is inspired by customer feedback and aims to strengthen their financial health and simplify their financial lives. The bank’s ranking as #1 for Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction in the Upper Midwest...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

OxiWear

Revolutionizing Health Monitoring with Innovation and Perseverance

“I developed OxiWear for myself to demonstrate that I could live a normal life without letting the disease define me.” In 2019, Shavini Fernando, a visionary innovator and determined entrepreneur, founded OxiWear – a groundbreaking company dedicated to transforming how we monitor and respond to critical health metrics. Diagnosed with...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

REX K-12-FROM VISION TO IMPACT

FROM VISION TO IMPACT

Rex K-12 is at the forefront of a transformative wave redefining the educational landscape in Milwaukee – and beyond. It is a company preparing the next generation for a rapidly evolving digital world. This story isn’t just about innovation; it’s a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and the...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

BrightMa Farms

Building a Circular Ecosystem for Climate-Smart Innovation

From seed to system, BrightMa Farms has redefined what it means to grow innovation from the ground up. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Harold Singletary, BrightMa Farms, Inc. has emerged as one of South Carolina’s most dynamic AgTech enterprises — a company transforming agricultural waste into climate-smart, high-value materials that serve...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

NOWPOW

NOWPOW-Built On The Idea That “Knowledge Is Power

Built On The Idea That “Knowledge Is Power,” This Women-Owned And Operated SaaS Platform Uses Community Resource Networks And Evidence Based Referral Technology To Connect People To The Right Health And Social Resources Through All Of Life’s Ages And Stages

Healthcare innovation is often defined by radical discoveries like new vaccines or groundbreaking surgical techniques. But just as important are the innovations that reimagine how we use existing resources. These advancements make it possible for everyone to live their healthiest lives — through more equitable access to services that promote...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

YIEDI

YIEDI -A COMPANY DESIGNED BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

A COMPANY DESIGNED BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Just over eight years ago the founder of YIEDI, Jayshree Naidoo and Jay Naidoo her business and life partner, sat across from a branding expert and outlined the vision for the company. They went on to describe a model that they had created, it was still drawn on a napkin...

INNOVATE® Nashville

LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY

INSPIRING INNOVATION AROUND AN ENDURING PURPOSE

What never changes: Christ-centeredness and transformative experiences.What drives change: Curiosity and courage. For more than 134 years, Lipscomb University has been a Christ-centered academic institution rooted in purpose-driven education. Located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb is one of the few institutions in the nation offering educational pathways from...

INNOVATE® Miami

Social Impact Movement

Social Impact Movement - Builds partnerships to promote social change in Miami

Builds partnerships to promote social change in Miami

Social Impact Movement builds partnerships to promote social change in Miami by highlighting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Connecting business leaders, enterprises, organizations, and government, linking local social responsibility actions to the global goals. Social Impact Movement was founded in 2016 with the mission to connect people to social-related topics....

United Nations Lesotho

UNFPA

UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency INTRODUCTION UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, established its presence in Lesotho in the 1970s, focusing on improving the quality of life for all Basotho through various programs and initiatives. The Fund has been working closely with the Government and other stakeholders to address...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

FEMME GAMING

FEMME GAMING-#TheFutureIsFemme

#TheFutureIsFemme

Our mission is simple: to shake the foundations of the gaming industry, one empowered woman at a time by providing a safe space for female gamers to play and showcase their talents. While we’re not the first to recognize the stigma of women in video games, we’re one of the...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Nashville Entrepreneur Center

Where Bold Ideas Become Businesses

If you’re serious about building a startup in Nashville, meet your secret weapon: the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC). Founded in 2010, EC is a nonprofit built by business leaders to be—literally—Nashville’s “home to entrepreneurship.” What sets it apart? It’s not just talk: EC has helped over 14,000 entrepreneurs, including more...

INNOVATION Quebec

Le CMQ

LE CMQ-Le Centre de métallurgie du Québec est un centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) rattaché au Cégep de Trois-Rivières. Créé en 1985

Le Centre de métallurgie du Québec est un centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) rattaché au Cégep de Trois-Rivières. Créé en 1985, le CMQ vise à « Soutenir la compétitivité de l’industrie métallurgique par la recherche et le développement technologique dans une approche collaborative de partenaires privés et publics tout en supportant l’enseignement technique au collégial et le transfert de connaissances en entreprise

L’équipe composée de 60 personnes, incluant 10 à 15 étudiants collégiaux et universitaires par année, met l’accent sur la recherche appliquée et le transfert technologique pour soutenir l’effort de croissance et de positionnement stratégique des entreprises ayant des activités reliées à la transformation métallique. En plus d’assurer des formations de...

INNOVATION Quebec

MEDTECH CANADA

MEDTECH CANADA-Promouvoir l’innovation en soin de santé

Promouvoir l’innovation en soin de santé

Depuis cinq décennies, Medtech Canada défend vigoureusement l’innovation en soins de santé au Québec. Les membres de notre association nationale représentant le secteur de la technologie médicale offrent des innovations qui, chaque jour, servent à diagnostiquer, à traiter et à rehausser la qualité de vie des patients au Canada et...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

THE WATER COUNCIL

INNOVATING THE FUTURE: THE WATER COUNCIL’S VISIONARY JOURNEY

In the heart of Milwaukee, where the vast expanse of Lake Michigan meets the city’s vibrant streets, a transformation in water technology and stewardship is underway. This isn’t just a story of a city that grew from the rich waters of the Great Lakes; it’s a narrative of revolution, where...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Next Health

Redefining Longevity in Nashville and Beyond

Next Health, the most advanced and comprehensive brand of health optimization and longevity centers in the world, empowers individuals with the tools, data, and personalized healthcare to potentially live healthier for longer. With 70+ locations open or in development worldwide, the company is bringing cutting-edge services – such as biomarker...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Castano Group-Changes the way people communicate with brands in digital and physical environments.

When innovation is combined with creativity, it not only captures attention, it can create an experience that can lead to change. Castano Group specializes in designing and producing these experiences: multimedia, multisensory engagements that change the way people communicate with brands in digital and physical environments. Castano Group was launched...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

DDB LATINA

CREATIVITY AND EFFECTIVENESS AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING

DDB, part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE), is one of the world’s leading and most influential advertising agencies, with 200+ offices in over 90 countries worldwide. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the industry’s leading advertising publications and has been recognized by top awards shows,...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Anand Sweets-Spreading Happiness, Sweetly

Pivoting from an old school traditional mithai brand to the go-to brand for every celebration, Anand Sweets has used every technological aid to gallop ahead in its category. What is now one of South India’s largest sweets’ brands started its story with one man’s dream to revolutionise the sweetmeat industry and ‘make...

INNOVATION Quebec

ARTENSO

CCTT EN ART ET ENGAGEMENT SOCIAL

Artenso est un acronyme signifiant art et engagement social. Le CCTT croit activement au pouvoir de la culture comme vecteur de développement économique et social des collectivités. Affilié au cégep de Saint-Laurent à Montréal, Artenso se démarque par son expertise croisée dans les champs des politiques publiques, des pratiques artistiques...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

YOCO

YOCO-PASSION

PASSION, TALENT AND A SHARED SENSE OF PURPOSE SEE YOCO GROW INTO A LEADING AFRICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPANY IN A FEW SHORT YEARS

In a few short years since launching in 2015, Yoco has grown into an African technology company that is ready to take on the world. With its focus on creating opportunities for small businesses, breaking down the barriers they face, and helping them to participate fully in a more inclusive...

INNOVATE® Nashville

MINDFUL

MINDFUL-Add kindness to your tech stack

Add kindness to your tech stack.

Revitalizing a 25-year-old software company is no small task, but can be a pathway towards innovation and compelling value creation for employees, customers, and investors. That’s the story of Mindful, a contact center software company that relocated to Nashville in 2018, which was acquired by Medallia in 2022 after an...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

UNIONWEAR

USA MADE BASEBALL CAPS AND TOTE BAGS: DESIGNED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, MANUFACTURED BY ROBOTS.

Unionwear manufactures – from scratch—100% made in USA baseball hats, backpacks, messenger bags, portfolios, and binders, with 160 union sewers in Newark, NJ. Mitch Cahn founded Unionwear in 1992 with six sewers and a contract to make baseball hats for Ralph Lauren, and has evolved by buying legacy manufacturers of...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

HUMAN ROBOTICS

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH SMART ROBOTS

In the heart of Brazil’s technological innovation landscape stands Human Robotics, a company that has distinguished itself as a pioneer in the field of autonomous robotics. Founded by Olivier Smadja, in 2017, a French entrepreneur who has made Brazil his home for over 26 years, Human Robotics is a testament...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

POLYGHOST

POLYGHOST-YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY TO UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRIAL FUTURE

YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY TO UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRIAL FUTURE

Hands-on experience is the key to create and open new opportunities that others don’t see and are not willing to seize the moment. Mixing, dosing and separation technologies are crucial for all worldwide industries. These industries are: water, wastewater, energy, oil, gas, pharma, mining, marine power; as well as, food...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

ASSOCIATED BANK

MAKING BANKING BETTER FOR EVERYONE

Associated Bank (Associated) operates under the guiding principle of being the “Champion of You.” Every choice and investment made is inspired by customer feedback and aims to strengthen their financial health and simplify their financial lives. The bank’s ranking as #1 for Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction in the Upper Midwest...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

OxiWear

Revolutionizing Health Monitoring with Innovation and Perseverance

“I developed OxiWear for myself to demonstrate that I could live a normal life without letting the disease define me.” In 2019, Shavini Fernando, a visionary innovator and determined entrepreneur, founded OxiWear – a groundbreaking company dedicated to transforming how we monitor and respond to critical health metrics. Diagnosed with...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

REX K-12-FROM VISION TO IMPACT

FROM VISION TO IMPACT

Rex K-12 is at the forefront of a transformative wave redefining the educational landscape in Milwaukee – and beyond. It is a company preparing the next generation for a rapidly evolving digital world. This story isn’t just about innovation; it’s a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and the...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

BrightMa Farms

Building a Circular Ecosystem for Climate-Smart Innovation

From seed to system, BrightMa Farms has redefined what it means to grow innovation from the ground up. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Harold Singletary, BrightMa Farms, Inc. has emerged as one of South Carolina’s most dynamic AgTech enterprises — a company transforming agricultural waste into climate-smart, high-value materials that serve...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

NOWPOW

NOWPOW-Built On The Idea That “Knowledge Is Power

Built On The Idea That “Knowledge Is Power,” This Women-Owned And Operated SaaS Platform Uses Community Resource Networks And Evidence Based Referral Technology To Connect People To The Right Health And Social Resources Through All Of Life’s Ages And Stages

Healthcare innovation is often defined by radical discoveries like new vaccines or groundbreaking surgical techniques. But just as important are the innovations that reimagine how we use existing resources. These advancements make it possible for everyone to live their healthiest lives — through more equitable access to services that promote...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

YIEDI

YIEDI -A COMPANY DESIGNED BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

A COMPANY DESIGNED BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Just over eight years ago the founder of YIEDI, Jayshree Naidoo and Jay Naidoo her business and life partner, sat across from a branding expert and outlined the vision for the company. They went on to describe a model that they had created, it was still drawn on a napkin...

INNOVATE® Nashville

LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY

INSPIRING INNOVATION AROUND AN ENDURING PURPOSE

What never changes: Christ-centeredness and transformative experiences.What drives change: Curiosity and courage. For more than 134 years, Lipscomb University has been a Christ-centered academic institution rooted in purpose-driven education. Located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb is one of the few institutions in the nation offering educational pathways from...

INNOVATE® Miami

Social Impact Movement

Social Impact Movement - Builds partnerships to promote social change in Miami

Builds partnerships to promote social change in Miami

Social Impact Movement builds partnerships to promote social change in Miami by highlighting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Connecting business leaders, enterprises, organizations, and government, linking local social responsibility actions to the global goals. Social Impact Movement was founded in 2016 with the mission to connect people to social-related topics....

United Nations Lesotho

UNFPA

UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency INTRODUCTION UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, established its presence in Lesotho in the 1970s, focusing on improving the quality of life for all Basotho through various programs and initiatives. The Fund has been working closely with the Government and other stakeholders to address...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

FEMME GAMING

FEMME GAMING-#TheFutureIsFemme

#TheFutureIsFemme

Our mission is simple: to shake the foundations of the gaming industry, one empowered woman at a time by providing a safe space for female gamers to play and showcase their talents. While we’re not the first to recognize the stigma of women in video games, we’re one of the...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Nashville Entrepreneur Center

Where Bold Ideas Become Businesses

If you’re serious about building a startup in Nashville, meet your secret weapon: the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC). Founded in 2010, EC is a nonprofit built by business leaders to be—literally—Nashville’s “home to entrepreneurship.” What sets it apart? It’s not just talk: EC has helped over 14,000 entrepreneurs, including more...

INNOVATION Quebec

Le CMQ

LE CMQ-Le Centre de métallurgie du Québec est un centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) rattaché au Cégep de Trois-Rivières. Créé en 1985

Le Centre de métallurgie du Québec est un centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) rattaché au Cégep de Trois-Rivières. Créé en 1985, le CMQ vise à « Soutenir la compétitivité de l’industrie métallurgique par la recherche et le développement technologique dans une approche collaborative de partenaires privés et publics tout en supportant l’enseignement technique au collégial et le transfert de connaissances en entreprise

L’équipe composée de 60 personnes, incluant 10 à 15 étudiants collégiaux et universitaires par année, met l’accent sur la recherche appliquée et le transfert technologique pour soutenir l’effort de croissance et de positionnement stratégique des entreprises ayant des activités reliées à la transformation métallique. En plus d’assurer des formations de...

INNOVATION Quebec

MEDTECH CANADA

MEDTECH CANADA-Promouvoir l’innovation en soin de santé

Promouvoir l’innovation en soin de santé

Depuis cinq décennies, Medtech Canada défend vigoureusement l’innovation en soins de santé au Québec. Les membres de notre association nationale représentant le secteur de la technologie médicale offrent des innovations qui, chaque jour, servent à diagnostiquer, à traiter et à rehausser la qualité de vie des patients au Canada et...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

THE WATER COUNCIL

INNOVATING THE FUTURE: THE WATER COUNCIL’S VISIONARY JOURNEY

In the heart of Milwaukee, where the vast expanse of Lake Michigan meets the city’s vibrant streets, a transformation in water technology and stewardship is underway. This isn’t just a story of a city that grew from the rich waters of the Great Lakes; it’s a narrative of revolution, where...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Next Health

Redefining Longevity in Nashville and Beyond

Next Health, the most advanced and comprehensive brand of health optimization and longevity centers in the world, empowers individuals with the tools, data, and personalized healthcare to potentially live healthier for longer. With 70+ locations open or in development worldwide, the company is bringing cutting-edge services – such as biomarker...

Ecosystems