Stories of Innovation

BC entrepreneurs Bill Roche and Charles Chang have a vision to make Canada more competitive by nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit in young people. In 2017, they co-founded Young Entrepreneurs of Canada Association, a registered Canadian charity that operates under the name PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs. “Our mandate is to help school-aged...

People travel and take holidays for many different reasons. “Think about shoes,” says Branda Fan, Founder of Nowy. “We all have different styles and needs, and no one else can tell you if a pair is actually comfortable. Just like that, travel isn’t one-size-fits-all. We might all be heading somewhere...

Floorspace originated from Matt Carlson’s experience in the industry, while working as Executive Vice President at a prominent commercial real estate brokerage. During his tenure, Matt observed the challenges faced by both seasoned brokers and young professionals aspiring to enter the commercial real estate industry. Certain hurdles like limited and...

ShipBob provides fulfillment services across the US, Canada, UK, Europe, and Australia for orders placed on ecommerce websites, online marketplaces, social media platforms, and through B2B partnerships (in physical stores and retailers’ online stores)....

“OUR RESEARCH DOESN’T STOP AFTER WRITING THE CONCLUSION.” – GUY HENDRICKX, FOUNDING MANAGING DIRECTOR, AVIA-GIS Ever heard of the proverb “better safe than sorry”? Well, Avia-GIS sure has. Even better: they built their entire business around it. Founder and CEO Guy Hendrickx started Avia-GIS in 2001 as a company with...

“THE QUEBEC FINTECH INDUSTRY IS THRIVING. WITH THE LARGEST FINTECH HUB IN CANADA AND THE FINTECH CANADA FORUM, A MAJOR ANNUAL INDUSTRY GATHERING, THE STAGE IS SET FOR INNOVATION TO MEET THE REAL NEEDS OF A TRANSFORMING INDUSTRY.” Sebastian Boisjoly, vice-président, FinTech et Innovations technologiques, Finance Montréal Financial technologies (FinTech)...

“CMC provides access to leading-edge platforms for innovators to design, prototype, and test their ideas. From early-stage researchers to emerging entrepreneurs, CMC has tools and expertise to accelerate your R&D.” – Gordon Harling, President and CEO, CMC Microsystems CMC Microsystems is a not-for-profit organization accelerating research and innovation in advanced...

Some companies are built around a product. MoveMobility was built around a purpose. Founded on the belief that business can be a genuine force for good, the Canadian manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles and specialty mobility solutions has grown into a North American leader serving healthcare providers, First Nations communities,...

When South Africans move to Canada, they don’t just leave behind family, culture, and familiar surroundings — they leave behind a network that took a lifetime to build. The South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) exists to rebuild that network — faster, stronger, and tailored for life on this side...

As education systems around the world shift rapidly toward digital operations, one company is quietly standing out. SchoolTry, a Stockholm-based tech company, has created a cloud-based platform that brings school management, digital learning, and career readiness together in one seamless system. Founded by software engineer Ismail Eleburuike, SchoolTry tackles a...

You know how to lend. But, to whom do you lend, when you don’t have the right data? Too many business lenders are constrained by partial data and manual processes. And, speed is paramount. Keren Moynihan, CEOBoss Insights empowers fintechs and lenders to respond faster, make underwriting decisions more quickly,...

In the 1990s, Howard Schultz built Starbucks into one of the world’s most iconic consumer businesses. In 1998, after taking Starbucks public, Dan Levitan and Howard founded Maveron. They recognized that digital technologies would integrate into people’s lives in unprecedented ways and that great teams attacking consumer-focused problems would require...

Indie game developers are the heart and soul of the gaming industry, and without them, we wouldn’t have as much innovation as we currently have, and have been enjoying since Pong. With that said, indie game developers are always struggling to create their games because of various reasons, and this...

Sol Navitas is an Estonian cleantech company on a mission to make buildings healthier, smarter, and more sustainable — by harnessing solar energy to drive ventilation, moisture control, and indoor climate solutions. At the heart of its approach is a simple belief: a building should support well-being, not compromise it....

Rutgers University in Camden provides groundbreaking, impactful research while offering students truly experiential education in a close-knit, supportive environment. Rutgers University is one of the oldest, most respected institutions of higher learning in the country; Camden is a city known for its determination and resilience. Rutgers–Camden is resolute, relentlessly driving...

Despite launching in September 2020, during the height of a global pandemic, XP League quickly caught the attention of tech-savvy franchisees looking to turn their passion into a career. And esports are certainly a lucrative activity worthy of franchise investment; by 2023, it’s predicted that the industry could see revenues...

Puerto Rico offers a top-rated bioscience ecosystem, that for 60 years has successfully developed, transfer and manufacture biopharmaceutical, medical devices and bio-agricultural products that are distributed to over 120 countries with proven quality and business continuity. The Caribbean Island with a surface area of 9,104 km2 has the highest density...

About usGERAD is an interuniversity research centre working at the heart of digital intelligence. It aims to be a reference point in the area of decision mathematics and its applications to complex systems, by bringing together university and industry researchers to carry out large-scale R&D projects. Its contributions can be...

Founded in 2012, ConPRmetidos is a female-led non-profit that is proving that Puerto Ricans can build a global model of community-driven success. By harnessing the talent and energy of individuals, organizations and the private sector, in Puerto Rico and abroad, ConPRmetidos consistently supports the most impactful grassroots organizations while breaking...

OnTraccr is on a mission to automate the way construction work is managed. This company provides next-generation automation software that helps any construction contractor automate their documentation, eliminate manual data entry, and gain real-time visibility into every aspect of its operations. OnTraccr was founded by a group of experienced construction...

CONCRETE CANCER – A $13 BILLION PROBLEMConcrete cancer is a significant issue in Australia, costing billions of dollars in infrastructure repairs annually. The problem stems from a material known as rebar, which is the steel bar and mesh used to provide strength and reinforcement in concrete infrastructure such as bridges,...

Life WhispererLife Whisperer uses state-of-the-art AI and computer vision technology to help select healthy embryos for IVF. Using Life Whisperer, a clinician can drag-and-drop microscope images of embryos onto the website for an instant report on the likelihoods that the embryo is genetically healthy, or will lead to a pregnancy....

Optical Academy- Has been pioneering the change in the delivery of eye care by making eye care the most convenient, affordable, and accessible it has ever been. The company came to life 14 years ago after CEO, Abby Ayoub, crossed paths with a 15-year-old girl who was desperate for an...

When you hear about the benefits of telehealth, talking points often center on improved patient access to care through virtual visits with providers from home. Meanwhile, telehealth has been fueling a less talked about hybrid care movement that’s transforming patient care in inpatient settings as well. Caregility, a leading provider...