Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Nashville

CURCIO DERMATOLOGY

CURCIO DERMATOLOGY

A Life-Long Calling To Heal, Cutting-Edge Medical Expertise, And An Entrepreneurship-Mindset Are At The Heart Of Helping Others

ANSWERING THE CALL TO HEALFor as long as I can remember, medicine has been a special calling for me. And nearly as long, I realized my passion for healing was through dermatology. This was a gift that I inherited from my father, Frederick David Curcio, III, M.D. He knew that...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

KLABIN IN PARANÁ

ROOTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

The largest producer and exporter of paper for packaging and sustainable solutions in paper packaging in Brazil, Klabin is a protagonist in a history characterized by innovation and a commitment with sustainable development. Founded in 1899, the Company stands out as the only one in Brazil offering solutions in softwood,...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT)

Is part of the Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance, implemented by the ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec in 2018

The organization was created in 2018, following a regional consultation and consensus-building process to establish the proper positioning of the organization. The complementarity of the organization’s mission along with all the partners of the development and innovation ecosystem in the region led to the creation of a new entity in...

INNOVATION Quebec

ExperiSens

CCTT IN THE MULTISENSORY CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND HOSPITALITY

ExperiSens is a college centre for the transfer of technologies and innovative social practices (CCTT) at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) that performs applied research and provides technical assistance, training, and information to tourismand hospitality organizations and professionals while enriching the ITHQ’s educational mission. Optimizing hospitality...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

Global Ascent Partners (GAP)

Helping companies grow globally by bridging the GAPs

GAP (Global Ascent Partners) is a business development and international operations advisory firm that offers cross border operations, commercial, strategy and transactional support to technology clients. GAP works with organizations to develop and execute technology initiatives that support specific business objectives to improve their bottom line, competitive advantage and digital...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

HUPSIDE

Measuring the Human Advantage in an AI-Saturated World

Artificial intelligence is moving faster than almost any technology shift before it. Organizations are adopting generative tools at scale, automating workflows, accelerating output, and celebrating efficiency gains. Yet beneath the surface of this rapid adoption, a quieter problem is emerging. As AI becomes more capable and more accessible, ideas are...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Dangerous Myth of "All-Season"

All-Season tire rubber hardening below 7 degrees Celsius, showing loss of flexibility and grip compared to optimal warm weather performance.

Why Your Tires Aren't Safe for Winter

The tires that came with your vehicle are likely labeled “All-Season.” It’s a comforting term that suggests they are ready for anything the calendar throws at them—from the heat of summer to the chill of winter. However, for drivers on the Vancouver North Shore and across Canada, relying on All-Season...

INNOVATION Quebec

SHERBROOKE INNOPOLE

Un organisme SI innovant

Sherbrooke Innopole est l’organisme paramunicipal de développement économique des secteurs industriel et tertiaire-moteur mandaté et financé par la Ville de Sherbrooke. Nous avons pour but de dynamiser l’environnement d’affaires, assurer le rayonnement de Sherbrooke et de ses entreprises sur les scènes locale, nationale et internationale, et de développer les entreprises...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

South Coast Cyber Center

Empowering Individuals, the Business Community, and Government with the Skills and Knowledge to Navigate the Increasingly Complex World of Cybersecurity.

The South Coast Cyber Center, a nonprofit located in Beaufort, South Carolina, is an integral player in the region’s technology ecosystem, offering a collaborative approach to education, training, and economic development. The work of the Cyber Center focuses on empowering individuals, the business community, and government with the skills and...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

GOPURSUE

Empowering the Next Generation

GoPursue is a revolutionary organization transforming the landscape of career exploration for K-12 students. This vibrant social impact company has carved a unique niche in the educational technology space, addressing critical gaps in workforce development and career preparedness. Founded by Kathryn Adabonyan, a former math teacher and career and technical...

INNOVATE® Georgia

Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)

We Are At The Forefront Of Efforts To Bridge The Skills Gap By Offering Programs That Are Closely Aligned With Industry Demands.

With 22 colleges and 88 campuses across Georgia, The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) provides quality technical education for more than 148,000 students (AY24). Founded on the principles of accessibility, affordability, and excellence in postsecondary education, TCSG has consistently played a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

BMO

GARY CONKRIGHT

DRIVES INNOVATION WHERE WE WORK AND LIVE

ABOUT BMOFor over 200 years, BMO has been helping individuals and families, small and medium-sized businesses, corporations and institutions that form the backbone of the communities we serve. We are a highly diversified financial services provider, with a deep sense of purpose and a clear strategy for driving strong customer...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

TRAILBLAZE PARTNERS

FIRST WHO, THEN WHAT

Throughout their careers as leaders in a variety of industries, Rhys and Jerry started to realize that the problems they were being asked to solve had less to do with operational work, and far more to do with people and culture. Witnessing as they became involved with these, the impact...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

ESFANDIARI

DESIGNING A NEW FUTURE FOR FASHION

Born just outside Stockholm in 2000, Samantha Esfandiari has quickly emerged as a powerful new voice in the Swedish fashion industry. One that merges skilled craftsmanship with a deep commitment to sustainability and circular design. As a designer, entrepreneur, and educator, she is shaping a bold vision of what fashion...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

United Bank of Philadelphia

So Much More than Banking

Since opening in 1992 under founder Dr. Emma C. Chappell, United Bank of Philadelphia (“the Bank”) has upheld its mission: driving economic inclusion and opportunity in urban communities. Philadelphia has always been a city of visionaries and entrepreneurs, but vision does not turn into a successful business without capital. As...

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

Sourcetoad – Designing Software For Cruise Lines

Sourcetoad – Designing Software For Cruise Lines

Let’s Solve It Together

Sourcetoad is a technology and innovation company that specialises in delivering software and development services for the cruise industry. Their flagship product is Cruise Director, a platform for synchronizing and managing guest and crew systems. Designing software for cruise lines can be tricky. Cruise ships are strange beasts; they have...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

GURU SEO SERVICES

PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE MARKETING SERVICES TO CLIENTS IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES

Guru SEO Services, based in Red Deer, Alberta is a digital marketing agency that aims to provide comprehensive marketing, web, SEO, and advertising services. The agency was founded by Jesse Tutt, who describes himself as a “Serial Entrepreneur” and has helped many businesses over the years stand out in the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BRESHNA.IO

Lightning Strikes in Game Creation

Breshna.io is a barrier-breaking platform. It is a game maker platform that empowers a non-tech, non-gamer audience to create, share, and monetize their own video games with no code and at lightning speed. With Breshna, everyone can create snackable games for entertainment, educational, marketing, and training purposes, like Canva for...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Atkins

Atkins - A Member Of The SNC-Lavalin Group

A Member Of The SNC-Lavalin Group, Is One Of The World’s Most Respected Design, Engineering And Project Management Consultancies.

There is an expectation that Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) will play a significant role in the future of transport. They have the potential to address critical safety issues associated with human-driven vehicles, and to increase accessibility and inclusivity, addressing some of the broader socio-economic challenges faced by an ageing...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

DIOTECH GROUP

MAKING RENEWABLES RELIABLE: DIOTECH’S ENERGY STORAGE MISSION

Diotech OÜ is an Estonian energy-technology company operating as a system integrator in the fields of energy storage, solar power, electrical infrastructure, lighting, and EV charging solutions. According to its website, the company’s mission is to accelerate society’s shift to carbon-neutral electricity production and consumption. Over recent years, Diotech Group...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

BIOFORWARD WISCONSIN:

LEADING THE PATH TO PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

Pioneering Innovation in BiohealthNestled in the heart of America’s Midwest, BioForward Wisconsin represents Wisconsin’s vibrant biohealth sector which stands as a beacon of innovation and economic growth. A 501(c) 6 member association established in 1988 as the Wisconsin Biotechnology Association, the organization initially focused on biotechnology. It expanded its membership...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

SPECIFIC BIOLOGICS

SPECIFIC BIOLOGICS-DEVELOPING A NEXT-GENERATION GENE EDITING TECHNOLOGY TO TREAT SERIOUS GENETIC DISEASES

DEVELOPING A NEXT-GENERATION GENE EDITING TECHNOLOGY TO TREAT SERIOUS GENETIC DISEASES

Gene editing holds the potential to cure a wide range of genetic diseases by altering DNA in the genome inside cells – but today’s gene editors have limitations. To better realize the significant opportunity of this therapeutic approach, and allow for its application to new therapeutic areas, Specific Biologics (“Specific”)...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE- NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The third eye represents intuition and insight—an inner vision and enlightenment beyond what the physical eye can see. Modern shoppers are increasingly time-starved and brand-agnostic. It is therefore imperative for brands to understand as much as they can about the people who are buying their products and how they feel...

INNOVATE® Nashville

CURCIO DERMATOLOGY

CURCIO DERMATOLOGY

A Life-Long Calling To Heal, Cutting-Edge Medical Expertise, And An Entrepreneurship-Mindset Are At The Heart Of Helping Others

ANSWERING THE CALL TO HEALFor as long as I can remember, medicine has been a special calling for me. And nearly as long, I realized my passion for healing was through dermatology. This was a gift that I inherited from my father, Frederick David Curcio, III, M.D. He knew that...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

KLABIN IN PARANÁ

ROOTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

The largest producer and exporter of paper for packaging and sustainable solutions in paper packaging in Brazil, Klabin is a protagonist in a history characterized by innovation and a commitment with sustainable development. Founded in 1899, the Company stands out as the only one in Brazil offering solutions in softwood,...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT)

Is part of the Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance, implemented by the ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec in 2018

The organization was created in 2018, following a regional consultation and consensus-building process to establish the proper positioning of the organization. The complementarity of the organization’s mission along with all the partners of the development and innovation ecosystem in the region led to the creation of a new entity in...

INNOVATION Quebec

ExperiSens

CCTT IN THE MULTISENSORY CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND HOSPITALITY

ExperiSens is a college centre for the transfer of technologies and innovative social practices (CCTT) at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) that performs applied research and provides technical assistance, training, and information to tourismand hospitality organizations and professionals while enriching the ITHQ’s educational mission. Optimizing hospitality...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

Global Ascent Partners (GAP)

Helping companies grow globally by bridging the GAPs

GAP (Global Ascent Partners) is a business development and international operations advisory firm that offers cross border operations, commercial, strategy and transactional support to technology clients. GAP works with organizations to develop and execute technology initiatives that support specific business objectives to improve their bottom line, competitive advantage and digital...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

HUPSIDE

Measuring the Human Advantage in an AI-Saturated World

Artificial intelligence is moving faster than almost any technology shift before it. Organizations are adopting generative tools at scale, automating workflows, accelerating output, and celebrating efficiency gains. Yet beneath the surface of this rapid adoption, a quieter problem is emerging. As AI becomes more capable and more accessible, ideas are...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Dangerous Myth of "All-Season"

All-Season tire rubber hardening below 7 degrees Celsius, showing loss of flexibility and grip compared to optimal warm weather performance.

Why Your Tires Aren't Safe for Winter

The tires that came with your vehicle are likely labeled “All-Season.” It’s a comforting term that suggests they are ready for anything the calendar throws at them—from the heat of summer to the chill of winter. However, for drivers on the Vancouver North Shore and across Canada, relying on All-Season...

INNOVATION Quebec

SHERBROOKE INNOPOLE

Un organisme SI innovant

Sherbrooke Innopole est l’organisme paramunicipal de développement économique des secteurs industriel et tertiaire-moteur mandaté et financé par la Ville de Sherbrooke. Nous avons pour but de dynamiser l’environnement d’affaires, assurer le rayonnement de Sherbrooke et de ses entreprises sur les scènes locale, nationale et internationale, et de développer les entreprises...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

South Coast Cyber Center

Empowering Individuals, the Business Community, and Government with the Skills and Knowledge to Navigate the Increasingly Complex World of Cybersecurity.

The South Coast Cyber Center, a nonprofit located in Beaufort, South Carolina, is an integral player in the region’s technology ecosystem, offering a collaborative approach to education, training, and economic development. The work of the Cyber Center focuses on empowering individuals, the business community, and government with the skills and...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

GOPURSUE

Empowering the Next Generation

GoPursue is a revolutionary organization transforming the landscape of career exploration for K-12 students. This vibrant social impact company has carved a unique niche in the educational technology space, addressing critical gaps in workforce development and career preparedness. Founded by Kathryn Adabonyan, a former math teacher and career and technical...

INNOVATE® Georgia

Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)

We Are At The Forefront Of Efforts To Bridge The Skills Gap By Offering Programs That Are Closely Aligned With Industry Demands.

With 22 colleges and 88 campuses across Georgia, The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) provides quality technical education for more than 148,000 students (AY24). Founded on the principles of accessibility, affordability, and excellence in postsecondary education, TCSG has consistently played a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

BMO

GARY CONKRIGHT

DRIVES INNOVATION WHERE WE WORK AND LIVE

ABOUT BMOFor over 200 years, BMO has been helping individuals and families, small and medium-sized businesses, corporations and institutions that form the backbone of the communities we serve. We are a highly diversified financial services provider, with a deep sense of purpose and a clear strategy for driving strong customer...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

TRAILBLAZE PARTNERS

FIRST WHO, THEN WHAT

Throughout their careers as leaders in a variety of industries, Rhys and Jerry started to realize that the problems they were being asked to solve had less to do with operational work, and far more to do with people and culture. Witnessing as they became involved with these, the impact...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

ESFANDIARI

DESIGNING A NEW FUTURE FOR FASHION

Born just outside Stockholm in 2000, Samantha Esfandiari has quickly emerged as a powerful new voice in the Swedish fashion industry. One that merges skilled craftsmanship with a deep commitment to sustainability and circular design. As a designer, entrepreneur, and educator, she is shaping a bold vision of what fashion...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

United Bank of Philadelphia

So Much More than Banking

Since opening in 1992 under founder Dr. Emma C. Chappell, United Bank of Philadelphia (“the Bank”) has upheld its mission: driving economic inclusion and opportunity in urban communities. Philadelphia has always been a city of visionaries and entrepreneurs, but vision does not turn into a successful business without capital. As...

INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3

Sourcetoad – Designing Software For Cruise Lines

Sourcetoad – Designing Software For Cruise Lines

Let’s Solve It Together

Sourcetoad is a technology and innovation company that specialises in delivering software and development services for the cruise industry. Their flagship product is Cruise Director, a platform for synchronizing and managing guest and crew systems. Designing software for cruise lines can be tricky. Cruise ships are strange beasts; they have...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

GURU SEO SERVICES

PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE MARKETING SERVICES TO CLIENTS IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES

Guru SEO Services, based in Red Deer, Alberta is a digital marketing agency that aims to provide comprehensive marketing, web, SEO, and advertising services. The agency was founded by Jesse Tutt, who describes himself as a “Serial Entrepreneur” and has helped many businesses over the years stand out in the...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BRESHNA.IO

Lightning Strikes in Game Creation

Breshna.io is a barrier-breaking platform. It is a game maker platform that empowers a non-tech, non-gamer audience to create, share, and monetize their own video games with no code and at lightning speed. With Breshna, everyone can create snackable games for entertainment, educational, marketing, and training purposes, like Canva for...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Atkins

Atkins - A Member Of The SNC-Lavalin Group

A Member Of The SNC-Lavalin Group, Is One Of The World’s Most Respected Design, Engineering And Project Management Consultancies.

There is an expectation that Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) will play a significant role in the future of transport. They have the potential to address critical safety issues associated with human-driven vehicles, and to increase accessibility and inclusivity, addressing some of the broader socio-economic challenges faced by an ageing...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

DIOTECH GROUP

MAKING RENEWABLES RELIABLE: DIOTECH’S ENERGY STORAGE MISSION

Diotech OÜ is an Estonian energy-technology company operating as a system integrator in the fields of energy storage, solar power, electrical infrastructure, lighting, and EV charging solutions. According to its website, the company’s mission is to accelerate society’s shift to carbon-neutral electricity production and consumption. Over recent years, Diotech Group...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

BIOFORWARD WISCONSIN:

LEADING THE PATH TO PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

Pioneering Innovation in BiohealthNestled in the heart of America’s Midwest, BioForward Wisconsin represents Wisconsin’s vibrant biohealth sector which stands as a beacon of innovation and economic growth. A 501(c) 6 member association established in 1988 as the Wisconsin Biotechnology Association, the organization initially focused on biotechnology. It expanded its membership...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

SPECIFIC BIOLOGICS

SPECIFIC BIOLOGICS-DEVELOPING A NEXT-GENERATION GENE EDITING TECHNOLOGY TO TREAT SERIOUS GENETIC DISEASES

DEVELOPING A NEXT-GENERATION GENE EDITING TECHNOLOGY TO TREAT SERIOUS GENETIC DISEASES

Gene editing holds the potential to cure a wide range of genetic diseases by altering DNA in the genome inside cells – but today’s gene editors have limitations. To better realize the significant opportunity of this therapeutic approach, and allow for its application to new therapeutic areas, Specific Biologics (“Specific”)...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE- NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The third eye represents intuition and insight—an inner vision and enlightenment beyond what the physical eye can see. Modern shoppers are increasingly time-starved and brand-agnostic. It is therefore imperative for brands to understand as much as they can about the people who are buying their products and how they feel...

Ecosystems