Stories of Innovation
Global Innovation Spotlight
The Free Browser Tool Stack
How one founder runs a startup without paid subscriptions
Running a startup without paid subscriptions forces every choice to be practical. The best setup is a small group of browser-based services that handle writing, planning, files, design, communication, and basic finance. I keep the workflow lean because every recurring fee reduces runway, and the ability to edit PDF documents...
INNOVATION Quebec
MECANIUM
CCTT IN MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL MECHANICS
Our mission at MECANIUM is to support Quebec manufacturing SMEs by designing and achieving mechatronic solutions to help them increase their knowledge, productivity and competitiveness and optimize their products and processes. We are also committed to promoting knowledge dissemination through training and knowledge transfer. As an innovation centre for mechatronics...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
TROY JESSEE CONSTRUCTION
CARE BY DESIGN
“An emphasis on long-term relationships, coupled with an ethic that treats everyone with the highest degree of respect, has created beautiful construction and bonds that enrich the community.” How much architecture can you fit in a building? That’s a line as old as the construction industry itself – and one...
INNOVATE® Georgia
NEEDLING WORLDWIDE
WE ULTIMATELY STRIVE TO BECOME MORE ROBUST, SUPERIOR, AND MORE ASTUTE IN OUR OPERATIONS.
WHO IS NEEDLING WORLDWIDE:Needling Worldwide was established to address a common challenge encountered by numerous companies in their pursuit of certifications or compliance assessments. The CEO envisioned a superior solution based on her firsthand experiences with compliance standards and frameworks. This solution is comprised of a standardized, flat-fee alternative to...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
CARTER MEDIA
EST 1950
Our story begins with a dream and a vision of Andrew “Skip” Robinson Carter. Carter was born in 1919 and raised in Savannah, Georgia. In 1933, at the young age of 14, Carter’s aspirations of operating a Black radio station began, and he built his first radio. He studied physics...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
ESFERA
DELIGHTING CUSTOMERS, SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY WITH PERSONALIZED INNOVATION
ESFERA-DELIGHTING CUSTOMERS, SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY WITH PERSONALIZED INNOVATION AND IMPACTFUL SOLUTIONS! With a history that spans three decades, Esfera Informática establishes itself as an institution committed to excellence, with advanced technologies and innovation as its fundamental pillars. Certified by MPSBr, the company constantly improves the development of software...
INNOVATE® Detroit
POCKETNEST
Financial Wellness for the Next Generation
Many people think having a “financial plan” means having a budget, a retirement savings account, and maybe a small cash reserve. But, those basic financials are only scratching the surface and exclude some key details like estate documents, saving strategies, or debt elimination plans. With that popular—and lacking—mindset, it’s perhaps...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
MAHLAKO A PHAHLA
AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED, MANAGED AND INSPIRED, THAT PROMOTES AFRICAN AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EXCELLENCE
Mahlako a Phahla, founded by sisters Makole Mupita and Meta Mhlarhi, is named after our mother Mahlako to pay homage to her pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit in building a successful family business at a time when it was difficult for many black people to do so. Mahlako is an...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
SAFE STAYS BY RELOSHARE
Changing the Game for Emergency Housing by Providing Anonymous Hotel Bookings for Social Service Agencies
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s 2021 DV Counts Report, agencies were unable to provide emergency shelter to 1,982 adults and 1,184 children nationwide in just one day. Annualized, that’s 723,430 adults and 432,160 children who are left without access to emergency domestic violence shelters each year....
INNOVATE™ Alberta
Edmonton Regional Innovation Network
Connecting and Building a Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem
The Edmonton Regional Innovation Network (ERIN) is a coalition of organisations in the Edmonton region that helps entrepreneurs start and grow innovative businesses. The ERIN aims to create a Regional Innovation Network that is accessible, inclusive of diverse thoughts and ways of doing, and meets the needs of the innovation...
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...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
ESTX
E-RESIDENCY IS MORE THAN JUST A TOOL – IT’S A LIFESTYLE.
“Our clients are global players with a big vision,” says Angela Ventsel, founder and CEO of estx. She and her team aim to make starting a business in Estonia as smooth as possible for every e-resident, regardless of their background or location. “When someone entrusts their business to us, it...
INNOVATION Quebec
HEC MONTRÉAL
A hub of management knowledge that inspires, innovates, and makes its mark worldwide
One of the most renowned business schools in the world for the quality of its programs, for the success rate of its alumni and for its influence in research, HEC Montréal does much more than just move your career forward. It drives new ideas. HEC Montréal is that place of...
INNOVATE® Seattle
WYZE
REVOLUTIONIZING SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY WITH INNOVATION AND AFFORDABILITY
In an era where technology is advancing at breakneck speed, Wyze has emerged as a leader in the smart home revolution. Since 2017, the company has been committed to making cutting-edge products that allow more people to experience the benefits of modern technology in their everyday lives. With an array...
INNOVATION Quebec
LE CNETE
LE TISSU INDUSTRIEL DU CANADA ÉTANT COMPOSÉ DE PME, ON NE PEUT PENSER QUE CHACUNE D’ELLE SE DOTE D’UN LABORATOIRE OU D’UN DÉPARTEMENT DE RECHERCHE. Dans les faits, bien peu possèdent les équipements nécessaires et les ressources humaines sensibles à l’importance de l’innovation continue. Le CNETE vient combler ces besoins....
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
Iridia Medical
Whom do first responders call for medical emergencies? Iridia Medical is a physician-founded company that exists to Enable Peace of Mind for people called upon to respond to medical emergencies
Within a span of five months in 1997, a local pulp and papermill experienced the collapse and death of two employees on-site. It was determined that both employees suffered from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The prospect of future deaths at the site was palpable, and preventative solutions were non-existent. This...
Global Innovation Spotlight
4 Innovative Methods Redefining Market Research for Companies in the US
The U.S business marketplace is extremely competitive, which may be a strength of the national economy, but it poses critical challenges for individual companies trying to stand out. As customer preferences shift and industry trends disrupt the status quo, keeping a pulse on the wider market and your target audience...
INNOVATE® Nashville
MINDFUL
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® Seattle
TECH ALLIANCE
ADVANCING WASHINGTON’S INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
In the late 1990s, a visionary goal was conceived by a group of business and academic leaders in Washington state: to cultivate a flourishing landscape of thriving, innovation-driven enterprises within the expanding economy of Washington. At that point, the Washington state economy was based on manufacturing (primarily airplanes), agriculture (wheat,...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
SA WATER
Thriving communities through innovation and collaboration
SA Water is rethinking water use and its role in creating sustainable communities. With a focus on innovation, it is leading the charge towards a cooler, greener future in South Australia. Using water for cooling is a central part of SA Water’s strategy. Implementing efficient irrigation techniques creates refreshing parks...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
NZ Technologies
TAKING TOUCHLESS TO A NEW DIMENSION
“Touchless technology has become disruptive technology to convert high-touch surfaces to touchless ones across industries and sectors.” Contactless solutions are rapidly replacing buttons, keypads, and controls. Interfacing with machinery, equipment, and high-touch public surfaces has changed overnight: the COVID-19 pandemic most certainly accelerated this demand, while innovations in touchless technology...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING
THE HUNTER FAMILY & THE CREATION OF THE HUNTER HUB
THE HISTORY OF THE HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKINGThe Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking was founded in 2017 with a $40 million donation from the Hunter Family Foundation, marking one of the largest donations in the University of Calgary’s history. The Hunter Hub’s purpose is to spread entrepreneurial thinking throughout...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
JLABS @ WASHINGTON, DC
Accelerating Innovation in the Capital Region
Where the corridors of power intersect with groundbreaking research, JLABS @ Washington DC is a haven of innovation. As part of the global Johnson & Johnson Innovation network, JLABS is more than just a state-of-the-art facility; it’s a thriving ecosystem designed to accelerate life sciences innovation. Since its inception, JLABS...
Global Innovation Spotlight
The Free Browser Tool Stack
How one founder runs a startup without paid subscriptions
Running a startup without paid subscriptions forces every choice to be practical. The best setup is a small group of browser-based services that handle writing, planning, files, design, communication, and basic finance. I keep the workflow lean because every recurring fee reduces runway, and the ability to edit PDF documents...
INNOVATION Quebec
MECANIUM
CCTT IN MECHATRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL MECHANICS
Our mission at MECANIUM is to support Quebec manufacturing SMEs by designing and achieving mechatronic solutions to help them increase their knowledge, productivity and competitiveness and optimize their products and processes. We are also committed to promoting knowledge dissemination through training and knowledge transfer. As an innovation centre for mechatronics...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
TROY JESSEE CONSTRUCTION
CARE BY DESIGN
“An emphasis on long-term relationships, coupled with an ethic that treats everyone with the highest degree of respect, has created beautiful construction and bonds that enrich the community.” How much architecture can you fit in a building? That’s a line as old as the construction industry itself – and one...
INNOVATE® Georgia
NEEDLING WORLDWIDE
WE ULTIMATELY STRIVE TO BECOME MORE ROBUST, SUPERIOR, AND MORE ASTUTE IN OUR OPERATIONS.
WHO IS NEEDLING WORLDWIDE:Needling Worldwide was established to address a common challenge encountered by numerous companies in their pursuit of certifications or compliance assessments. The CEO envisioned a superior solution based on her firsthand experiences with compliance standards and frameworks. This solution is comprised of a standardized, flat-fee alternative to...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
CARTER MEDIA
EST 1950
Our story begins with a dream and a vision of Andrew “Skip” Robinson Carter. Carter was born in 1919 and raised in Savannah, Georgia. In 1933, at the young age of 14, Carter’s aspirations of operating a Black radio station began, and he built his first radio. He studied physics...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
ESFERA
DELIGHTING CUSTOMERS, SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY WITH PERSONALIZED INNOVATION
ESFERA-DELIGHTING CUSTOMERS, SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY WITH PERSONALIZED INNOVATION AND IMPACTFUL SOLUTIONS! With a history that spans three decades, Esfera Informática establishes itself as an institution committed to excellence, with advanced technologies and innovation as its fundamental pillars. Certified by MPSBr, the company constantly improves the development of software...
INNOVATE® Detroit
POCKETNEST
Financial Wellness for the Next Generation
Many people think having a “financial plan” means having a budget, a retirement savings account, and maybe a small cash reserve. But, those basic financials are only scratching the surface and exclude some key details like estate documents, saving strategies, or debt elimination plans. With that popular—and lacking—mindset, it’s perhaps...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
MAHLAKO A PHAHLA
AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED, MANAGED AND INSPIRED, THAT PROMOTES AFRICAN AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EXCELLENCE
Mahlako a Phahla, founded by sisters Makole Mupita and Meta Mhlarhi, is named after our mother Mahlako to pay homage to her pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit in building a successful family business at a time when it was difficult for many black people to do so. Mahlako is an...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
SAFE STAYS BY RELOSHARE
Changing the Game for Emergency Housing by Providing Anonymous Hotel Bookings for Social Service Agencies
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s 2021 DV Counts Report, agencies were unable to provide emergency shelter to 1,982 adults and 1,184 children nationwide in just one day. Annualized, that’s 723,430 adults and 432,160 children who are left without access to emergency domestic violence shelters each year....
INNOVATE™ Alberta
Edmonton Regional Innovation Network
Connecting and Building a Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem
The Edmonton Regional Innovation Network (ERIN) is a coalition of organisations in the Edmonton region that helps entrepreneurs start and grow innovative businesses. The ERIN aims to create a Regional Innovation Network that is accessible, inclusive of diverse thoughts and ways of doing, and meets the needs of the innovation...
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...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
ESTX
E-RESIDENCY IS MORE THAN JUST A TOOL – IT’S A LIFESTYLE.
“Our clients are global players with a big vision,” says Angela Ventsel, founder and CEO of estx. She and her team aim to make starting a business in Estonia as smooth as possible for every e-resident, regardless of their background or location. “When someone entrusts their business to us, it...
INNOVATION Quebec
HEC MONTRÉAL
A hub of management knowledge that inspires, innovates, and makes its mark worldwide
One of the most renowned business schools in the world for the quality of its programs, for the success rate of its alumni and for its influence in research, HEC Montréal does much more than just move your career forward. It drives new ideas. HEC Montréal is that place of...
INNOVATE® Seattle
WYZE
REVOLUTIONIZING SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY WITH INNOVATION AND AFFORDABILITY
In an era where technology is advancing at breakneck speed, Wyze has emerged as a leader in the smart home revolution. Since 2017, the company has been committed to making cutting-edge products that allow more people to experience the benefits of modern technology in their everyday lives. With an array...
INNOVATION Quebec
LE CNETE
LE TISSU INDUSTRIEL DU CANADA ÉTANT COMPOSÉ DE PME, ON NE PEUT PENSER QUE CHACUNE D’ELLE SE DOTE D’UN LABORATOIRE OU D’UN DÉPARTEMENT DE RECHERCHE. Dans les faits, bien peu possèdent les équipements nécessaires et les ressources humaines sensibles à l’importance de l’innovation continue. Le CNETE vient combler ces besoins....
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
Iridia Medical
Whom do first responders call for medical emergencies? Iridia Medical is a physician-founded company that exists to Enable Peace of Mind for people called upon to respond to medical emergencies
Within a span of five months in 1997, a local pulp and papermill experienced the collapse and death of two employees on-site. It was determined that both employees suffered from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The prospect of future deaths at the site was palpable, and preventative solutions were non-existent. This...
Global Innovation Spotlight
4 Innovative Methods Redefining Market Research for Companies in the US
The U.S business marketplace is extremely competitive, which may be a strength of the national economy, but it poses critical challenges for individual companies trying to stand out. As customer preferences shift and industry trends disrupt the status quo, keeping a pulse on the wider market and your target audience...
INNOVATE® Nashville
MINDFUL
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® Seattle
TECH ALLIANCE
ADVANCING WASHINGTON’S INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
In the late 1990s, a visionary goal was conceived by a group of business and academic leaders in Washington state: to cultivate a flourishing landscape of thriving, innovation-driven enterprises within the expanding economy of Washington. At that point, the Washington state economy was based on manufacturing (primarily airplanes), agriculture (wheat,...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
SA WATER
Thriving communities through innovation and collaboration
SA Water is rethinking water use and its role in creating sustainable communities. With a focus on innovation, it is leading the charge towards a cooler, greener future in South Australia. Using water for cooling is a central part of SA Water’s strategy. Implementing efficient irrigation techniques creates refreshing parks...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
NZ Technologies
TAKING TOUCHLESS TO A NEW DIMENSION
“Touchless technology has become disruptive technology to convert high-touch surfaces to touchless ones across industries and sectors.” Contactless solutions are rapidly replacing buttons, keypads, and controls. Interfacing with machinery, equipment, and high-touch public surfaces has changed overnight: the COVID-19 pandemic most certainly accelerated this demand, while innovations in touchless technology...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING
THE HUNTER FAMILY & THE CREATION OF THE HUNTER HUB
THE HISTORY OF THE HUNTER HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKINGThe Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking was founded in 2017 with a $40 million donation from the Hunter Family Foundation, marking one of the largest donations in the University of Calgary’s history. The Hunter Hub’s purpose is to spread entrepreneurial thinking throughout...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
JLABS @ WASHINGTON, DC
Accelerating Innovation in the Capital Region
Where the corridors of power intersect with groundbreaking research, JLABS @ Washington DC is a haven of innovation. As part of the global Johnson & Johnson Innovation network, JLABS is more than just a state-of-the-art facility; it’s a thriving ecosystem designed to accelerate life sciences innovation. Since its inception, JLABS...