Stories of Innovation

INNOVATION Quebec

OPTONIQUE

SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION

Photonics can be found everywhere: laser surgery, battery manufacturing, and quantum computers are among many other applications that benefit from light-based technologies. The presence of research centers and industries on Quebec soil has led to a fertile ground for innovation among deep tech start-ups and established businesses. Optonique, Québec’s Photonics...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THE FLAMING HEART OF NANDO’S

THE FLAMING HEART OF NANDO’S -WE ARE PROUD TO COUNT OURSELVES ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST LOVED EXPORTS

WE ARE PROUD TO COUNT OURSELVES ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST LOVED EXPORTS

The story of Nando’s is well-known to South Africans who grew up alongside us in our relatively new democracy. In 1987 two friends shared a meal at a humble Portuguese eatery in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. Here they were inspired by the taste of the African Bird’s Eye Chilli, a spice that...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

David Sobey Retailing Centre

Shaping the Future of Retail

“In the past decade, retailers have been forced to innovate, and in some cases transform themselves in response to several external factors. Changing consumer behaviour and employee expectations, the advent of AI, and the need to meet sustainability targets are just some of the factors driving big changes in the...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

PEAK POWER

PEAK POWER- MAKING IT PROFITABLE FOR THE BUILDING SECTOR TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO

MAKING IT PROFITABLE FOR THE BUILDING SECTOR TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO

Peak Power is a Canadian climate tech company at the forefront of the energy transition. We are the only company bringing together batteries, grid-interactive buildings, and bi-directional electric vehicles into one technology platform, Peak Synergy. This technology enables our commercial and industrial real estate partners to achieve net-zero goals, cut operating...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

FORWARD LEARNING

FORWARD LEARNING-EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR A BETTER PUERTO RICO

EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR A BETTER PUERTO RICO

ABOUT FORWARD LEARNINGForward Learning was founded in 1993 with the vision of promoting the effective use of technology for the development of individuals, companies, and society. Over the years they have worked with enthusiastic professionals to promote innovation through technology, creativity, personal and professional development. Their services include in-person and...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

University of Antwerp

A driver for innovation ecosystems.

The University of Antwerp plays a central role in driving innovation in Flanders. Located in the heart of Europe, Antwerp is a prime economic hub, powered by its second largest port, and the largest chemical cluster in Europe. As a result, its university is uniquely positioned to provide well-trained professionals...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Sticker Builder

Unlocking the Next Frontier

“Mass customization made simple. Creative chaos made scalable.” In today’s experience-driven economy, personalization isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of competitive advantage. Customers expect more than just products; they want creative control, self-expression, and seamless experiences. That’s where Sticker Builder by Antigro Designer, based in Kraków, Poland, comes in. This...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

FLUX

NURTURED BY FARM LIFE DURING HIS FORMATIVE YEARS, JORDY DISCOVERED A WORLD OF INTRIGUING CHALLENGES

Fuelled by his innate curiosity and determination, Jordy fearlessly embraced the role of problem solver, eager to make a tangible difference in the agricultural landscape. Fueled by a deep-rooted passion for sustainable farming practices, Jordy founded Flux Robotics, an agri-tech startup poised to be the next step change in agriculture....

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Stockholm Stad

Stockholm is Building Tomorrow's Innovation Leaders

Stockholm has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic innovation and technology hubs. Known for its thriving startup ecosystem, cutting-edge research, and a strong culture of collaboration, the Swedish capital consistently ranks among the top cities for entrepreneurship and technological advancement. With a highly educated workforce, a...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

RON ARTESANO

RON ARTESANO

Artesano is the product of inspiration, perspiration, hard work and perseverance

This is what we call Ron Artesano. This craft rum brand is hand-made in small batches in the mountains of Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The founders are a solid team of professionals that handle the different aspects of the business: Commercial Operations & Business Development, Distillation, Production & Aging and Rum...

INNOVATE® Maryland

THE BIOTECH CORRIDOR

WHERE INNOVATION LEADS

There must be more MDs and PhDs per capita in a 10-mile radius of Rockville, Maryland, than anywhere else in the country. Montgomery County is the foundation of the Biotech Corridor, a dynamic hub for life science research, innovation, and commercialization, with 13,000 private sector employees and 400 life sciences...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Matidor.com

Matidor.com-Is the All-In-One Project Management Platform On a Live Map

Is the All-In-One Project Management Platform On a Live Map

How Matidor.com StartedVincent and Sean are Vancouver-based serial entrepreneurs who come from very different backgrounds but share one vision. Vincent’s previous experience at Google Earth and as a product manager at Dassault Systèmes revealed a gap in how people in the field managed projects. When Sean moved back to town...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRISPESH

CCTT EN INCLUSION DES PERSONNES EN SITUATION DE HANDICAP

SpécialisationLe Centre de recherche pour l’inclusion des personnes en situation de handicap (CRISPESH) est un centre collégial de recherche appliquée et de transfert (CCTT) en pratiques sociales novatrices affilié au cégep du Vieux Montréal et au collège Dawson. Ses champs d’expertises sont l’inclusion scolaire, professionnelle et sociale des personnes en...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Haskell

Haskell - Delivering integrated AEC solutions that ensure certainty of outcome

Delivering integrated AEC solutions that ensure certainty of outcome

Haskell, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida since its inception in 1965, is a leading global architecture, engineering, construction, and consulting firm with $1+ billion in annual revenue, 1,500 employees, and 20+ office locations around the globe. The company was founded by a single visionary named Preston Haskell who saw inefficiencies in...

INNOVATE® Georgia

WORKOPTI

WORKOPTI SAVES LEADERS TIME. WORKOPTI SAVES LEADERS MONEY.

WORKOPTI: Technology Built for Leaders in the AI Economy WORKOPTI, founded by our CTO Elkanah Reed, is revolutionizing executive decision-making by providing a platform designed for the AI economy. As the only AI-powered leadership platform, WORKOPTI integrates a data management engine that turns unstructured data into actionable insights. This helps...

INNOVATE® Georgia

UCB

USING TECHNOLOGY TO HELP PEOPLE LIVING WITH SEVERE DISEASE

UCB PRIORITIZES PATIENT VALUE, FOSTERING A CARING CULTURE SHAPED BY INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. EMPHASIZING TECH-DRIVEN INNOVATION AND HUMAN-CENTRIC HEALTHCARE, WE LEVERAGE AI AND DIGITAL STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE PATIENT CARE.. At UCB, we come together every day to work, laser-focused, on a simple question: How will this create value for people living...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

CINI

EMOTIONS, FEELINGS, COLORS, AND FLAVORS!

Approaching its 120th anniversary in 2024, Cini is led by the fourth generation of the same family. How have they achieved so much success? Cini is a company that has been operating in the beverage market since 1904, spanning over a century in the beverage industry. Initially, when the Italian...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Forceget Supply Chain Logistics

Powering Innovation in Global Logistics

“At Forceget, we aim to transform supply chain management from a reactive process into a proactive, data-driven solution.” Forceget Supply Chain Logistics began its journey with a clear mission: to empower businesses by delivering more than just freight movement. Founded by Burak and Nihan Yolga, the company emerged with...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Wander Media Company - Kate Strickland: Founder

When visitors arrive in destinations like Nashville, Las Vegas, or Boston, they know exactly what to expect. Whether it’s the music, the nightlife, or the culture, these epicenters of travel and tourism always deliver. Wander has effectively become visitors’ go-to resource for where to eat, drink, shop, and play. –...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Curbio

The Power of Modern Technology In Home Improvement and Real Estate

“Curbio is the most trusted pre-listing home improvement company for thousands of respected agents and brokerages nationwide.” Curbio is a guiding light of innovation in the real estate sector, making home improvement a seamless, modern experience for real estate agents and their clients. As the leading pre-listing home improvement company...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

FORJ

REVOLUTIONIZES MEMBER EXPERIENCE WITH INNOVATIVE PLATFORM, JOURNEY BY FORJ

Forj has emerged as a trailblazer in the world of association and professional network technology with the launch of their groundbreaking platform, Journey by Forj. The company is redefining how organizations engage with their members, combining the power of community with cutting-edge learning experiences. Forj, a forward-thinking SaaS company, has...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

TECH LIT

IS A STARTUP LOCATED IN THE MIAMI AREA, FOUNDED BY BLOCKCHAIN VETERAN AND QTUM COO MIGUEL PALENCIA IN SEPTEMBER 2021. TECH LIT IS BASED IN MIAMI AND SPECIALIZES IN BLOCKCHAIN GAMING AND THE METAVERSE

THE GROWING METAVERSEThe metaverse future is coming faster than anyone has ever anticipated. The growth of the NFT ecosystem and the pandemic enforced work-from-home scenarios have had an indelible impact on how we interact with our digital selves in the future. The very fact that a giant trillion-dollar company like...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

SUNRAY SCIENTIFIC

RELIABLE, SCALABLE, ANISOTROPIC INTERCONNECT SOLUTION FOR FLEXIBLE HYBRID ELECTRONICS

Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) are a demanding environment for reliable interconnects and component attachment on the Printed Electronics world. FHE is typically comprised of the combination of simple printed circuitry made with conductive inks and more complexelectronics using microchips, and other high functionality components like LED’s and resistors. These components...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

Alcon Portugal

Driving Innovation To Help People See Brilliantly
Impulsionar A Inovação Para Ajudar As Pessoas A Ver Brilhantemente

Alcon is the global leader in eye care, dedicated to helping people see brilliantly. With a heritage of more than seven decades, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to improve people’s vision and lives. Our surgical and vision care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people...

INNOVATION Quebec

OPTONIQUE

SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION

Photonics can be found everywhere: laser surgery, battery manufacturing, and quantum computers are among many other applications that benefit from light-based technologies. The presence of research centers and industries on Quebec soil has led to a fertile ground for innovation among deep tech start-ups and established businesses. Optonique, Québec’s Photonics...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THE FLAMING HEART OF NANDO’S

THE FLAMING HEART OF NANDO’S -WE ARE PROUD TO COUNT OURSELVES ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST LOVED EXPORTS

WE ARE PROUD TO COUNT OURSELVES ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST LOVED EXPORTS

The story of Nando’s is well-known to South Africans who grew up alongside us in our relatively new democracy. In 1987 two friends shared a meal at a humble Portuguese eatery in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. Here they were inspired by the taste of the African Bird’s Eye Chilli, a spice that...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

David Sobey Retailing Centre

Shaping the Future of Retail

“In the past decade, retailers have been forced to innovate, and in some cases transform themselves in response to several external factors. Changing consumer behaviour and employee expectations, the advent of AI, and the need to meet sustainability targets are just some of the factors driving big changes in the...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

PEAK POWER

PEAK POWER- MAKING IT PROFITABLE FOR THE BUILDING SECTOR TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO

MAKING IT PROFITABLE FOR THE BUILDING SECTOR TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO

Peak Power is a Canadian climate tech company at the forefront of the energy transition. We are the only company bringing together batteries, grid-interactive buildings, and bi-directional electric vehicles into one technology platform, Peak Synergy. This technology enables our commercial and industrial real estate partners to achieve net-zero goals, cut operating...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

FORWARD LEARNING

FORWARD LEARNING-EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR A BETTER PUERTO RICO

EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR A BETTER PUERTO RICO

ABOUT FORWARD LEARNINGForward Learning was founded in 1993 with the vision of promoting the effective use of technology for the development of individuals, companies, and society. Over the years they have worked with enthusiastic professionals to promote innovation through technology, creativity, personal and professional development. Their services include in-person and...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

University of Antwerp

A driver for innovation ecosystems.

The University of Antwerp plays a central role in driving innovation in Flanders. Located in the heart of Europe, Antwerp is a prime economic hub, powered by its second largest port, and the largest chemical cluster in Europe. As a result, its university is uniquely positioned to provide well-trained professionals...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Sticker Builder

Unlocking the Next Frontier

“Mass customization made simple. Creative chaos made scalable.” In today’s experience-driven economy, personalization isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of competitive advantage. Customers expect more than just products; they want creative control, self-expression, and seamless experiences. That’s where Sticker Builder by Antigro Designer, based in Kraków, Poland, comes in. This...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

FLUX

NURTURED BY FARM LIFE DURING HIS FORMATIVE YEARS, JORDY DISCOVERED A WORLD OF INTRIGUING CHALLENGES

Fuelled by his innate curiosity and determination, Jordy fearlessly embraced the role of problem solver, eager to make a tangible difference in the agricultural landscape. Fueled by a deep-rooted passion for sustainable farming practices, Jordy founded Flux Robotics, an agri-tech startup poised to be the next step change in agriculture....

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Stockholm Stad

Stockholm is Building Tomorrow's Innovation Leaders

Stockholm has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic innovation and technology hubs. Known for its thriving startup ecosystem, cutting-edge research, and a strong culture of collaboration, the Swedish capital consistently ranks among the top cities for entrepreneurship and technological advancement. With a highly educated workforce, a...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

RON ARTESANO

RON ARTESANO

Artesano is the product of inspiration, perspiration, hard work and perseverance

This is what we call Ron Artesano. This craft rum brand is hand-made in small batches in the mountains of Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The founders are a solid team of professionals that handle the different aspects of the business: Commercial Operations & Business Development, Distillation, Production & Aging and Rum...

INNOVATE® Maryland

THE BIOTECH CORRIDOR

WHERE INNOVATION LEADS

There must be more MDs and PhDs per capita in a 10-mile radius of Rockville, Maryland, than anywhere else in the country. Montgomery County is the foundation of the Biotech Corridor, a dynamic hub for life science research, innovation, and commercialization, with 13,000 private sector employees and 400 life sciences...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Matidor.com

Matidor.com-Is the All-In-One Project Management Platform On a Live Map

Is the All-In-One Project Management Platform On a Live Map

How Matidor.com StartedVincent and Sean are Vancouver-based serial entrepreneurs who come from very different backgrounds but share one vision. Vincent’s previous experience at Google Earth and as a product manager at Dassault Systèmes revealed a gap in how people in the field managed projects. When Sean moved back to town...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRISPESH

CCTT EN INCLUSION DES PERSONNES EN SITUATION DE HANDICAP

SpécialisationLe Centre de recherche pour l’inclusion des personnes en situation de handicap (CRISPESH) est un centre collégial de recherche appliquée et de transfert (CCTT) en pratiques sociales novatrices affilié au cégep du Vieux Montréal et au collège Dawson. Ses champs d’expertises sont l’inclusion scolaire, professionnelle et sociale des personnes en...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Haskell

Haskell - Delivering integrated AEC solutions that ensure certainty of outcome

Delivering integrated AEC solutions that ensure certainty of outcome

Haskell, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida since its inception in 1965, is a leading global architecture, engineering, construction, and consulting firm with $1+ billion in annual revenue, 1,500 employees, and 20+ office locations around the globe. The company was founded by a single visionary named Preston Haskell who saw inefficiencies in...

INNOVATE® Georgia

WORKOPTI

WORKOPTI SAVES LEADERS TIME. WORKOPTI SAVES LEADERS MONEY.

WORKOPTI: Technology Built for Leaders in the AI Economy WORKOPTI, founded by our CTO Elkanah Reed, is revolutionizing executive decision-making by providing a platform designed for the AI economy. As the only AI-powered leadership platform, WORKOPTI integrates a data management engine that turns unstructured data into actionable insights. This helps...

INNOVATE® Georgia

UCB

USING TECHNOLOGY TO HELP PEOPLE LIVING WITH SEVERE DISEASE

UCB PRIORITIZES PATIENT VALUE, FOSTERING A CARING CULTURE SHAPED BY INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. EMPHASIZING TECH-DRIVEN INNOVATION AND HUMAN-CENTRIC HEALTHCARE, WE LEVERAGE AI AND DIGITAL STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE PATIENT CARE.. At UCB, we come together every day to work, laser-focused, on a simple question: How will this create value for people living...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

CINI

EMOTIONS, FEELINGS, COLORS, AND FLAVORS!

Approaching its 120th anniversary in 2024, Cini is led by the fourth generation of the same family. How have they achieved so much success? Cini is a company that has been operating in the beverage market since 1904, spanning over a century in the beverage industry. Initially, when the Italian...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Forceget Supply Chain Logistics

Powering Innovation in Global Logistics

“At Forceget, we aim to transform supply chain management from a reactive process into a proactive, data-driven solution.” Forceget Supply Chain Logistics began its journey with a clear mission: to empower businesses by delivering more than just freight movement. Founded by Burak and Nihan Yolga, the company emerged with...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Wander Media Company - Kate Strickland: Founder

When visitors arrive in destinations like Nashville, Las Vegas, or Boston, they know exactly what to expect. Whether it’s the music, the nightlife, or the culture, these epicenters of travel and tourism always deliver. Wander has effectively become visitors’ go-to resource for where to eat, drink, shop, and play. –...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Curbio

The Power of Modern Technology In Home Improvement and Real Estate

“Curbio is the most trusted pre-listing home improvement company for thousands of respected agents and brokerages nationwide.” Curbio is a guiding light of innovation in the real estate sector, making home improvement a seamless, modern experience for real estate agents and their clients. As the leading pre-listing home improvement company...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

FORJ

REVOLUTIONIZES MEMBER EXPERIENCE WITH INNOVATIVE PLATFORM, JOURNEY BY FORJ

Forj has emerged as a trailblazer in the world of association and professional network technology with the launch of their groundbreaking platform, Journey by Forj. The company is redefining how organizations engage with their members, combining the power of community with cutting-edge learning experiences. Forj, a forward-thinking SaaS company, has...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

TECH LIT

IS A STARTUP LOCATED IN THE MIAMI AREA, FOUNDED BY BLOCKCHAIN VETERAN AND QTUM COO MIGUEL PALENCIA IN SEPTEMBER 2021. TECH LIT IS BASED IN MIAMI AND SPECIALIZES IN BLOCKCHAIN GAMING AND THE METAVERSE

THE GROWING METAVERSEThe metaverse future is coming faster than anyone has ever anticipated. The growth of the NFT ecosystem and the pandemic enforced work-from-home scenarios have had an indelible impact on how we interact with our digital selves in the future. The very fact that a giant trillion-dollar company like...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

SUNRAY SCIENTIFIC

RELIABLE, SCALABLE, ANISOTROPIC INTERCONNECT SOLUTION FOR FLEXIBLE HYBRID ELECTRONICS

Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) are a demanding environment for reliable interconnects and component attachment on the Printed Electronics world. FHE is typically comprised of the combination of simple printed circuitry made with conductive inks and more complexelectronics using microchips, and other high functionality components like LED’s and resistors. These components...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

Alcon Portugal

Driving Innovation To Help People See Brilliantly
Impulsionar A Inovação Para Ajudar As Pessoas A Ver Brilhantemente

Alcon is the global leader in eye care, dedicated to helping people see brilliantly. With a heritage of more than seven decades, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to improve people’s vision and lives. Our surgical and vision care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people...

Ecosystems