Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

boomsatsuma

Fuelling The Next Creative Generation

boomsatsuma is an independent education provider, offering training pathways to people from all backgrounds, aged 16 to degree level, into expanding creative industries. Established in 2011, with a background in Community Interest Projects, boomsatsuma has grown to be a creative industry educator maintaining close ties across Bristol community projects. Year-on-year...

INNOVATE® Nashville

VENDENGINE

DRIVING INNOVATION IN THE CORRECTIONS INDUSTRY

In 2011, VendEngine started as a simple concept — digitizing financial transactions for law enforcement, jails and prisons while providing easy, safe, and secure methods to transmit money between family members and inmates. Once the company got going however, this simple concept, something that had been done in nearly every...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

HELICONNFT

HELICONNFT-OUR MISSION IS TO DELIVER A SUSTAINABLE NFT GLOBAL MARKETPLACE

OUR MISSION IS TO DELIVER A SUSTAINABLE NFT GLOBAL MARKETPLACE, WHERE SAVING THE METAVERSE ALSO SAVES THE PLANET IN REAL-LIFE

HeliconNFT is a new online universe, combining a gaming metaverse with a NFT buying & trading platform that provides real rewards where you can play, mine and earn to become the master of a new market. Ultimately, HeliconNFT bridges the gap between centralised games and decentralized NFTs for a true...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

MARKNOLOGY

BUILT TO LEAD, WIRED TO INNOVATE

Marknology In the chaotic world of e-commerce, few agencies have not only survived but thrived by rewriting the rules. Marknology is an Amazon brand accelerator that is one of those rare exceptions—a company that didn’t follow the playbook because it wrote a better one. Founded by Andrew Morgans, Marknology is...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

UNIVERSITY STARTUPS

Empowering Tomorrow

In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, two Georgetown University McDonough School of Business professors found themselves contemplating a way to bring more purpose to their work and students’ lives. Marc Steren and John Jabara, both seasoned academics and entrepreneurs, decided to channel their expertise into something transformative. What...

AI Québec

INSTITUTE INTELLIGENCE AND DATA (IID)

AN ESSENTIAL COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT IN THE FIELDS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DATA VALORIZATION

Inaugurated in January 2020, the Institute Intelligence and Data (IID) at Université Laval brings together the driving forces of research and innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and data valorization in the greater Quebec City area. From fundamental or applied research, to major ethical issues, the Institute’s 65 members, collaborators and...

INNOVATE® South Florida

SEEDFUNDERS

EMPOWERING MIAMI’S STARTUP TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEM WITH CAPITAL AND MENTORSHIP

EMPOWERING MIAMI’S STARTUP TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEM WITH CAPITAL AND MENTORSHIP Seedfunders Miami is an angel investing organization focused on helping early-stage startups develop to the point where they can attract venture capital funding. Our partners come from diverse backgrounds with expertise covering a wide range of real-world business challenges. With funding...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

KAIZEN VOIZ

REVOLUTIONIZING SECURITY:KAIZEN SECURE VOIZ LEADS THE WAY IN VOICE BIOMETRICS

In an era where data breaches and identity theft run rampant, Kaizen Secure Voiz emerges as a trailblazer, reshaping the security landscape with cutting-edge voice biometric solutions. As the digital realm expands, so do the challenges, and Kaizen stands as a beacon, providing not just security but a seamless and...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIRANO

ALLIER SAVOIR ET DECISION

Le CIRANO est la référence au Québec pour l’avancement des connaissances en évaluation économique des décisions autour des grands enjeux de société et pour l’élaboration et l’évaluation de politiques publiques. Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin, Polytechnique Montreal professor, President and CEO, CIRANO Catherine Beaudry Polytechnique Montréal «Le CIRANO joue un rôle crucial...

INNOVATION Quebec

CTRI

FOR INDUSTRIAL WASTE

Our mission at Centre technologique des résidus industriels (CTRI) is to promote socio-economic development by providing support to companies in the mining, forest and agricultural sectors. Through exploring, identifying and achieving innovative solutions for the valorization of industrial waste and underutilized natural resources, we aim to accelerate the implementation of...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

LEVEL EX

Playing Is Training: Chicago’s Gaming And Healthcare Legacies Meet At Level Ex

Today, Level Ex has 750,000 medical professionals playing its games to advance their skills and earn Continuing Medical Education (CME). The story of how it changed the way medicine is learned and practiced is as much an ode to Chicago as it is a start-up success story....

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAIRE DE RECHERCHE EN PRÉVENTION DE LA CYBERCRIMINALITÉ

RESEARCH CHAIR IN CYBERCRIME PREVENTION - UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL

Understanding how cybercrime can be prevented and helping protect its victims against online harms. The Research Chair in Cybercrime Prevention was launched in September 2018 at the initiative of the Université de Montréal, Desjardins and the National Bank of Canada. It is headed by Benoît Dupont, professor of criminology and...

INNOVATION Quebec

NJBIA

NJBIA-RECLAIMING NEW JERSEY’S STATURE AS THE INNOVATION STATE TO RESHAPE THE ECONOMY, GROW BUSINESSES, CREATE JOBS, AND INVEST IN OUR FUTURE New Jersey has been synonymous with innovation throughout its history. The state was the workplace of Thomas Edison – universally lauded as the greatest inventor ever. It is the...

INNOVATE® South Florida

SEAWORTHY COLLECTIVE

EMPOWERING SEA CHANGE MAKERS & GROWING SOUTH FLORIDA’S BLUE ECONOMY

EMPOWERING SEA CHANGE MAKERS & GROWING SOUTH FLORIDA’S BLUE ECONOMY Seaworthy Collective is a 501c3 nonprofit that supports current, aspiring, and underrepresented entrepreneurs driving innovation for ocean and climate impact (AKA BlueTech). Our mission is to make BlueTech accessible and inclusive; bringing all hands on deck via programs to co-create...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

INSTASHIELD

INSTASHIELD-Invention and Entrepreneurship Run in the Family

Invention and Entrepreneurship Run in the Family

INSTASHIELD FILLS PPE SHORTAGE, DONATES 1 MILLION SHIELDS TO PEOPLE IN NEED InstaShield™ is a new kind of face shield that ships flat and is folded to fit over a cap or visor. The company was founded in March 2020 by Dan Brown Jr. to help fill the nation’s PPE...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ROCKET

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN NICHE INNOVATION AND MAINSTREAM MEDIA

Having started in 2019 as a web-only reality show for local startups, Rocket has now developed into a full universe of multi-platform content and unforgettable live experiences with the goal to foment, give visibility, and highlight the positive impact of innovation and entrepreneurship in everyone’s lives. Though an important topic...

INNOVATE™ Ottawa

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL-SHAPING CANADA’S DIGITAL FUTURE

SHAPING CANADA’S DIGITAL FUTURE

As a not-for-profit, national centre of expertise for the digital economy, ICTC strengthens Canada’s digital advantage in a global economy. Through trusted research, practical policy advice, and innovative capacity-building programs, ICTC fosters globally competitive Canadian industries empowered by innovative and diverse digital talent. In partnership with a vast network of...

INNOVATE® Nashville

THE WONDRY

THE WONDRY

From Innovation Ambition to Innovation Capacity- The Wond’ry Anchors a Vibrant University Innovation Ecosystem

The Wond’ry, Vanderbilt University’s center for innovation, serves as a catalyst for efforts to build and strengthen innovation capacity in the region. The Wond’ry provides space, mentorship, programming and other resources designed to facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and alumni from across all parts of Vanderbilt and from...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Education 2025-2026: new formats, key trends, and the role of Lectera

The field of education is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Technology, new methods, and societal changes are shaping a completely different approach to learning. All of this makes knowledge more accessible and the process itself more flexible and tailored to the needs of each student. This approach is being implemented...

INNOVATE® Miami

Papa

Papa - By connecting older adults to college students

By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations

Papa is a platform dedicated to solve the loneliness crisis. By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations. Our enthusiastic students – known as Papa Pals, are considered “Grandkids On-Demand!” to our members. Companionship, assistance, and transportation provided by our pals can be...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

NETWORK PERCEPTION

NETWORK PERCEPTION-CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS DISRUPTED BY CYBER-ATTACKS: NETWORK PERCEPTION DEVELOPS A TECHNOLOGY TO PROACTIVELY VERIFY AND VISUALIZE THEIR CYBER RESILIENCE

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS DISRUPTED BY CYBER-ATTACKS: NETWORK PERCEPTION DEVELOPS A TECHNOLOGY TO PROACTIVELY VERIFY AND VISUALIZE THEIR CYBER RESILIENCE

OUR MISSIONIn cybersecurity, threat actors are often one step ahead and the average cost of a breach routinely goes beyond seven figures. Most security solutions focus on detection and response, taking a reactive approach to cyber-attacks. The pace and acceleration of network changes create new vulnerabilities every day, decreasing the...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

CHARITABLE IMPACT

WORKING FOR DONORS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSES THEY SUPPORT

CHARITABLE IMPACT-WORKING FOR DONORS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSES THEY SUPPORT: HOW CHARITABLE IMPACT IS TRANSFORMING THE EXPERIENCE OF GIVING TO CHARITY The charitable sector in Canada is facing significant challenges due to a decrease in the number of people donating to charity and the amount they give as a percentage...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

PRITS

PRITS is Innovation: A Path to Puerto Rico’s Digital Government

A Path to Puerto Rico’s Digital Government

The Puerto Rico Innovation & Technology Service, created by Act 75- 2019, is the government office in charge of overseeing and implementing technology across the Executive Branch. The office’s mission is to create a new and innovative government framework, consistent with the demands of the 21st century, and capable of...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Centrepolis Accelerator

Empowering Hardtech Startups & Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing

Centrepolis Accelerator @ LTU is committed to strengthening supply chain resiliency to drive economic growth and innovation in Michigan. It offers hardtech startups and small to medium-sized manufacturers access to product development services and tailored funding solutions, ensuring they have the resources needed to scale and succeed. Centrepolis Accelerator @LTU’s...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

boomsatsuma

Fuelling The Next Creative Generation

boomsatsuma is an independent education provider, offering training pathways to people from all backgrounds, aged 16 to degree level, into expanding creative industries. Established in 2011, with a background in Community Interest Projects, boomsatsuma has grown to be a creative industry educator maintaining close ties across Bristol community projects. Year-on-year...

INNOVATE® Nashville

VENDENGINE

DRIVING INNOVATION IN THE CORRECTIONS INDUSTRY

In 2011, VendEngine started as a simple concept — digitizing financial transactions for law enforcement, jails and prisons while providing easy, safe, and secure methods to transmit money between family members and inmates. Once the company got going however, this simple concept, something that had been done in nearly every...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

HELICONNFT

HELICONNFT-OUR MISSION IS TO DELIVER A SUSTAINABLE NFT GLOBAL MARKETPLACE

OUR MISSION IS TO DELIVER A SUSTAINABLE NFT GLOBAL MARKETPLACE, WHERE SAVING THE METAVERSE ALSO SAVES THE PLANET IN REAL-LIFE

HeliconNFT is a new online universe, combining a gaming metaverse with a NFT buying & trading platform that provides real rewards where you can play, mine and earn to become the master of a new market. Ultimately, HeliconNFT bridges the gap between centralised games and decentralized NFTs for a true...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

MARKNOLOGY

BUILT TO LEAD, WIRED TO INNOVATE

Marknology In the chaotic world of e-commerce, few agencies have not only survived but thrived by rewriting the rules. Marknology is an Amazon brand accelerator that is one of those rare exceptions—a company that didn’t follow the playbook because it wrote a better one. Founded by Andrew Morgans, Marknology is...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

UNIVERSITY STARTUPS

Empowering Tomorrow

In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, two Georgetown University McDonough School of Business professors found themselves contemplating a way to bring more purpose to their work and students’ lives. Marc Steren and John Jabara, both seasoned academics and entrepreneurs, decided to channel their expertise into something transformative. What...

AI Québec

INSTITUTE INTELLIGENCE AND DATA (IID)

AN ESSENTIAL COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT IN THE FIELDS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DATA VALORIZATION

Inaugurated in January 2020, the Institute Intelligence and Data (IID) at Université Laval brings together the driving forces of research and innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and data valorization in the greater Quebec City area. From fundamental or applied research, to major ethical issues, the Institute’s 65 members, collaborators and...

INNOVATE® South Florida

SEEDFUNDERS

EMPOWERING MIAMI’S STARTUP TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEM WITH CAPITAL AND MENTORSHIP

EMPOWERING MIAMI’S STARTUP TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEM WITH CAPITAL AND MENTORSHIP Seedfunders Miami is an angel investing organization focused on helping early-stage startups develop to the point where they can attract venture capital funding. Our partners come from diverse backgrounds with expertise covering a wide range of real-world business challenges. With funding...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

KAIZEN VOIZ

REVOLUTIONIZING SECURITY:KAIZEN SECURE VOIZ LEADS THE WAY IN VOICE BIOMETRICS

In an era where data breaches and identity theft run rampant, Kaizen Secure Voiz emerges as a trailblazer, reshaping the security landscape with cutting-edge voice biometric solutions. As the digital realm expands, so do the challenges, and Kaizen stands as a beacon, providing not just security but a seamless and...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIRANO

ALLIER SAVOIR ET DECISION

Le CIRANO est la référence au Québec pour l’avancement des connaissances en évaluation économique des décisions autour des grands enjeux de société et pour l’élaboration et l’évaluation de politiques publiques. Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin, Polytechnique Montreal professor, President and CEO, CIRANO Catherine Beaudry Polytechnique Montréal «Le CIRANO joue un rôle crucial...

INNOVATION Quebec

CTRI

FOR INDUSTRIAL WASTE

Our mission at Centre technologique des résidus industriels (CTRI) is to promote socio-economic development by providing support to companies in the mining, forest and agricultural sectors. Through exploring, identifying and achieving innovative solutions for the valorization of industrial waste and underutilized natural resources, we aim to accelerate the implementation of...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

LEVEL EX

Playing Is Training: Chicago’s Gaming And Healthcare Legacies Meet At Level Ex

Today, Level Ex has 750,000 medical professionals playing its games to advance their skills and earn Continuing Medical Education (CME). The story of how it changed the way medicine is learned and practiced is as much an ode to Chicago as it is a start-up success story....

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAIRE DE RECHERCHE EN PRÉVENTION DE LA CYBERCRIMINALITÉ

RESEARCH CHAIR IN CYBERCRIME PREVENTION - UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL

Understanding how cybercrime can be prevented and helping protect its victims against online harms. The Research Chair in Cybercrime Prevention was launched in September 2018 at the initiative of the Université de Montréal, Desjardins and the National Bank of Canada. It is headed by Benoît Dupont, professor of criminology and...

INNOVATION Quebec

NJBIA

NJBIA-RECLAIMING NEW JERSEY’S STATURE AS THE INNOVATION STATE TO RESHAPE THE ECONOMY, GROW BUSINESSES, CREATE JOBS, AND INVEST IN OUR FUTURE New Jersey has been synonymous with innovation throughout its history. The state was the workplace of Thomas Edison – universally lauded as the greatest inventor ever. It is the...

INNOVATE® South Florida

SEAWORTHY COLLECTIVE

EMPOWERING SEA CHANGE MAKERS & GROWING SOUTH FLORIDA’S BLUE ECONOMY

EMPOWERING SEA CHANGE MAKERS & GROWING SOUTH FLORIDA’S BLUE ECONOMY Seaworthy Collective is a 501c3 nonprofit that supports current, aspiring, and underrepresented entrepreneurs driving innovation for ocean and climate impact (AKA BlueTech). Our mission is to make BlueTech accessible and inclusive; bringing all hands on deck via programs to co-create...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

INSTASHIELD

INSTASHIELD-Invention and Entrepreneurship Run in the Family

Invention and Entrepreneurship Run in the Family

INSTASHIELD FILLS PPE SHORTAGE, DONATES 1 MILLION SHIELDS TO PEOPLE IN NEED InstaShield™ is a new kind of face shield that ships flat and is folded to fit over a cap or visor. The company was founded in March 2020 by Dan Brown Jr. to help fill the nation’s PPE...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ROCKET

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN NICHE INNOVATION AND MAINSTREAM MEDIA

Having started in 2019 as a web-only reality show for local startups, Rocket has now developed into a full universe of multi-platform content and unforgettable live experiences with the goal to foment, give visibility, and highlight the positive impact of innovation and entrepreneurship in everyone’s lives. Though an important topic...

INNOVATE™ Ottawa

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL-SHAPING CANADA’S DIGITAL FUTURE

SHAPING CANADA’S DIGITAL FUTURE

As a not-for-profit, national centre of expertise for the digital economy, ICTC strengthens Canada’s digital advantage in a global economy. Through trusted research, practical policy advice, and innovative capacity-building programs, ICTC fosters globally competitive Canadian industries empowered by innovative and diverse digital talent. In partnership with a vast network of...

INNOVATE® Nashville

THE WONDRY

THE WONDRY

From Innovation Ambition to Innovation Capacity- The Wond’ry Anchors a Vibrant University Innovation Ecosystem

The Wond’ry, Vanderbilt University’s center for innovation, serves as a catalyst for efforts to build and strengthen innovation capacity in the region. The Wond’ry provides space, mentorship, programming and other resources designed to facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and alumni from across all parts of Vanderbilt and from...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Education 2025-2026: new formats, key trends, and the role of Lectera

The field of education is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Technology, new methods, and societal changes are shaping a completely different approach to learning. All of this makes knowledge more accessible and the process itself more flexible and tailored to the needs of each student. This approach is being implemented...

INNOVATE® Miami

Papa

Papa - By connecting older adults to college students

By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations

Papa is a platform dedicated to solve the loneliness crisis. By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations. Our enthusiastic students – known as Papa Pals, are considered “Grandkids On-Demand!” to our members. Companionship, assistance, and transportation provided by our pals can be...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

NETWORK PERCEPTION

NETWORK PERCEPTION-CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS DISRUPTED BY CYBER-ATTACKS: NETWORK PERCEPTION DEVELOPS A TECHNOLOGY TO PROACTIVELY VERIFY AND VISUALIZE THEIR CYBER RESILIENCE

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS DISRUPTED BY CYBER-ATTACKS: NETWORK PERCEPTION DEVELOPS A TECHNOLOGY TO PROACTIVELY VERIFY AND VISUALIZE THEIR CYBER RESILIENCE

OUR MISSIONIn cybersecurity, threat actors are often one step ahead and the average cost of a breach routinely goes beyond seven figures. Most security solutions focus on detection and response, taking a reactive approach to cyber-attacks. The pace and acceleration of network changes create new vulnerabilities every day, decreasing the...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

CHARITABLE IMPACT

WORKING FOR DONORS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSES THEY SUPPORT

CHARITABLE IMPACT-WORKING FOR DONORS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSES THEY SUPPORT: HOW CHARITABLE IMPACT IS TRANSFORMING THE EXPERIENCE OF GIVING TO CHARITY The charitable sector in Canada is facing significant challenges due to a decrease in the number of people donating to charity and the amount they give as a percentage...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

PRITS

PRITS is Innovation: A Path to Puerto Rico’s Digital Government

A Path to Puerto Rico’s Digital Government

The Puerto Rico Innovation & Technology Service, created by Act 75- 2019, is the government office in charge of overseeing and implementing technology across the Executive Branch. The office’s mission is to create a new and innovative government framework, consistent with the demands of the 21st century, and capable of...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Centrepolis Accelerator

Empowering Hardtech Startups & Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing

Centrepolis Accelerator @ LTU is committed to strengthening supply chain resiliency to drive economic growth and innovation in Michigan. It offers hardtech startups and small to medium-sized manufacturers access to product development services and tailored funding solutions, ensuring they have the resources needed to scale and succeed. Centrepolis Accelerator @LTU’s...

Ecosystems