Stories of Innovation

From a 10-minute cleanup to 1000 plastic-free rivers River Cleanup is a Belgium-based organization with one clear goal: making rivers plastic-free. The non-profit started with manual cleanup actions and evolved into a pioneer in the field of river protection, with mentions in Forbes, De Tijd, The Economist and many more....

The Nashville Innovation Alliance aims to make Nashville one of America’s leading centers of technology innovation by bringing the community together to create a shared vision, set ambitious goals and advance strategic initiatives. Established by Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Vanderbilt University in 2024, and anchored by participation from LaunchTN, the...

A Safe Haven Foundation is a 501(c)3 not for profit, social enterprise that helps people ASPIRE. TRANSFORM. and SUSTAIN¨ their lives as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency with pride and purpose. A Safe Haven provides the tools for each individual to overcome the root causes of homelessness through a...

Every year, the number of transport and logistics companies in Belgium keeps growing. All projections show that the transportation of goods by the road will also continue to grow in the following 20 years. The sector thus plays a vital role in the Belgian economy. However, with rising costs, stricter...

We cannot do the same thing repeatedly and expect a different result. That is why we need to rethink our health system and innovate to make it a learning system. The collective challenge of continuously improving Quebec’s health care system is significant. How can we achieve the necessary change? By...

When Roy and Jimmy needed an enclosure machined for their small airborne electronics company, it took twelve inquiries over the course of weeks just to get a quote. When they finally did get a quote, it was cheaper to buy a CNC mill and make the machined parts themselves. So...

Propelling Ideas That Have an ImpactTIESS is Quebec’s leading authority on knowledge transfer in the social economy. Its mission? To provide organizations with the tools they need to meet the different challenges facing our society while transforming their practices. Through a continuous process of innovation—whether it be food self-sufficiency, the...

We are the industry’s only shop management software specifically dedicated to, and built for an aerospace contract manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. We are fanatical about managing every detail of machine shops in a paperless and web-based environment, including the enterprise resource management (ERP) functions necessary to run offices, the...

SoundBoard Venture Fund leverages the diverse perspectives of our LPs to make investments through a collaborative and facilitated process. SoundBoard Venture Fund is an early-stage fund focused on scalable, tech-enabled, and capital-efficient businesses. We value collaboration, mobilizing our LP base to join our deal flow, diligence, and decision-making processes, assembling...

SunVessel is a network of smart charging stations for electric and robotic personal mobility devices installed in partnering hotels, offices, and apartment buildings. We are the next-generation transportation amenity. Our stations lock, charge, and teach users how to ride in a seamless manner. Users can come up to our stations...

Container Quick-Lock develops semi – and fully automatic locking systems for locking boxes and containers on Van’s and Trailers. All our locks have the following advantages, regardless of their purpose: SAFER | QUICKER | EASIER | SMARTER | CONNECTED The locking systems of Container Quick-Lock are game changers in the...

EIS (Early Intervention Systems) was founded by two graduates of George Washington University, Nathalya Ramirez as CEO, Krishan Shah as CFO, and current GWU Medical Student Rohan Patil as CTO. The team was motivated to create a digital well-being software platform that could tangibly improve the tracking of Activities of...

Meet the new Technopolis. Bold, never afraid to reinvent itself and ready to blow everyone’s mind away. Everything starts with WOW is not just a tagline, it’s a promise to face the challenges of the future together. Not by waiting for the next Einstein, Marie Curie or Stephen Hawking to...

In the heart of Detroit’s revitalization, an organization is buzzing with purpose – Bees in the D. Founded in 2016 by Brian Peterson-Roest, a lifelong educator and conservationist, this nonprofit has grown into a movement dedicated to protecting pollinators, restoring native habitats, and educating communities on the critical role these...

=SPACE strives to create a unique culture and positive sharespace. Headquartered in the City of Newark, our sharespace provides resources for startups, coaching for tech companies and an ecosystem for artists to share their work and thrive. We offer programming to help build, grow and scale businesses, with the vast...

Associated Bank (Associated) operates under the guiding principle of being the “Champion of You.” Every choice and investment made is inspired by customer feedback and aims to strengthen their financial health and simplify their financial lives. The bank’s ranking as #1 for Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction in the Upper Midwest...

The arrival of Ligga’s fiber optic network in rural schools supports the work of teachers and encourages students’ knowledge and access to technology, benefiting the entire teaching ecosystem and the local community. Ligga, the main internet company and connectivity provider in Paraná, in partnership with the State Department of Education...

UP Catalyst is a European deep tech company headquartered in Estonia that produces climate-neutral carbon materials—such as battery-grade graphite and carbon nanotubes—directly from industrial CO2 emissions. Founded in 2019 by Dr. Gary Urb, Dr. Sander Ratso, Dr. Kätlin Kaare and Dr. Ivar Kruusenberg, the company is on a mission to...

Boutique Vancouver architectural firm committed to collaborative design and mixed-use projects using engineered wood solutions. The boutique architectural firm of SLA (Stephane Laroye Architect Inc.) is a Vancouver-based architectural firm focused on collaborative design with a passion for Passive House and engineered wood solutions in British Columbia. Established in 2016,...

1998 Investissement Québec est créée. L’organisation permet aux entreprises et aux investisseurs d’accéder à l’ensemble des programmes offerts par le gouvernement du Québec. Bien que ce ne soit pas énoncé ainsi à l’époque, l’objectif est fondamentalement de développer l’économie du Québec et le positionner comme terre propice à l’innovation, à...

Throw in some “What if…” blue sky thinking, a good dollop of youth and passion and Cinevation was born. It was 1997 and cinemas were 35mm which meant advertising took months to produce and was so expensive that it was reserved only for the big guys. Over a glass of...

La genèse de CyberecoEn 2018, le Mouvement Desjardins, la Banque Nationale, Deloitte et le Groupe RHEA décident d’unir leurs efforts pour faire avancer la cybersécurité en créant Cybereco. L’initiative était notamment motivée par le goût des fondateurs de travailler ensemble pour répondre aux enjeux de la pénurie de talents, d’améliorer...

HEALTHCARE INSTITUTE OF NEW JERSEY (HINJ): LEADING MEDICAL INNOVATION, ADVANCING GLOBAL HEALTH, DRIVING NEW JERSEY’S ECONOMY New Jersey is widely known as the “Medicine Chest of the World,” not only for its concentration of life sciences companies, but also for their historic commitment to innovation and improving global health. Founded...

In the vibrant heart of downtown Jersey City, a city that boasts one of the most diverse populations in the nation, Move The Needle at the Brand Experience Lab (a retail technology showroom) stands as a testament to the power of inclusive innovation. Founded by Jose Espinoza, a visionary entrepreneur...