Stories of Innovation

ÄIO (äio tech OÜ) – founded in January 2022 by Nemailla Bonturi (PhD, Brazil) and Petri-Jaan Lahtvee (PhD, Estonia), is not just a startup, spinoff or company — it’s a vision to revolutionize how the world produces fats and oils. How It All Began Nemailla and Petri-Jaan’s journey towards ÄIO...

For decades, U.S. gaming growth was driven mainly by physical casinos. Today, mobile sports betting and iGaming are among the fastest-growing revenue streams, reshaping how operators engage customers and generate value. In this context, it is important to note “gaming” refers to the U.S. commercial gambling industry, not video games....

The Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) – Brazil, is a century-old center for technological education, founded in 1909. In 2005, it became the first Technological University in Brazil. In 2023, it has approximately 35,000 students in various undergraduate courses across 13 campuses distributed throughout the state of Paraná. The...

Sizzle, smoke, and flames. Family, friends, and summer afternoons. Backyard barbeques are known for their music, drinks, and tasty food. When walking up to the FreshJax kitchen and distribution center in Jacksonville, FL, the sweet smell of cooking spices fills the air. FreshJax is changing the way people cook with...

Innovation and the promotion of corporate development are ingrained in the ethos of the Trade and Business Associations Federation of the State of Paraná (FACIAP). Headquartered in Curitiba, FACIAP represents over 75% of the municipalities in Paraná. Since its establishment in 1959, FACIAP has recognized innovation as a crucial factor...

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...

Rheaply’s platform is helping scale the circular economy — an economic model that emphasizes keeping resources in constant circulation rather than discarding them and adding to landfills. Through its resource exchange platform, Rheaply empowers organizations to better manage, exchange, and track their material resources, helping them save money and eliminate...

OUR STORY Chef Tom Gray is one of North Florida’s most lauded and respected chefs, with two James Beard Award nominations as well as countless awards and accolades. He began his career in his hometown of Jacksonville at the age of 15 at a local country club, with culinary school...

As American forces crossed the English Channel to liberate France in June 1944, Milwaukee native Lloyd A. Sauer was thinking forward to a post-war era. Sauer purchased a small company called ColorPrint Products Printing and began producing window signage for shoe stores. But it was Cadillac and Harley-Davidson that propelled...

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...

In a constantly evolving healthcare environment, the general hospital AZ Zeno takes a resolute, forward-thinking approach in which innovation and humanity go hand in hand. From robotic surgery to integrative care, from artificial intelligence to health hubs – AZ Zeno combines cutting-edge technology with genuine attention to the human being...

In the heart of South Carolina, a tech company named Credo Software has been quietly making its mark for over two decades. Founded by Sarah and Kevin Curnow on principles of trust, adaptability, and community, Credo’s story is one of innovation, perseverance, and a commitment to helping clients do what...

Centre d’innovation en ébénisterie et en meuble, Inovem accompagne les entreprises du domaine depuis 1983. Véritable catalyseur d’innovations, il est la référence en technologies durables pour les entreprises québécoises d’ébénisterie, de l’ameublement et des produits d’apparence en bois. L’industrie du meuble, de l’ébénisterie et des produits d’apparence peut compter sur...

At Thnks, our mission is to leverage technology and the science of gratitude to help establish and build strong relationships for the modern world, through efficient, personalized, and thoughtful appreciation. Thnks has created a movement in workplaces with over 15,000 Thnks sent every week — helping business professionals improve their...

“The constraint was never capability. It was how capability was being evaluated.” The future of hiring won’t be decided by résumés, but by who can see potential others miss. For decades, employers have relied on job titles, keywords, and pedigree as proxies for capability. Those filters were built for scale,...

Au Québec, le secteur de la fabrication métallique industrielle (FMI) est le plus important secteur manufacturier. Alliance Métal Québec (AMQ), compte plus de 100 entreprises spécialisées dans les structures complexes et composantes métalliques. Sa mission est de créer des synergies entre les entreprises afin de solutionner des problématiques communes. LE...

Operating out of Estonia, a nation known for its deep connection to nature and a rapidly developing technology sector, Shroomwell stands as a pioneer in the global mycotechnology landscape. The company’s core mission transcends the production of traditional supplements; it aims to bring greater health to both people and the...

At Alloy Growth Lab, entrepreneurs find more than a place to work. They enter a connected organization built to help businesses develop stronger ideas, build valuable relationships, access capital and create a lasting regional impact. On any given day at Alloy Growth Lab, an entrepreneur may be building a circuit...

They both grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and met in high school. When Barrett Lombardo and Andy Crestodina graduated, they headed off to the University of Iowa together.   They shared a dorm room and one of those boxy Macintosh computers. It was the early 1990s. Most people...

For 35 years the Arts & Business Council has led the movement to empower the creative ecosystem with high-impact partnerships between business, entrepreneurs, and the arts. As Miami’s only organization that leverages the arts for economic vitality, ABC programs inspire employees, stimulate innovation & foster creativity. We assist 500+ arts...

MYCÉLIUM boasts an innovative incubation model enhanced by the involvement of the regional business network, stakeholders’ expertise and access to the talent of several scientists from the Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnels de l’Université Laval (INAF), the largest research centre in Canada dedicated to food and nutrition....

Emotional Ideas, inc. aka EI, is a sports and entertainment technology company revolutionizing known attractions, games, and products for the next generation of entertainment thrill-seekers. We are currently taking the popular sport of go-kart racing and combining it with the strategy and skill of Esports gaming to pioneer a new...

Xn Québec is Quebec’s digital experiences producers association. With over 165 member studios, the association represents the key players in the digital creativity industry – producers of original or commissioned content for various platforms, venues and spaces. It represents the interests of the industry before the public and governmental institutions,...

Established in the 1970s, RAVAS Mobile Weighing (RAVAS) is a pioneering organization at the forefront of revolutionizing efficiency and accuracy in mobile weighing in material handling. RAVAS started as a small-scale operation in the Netherlands. The company’s founder recognized the need for mobile weighing solutions that could enhance productivity and...