Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CITI

CITI-TWENTY-TWO YEARS AGO

TWENTY-TWO YEARS AGO, THE CAPE INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE (CITI) SEEDED IT’S VISION OF A FUTURE FIT INCLUSIVE SOCIETY, IN THE WESTERN CAPE, THEN A PREDOMINANTLY AGRARIAN ECONOMY

Using Michael Porter’s cluster theory as a cornerstone of its strategy, CiTi designed interventions to grow, transform and enable a leading digital economy on the continent.   CiTi’s interventions have been acknowledged to have supported South Africa’s charge to the top of the inaugural fDi Africa “Tech Ecosystems of the...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

AUSLAND

PIONEERING INNOVATION IN THE HEART OF CURITIBA

In the bustling city of Curitiba, renowned for its innovation and forward-thinking ethos, Ausland Consultoria & Informatica has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of ERP technology and consulting. With a rich history steeped in innovation and over 30-years of expertise, this dynamic firm has become synonymous with customer...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

FORBIZ BUSINESS SOFTWARE

INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE

With a history spanning over three decades, Forbiz Business Software has consistently pioneered innovation and excellence in the business landscape. Strategically located in Curitiba, the company has established itself as the Diamond Distribution Channel for the esteemed Senior Sistemas, reaffirming its dedication to delivering solutions that not only enhance productivity...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

DCI MARKETING

CELEBRATING ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2024, DCI MARKETING FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INNOVATION FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS FOR FORTUNE 50 COMPANIES, MAJOR RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS.

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...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

YORKTEL

YOUR CATALYST FOR COLLABORATION IN AV, IT, AND VOICE

In a world where the only constant is change, the ability to adapt and innovate is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Within the increasingly dynamic collaboration industry, Yorktel stands as a shining example of a company that embodies these qualities. Their journey as a Managed Collaboration Services Provider...

INNOVATION Quebec

CCEG

CCTT EN GÉRONTOLOGIE

Le seul et unique centre de recherche collégial sur le vieillissement au Canada – Le CCEG, leader, partenaire et ambassadeur. Le Centre collégial d’expertise en gérontologie (CCEG) se préoccupe des multiples dimensions du vieillissement de la population. Il contribue ainsi activement à faire avancer la compréhension des enjeux des personnes...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

KISWE

POWERING THE WORLD’S BIGGEST DIGITAL EVENTS THROUGH INTERACTIVE LIVESTREAMS

Kiswe is an award-winning technology company that helps partners fully monetize their content. Trusted by the world’s biggest entertainment and sports brands, Kiswe allows customers to seamlessly customize content for specific audiences, distribute content live or on-demand to their fans with branded ticketing and event websites, and create interactive experiences....

INNOVATE® Detroit

DETROIT’S ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE

The Detroit Development Fund’s 25-Year Journey

DETROIT’S ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE-The Detroit Development Fund’s 25-Year Journey Towards Inclusive Prosperity In the heart of Detroit’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape, the Detroit Development Fund (DDF) has emerged as a devoted ally for local businesses, catalyzing economic growth and fostering lasting community development. Over the past 25 years, this organization, originally known...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

TO ALL OF OUR DMV INNOVATORS AND DREAMERS! Government and politics: two pillars that have long been synonymous with the identity of the capital region. While these will always remain cornerstones of the DMV, a new narrative is emerging – that of a global innovation hub for startups, emerging tech,...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

START ME UP

SPEAK YOUR TRUTH. OWN YOUR STORY.

In a galaxy far, far away but closer than you may think lived a company called Start Me Up PR. Landing in YYC first — because even extraterrestrials love the mountains — to invade the local and global tech scene, they set off to support emerging-founders, the investors who help...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

NVNG

ELEVATING WISCONSIN’S VENTURE SCENE: THE POWER OF NETWORKS UNLEASHED

Wisconsin-based NVNG is a boutique investment advisory firm with a unique superpower: curating connections. Founded by Carrie Thome and Grady Buchanan in 2019, NVNG (Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained) is on a mission to make Wisconsin’s venture ecosystem globally competitive by leveraging the power of strategic networks. “We have the right...

INNOVATION Quebec

AÉRO MONTRÉAL

NNOVATION COUNCIL - AÉRO MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC’S AEROSPACE CLUSTER

Thanks to its unique and diversified ecosystem, Québec has been able to maintain a prominent position in the global aerospace supply chain, and Aéro Montréal plays a key role in this. Founded in 2006, Aéro Montréal is a not-for-profit organization created to mobilize the players in Québec’s aerospace sector. The...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

H3ALTH TECHNOLOGIES INC

REVOLUTIONIZING HEALTHCARE THROUGH EMPOWERMENT, ACCESSIBILITY, AND AUTONOMY

The founder’s father was raised in a one-room home in the country side of a small town in Ethiopia that is unknown to most people. Tin roof, mudded walls. The founder’s mother from another town where education wasn’t supposed to be the path for women. His parents didn’t have access...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

EMOTIONAL IDEAS

EMOTIONAL IDEAS-BATTLE RACING: A New Combat Motorsport Built for Drivers

BATTLE RACING: A New Combat Motorsport Built for Drivers, Designed for Gamers… THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF RACING

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...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

So Kids SOAR (SKS)

What is one thing shared by all of the innovators within these pages?

THEIR DESIRE TO IMPACT THIS WORLD. One of the most fulfilling ways to feel that impact is by watching the beneficiaries of that impact excel in their lives—and making their own ripple of change in the world. Like a successful rocket launch into space, So Kids SOAR (Formerly Dreams For...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Big Data Jax

Big Data Jax - Focusing on all things data—from analytics and statistics to machine learning and AI

Focusing on all things data—from analytics and statistics to machine learning and AI

A meetup group that serves as a forum for professionals to network and learn from industry leaders about the latest in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Big Data Jax focuses on all things data—from analytics and statistics to machine learning and AI. This 2,400-member group consists of the...

INNOVATE® Detroit

AUTOMATION ALLEY

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT EMBRACING DIGITAL INNOVATION WITH AUTOMATION ALLEY

In the heart of Detroit, Automation Alley propels Michigan into a future defined by digital innovation. Explore the transformative impact of Industry 4.0 through the lens of our groundbreaking initiatives. In collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Automation Alley is a key player in a signature Industry 4.0...

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® Gaming & Esports

ALTURA

ALTURA-WHERE BLOCKCHAIN MEETS GAMING

WHERE BLOCKCHAIN MEETS GAMING

Altura’s mission is to provide gamers with the ability to control and own their in-game items and the ability for game developers to integrate blockchain technology in their video games seamlessly. Altura’s NFT Project The current state of NFTs is comparable to that of the web in the 90s; static...

INNOVATE® Nashville

OVYL

OVYL-MAKING HIGH-END

MAKING HIGH-END, HIGH-TECH PRODUCTS

THE QUESTIONHave you ever had to throw your best work away? I have. It’s demoralizing, but sometimes things you can’t control go wrong and there’s nothing to do but let it go. You can start to think, “why bother?” I’ve seen it happen to our clients too. As a device...

INNOVATE® Miami

Radical Partners

Radical Partners - We’re an accelerator for social impact

We’re an accelerator for social impact

We’re an accelerator for social impact. We scout for people solving the issues that matter most to the future of our region and help them scale their impact. We mobilize locals to get engaged in strengthening our region, and we connect organizations and leaders to increase greater change together. Miami...

INNOVATE® Nashville

SOUNDSTRIPE

WHERE MUSIC MEETS MOMENTUM

Soundstripe makes it easier for creators to find music that moves—and for artists to make a living doing what they love. Born in Nashville and built by musicians who know the grind, Soundstripe is more than just a licensing platform—it’s a growing music library of tens of thousands of tracks...

INNOVATE® Detroit

FRANCO

The Power of Relationships, Culture & Innovation Propels Franco to 60 Years of Success

When you think of Detroit and the public relations industry, it may not be obvious at first how much they have in common. But anyone working in the PR industry in the city will tell you both have weathered significant changes over the past several decades. Founded in 1964 in...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

Genesis

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

Perched on a cliffside above the historic harbour of North America’s oldest city, Genesis is literally and figuratively at the edge of innovation, helping shape one of Atlantic Canada’s most vibrant startup communities. Since its launch in 1997, Genesis programming has been the starting point for over 1,000 aspiring tech...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CITI

CITI-TWENTY-TWO YEARS AGO

TWENTY-TWO YEARS AGO, THE CAPE INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE (CITI) SEEDED IT’S VISION OF A FUTURE FIT INCLUSIVE SOCIETY, IN THE WESTERN CAPE, THEN A PREDOMINANTLY AGRARIAN ECONOMY

Using Michael Porter’s cluster theory as a cornerstone of its strategy, CiTi designed interventions to grow, transform and enable a leading digital economy on the continent.   CiTi’s interventions have been acknowledged to have supported South Africa’s charge to the top of the inaugural fDi Africa “Tech Ecosystems of the...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

AUSLAND

PIONEERING INNOVATION IN THE HEART OF CURITIBA

In the bustling city of Curitiba, renowned for its innovation and forward-thinking ethos, Ausland Consultoria & Informatica has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of ERP technology and consulting. With a rich history steeped in innovation and over 30-years of expertise, this dynamic firm has become synonymous with customer...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

FORBIZ BUSINESS SOFTWARE

INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE

With a history spanning over three decades, Forbiz Business Software has consistently pioneered innovation and excellence in the business landscape. Strategically located in Curitiba, the company has established itself as the Diamond Distribution Channel for the esteemed Senior Sistemas, reaffirming its dedication to delivering solutions that not only enhance productivity...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

DCI MARKETING

CELEBRATING ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2024, DCI MARKETING FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INNOVATION FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS FOR FORTUNE 50 COMPANIES, MAJOR RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS.

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...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

YORKTEL

YOUR CATALYST FOR COLLABORATION IN AV, IT, AND VOICE

In a world where the only constant is change, the ability to adapt and innovate is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Within the increasingly dynamic collaboration industry, Yorktel stands as a shining example of a company that embodies these qualities. Their journey as a Managed Collaboration Services Provider...

INNOVATION Quebec

CCEG

CCTT EN GÉRONTOLOGIE

Le seul et unique centre de recherche collégial sur le vieillissement au Canada – Le CCEG, leader, partenaire et ambassadeur. Le Centre collégial d’expertise en gérontologie (CCEG) se préoccupe des multiples dimensions du vieillissement de la population. Il contribue ainsi activement à faire avancer la compréhension des enjeux des personnes...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

KISWE

POWERING THE WORLD’S BIGGEST DIGITAL EVENTS THROUGH INTERACTIVE LIVESTREAMS

Kiswe is an award-winning technology company that helps partners fully monetize their content. Trusted by the world’s biggest entertainment and sports brands, Kiswe allows customers to seamlessly customize content for specific audiences, distribute content live or on-demand to their fans with branded ticketing and event websites, and create interactive experiences....

INNOVATE® Detroit

DETROIT’S ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE

The Detroit Development Fund’s 25-Year Journey

DETROIT’S ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE-The Detroit Development Fund’s 25-Year Journey Towards Inclusive Prosperity In the heart of Detroit’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape, the Detroit Development Fund (DDF) has emerged as a devoted ally for local businesses, catalyzing economic growth and fostering lasting community development. Over the past 25 years, this organization, originally known...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

TO ALL OF OUR DMV INNOVATORS AND DREAMERS! Government and politics: two pillars that have long been synonymous with the identity of the capital region. While these will always remain cornerstones of the DMV, a new narrative is emerging – that of a global innovation hub for startups, emerging tech,...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

START ME UP

SPEAK YOUR TRUTH. OWN YOUR STORY.

In a galaxy far, far away but closer than you may think lived a company called Start Me Up PR. Landing in YYC first — because even extraterrestrials love the mountains — to invade the local and global tech scene, they set off to support emerging-founders, the investors who help...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

NVNG

ELEVATING WISCONSIN’S VENTURE SCENE: THE POWER OF NETWORKS UNLEASHED

Wisconsin-based NVNG is a boutique investment advisory firm with a unique superpower: curating connections. Founded by Carrie Thome and Grady Buchanan in 2019, NVNG (Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained) is on a mission to make Wisconsin’s venture ecosystem globally competitive by leveraging the power of strategic networks. “We have the right...

INNOVATION Quebec

AÉRO MONTRÉAL

NNOVATION COUNCIL - AÉRO MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC’S AEROSPACE CLUSTER

Thanks to its unique and diversified ecosystem, Québec has been able to maintain a prominent position in the global aerospace supply chain, and Aéro Montréal plays a key role in this. Founded in 2006, Aéro Montréal is a not-for-profit organization created to mobilize the players in Québec’s aerospace sector. The...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

H3ALTH TECHNOLOGIES INC

REVOLUTIONIZING HEALTHCARE THROUGH EMPOWERMENT, ACCESSIBILITY, AND AUTONOMY

The founder’s father was raised in a one-room home in the country side of a small town in Ethiopia that is unknown to most people. Tin roof, mudded walls. The founder’s mother from another town where education wasn’t supposed to be the path for women. His parents didn’t have access...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

EMOTIONAL IDEAS

EMOTIONAL IDEAS-BATTLE RACING: A New Combat Motorsport Built for Drivers

BATTLE RACING: A New Combat Motorsport Built for Drivers, Designed for Gamers… THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF RACING

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...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

So Kids SOAR (SKS)

What is one thing shared by all of the innovators within these pages?

THEIR DESIRE TO IMPACT THIS WORLD. One of the most fulfilling ways to feel that impact is by watching the beneficiaries of that impact excel in their lives—and making their own ripple of change in the world. Like a successful rocket launch into space, So Kids SOAR (Formerly Dreams For...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Big Data Jax

Big Data Jax - Focusing on all things data—from analytics and statistics to machine learning and AI

Focusing on all things data—from analytics and statistics to machine learning and AI

A meetup group that serves as a forum for professionals to network and learn from industry leaders about the latest in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Big Data Jax focuses on all things data—from analytics and statistics to machine learning and AI. This 2,400-member group consists of the...

INNOVATE® Detroit

AUTOMATION ALLEY

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT EMBRACING DIGITAL INNOVATION WITH AUTOMATION ALLEY

In the heart of Detroit, Automation Alley propels Michigan into a future defined by digital innovation. Explore the transformative impact of Industry 4.0 through the lens of our groundbreaking initiatives. In collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Automation Alley is a key player in a signature Industry 4.0...

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® Gaming & Esports

ALTURA

ALTURA-WHERE BLOCKCHAIN MEETS GAMING

WHERE BLOCKCHAIN MEETS GAMING

Altura’s mission is to provide gamers with the ability to control and own their in-game items and the ability for game developers to integrate blockchain technology in their video games seamlessly. Altura’s NFT Project The current state of NFTs is comparable to that of the web in the 90s; static...

INNOVATE® Nashville

OVYL

OVYL-MAKING HIGH-END

MAKING HIGH-END, HIGH-TECH PRODUCTS

THE QUESTIONHave you ever had to throw your best work away? I have. It’s demoralizing, but sometimes things you can’t control go wrong and there’s nothing to do but let it go. You can start to think, “why bother?” I’ve seen it happen to our clients too. As a device...

INNOVATE® Miami

Radical Partners

Radical Partners - We’re an accelerator for social impact

We’re an accelerator for social impact

We’re an accelerator for social impact. We scout for people solving the issues that matter most to the future of our region and help them scale their impact. We mobilize locals to get engaged in strengthening our region, and we connect organizations and leaders to increase greater change together. Miami...

INNOVATE® Nashville

SOUNDSTRIPE

WHERE MUSIC MEETS MOMENTUM

Soundstripe makes it easier for creators to find music that moves—and for artists to make a living doing what they love. Born in Nashville and built by musicians who know the grind, Soundstripe is more than just a licensing platform—it’s a growing music library of tens of thousands of tracks...

INNOVATE® Detroit

FRANCO

The Power of Relationships, Culture & Innovation Propels Franco to 60 Years of Success

When you think of Detroit and the public relations industry, it may not be obvious at first how much they have in common. But anyone working in the PR industry in the city will tell you both have weathered significant changes over the past several decades. Founded in 1964 in...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

Genesis

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

Perched on a cliffside above the historic harbour of North America’s oldest city, Genesis is literally and figuratively at the edge of innovation, helping shape one of Atlantic Canada’s most vibrant startup communities. Since its launch in 1997, Genesis programming has been the starting point for over 1,000 aspiring tech...

Ecosystems