Stories of Innovation
INNOVATION Quebec
INNOVATING TOGETHER
THE CENTRE-DU-QUÉBEC MODEL
The Centre-du-Québec region consists of 5 territories and a unique regional co-development approach. It promotes innovation, the sharing of expertise, the implementation of common projects, and above all, a complementarity that creates a real leverage effect. This innovative model of collaboration also enables the sharing of responsibilities related to regional...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
PORTAGE VENTURES
A GLOBAL FINTECH VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTOR
Portage Ventures (“Portage”) is a venture investor that partners with some of the world’s most innovative financial technology companies. Portage is the venture capital arm of multi-asset class alternative investment firm Sagard. It was cofounded in 2016 by Paul Desmarais III (Executive Chairman and CEO of Sagard) and Adam Felesky...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
TAILWIND BUSINESS VENTURES
HUMANIZING AUSTIN
Purpose-driven, impact-oriented, and one of the area’s most connected innovators, Andrew Tull is among the most accomplished entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and innovators to know in the Austin area and the state of Texas. Recognized for creating innovative, successful businesses such as Tailwind Business Ventures, and working tirelessly to make a meaningful,...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
ORGANIKA
ORGANIKA-A SINCERE PASSION FOR DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER CARE
ORGANIKA-A SINCERE PASSION FOR DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER CARE AND LEADING WITH INNOVATION, HAS BECOME ORGANIKA’S KEYDIFFERENTIATOR IN THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SPACE. It has led Organika to achieve uncapped market success and global growth, even amidst a pandemic. Breaking out into 7,000 stores across the world, Organika has grown...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Brock Family Center
Accelerating the translation of Vanderbilt discoveries through commercialization and industry partnerships
The Brock Family Center for Applied Innovation was established at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2023 through a $10 million gift from the Brock family, including John F. Brock III, his wife, Mary, and their three adult children – Rebecca Brock Dixon, John F. Brock IV and Major Brock. The...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
CITRINE ANGELS
SUPPORTING FEMALE FOUNDERS AND FUNDERS FOR A STRONGER ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM
In a world where investment landscapes favor men, Citrine Angels emerges as a game-changer for its support of female founders and funders. Founded in 2019 by Allyson Redpath along with DC power players Lisa Friedlander, Stephanie Bauer Marshall and Aurelia Flores, Citrine Angels is a dynamic, female-only membership group based...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
ICOSAGEN
ESTONIA’S INDEPENDENT BIOTECH PIONEER WITH GLOBAL REACH
On Northern Europe’s digital frontier, Icosagen stands out in the biotechnology landscape. Based in Tartu, Estonia’s second‑largest city, it is not only the country’s largest biotech company but also one of the most agile Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CRDMOs) operating globally. What truly sets Icosagen apart is its...
INNOVATE® Miami
Pathwaves
Providing Mental Health as well as Performance Improvement Services utilizing neurotechnology equipment
Pathwaves is a Miami-based Biopsychology Digital Therapeutics company providing Mental Health as well as Performance Improvement Services utilizing neurotechnology equipment combined with timeless cognitive behavioral therapy and/or coaching techniques. Neural Empowerment is their proprietary process which begins with a Quantification of Mental Function. A vision for the future “Our goal...
INNOVATION Quebec
CIRANO
KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION
CIRANO is the leading institution in Quebec for knowledge enhancement in the economic evaluation of decisions on major societal issues, and for the development and evaluation of public policies. Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin, Polytechnique Montreal professor, President and CEO, CIRANO Catherine Beaudry Polytechnique Montréal “CIRANO plays a crucial role in Quebec’s...
INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1
V.I FITNESS
YOUR HEALTH PARTNER
V.I FITNESS IS A HOLISTIC FITNESS COMPANY FOUNDED BY COUSINS COLO TLHONG & LEBOGANG MOIPOAI, AS TEENS THEY BOTH HAD A STRONG DRIVE TO STAY ACTIVE CHALLENGE THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ALBEIT IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS. Lebogang was a multi-sport athlete who would try any and every sport; basketball, football, rugby...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
A CENTURY-OLD BUILDING IS GETTING A WHOLE LOT SMARTER, THANKS TO SOME INNOVATIONS DRIVEN BY AI
A CENTURY-OLD BUILDING IS GETTING A WHOLE LOT SMARTER, THANKS TO SOME INNOVATIONS DRIVEN BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA. The 101-year-old dentistry and pharmacy centre is one of the first buildings you see when you come onto the University of Alberta’s North Campus. Right now, the...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
CONTINUUS
DATA ENABLEMENT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES INNOVATORS
Continuus is a data and analytics consulting firm headquartered in the heart of Milwaukee’s bustling Third Ward. Continuus is uniquely positioned to be the integrator and advisor that brings the Financial Services Data Cloud ecosystem together through technical expertise, partnerships, and core differentiator: industry expertise. Founder’s StoryMatt Moeser founded Continuus...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
ALTUS ASSESSMENTS
USING DATA AND TECH TO BRING THE HUMAN SIDE OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION BACK INTO FOCUS
Over 33,000 Canadians have died of Covid-19, most of whom were alone in the hospital or in long-term care homes known for poor conditions and mistreatment of residents. Against the backdrop of a long-existing labour shortage, health care workers’ resilience and compassion are being tested, and many are quitting. It’s...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
KADDEX
IS A PART OF THE KADENA ECOSYSTEM
Kaddex is a decentralized exchange in the Kadena ecosystem. Kadena was founded by two J.P Morgan alumni who felt the biggest challenge with the blockchain and DeFi was scalability. In 2016 they created a new type of blockchain technology that solves the blockchain trilemma of security, scalability, and decentralization. Kadena...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
K STREET CAPITAL (KSC)
FUELING INNOVATION IN HIGH-GROWTH MARKETS
K Street Capital (KSC) is at the heart of Washington, D.C.’s innovation scene, fueling the rise of high-growth startups in industries like fintech, climatetech, and cybersecurity. Since 2012, KSC has been more than just a venture capital firm – it’s a launchpad for groundbreaking companies. With over $65 million in...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
ADLUCENT
CREATING A COMPANY FRAMEWORK
The great management consultant, educator, and author Peter Drucker said it best: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”. As the CEO of Adlucent, a performance marketing agency, I find this quote resonates with me on a deep level. But, while there are many inspiring quotes out there that help leaders set...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
PLUTOVETS
DISRUPTING PET HEALTHCARE
PlutoVets is rewriting the rules of veterinary care by combining in-home visits, digital-first convenience, and a full-service clinic into one seamless, empathetic experience. The mission is simple: to deliver care that puts both pets and pet parents first. The Convenience Revolution Taking a stressed animal to the clinic is one...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
MOTIV
TRANSFORMING OPPORTUNITIES INTO SUCCESSFUL VENTURES BY ACCELERATING DIGITAL INNOVATION.
As the pace of change accelerates, innovation becomes essential for organizations to adapt and maintain a competitive edge. Motiv, an award-winning digital innovation firm and venture builder, guides its partners through their innovation journey. With a mission to generate new value through digital innovation, Motiv works with its partners to...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
ADAM ROBO
GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST BLINDNESS
Every five seconds, according to the World Health Organization, a person loses their sight, and within every minute, a child joins those statistics. Adam Robo stands as a pioneering Health Tech startup in the realm of ophthalmology, dedicated to the global mission of preventing and combating blindness. This noble cause...
INNOVATION Quebec
INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE SUR L’HYDROGÈNE (IRH)
Fondé en 1994, l’Institut de recherche sur l’hydrogène (IRH) de l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières est un des centres les plus expérimentés et reconnus dans le domaine de la recherche et du développement des technologies de l’hydrogène. L’IRH se donne pour mission de répondre à l’urgence climatique par la formation,...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
POLYGHOST
YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY TO UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRIAL FUTURE
Hands-on experience is the key to create and open new opportunities that others don’t see and are not willing to seize the moment. Mixing, dosing and separation technologies are crucial for all worldwide industries. These industries are: water, wastewater, energy, oil, gas, pharma, mining, marine power; as well as, food...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
FROM DISCOVERY TO IMPACT: HOW KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET INNOVATIONS TRANSFORMS LIFE SCIENCE
Innovation is essential for advancing healthcare and ensuring better patient outcomes. However, bringing deeptech Life Science innovations to market is a long and complex journey—one that requires not just groundbreaking research but also substantial investments, regulatory navigation, and perseverance. At KI Innovations, we support researchers and entrepreneurs in transforming scientific...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Pathway Lending
Innovation with Purpose: Transforming How Communities Access Capital
In Middle Tennessee’s fast-growing economy, small businesses are driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of communities. But too often, promising businesses and catalytic projects can’t access traditional financing. That’s where Pathway Lending steps in. As a mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Nashville, Pathway strengthens communities...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
RETROVIRAL
That’s The Start Of The Journey
I heard an apt soundbite from Tim Ferris on a recent podcast: ‘Your network is your net worth’, and for anyone contemplating starting a business, ‘who you know’ is always greater than ‘what you know’. “My main focus in 2010 was to give myself three months and then if...
INNOVATION Quebec
INNOVATING TOGETHER
THE CENTRE-DU-QUÉBEC MODEL
The Centre-du-Québec region consists of 5 territories and a unique regional co-development approach. It promotes innovation, the sharing of expertise, the implementation of common projects, and above all, a complementarity that creates a real leverage effect. This innovative model of collaboration also enables the sharing of responsibilities related to regional...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
PORTAGE VENTURES
A GLOBAL FINTECH VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTOR
Portage Ventures (“Portage”) is a venture investor that partners with some of the world’s most innovative financial technology companies. Portage is the venture capital arm of multi-asset class alternative investment firm Sagard. It was cofounded in 2016 by Paul Desmarais III (Executive Chairman and CEO of Sagard) and Adam Felesky...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
TAILWIND BUSINESS VENTURES
HUMANIZING AUSTIN
Purpose-driven, impact-oriented, and one of the area’s most connected innovators, Andrew Tull is among the most accomplished entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and innovators to know in the Austin area and the state of Texas. Recognized for creating innovative, successful businesses such as Tailwind Business Ventures, and working tirelessly to make a meaningful,...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
ORGANIKA
ORGANIKA-A SINCERE PASSION FOR DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER CARE
ORGANIKA-A SINCERE PASSION FOR DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER CARE AND LEADING WITH INNOVATION, HAS BECOME ORGANIKA’S KEYDIFFERENTIATOR IN THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SPACE. It has led Organika to achieve uncapped market success and global growth, even amidst a pandemic. Breaking out into 7,000 stores across the world, Organika has grown...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Brock Family Center
Accelerating the translation of Vanderbilt discoveries through commercialization and industry partnerships
The Brock Family Center for Applied Innovation was established at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2023 through a $10 million gift from the Brock family, including John F. Brock III, his wife, Mary, and their three adult children – Rebecca Brock Dixon, John F. Brock IV and Major Brock. The...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
CITRINE ANGELS
SUPPORTING FEMALE FOUNDERS AND FUNDERS FOR A STRONGER ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM
In a world where investment landscapes favor men, Citrine Angels emerges as a game-changer for its support of female founders and funders. Founded in 2019 by Allyson Redpath along with DC power players Lisa Friedlander, Stephanie Bauer Marshall and Aurelia Flores, Citrine Angels is a dynamic, female-only membership group based...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
ICOSAGEN
ESTONIA’S INDEPENDENT BIOTECH PIONEER WITH GLOBAL REACH
On Northern Europe’s digital frontier, Icosagen stands out in the biotechnology landscape. Based in Tartu, Estonia’s second‑largest city, it is not only the country’s largest biotech company but also one of the most agile Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CRDMOs) operating globally. What truly sets Icosagen apart is its...
INNOVATE® Miami
Pathwaves
Providing Mental Health as well as Performance Improvement Services utilizing neurotechnology equipment
Pathwaves is a Miami-based Biopsychology Digital Therapeutics company providing Mental Health as well as Performance Improvement Services utilizing neurotechnology equipment combined with timeless cognitive behavioral therapy and/or coaching techniques. Neural Empowerment is their proprietary process which begins with a Quantification of Mental Function. A vision for the future “Our goal...
INNOVATION Quebec
CIRANO
KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION
CIRANO is the leading institution in Quebec for knowledge enhancement in the economic evaluation of decisions on major societal issues, and for the development and evaluation of public policies. Nathalie de Marcellis-Warin, Polytechnique Montreal professor, President and CEO, CIRANO Catherine Beaudry Polytechnique Montréal “CIRANO plays a crucial role in Quebec’s...
INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1
V.I FITNESS
YOUR HEALTH PARTNER
V.I FITNESS IS A HOLISTIC FITNESS COMPANY FOUNDED BY COUSINS COLO TLHONG & LEBOGANG MOIPOAI, AS TEENS THEY BOTH HAD A STRONG DRIVE TO STAY ACTIVE CHALLENGE THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ALBEIT IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS. Lebogang was a multi-sport athlete who would try any and every sport; basketball, football, rugby...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
A CENTURY-OLD BUILDING IS GETTING A WHOLE LOT SMARTER, THANKS TO SOME INNOVATIONS DRIVEN BY AI
A CENTURY-OLD BUILDING IS GETTING A WHOLE LOT SMARTER, THANKS TO SOME INNOVATIONS DRIVEN BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA. The 101-year-old dentistry and pharmacy centre is one of the first buildings you see when you come onto the University of Alberta’s North Campus. Right now, the...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
CONTINUUS
DATA ENABLEMENT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES INNOVATORS
Continuus is a data and analytics consulting firm headquartered in the heart of Milwaukee’s bustling Third Ward. Continuus is uniquely positioned to be the integrator and advisor that brings the Financial Services Data Cloud ecosystem together through technical expertise, partnerships, and core differentiator: industry expertise. Founder’s StoryMatt Moeser founded Continuus...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
ALTUS ASSESSMENTS
USING DATA AND TECH TO BRING THE HUMAN SIDE OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION BACK INTO FOCUS
Over 33,000 Canadians have died of Covid-19, most of whom were alone in the hospital or in long-term care homes known for poor conditions and mistreatment of residents. Against the backdrop of a long-existing labour shortage, health care workers’ resilience and compassion are being tested, and many are quitting. It’s...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
KADDEX
IS A PART OF THE KADENA ECOSYSTEM
Kaddex is a decentralized exchange in the Kadena ecosystem. Kadena was founded by two J.P Morgan alumni who felt the biggest challenge with the blockchain and DeFi was scalability. In 2016 they created a new type of blockchain technology that solves the blockchain trilemma of security, scalability, and decentralization. Kadena...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
K STREET CAPITAL (KSC)
FUELING INNOVATION IN HIGH-GROWTH MARKETS
K Street Capital (KSC) is at the heart of Washington, D.C.’s innovation scene, fueling the rise of high-growth startups in industries like fintech, climatetech, and cybersecurity. Since 2012, KSC has been more than just a venture capital firm – it’s a launchpad for groundbreaking companies. With over $65 million in...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
ADLUCENT
CREATING A COMPANY FRAMEWORK
The great management consultant, educator, and author Peter Drucker said it best: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”. As the CEO of Adlucent, a performance marketing agency, I find this quote resonates with me on a deep level. But, while there are many inspiring quotes out there that help leaders set...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
PLUTOVETS
DISRUPTING PET HEALTHCARE
PlutoVets is rewriting the rules of veterinary care by combining in-home visits, digital-first convenience, and a full-service clinic into one seamless, empathetic experience. The mission is simple: to deliver care that puts both pets and pet parents first. The Convenience Revolution Taking a stressed animal to the clinic is one...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
MOTIV
TRANSFORMING OPPORTUNITIES INTO SUCCESSFUL VENTURES BY ACCELERATING DIGITAL INNOVATION.
As the pace of change accelerates, innovation becomes essential for organizations to adapt and maintain a competitive edge. Motiv, an award-winning digital innovation firm and venture builder, guides its partners through their innovation journey. With a mission to generate new value through digital innovation, Motiv works with its partners to...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
ADAM ROBO
GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST BLINDNESS
Every five seconds, according to the World Health Organization, a person loses their sight, and within every minute, a child joins those statistics. Adam Robo stands as a pioneering Health Tech startup in the realm of ophthalmology, dedicated to the global mission of preventing and combating blindness. This noble cause...
INNOVATION Quebec
INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE SUR L’HYDROGÈNE (IRH)
Fondé en 1994, l’Institut de recherche sur l’hydrogène (IRH) de l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières est un des centres les plus expérimentés et reconnus dans le domaine de la recherche et du développement des technologies de l’hydrogène. L’IRH se donne pour mission de répondre à l’urgence climatique par la formation,...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
POLYGHOST
YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY TO UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRIAL FUTURE
Hands-on experience is the key to create and open new opportunities that others don’t see and are not willing to seize the moment. Mixing, dosing and separation technologies are crucial for all worldwide industries. These industries are: water, wastewater, energy, oil, gas, pharma, mining, marine power; as well as, food...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
FROM DISCOVERY TO IMPACT: HOW KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET INNOVATIONS TRANSFORMS LIFE SCIENCE
Innovation is essential for advancing healthcare and ensuring better patient outcomes. However, bringing deeptech Life Science innovations to market is a long and complex journey—one that requires not just groundbreaking research but also substantial investments, regulatory navigation, and perseverance. At KI Innovations, we support researchers and entrepreneurs in transforming scientific...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Pathway Lending
Innovation with Purpose: Transforming How Communities Access Capital
In Middle Tennessee’s fast-growing economy, small businesses are driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of communities. But too often, promising businesses and catalytic projects can’t access traditional financing. That’s where Pathway Lending steps in. As a mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Nashville, Pathway strengthens communities...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
RETROVIRAL
That’s The Start Of The Journey
I heard an apt soundbite from Tim Ferris on a recent podcast: ‘Your network is your net worth’, and for anyone contemplating starting a business, ‘who you know’ is always greater than ‘what you know’. “My main focus in 2010 was to give myself three months and then if...