Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Kansas City

ZIPPLICITY

FEARLESS FLIGHT

Zipplicity is a New Breed It’s a suitcase in disguise, “un-luggage” if you will. It’s an ingenious innovation for the world of travel. Beginning with Trial and Perseverance Three years of sickness and pain had diminished Amber Waldeier’s existence to very little. Eating and movement caused pain—but responsibilities continued—she struggled...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

ESTBAN

ESTONIAN BUSINESS ANGELS NETWORK IS A ROLE MODEL FOR EUROPEAN ANGEL CLUBS

The Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN) has been connecting and educating startup investors and providing a platform for innovation in Estonia and beyond since 2012. EstBAN has become one of Europe’s most respected and well-managed angel investor networks. With nearly 260 members and a growing track record of syndicated and...

INNOVATE® Georgia

UCB

USING TECHNOLOGY TO HELP PEOPLE LIVING WITH SEVERE DISEASE

UCB PRIORITIZES PATIENT VALUE, FOSTERING A CARING CULTURE SHAPED BY INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. EMPHASIZING TECH-DRIVEN INNOVATION AND HUMAN-CENTRIC HEALTHCARE, WE LEVERAGE AI AND DIGITAL STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE PATIENT CARE.. At UCB, we come together every day to work, laser-focused, on a simple question: How will this create value for people living...

INNOVATE® Nashville

SwitchPoint Ventures

We build companies around pioneering technologies.

Our journey began a decade ago, here in Nashville – a city known for creativity and reinvention. That same spirit shaped how we approach innovation: with collaboration, grit, and a builder’s mindset. At SwitchPoint Ventures, we build companies around pioneering technologies – particularly in AI, data science, and digital innovation...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

AMCHAM

AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR BRAZIL

The American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) is a non-profit institution present in the Brazilian market since 1919. In more than 100 years of history, it has sought to develop the market in various fronts and currently has branches in 16 cities across the country. Not neglecting its American roots and...

INNOVATE® Detroit

RIVET WORK, INC

Scheduling and moving labor across construction projects sounds simple. But in reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a never-ending process that’s nigh impossible to do accurately, efficiently and indefinitely. To make this less of a hurdle, RIVET Work Inc. (RIVET) created a Workforce Management platform tailor-made for...

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...

The Rise of Digital Third Places in Innovation Ecosystems

Innovation ecosystems have always grown around shared physical places, from university labs and coworking spaces to startup districts, demo days, accelerators, and global conferences. These places still matter because people build trust faster when they can meet, listen, and exchange ideas in the same room.  Yet they are no longer...

INNOVATE® Detroit

POCKETNEST

Financial Wellness for the Next Generation

Many people think having a “financial plan” means having a budget, a retirement savings account, and maybe a small cash reserve. But, those basic financials are only scratching the surface and exclude some key details like estate documents, saving strategies, or debt elimination plans. With that popular—and lacking—mindset, it’s perhaps...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

THE BOTSWANA INVESTMENT AND TRADE CENTRE (BITC)

ESTABLISHED BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT IN 2012 AS AN INTEGRATED INVESTMENT AND TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY (ITPA) WITH A MANDATE ENCOMPASSING INVESTMENT

Through its critical role within Botswana’s economy, BITC also encourages and nourishes domestic investment and expansions, promotes locally manufactured goods to regional and international markets, contributes towards improvement of the investment climate through policy advocacy, increases citizen participation in the economy and seeks to create sustainable job opportunities. BITC seeks...

INNOVATION Quebec

LLIO

CCTT IN OPEN INNOVATION

Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup’s Laboratoire en innovation ouverte (LLio) is a college centre for technology transfer specializing in open and collaborative innovation. Our mission is to facilitate the implementation of open innovation practices, particularly those involving users. Our focus is on open innovation practices, players and spaces. With our team of...

INNOVATION Quebec

ACCOMPAGNE LES ORGANISATIONS IMPLIQUÉES DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA SANTÉ, EN ADAPTATION, EN RÉADAPTATION

ACCOMPAGNE LES ORGANISATIONS IMPLIQUÉES DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA SANTÉ, EN ADAPTATION, EN RÉADAPTATION ET EN MOBILITÉ PAR LE DÉVELOPPEMENT, LA PERSONNALISATION, L’OPTIMISATION ET LA VALIDATION D’APPAREILLAGES, D’ÉQUIPEMENTS ET DE TECHNOLOGIES POUR LES POPULATIONS VULNÉRABLES ET SPORTIVES. TOPMED élabore et réalise des projets de recherche appliquée axés sur l’innovation et...

INNOVATION Quebec

THE ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITATES INNOVATION

THE ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITATES INNOVATION PROJECTS AND GROWS VALUE CREATION IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT. Our interventions include networking, collaboration and referral of experts who offer entrepreneurs technical and business support services. Exemplary regional cooperationThe EAC BSL is led by the Collectif régional de développement (CRD)....

Global Innovation Spotlight

US Gaming Evolves Into a Multi-Platform Industry

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....

Global Innovation Spotlight

REPAIRABLY

REPAIRABLY-AS CERTIFICATION BODY

AS CERTIFICATION BODY

Repairably certification aims to bring repair into the practice of the 21 century. As a third-party independent certification body, we test and verify whether a product fulfills 10 basic rules of the Repairably Manifesto, as the methodology for repairability and product rebirth to enable circularity in business models.“ Alan Suchánek,...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

SCHELL GAMES

MAKING EXPERIENCES WE’RE PROUD OF WITH PEOPLE WE LIKE TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

Founded in 2002 by award-winning game designer and author Jesse Schell, Schell Games is the largest full-service educational and entertainment game development company in the United States. We make experiences across various platforms, specializing in four vertical areas: Health and Wellness, Education, Home Entertainment, and Theme Parks and Museums. In...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

AEROMETREX

FROM ADELAIDE TO THE SKIES: BUILDING SPATIAL TECH FOR NOW AND THE FUTURE

Aerometrex is a geospatial technology company focused on providing data and derived insights for a range of applications. Launched in 1980, the company is a preferred supplier of aerial imagery, 3D models and LiDAR data for both the public & private sectors. The company is headquartered in Adelaide and stands...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

7RIVERS

THE CONFLUENCE OF DATA AND STRATEGY

7Rivers is pioneering a path for businesses to navigate the uncharted waters of a new era of technology.With a keen focus on data modernization and artificial intelligence, 7Rivers is not just a technology services company but a leader for organizations ready to embark on a transformative journey, helping solve some...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

VIKING VILLAGE

KEEPING ESTONIA’S VIKING SPIRIT ALIVE

Just 15 minutes from Tallinn, in the village of Saula, lies one of Northern Estonia’s most renowned holiday centres: Viking Village. Here, history, legend, and adventure merge into an unforgettable experience. With free admission and open doors year-round, the village welcomes individuals, families, school groups, and corporate teams alike. A...

United Nations Lesotho

IOM

THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION

United Nations Migration Agency Established in 1951, with 175 Member States, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing support to migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and providing advice on migration...

INNOVATE® Seattle

Path Ahead Ventures

Path Ahead Ventures (PAV) is focused on ensuring the outdoor industry reflects the true diversity of the people who love, protect, and share life outside.

REI Co-op believes the vibrancy of the outdoor industry depends on the economic mobility and contributions of diverse communities as customers and creators. In 2020, we accelerated our efforts to advance racial equity across every piece of our business and wanted to set bold goals towards diversifying our supplier base,...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Thrive Health

Thrive Health-Making Healthcare Work Better for Everyone

Making Healthcare Work Better for Everyone

Thrive Health is a digital healthcare platform company, founded in 2016 with a mission to make healthcare work better for everyone. The company provides an interactive patient engagement solution that enables healthcare providers to build custom clinical workflows, and offers patients enhanced access to their health data. Thrive Health’s innovative...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

OpenGrid Technologies

Democratizing Urban EV Charging

Charging an EV (electric vehicle) outside your city home can be problematic for most urban EV drivers. Simply put, public charging operators aren’t incentivized to build urban fast-charging networks due to the uncertainty in demand, lack of access to prime locations, and power availability issues. What’s more, private charging isn’t...

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAUDIÈRES-APPALACHES ÉCONOMIQUE

ESPACE RÉGIONAL ACCÉLÉRATION ET CROISSANCE DES ENTREPRISES

Depuis près de 15 ans, Chaudière-Appalaches Économique (CAÉ) a pour mission de stimuler le développement économique en soutenant la cohérence et la mise en commun des actions et des services de ses membres, en concertation avec les organismes partenaires du développement économique et dans le respect de leurs mandats. Parmi...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

ZIPPLICITY

FEARLESS FLIGHT

Zipplicity is a New Breed It’s a suitcase in disguise, “un-luggage” if you will. It’s an ingenious innovation for the world of travel. Beginning with Trial and Perseverance Three years of sickness and pain had diminished Amber Waldeier’s existence to very little. Eating and movement caused pain—but responsibilities continued—she struggled...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

ESTBAN

ESTONIAN BUSINESS ANGELS NETWORK IS A ROLE MODEL FOR EUROPEAN ANGEL CLUBS

The Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN) has been connecting and educating startup investors and providing a platform for innovation in Estonia and beyond since 2012. EstBAN has become one of Europe’s most respected and well-managed angel investor networks. With nearly 260 members and a growing track record of syndicated and...

INNOVATE® Georgia

UCB

USING TECHNOLOGY TO HELP PEOPLE LIVING WITH SEVERE DISEASE

UCB PRIORITIZES PATIENT VALUE, FOSTERING A CARING CULTURE SHAPED BY INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. EMPHASIZING TECH-DRIVEN INNOVATION AND HUMAN-CENTRIC HEALTHCARE, WE LEVERAGE AI AND DIGITAL STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE PATIENT CARE.. At UCB, we come together every day to work, laser-focused, on a simple question: How will this create value for people living...

INNOVATE® Nashville

SwitchPoint Ventures

We build companies around pioneering technologies.

Our journey began a decade ago, here in Nashville – a city known for creativity and reinvention. That same spirit shaped how we approach innovation: with collaboration, grit, and a builder’s mindset. At SwitchPoint Ventures, we build companies around pioneering technologies – particularly in AI, data science, and digital innovation...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

AMCHAM

AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR BRAZIL

The American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) is a non-profit institution present in the Brazilian market since 1919. In more than 100 years of history, it has sought to develop the market in various fronts and currently has branches in 16 cities across the country. Not neglecting its American roots and...

INNOVATE® Detroit

RIVET WORK, INC

Scheduling and moving labor across construction projects sounds simple. But in reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a never-ending process that’s nigh impossible to do accurately, efficiently and indefinitely. To make this less of a hurdle, RIVET Work Inc. (RIVET) created a Workforce Management platform tailor-made for...

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...

The Rise of Digital Third Places in Innovation Ecosystems

Innovation ecosystems have always grown around shared physical places, from university labs and coworking spaces to startup districts, demo days, accelerators, and global conferences. These places still matter because people build trust faster when they can meet, listen, and exchange ideas in the same room.  Yet they are no longer...

INNOVATE® Detroit

POCKETNEST

Financial Wellness for the Next Generation

Many people think having a “financial plan” means having a budget, a retirement savings account, and maybe a small cash reserve. But, those basic financials are only scratching the surface and exclude some key details like estate documents, saving strategies, or debt elimination plans. With that popular—and lacking—mindset, it’s perhaps...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

THE BOTSWANA INVESTMENT AND TRADE CENTRE (BITC)

ESTABLISHED BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT IN 2012 AS AN INTEGRATED INVESTMENT AND TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY (ITPA) WITH A MANDATE ENCOMPASSING INVESTMENT

Through its critical role within Botswana’s economy, BITC also encourages and nourishes domestic investment and expansions, promotes locally manufactured goods to regional and international markets, contributes towards improvement of the investment climate through policy advocacy, increases citizen participation in the economy and seeks to create sustainable job opportunities. BITC seeks...

INNOVATION Quebec

LLIO

CCTT IN OPEN INNOVATION

Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup’s Laboratoire en innovation ouverte (LLio) is a college centre for technology transfer specializing in open and collaborative innovation. Our mission is to facilitate the implementation of open innovation practices, particularly those involving users. Our focus is on open innovation practices, players and spaces. With our team of...

INNOVATION Quebec

ACCOMPAGNE LES ORGANISATIONS IMPLIQUÉES DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA SANTÉ, EN ADAPTATION, EN RÉADAPTATION

ACCOMPAGNE LES ORGANISATIONS IMPLIQUÉES DANS LE DOMAINE DE LA SANTÉ, EN ADAPTATION, EN RÉADAPTATION ET EN MOBILITÉ PAR LE DÉVELOPPEMENT, LA PERSONNALISATION, L’OPTIMISATION ET LA VALIDATION D’APPAREILLAGES, D’ÉQUIPEMENTS ET DE TECHNOLOGIES POUR LES POPULATIONS VULNÉRABLES ET SPORTIVES. TOPMED élabore et réalise des projets de recherche appliquée axés sur l’innovation et...

INNOVATION Quebec

THE ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITATES INNOVATION

THE ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITATES INNOVATION PROJECTS AND GROWS VALUE CREATION IN BAS-SAINT-LAURENT. Our interventions include networking, collaboration and referral of experts who offer entrepreneurs technical and business support services. Exemplary regional cooperationThe EAC BSL is led by the Collectif régional de développement (CRD)....

Global Innovation Spotlight

US Gaming Evolves Into a Multi-Platform Industry

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....

Global Innovation Spotlight

REPAIRABLY

REPAIRABLY-AS CERTIFICATION BODY

AS CERTIFICATION BODY

Repairably certification aims to bring repair into the practice of the 21 century. As a third-party independent certification body, we test and verify whether a product fulfills 10 basic rules of the Repairably Manifesto, as the methodology for repairability and product rebirth to enable circularity in business models.“ Alan Suchánek,...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

SCHELL GAMES

MAKING EXPERIENCES WE’RE PROUD OF WITH PEOPLE WE LIKE TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

Founded in 2002 by award-winning game designer and author Jesse Schell, Schell Games is the largest full-service educational and entertainment game development company in the United States. We make experiences across various platforms, specializing in four vertical areas: Health and Wellness, Education, Home Entertainment, and Theme Parks and Museums. In...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

AEROMETREX

FROM ADELAIDE TO THE SKIES: BUILDING SPATIAL TECH FOR NOW AND THE FUTURE

Aerometrex is a geospatial technology company focused on providing data and derived insights for a range of applications. Launched in 1980, the company is a preferred supplier of aerial imagery, 3D models and LiDAR data for both the public & private sectors. The company is headquartered in Adelaide and stands...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

7RIVERS

THE CONFLUENCE OF DATA AND STRATEGY

7Rivers is pioneering a path for businesses to navigate the uncharted waters of a new era of technology.With a keen focus on data modernization and artificial intelligence, 7Rivers is not just a technology services company but a leader for organizations ready to embark on a transformative journey, helping solve some...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

VIKING VILLAGE

KEEPING ESTONIA’S VIKING SPIRIT ALIVE

Just 15 minutes from Tallinn, in the village of Saula, lies one of Northern Estonia’s most renowned holiday centres: Viking Village. Here, history, legend, and adventure merge into an unforgettable experience. With free admission and open doors year-round, the village welcomes individuals, families, school groups, and corporate teams alike. A...

United Nations Lesotho

IOM

THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION

United Nations Migration Agency Established in 1951, with 175 Member States, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing support to migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and providing advice on migration...

INNOVATE® Seattle

Path Ahead Ventures

Path Ahead Ventures (PAV) is focused on ensuring the outdoor industry reflects the true diversity of the people who love, protect, and share life outside.

REI Co-op believes the vibrancy of the outdoor industry depends on the economic mobility and contributions of diverse communities as customers and creators. In 2020, we accelerated our efforts to advance racial equity across every piece of our business and wanted to set bold goals towards diversifying our supplier base,...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

Thrive Health

Thrive Health-Making Healthcare Work Better for Everyone

Making Healthcare Work Better for Everyone

Thrive Health is a digital healthcare platform company, founded in 2016 with a mission to make healthcare work better for everyone. The company provides an interactive patient engagement solution that enables healthcare providers to build custom clinical workflows, and offers patients enhanced access to their health data. Thrive Health’s innovative...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

OpenGrid Technologies

Democratizing Urban EV Charging

Charging an EV (electric vehicle) outside your city home can be problematic for most urban EV drivers. Simply put, public charging operators aren’t incentivized to build urban fast-charging networks due to the uncertainty in demand, lack of access to prime locations, and power availability issues. What’s more, private charging isn’t...

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAUDIÈRES-APPALACHES ÉCONOMIQUE

ESPACE RÉGIONAL ACCÉLÉRATION ET CROISSANCE DES ENTREPRISES

Depuis près de 15 ans, Chaudière-Appalaches Économique (CAÉ) a pour mission de stimuler le développement économique en soutenant la cohérence et la mise en commun des actions et des services de ses membres, en concertation avec les organismes partenaires du développement économique et dans le respect de leurs mandats. Parmi...

Ecosystems