Stories of Innovation
Global Innovation Spotlight
The Quiet Comeback of the Human Voice in Software
Why the most natural interface we have is finally becoming the way we get work done
Why the most natural interface we have is finally becoming the way we get work done For 40 years, getting something out of your head and into a computer has meant the same thing: stop, find a keyboard, and type. We have accepted this as normal. But typing is a...
INNOVATION Quebec
CEI MONTREAL
Since 1998, the mission of Excellence Industrielle Saint-Laurent, a nonprofit organization, has been to promote the excellence of manufacturing companies by stimulating the adoption of innovative, technological and sustainable practices
Its services are divided into five specialized departments: business support, innovation, export, sustainable development and alternative mobility. A manufacturing hub in the heart of Montréal As one of the largest industrial and technological hubs in Québec, Saint-Laurent’s territory has many assets, opportunities and development strengths related to innovation and the...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
MORRO VENTURES
Is Puerto Rico’s leading early-stage technology investment firm that provides the driving capital behind the young companies and founders that are spearheading innovation on the island.
Launched in 2018, Morro Ventures is Puerto Rico’s first early-stage technology-focused VC fund that invests across Latin America and the Caribbean to capitalize on the robust opportunity set while promoting entrepreneurship on the island. Morro Ventures was founded under the auspices of Advent-Morro Equity Partners, the long-standing premier private equity...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
SEARCY FINANCIAL
REDEFINING FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR THE MODERN ERA
In an industry often defined by numbers, Searcy Financial Services stands apart by focusing on people. Founded in 1976 and independently owned by second-generation leaders Jessica Kmetty, Marc Shaffer, John Fales, and Ryan Brooke, the firm has built a reputation not just for managing wealth, but for helping people make...
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® Detroit
THE SALVATION ARMY
MOBILIZING FOOD DISTRIBUTION EFFORTS IN METRO DETROIT THE SALVATION ARMY GREAT LAKES DIVISION
One Night in January 1988…One night in January 1988, a Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services truck loaded up with 75 sandwiches, soup and hot chocolate to serve Detroit’s homeless. After driving around the city’s east side, the crew couldn’t find anyone to serve. When the truck pulled into an alley...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
CHARITABLE IMPACT
WORKING FOR DONORS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSES THEY SUPPORT
CHARITABLE IMPACT-WORKING FOR DONORS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSES THEY SUPPORT: HOW CHARITABLE IMPACT IS TRANSFORMING THE EXPERIENCE OF GIVING TO CHARITY The charitable sector in Canada is facing significant challenges due to a decrease in the number of people donating to charity and the amount they give as a percentage...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
NasaClip
How NasaClip is Changing Nosebleed Treatment
How NasaClip is Changing Nosebleed Treatment In the crowded landscape of medical devices, NasaClip is making a bold statement with its novel approach to treating nosebleeds. Founded by Dr. Elizabeth Clayborne, an emergency physician with firsthand experience in the frustrations of traditional nosebleed treatments, NasaClip offers a revolutionary, practical, and...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Compassus
Where Compassion Meets Innovation in Home-Based Health Care
As more patients and families choose care at home, Compassus is redefining what compassionate, high-quality home-based care looks like. Since its founding in 2006, Compassus has grown from a hospice provider into one of the nation’s largest and most trusted home-based health care organizations. Today, Compassus operates in more than...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
INOVOR TECHNOLOGIES
A company of passionate Australian engineers and scientists creating exciting technology to improve and protect Australian’s way of life.
Founded by Dr. Matthew Tetlow in 2012, the company is working at the cutting edge of technology, building spacecraft as well as space traffic management and “smart” Earth observation services as part of Australia’s nascent space industry. “I have always loved looking at the moon, the stars and the planets,...
INNOVATE® Georgia
NEEDLING WORLDWIDE
WE ULTIMATELY STRIVE TO BECOME MORE ROBUST, SUPERIOR, AND MORE ASTUTE IN OUR OPERATIONS.
WHO IS NEEDLING WORLDWIDE:Needling Worldwide was established to address a common challenge encountered by numerous companies in their pursuit of certifications or compliance assessments. The CEO envisioned a superior solution based on her firsthand experiences with compliance standards and frameworks. This solution is comprised of a standardized, flat-fee alternative to...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
LOGGERHEAD TOOLS
Award-Winning American Innovation
LoggerHead Tools’ mission is to create innovative hand tools manufactured in America. The company’s flagship product is the Bionic Wrench™, a tool that combines the convenience of pliers with the performance of a wrench. The company launched the Bionic Wrench at the National Hardware Show in 2005 and has since...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
PRITS
A Path to Puerto Rico’s Digital Government
The Puerto Rico Innovation & Technology Service, created by Act 75- 2019, is the government office in charge of overseeing and implementing technology across the Executive Branch. The office’s mission is to create a new and innovative government framework, consistent with the demands of the 21st century, and capable of...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
NZ Technologies
TAKING TOUCHLESS TO A NEW DIMENSION
“Touchless technology has become disruptive technology to convert high-touch surfaces to touchless ones across industries and sectors.” Contactless solutions are rapidly replacing buttons, keypads, and controls. Interfacing with machinery, equipment, and high-touch public surfaces has changed overnight: the COVID-19 pandemic most certainly accelerated this demand, while innovations in touchless technology...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
STARTUP GARAGE
PUTTING STUDENTS IN CHARGE TO LEAD ESTONIA’S NEXT TECH WAVE
We hear more and more talks about the scarcity of startups and the risk-averseness of young people who will be responsible for a future that seems ever more uncertain. However, there are vast opportunities everywhere, especially in Estonia. Whether it be defence, cleantech or deeptech as a whole, we possess...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN TECH: THE LEGACY OF KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH
In 2013, against the backdrop of a male-dominated tech landscape, Jennifer Wadalla, a passionate advocate for gender equality, founded Kansas City Women in Tech (KCWiT). Her vision was to create a supportive ecosystem that would empower women to thrive in the technology industry. Under Jennifer’s visionary leadership, KCWiT quickly became...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
BUOYANCY
Empowering employment agencies to scale their impact through technology-enabled behaviour change
Buoyancy Works is a Calgary, Alberta-based wellness tech and behavioural insights company that empowers employment agencies to scale their impact through technology-enabled behaviour change techniques. The Buoyancy platform helps organizations scale programs, measure engagement, and support their clients through the emotional and motivational challenges of the job search. Buoyancy’s tools...
INNOVATE® South Florida
eMerge Americas
The premier technology event connecting the Americas held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center
eMerge Americas is the premier technology event connecting the Americas held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. By connecting global industry leaders and investors with corporate business executives, government leaders, and entrepreneurs, eMerge Americas is transforming Miami into the tech hub of the Americas. In 2019, eMerge Americas attracted...
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® New Jersey Vol.2
AXIOMCPAs
DOUG SMITH AND MELINDA D’ANTOUNO CREATED A PROGRESSIVE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ACCOUNTING FIRM
DOUG SMITH AND MELINDA D’ANTOUNO CREATED A PROGRESSIVE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ACCOUNTING FIRM TO UNIQUELY ADDRESS THE FRUSTRATIONS OF SMALL BUSINESSES. In 2011, Doug and Melinda set out to start a new kind of CPA firm. They wanted to take a fresh look at the industry and create a firm that really...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
BEATDAPP
THE BUGGLES TOLD THE WORLD THAT VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR. RELEASED IN 1980, THEIR HIT SONG, “VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR,” MAY NOT BE ACCURATE TODAY. MORE THAN 10% OF ALL STREAMED MUSIC IS FRAUDULENTLY STREAMED, WIPING OUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN PAID TO ARTISTS AND LABELS
Beatdapp is a streaming fraud detection company. It helps music labels and artists track their songs to collect royalties. Think of it as a PWC for music play count. The company has a set of machine learning and predictive algorithms to detect streaming manipulation and has over 30 patents across...
Global Innovation Spotlight
Latoria Williams — Chief Executive Officer, 1F Cash Advance
1F Cash Advance is a fintech company that provides short-term financial support for people who have trouble qualifying for traditional bank loans. The company was founded and is led by CEO Latoria Williams. Her business journey began with the realization that nearly half of Americans do not have an emergency...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
DELOITTE
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE THROUGH INNOVATION
At Deloitte, we have a big-picture vision of innovation—it’s not only about what we produce but also about where it takes us and how it enables our people, clients, communities, and country to thrive. To realize this vision, we work to inspire and empower our people to be innovative at...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
STARTUP PEOPLE
WIDENING THE GATE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOUNDERS
When Stockholm’s startup scene began to thrive in the early 2010s, it was known for producing unicorns – but also for its fragmentation. Founders often worked in isolation, disconnected from the support, partners, and investors that could help them endure the long, difficult middle miles between idea and success. SUP...
Global Innovation Spotlight
The Quiet Comeback of the Human Voice in Software
Why the most natural interface we have is finally becoming the way we get work done
Why the most natural interface we have is finally becoming the way we get work done For 40 years, getting something out of your head and into a computer has meant the same thing: stop, find a keyboard, and type. We have accepted this as normal. But typing is a...
INNOVATION Quebec
CEI MONTREAL
Since 1998, the mission of Excellence Industrielle Saint-Laurent, a nonprofit organization, has been to promote the excellence of manufacturing companies by stimulating the adoption of innovative, technological and sustainable practices
Its services are divided into five specialized departments: business support, innovation, export, sustainable development and alternative mobility. A manufacturing hub in the heart of Montréal As one of the largest industrial and technological hubs in Québec, Saint-Laurent’s territory has many assets, opportunities and development strengths related to innovation and the...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
MORRO VENTURES
Is Puerto Rico’s leading early-stage technology investment firm that provides the driving capital behind the young companies and founders that are spearheading innovation on the island.
Launched in 2018, Morro Ventures is Puerto Rico’s first early-stage technology-focused VC fund that invests across Latin America and the Caribbean to capitalize on the robust opportunity set while promoting entrepreneurship on the island. Morro Ventures was founded under the auspices of Advent-Morro Equity Partners, the long-standing premier private equity...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
SEARCY FINANCIAL
REDEFINING FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR THE MODERN ERA
In an industry often defined by numbers, Searcy Financial Services stands apart by focusing on people. Founded in 1976 and independently owned by second-generation leaders Jessica Kmetty, Marc Shaffer, John Fales, and Ryan Brooke, the firm has built a reputation not just for managing wealth, but for helping people make...
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® Detroit
THE SALVATION ARMY
MOBILIZING FOOD DISTRIBUTION EFFORTS IN METRO DETROIT THE SALVATION ARMY GREAT LAKES DIVISION
One Night in January 1988…One night in January 1988, a Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services truck loaded up with 75 sandwiches, soup and hot chocolate to serve Detroit’s homeless. After driving around the city’s east side, the crew couldn’t find anyone to serve. When the truck pulled into an alley...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
CHARITABLE IMPACT
WORKING FOR DONORS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSES THEY SUPPORT
CHARITABLE IMPACT-WORKING FOR DONORS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT CAUSES THEY SUPPORT: HOW CHARITABLE IMPACT IS TRANSFORMING THE EXPERIENCE OF GIVING TO CHARITY The charitable sector in Canada is facing significant challenges due to a decrease in the number of people donating to charity and the amount they give as a percentage...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
NasaClip
How NasaClip is Changing Nosebleed Treatment
How NasaClip is Changing Nosebleed Treatment In the crowded landscape of medical devices, NasaClip is making a bold statement with its novel approach to treating nosebleeds. Founded by Dr. Elizabeth Clayborne, an emergency physician with firsthand experience in the frustrations of traditional nosebleed treatments, NasaClip offers a revolutionary, practical, and...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Compassus
Where Compassion Meets Innovation in Home-Based Health Care
As more patients and families choose care at home, Compassus is redefining what compassionate, high-quality home-based care looks like. Since its founding in 2006, Compassus has grown from a hospice provider into one of the nation’s largest and most trusted home-based health care organizations. Today, Compassus operates in more than...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
INOVOR TECHNOLOGIES
A company of passionate Australian engineers and scientists creating exciting technology to improve and protect Australian’s way of life.
Founded by Dr. Matthew Tetlow in 2012, the company is working at the cutting edge of technology, building spacecraft as well as space traffic management and “smart” Earth observation services as part of Australia’s nascent space industry. “I have always loved looking at the moon, the stars and the planets,...
INNOVATE® Georgia
NEEDLING WORLDWIDE
WE ULTIMATELY STRIVE TO BECOME MORE ROBUST, SUPERIOR, AND MORE ASTUTE IN OUR OPERATIONS.
WHO IS NEEDLING WORLDWIDE:Needling Worldwide was established to address a common challenge encountered by numerous companies in their pursuit of certifications or compliance assessments. The CEO envisioned a superior solution based on her firsthand experiences with compliance standards and frameworks. This solution is comprised of a standardized, flat-fee alternative to...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
LOGGERHEAD TOOLS
Award-Winning American Innovation
LoggerHead Tools’ mission is to create innovative hand tools manufactured in America. The company’s flagship product is the Bionic Wrench™, a tool that combines the convenience of pliers with the performance of a wrench. The company launched the Bionic Wrench at the National Hardware Show in 2005 and has since...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
PRITS
A Path to Puerto Rico’s Digital Government
The Puerto Rico Innovation & Technology Service, created by Act 75- 2019, is the government office in charge of overseeing and implementing technology across the Executive Branch. The office’s mission is to create a new and innovative government framework, consistent with the demands of the 21st century, and capable of...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
NZ Technologies
TAKING TOUCHLESS TO A NEW DIMENSION
“Touchless technology has become disruptive technology to convert high-touch surfaces to touchless ones across industries and sectors.” Contactless solutions are rapidly replacing buttons, keypads, and controls. Interfacing with machinery, equipment, and high-touch public surfaces has changed overnight: the COVID-19 pandemic most certainly accelerated this demand, while innovations in touchless technology...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
STARTUP GARAGE
PUTTING STUDENTS IN CHARGE TO LEAD ESTONIA’S NEXT TECH WAVE
We hear more and more talks about the scarcity of startups and the risk-averseness of young people who will be responsible for a future that seems ever more uncertain. However, there are vast opportunities everywhere, especially in Estonia. Whether it be defence, cleantech or deeptech as a whole, we possess...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN TECH: THE LEGACY OF KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH
In 2013, against the backdrop of a male-dominated tech landscape, Jennifer Wadalla, a passionate advocate for gender equality, founded Kansas City Women in Tech (KCWiT). Her vision was to create a supportive ecosystem that would empower women to thrive in the technology industry. Under Jennifer’s visionary leadership, KCWiT quickly became...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
BUOYANCY
Empowering employment agencies to scale their impact through technology-enabled behaviour change
Buoyancy Works is a Calgary, Alberta-based wellness tech and behavioural insights company that empowers employment agencies to scale their impact through technology-enabled behaviour change techniques. The Buoyancy platform helps organizations scale programs, measure engagement, and support their clients through the emotional and motivational challenges of the job search. Buoyancy’s tools...
INNOVATE® South Florida
eMerge Americas
The premier technology event connecting the Americas held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center
eMerge Americas is the premier technology event connecting the Americas held annually at the Miami Beach Convention Center. By connecting global industry leaders and investors with corporate business executives, government leaders, and entrepreneurs, eMerge Americas is transforming Miami into the tech hub of the Americas. In 2019, eMerge Americas attracted...
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® New Jersey Vol.2
AXIOMCPAs
DOUG SMITH AND MELINDA D’ANTOUNO CREATED A PROGRESSIVE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ACCOUNTING FIRM
DOUG SMITH AND MELINDA D’ANTOUNO CREATED A PROGRESSIVE CUSTOMER-FOCUSED ACCOUNTING FIRM TO UNIQUELY ADDRESS THE FRUSTRATIONS OF SMALL BUSINESSES. In 2011, Doug and Melinda set out to start a new kind of CPA firm. They wanted to take a fresh look at the industry and create a firm that really...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
BEATDAPP
THE BUGGLES TOLD THE WORLD THAT VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR. RELEASED IN 1980, THEIR HIT SONG, “VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR,” MAY NOT BE ACCURATE TODAY. MORE THAN 10% OF ALL STREAMED MUSIC IS FRAUDULENTLY STREAMED, WIPING OUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN PAID TO ARTISTS AND LABELS
Beatdapp is a streaming fraud detection company. It helps music labels and artists track their songs to collect royalties. Think of it as a PWC for music play count. The company has a set of machine learning and predictive algorithms to detect streaming manipulation and has over 30 patents across...
Global Innovation Spotlight
Latoria Williams — Chief Executive Officer, 1F Cash Advance
1F Cash Advance is a fintech company that provides short-term financial support for people who have trouble qualifying for traditional bank loans. The company was founded and is led by CEO Latoria Williams. Her business journey began with the realization that nearly half of Americans do not have an emergency...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
DELOITTE
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE THROUGH INNOVATION
At Deloitte, we have a big-picture vision of innovation—it’s not only about what we produce but also about where it takes us and how it enables our people, clients, communities, and country to thrive. To realize this vision, we work to inspire and empower our people to be innovative at...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
STARTUP PEOPLE
WIDENING THE GATE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOUNDERS
When Stockholm’s startup scene began to thrive in the early 2010s, it was known for producing unicorns – but also for its fragmentation. Founders often worked in isolation, disconnected from the support, partners, and investors that could help them endure the long, difficult middle miles between idea and success. SUP...