Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

UNIVERSITY STARTUPS

Empowering Tomorrow

In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, two Georgetown University McDonough School of Business professors found themselves contemplating a way to bring more purpose to their work and students’ lives. Marc Steren and John Jabara, both seasoned academics and entrepreneurs, decided to channel their expertise into something transformative. What...

INNOVATION Quebec

CONNEXION LAURENTIDES

LE MAILLON ESSENTIEL POUR RÉUSSIR SES PROJETS INNOVANTS DANS LES LAURENTIDES

Connexion Laurentides est un organisme à but non lucratif fondé en novembre 2018. En tant qu’Espace d’accélération et de croissance de la grande région des Laurentides, il est piloté depuis ses tout premiers débuts par une équipe dévouée et ses principaux objectifs sont de mobiliser les acteurs de l’écosystème entrepreneurial...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

COHO COLLECTIVE KITCHENS

THE SECRET INGREDIENT FOR FOOD ENTREPRENEURS COHO IS REDEFINING THE SPACE-AS-A-SERVICE INDUSTRY AND THE FUTURE OF CULINARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The shared kitchen industry, also known as commissaries, is a rapidly growing sector that is changing how people think about food and culinary entrepreneurship. When starting or scaling a business, food and beverage based entrepreneurs face significant challenges and risks and require significant investment in space, equipment, and overhead costs....

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

GENIALNET

INNOVATION IN FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

Founded in Curitiba, PR, Brazil, in 1997, Genialnet, a technology company specializing in food service management, has been standing out in the market by offering innovative solutions that help businesses improve efficiency and productivity in their daily operations. The founder, José Emilio Starepravo, a computer engineer with over 30 years...

INNOVATION Quebec

MILA

QUEBEC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INSTITUTE IS THE EPICENTRE OF CANADA’S EXPERTISE IN DEEP LEARNING

QUEBEC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INSTITUTE IS THE EPICENTRE OF CANADA’S EXPERTISE IN DEEP LEARNING Led by Professor Yoshua Bengio, co-recipient of the 2018 A.M. Turing Award for his groundbreaking work on deep learning, Mila is a community of over 1,000 of some of the world’s best AI researchers. This concentration of...

INNOVATION Quebec

CMC MICROSYSTEMS

ACCELERATING INNOVATION AND RESEARCH

“CMC provides access to leading-edge platforms for innovators to design, prototype, and test their ideas. From early-stage researchers to emerging entrepreneurs, CMC has tools and expertise to accelerate your R&D.” – Gordon Harling, President and CEO, CMC Microsystems CMC Microsystems is a not-for-profit organization accelerating research and innovation in advanced...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CLIPSAL

BY SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC – INDUSTRY-LEADING INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Clipsal name has proudly been a key part of Adelaide’s thriving business landscape since 1920. The innovative electrical brand has become synonymous with leading electrical accessories in Australian homes and across the wider Asia Pacific region. In 2003, Clipsal was acquired by global technology company Schneider Electric, forming a...

INNOVATE™ Kitchener Waterloo

THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

INNOVATION ARENA TRANSFORMS RESEARCH INTO IMPACTFUL SOLUTIONS

NEW FACILITY ACCELERATES COMMERCIALIZATION BY EMPOWERING UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO RESEARCHERS AND STARTUPS THROUGH COLLABORATION AND RESOURCES The University of Waterloo is transforming research into tangible impact through the Innovation Arena, a new space situated within the Health Sciences Campus in downtown Kitchener designed to accelerate the commercialization of research. Waterloo’s...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

UIQ

THE BOLD STEP TOWARDS INNOVATION

University Innovation Quarter (UIQ) is a 76-acres destination that is currently being revitalized to become a world-class innovation district. Imagine UIQ as a driving force for the future of innovation in Calgary. The outcome is unmatched. A dense destination where research and discoveries are made and talent clusters. A place...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

NanosTech

PIONEERING A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRANSITION

NanosTech, born from the innovative crucible of the University of Calgary, exemplifies the transformative potential of ground-breaking catalytic research. In 2021, it found a new home under the umbrella of Vorsana Environmental Inc., further cementing its position as a catalyst for change within the nanocatalyst and catalyst technologies landscape. NanosTech...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SKILLSGAPP

FROM GAMEPLAY TO PAYDAY

Reimagining South Carolina’s Workforce Pipeline Workforce needs have been at a crisis point for years, but traditional efforts for career awareness and access weren’t reaching the next generation in time. That gap in matching talent with in-demand jobs sparked South Carolina-based skillsgapp,a first-of-its kind workforce engagement platform. Its flagship products,...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

ECOHUB (PTY) LTD

ECOHUB (PTY) LTD- “ONE MAN’S WASTE

“ONE MAN’S WASTE, ANOTHER MAN’S SUSTAINABLE ECO BUILDING”

July 2017 I left my 9-5 job of being a full time Lecturer, and founded Ecohub (Pty) Ltd, a startup that innovatively uses plastic waste combined with other additives to produce affordable, architect designed flat pack ecobricks to build ecohouses. As the only Founder, I took a risk and sold...

INNOVATE® Nashville

QUORE

QUORE

Is a hospitality technology company dedicated to revolutionizing how hotels operate worldwide

During your last hotel stay, if your room was clean, the in-room appliances were fully functioning and your request for extra towels was addressed quickly then that hotel was probably using Quore. Our cloud-based operations app supports hotel staff in their day-to-day for better guest experiences, which means smarter teams...

INNOVATION Quebec

INÉDI

CCTT EN DESIGN INDUSTRIEL

Les designers industriels interviennent dans la conception de produits avec lesquels vous interagissez au quotidien. Que vous soyez agriculteur, athlète, thérapeute, artiste de cirque ou manufacturier, il est fort probable qu’un designer industriel ait été impliqué dans laconception des expériences, des services ou des produits que vous utilisez. Le design...

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® Washington DMV Edition

(DSLBD) - DC DEPARTMENT OF SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

History of the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth and success of small businesses in Washington, DC. Established with a mission to support and empower local entrepreneurs, DSLBD...

INNOVATION Quebec

STIQ (SOUS-TRAITANCE INDUSTRIELLE QUÉBEC)

A BENCHMARK IN QUEBEC’S MANUFACTURING ECOSYSTEM

STIQ a multi-industry association of Quebec based manufacturers whose mission is to improve the competitiveness of manufacturing supply chains in order to promote the development of our economy. Since its founding in 1987, STIQ has been a performance activator creating successful business networks and managing custom improvement programs. Innovation: a...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

MOONSHOTS

EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND DRIVING EXPONENTIAL GROWTH

Located in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia, Moonshots Innervation is a game-changer in the world of business incubators. Founded by Shane Yeend, a very successful entrepreneur in the entertainment and aviation industries, who was Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008, and Rick Carter, a seasoned professional with decades...

INNOVATE® Detroit

ANN ARBOR SPARK

Igniting Economic Innovation in Washtenaw County

Established in 2004 through a visionary initiative that included the University of Michigan and other community leaders, Ann Arbor SPARK was created to transform Ann Arbor into a national hub for innovation, business, and talent. Today, it is a catalyst for innovation and economic growth. Ann Arbor SPARK helps drive...

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® Tampa Bay Vol.3

SAMYR QURESHI

SAMYR QURESHI

Knack

A PLACE FOR NEW BEGINNINGSSamyr Qureshi is a proud Gator (University of Florida) graduate and the Co-Founder & CEO at Knack, an education technology startup that helps institutions power and scale peer-to-peer tutoring programs. I moved to the United States when I was six years old, and Tampa was the...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

KUDOTI

KUDOTI- A TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM THAT ENABLES FMCG BRANDS TO TRACE THEIR WASTE MATERIAL

A TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM THAT ENABLES FMCG BRANDS TO TRACE THEIR WASTE MATERIAL, PROVIDES REALTIME DATA FOR BETTER DECISION MAKING AND IMPROVES SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL PROCUREMENT

Kudoti was founded in 2019, offering a tailored solution based on our clients sustainability goals and offers an end-to-end solution from developing strategy with our clients, implementation thereof, and right through to tracking and tracing and reporting, enabling brands to become fully circular through real-time data. Unlike solutions from outside...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Why Soft2Bet’s MEGA Platform Is Changing the Game

Soft2Bet’s MEGA Platform Redefines iGaming Growth in 2025

Most online casinos follow the same playbook: bright colors, big bonuses, and hope players stick around long enough to lose money. Soft2Bet decided that they were going to change the scene. In 2023, they launched MEGA: a platform that treats players like gamers instead of walking ATMs. Every bet becomes...

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® Washington DMV Edition

UNIVERSITY STARTUPS

Empowering Tomorrow

In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, two Georgetown University McDonough School of Business professors found themselves contemplating a way to bring more purpose to their work and students’ lives. Marc Steren and John Jabara, both seasoned academics and entrepreneurs, decided to channel their expertise into something transformative. What...

INNOVATION Quebec

CONNEXION LAURENTIDES

LE MAILLON ESSENTIEL POUR RÉUSSIR SES PROJETS INNOVANTS DANS LES LAURENTIDES

Connexion Laurentides est un organisme à but non lucratif fondé en novembre 2018. En tant qu’Espace d’accélération et de croissance de la grande région des Laurentides, il est piloté depuis ses tout premiers débuts par une équipe dévouée et ses principaux objectifs sont de mobiliser les acteurs de l’écosystème entrepreneurial...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

COHO COLLECTIVE KITCHENS

THE SECRET INGREDIENT FOR FOOD ENTREPRENEURS COHO IS REDEFINING THE SPACE-AS-A-SERVICE INDUSTRY AND THE FUTURE OF CULINARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The shared kitchen industry, also known as commissaries, is a rapidly growing sector that is changing how people think about food and culinary entrepreneurship. When starting or scaling a business, food and beverage based entrepreneurs face significant challenges and risks and require significant investment in space, equipment, and overhead costs....

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

GENIALNET

INNOVATION IN FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

Founded in Curitiba, PR, Brazil, in 1997, Genialnet, a technology company specializing in food service management, has been standing out in the market by offering innovative solutions that help businesses improve efficiency and productivity in their daily operations. The founder, José Emilio Starepravo, a computer engineer with over 30 years...

INNOVATION Quebec

MILA

QUEBEC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INSTITUTE IS THE EPICENTRE OF CANADA’S EXPERTISE IN DEEP LEARNING

QUEBEC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INSTITUTE IS THE EPICENTRE OF CANADA’S EXPERTISE IN DEEP LEARNING Led by Professor Yoshua Bengio, co-recipient of the 2018 A.M. Turing Award for his groundbreaking work on deep learning, Mila is a community of over 1,000 of some of the world’s best AI researchers. This concentration of...

INNOVATION Quebec

CMC MICROSYSTEMS

ACCELERATING INNOVATION AND RESEARCH

“CMC provides access to leading-edge platforms for innovators to design, prototype, and test their ideas. From early-stage researchers to emerging entrepreneurs, CMC has tools and expertise to accelerate your R&D.” – Gordon Harling, President and CEO, CMC Microsystems CMC Microsystems is a not-for-profit organization accelerating research and innovation in advanced...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CLIPSAL

BY SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC – INDUSTRY-LEADING INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Clipsal name has proudly been a key part of Adelaide’s thriving business landscape since 1920. The innovative electrical brand has become synonymous with leading electrical accessories in Australian homes and across the wider Asia Pacific region. In 2003, Clipsal was acquired by global technology company Schneider Electric, forming a...

INNOVATE™ Kitchener Waterloo

THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

INNOVATION ARENA TRANSFORMS RESEARCH INTO IMPACTFUL SOLUTIONS

NEW FACILITY ACCELERATES COMMERCIALIZATION BY EMPOWERING UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO RESEARCHERS AND STARTUPS THROUGH COLLABORATION AND RESOURCES The University of Waterloo is transforming research into tangible impact through the Innovation Arena, a new space situated within the Health Sciences Campus in downtown Kitchener designed to accelerate the commercialization of research. Waterloo’s...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

UIQ

THE BOLD STEP TOWARDS INNOVATION

University Innovation Quarter (UIQ) is a 76-acres destination that is currently being revitalized to become a world-class innovation district. Imagine UIQ as a driving force for the future of innovation in Calgary. The outcome is unmatched. A dense destination where research and discoveries are made and talent clusters. A place...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

NanosTech

PIONEERING A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRANSITION

NanosTech, born from the innovative crucible of the University of Calgary, exemplifies the transformative potential of ground-breaking catalytic research. In 2021, it found a new home under the umbrella of Vorsana Environmental Inc., further cementing its position as a catalyst for change within the nanocatalyst and catalyst technologies landscape. NanosTech...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SKILLSGAPP

FROM GAMEPLAY TO PAYDAY

Reimagining South Carolina’s Workforce Pipeline Workforce needs have been at a crisis point for years, but traditional efforts for career awareness and access weren’t reaching the next generation in time. That gap in matching talent with in-demand jobs sparked South Carolina-based skillsgapp,a first-of-its kind workforce engagement platform. Its flagship products,...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

ECOHUB (PTY) LTD

ECOHUB (PTY) LTD- “ONE MAN’S WASTE

“ONE MAN’S WASTE, ANOTHER MAN’S SUSTAINABLE ECO BUILDING”

July 2017 I left my 9-5 job of being a full time Lecturer, and founded Ecohub (Pty) Ltd, a startup that innovatively uses plastic waste combined with other additives to produce affordable, architect designed flat pack ecobricks to build ecohouses. As the only Founder, I took a risk and sold...

INNOVATE® Nashville

QUORE

QUORE

Is a hospitality technology company dedicated to revolutionizing how hotels operate worldwide

During your last hotel stay, if your room was clean, the in-room appliances were fully functioning and your request for extra towels was addressed quickly then that hotel was probably using Quore. Our cloud-based operations app supports hotel staff in their day-to-day for better guest experiences, which means smarter teams...

INNOVATION Quebec

INÉDI

CCTT EN DESIGN INDUSTRIEL

Les designers industriels interviennent dans la conception de produits avec lesquels vous interagissez au quotidien. Que vous soyez agriculteur, athlète, thérapeute, artiste de cirque ou manufacturier, il est fort probable qu’un designer industriel ait été impliqué dans laconception des expériences, des services ou des produits que vous utilisez. Le design...

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® Washington DMV Edition

(DSLBD) - DC DEPARTMENT OF SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

History of the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth and success of small businesses in Washington, DC. Established with a mission to support and empower local entrepreneurs, DSLBD...

INNOVATION Quebec

STIQ (SOUS-TRAITANCE INDUSTRIELLE QUÉBEC)

A BENCHMARK IN QUEBEC’S MANUFACTURING ECOSYSTEM

STIQ a multi-industry association of Quebec based manufacturers whose mission is to improve the competitiveness of manufacturing supply chains in order to promote the development of our economy. Since its founding in 1987, STIQ has been a performance activator creating successful business networks and managing custom improvement programs. Innovation: a...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

MOONSHOTS

EMPOWERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND DRIVING EXPONENTIAL GROWTH

Located in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia, Moonshots Innervation is a game-changer in the world of business incubators. Founded by Shane Yeend, a very successful entrepreneur in the entertainment and aviation industries, who was Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008, and Rick Carter, a seasoned professional with decades...

INNOVATE® Detroit

ANN ARBOR SPARK

Igniting Economic Innovation in Washtenaw County

Established in 2004 through a visionary initiative that included the University of Michigan and other community leaders, Ann Arbor SPARK was created to transform Ann Arbor into a national hub for innovation, business, and talent. Today, it is a catalyst for innovation and economic growth. Ann Arbor SPARK helps drive...

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® Tampa Bay Vol.3

SAMYR QURESHI

SAMYR QURESHI

Knack

A PLACE FOR NEW BEGINNINGSSamyr Qureshi is a proud Gator (University of Florida) graduate and the Co-Founder & CEO at Knack, an education technology startup that helps institutions power and scale peer-to-peer tutoring programs. I moved to the United States when I was six years old, and Tampa was the...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

KUDOTI

KUDOTI- A TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM THAT ENABLES FMCG BRANDS TO TRACE THEIR WASTE MATERIAL

A TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM THAT ENABLES FMCG BRANDS TO TRACE THEIR WASTE MATERIAL, PROVIDES REALTIME DATA FOR BETTER DECISION MAKING AND IMPROVES SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL PROCUREMENT

Kudoti was founded in 2019, offering a tailored solution based on our clients sustainability goals and offers an end-to-end solution from developing strategy with our clients, implementation thereof, and right through to tracking and tracing and reporting, enabling brands to become fully circular through real-time data. Unlike solutions from outside...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Why Soft2Bet’s MEGA Platform Is Changing the Game

Soft2Bet’s MEGA Platform Redefines iGaming Growth in 2025

Most online casinos follow the same playbook: bright colors, big bonuses, and hope players stick around long enough to lose money. Soft2Bet decided that they were going to change the scene. In 2023, they launched MEGA: a platform that treats players like gamers instead of walking ATMs. Every bet becomes...

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...

Ecosystems