Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Claflin University

Enduring Legacy of Innovation

Claflin University’s enduring legacy of innovation reflects the institution’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence, creativity, and transformative leadership. Founded in 1869, Claflin is the oldest Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in South Carolina. It was the first higher education institution in South Carolina to admit students regardless of their ethnic origin,...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HONEST CHOCOLATE

HONEST CHOCOLATE- DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

Honest Chocolate was founded in 2010 by two friends Anthony Gird and Michael de Klerk. When they couldn’t find high quality, locally made chocolate on the retail shelf they decided to start making their own. When their friends couldn’t get enough of these homemade treats, Anthony and Michael realised there...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

RON ARTESANO

RON ARTESANO

Artesano is the product of inspiration, perspiration, hard work and perseverance

This is what we call Ron Artesano. This craft rum brand is hand-made in small batches in the mountains of Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The founders are a solid team of professionals that handle the different aspects of the business: Commercial Operations & Business Development, Distillation, Production & Aging and Rum...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

UHN

UHN-Is the Leading and Largest Research Hospital in Canada. The Scope of Research and Complexity of Cases at UHN Has Made It a National and International Source of Discovery

Is the Leading and Largest Research Hospital in Canada. The Scope of Research and Complexity of Cases at UHN Has Made It a National and International Source of Discovery, Education and Excellence in Patient Care

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is the only institution in Canada devoted exclusively to applied health sciences education, Michener is Canada’s first-ever merger between a hospital and a post-secondary health education institution and the only post-secondary institution devoted exclusively to specialized applied health education in the country.  ...

INNOVATION Quebec

L’INSTITUT D’IA APPLIQUÉE DE CONCORDIA (IA2)

L’INSTITUT D’IA APPLIQUÉE DE CONCORDIA (IA2) EST UNE UNITÉ DE RECHERCHE APPLIQUÉE MULTIDISCIPLINAIRE QUI REPRÉSENTE PLUS DE 120 PROFESSEURS ET LEURS ÉTUDIANTS GRADUÉS AFFILIÉS AUX 4 FACULTÉS DE L’UNIVERSITÉ CONCORDIA : ARTS ET SCIENCES, BEAUX ARTS, ÉCOLE DE GÉNIE ET D’INFORMATIQUE GINA CODY, ET ÉCOLE DE GESTION JOHN MOLSON. Organisés...

INNOVATE® Georgia

CORESITE

EMPOWERING A MORE CONNECTED FUTURE

CoreSite probably is a part of your life today. As a colocation data center provider, CoreSite and its partners deliver services that shape how we live, work and play, creating the “intersection of interconnection” that helps empower modern digital life. CoreSite started in 2001 as CRG West, a portfolio company...

INNOVATE® Detroit

DCI MARKETING

FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INNOVATION FOCUSED ON INVENTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR LEADING AUTOMOTIVE AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS, MAJOR RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS

Even in its earliest history, DCI Marketing was focused on brand-building. Originally known as ColorPrint Products Printing, the company built a name for itself producing window signage for shoe stores. But new opportunities with Cadillac and Harley-Davidson propelled DCI Marketing forward, establishing it as not only an innovative design firm,...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Nashville Stars

Building a Brand, Creating a Venue, Inspiring a City

When the story of Nashville’s first Major League Baseball franchise is finally written, one theme will stand above the rest: innovation. Music City Baseball (MCB), the local ownership foundation behind the Nashville Stars, has approached the challenge of bringing MLB to Tennessee with a strategy that goes beyond the traditional...

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...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

WHC

SAVING WATER AND MONEY FOR THE FUTURE

WHC stands for Water, Hygiene, Convenience....

INNOVATE® Miami

Endeavor

Endeavor - Enabling high-impact entrepreneurs for a more prosperous future for all

Enabling high-impact entrepreneurs for a more prosperous future for all

Endeavor is a mission-driven, global organization present in 37 markets leading the high-impact entrepreneurship movement. Its ultimate aim is a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone. Endeavor, launched in 1997, was founded on the belief that job creation, innovation, and overall prosperity flourish where there is robust support for...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

MASICORP

MASICORP -SUPPORTING EDUCATION IN MASIPHUMELELE – REAL CHANGE IS A TEAM EFFORT

SUPPORTING EDUCATION IN MASIPHUMELELE – REAL CHANGE IS A TEAM EFFORT

It all began with a visit to the Masiphumelele township in Cape Town, in 1999, when John and Carol Thompson from the US, were holidaying in South Africa, and ventured inside what was previously known as ‘’Site 5’’. Like most townships in South Africa, Masi (short for Masiphumelele) was established...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Bluewave Technologies Inc.

Bluewave Technologies Inc. - A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub

A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub

Created in 2015 company, BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s Innovation Hub. Innovation Hub. BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup and the creator of the BLUEWAVE, a device that can deodorize items with its proprietary ozone infusion technology in as little as...

INNOVATE® Georgia

COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY

INNOVATING PARTNERSHIPS

Columbus State University is a just-the-right-size institution that serves workforce needs with a wide array of affordable, relevant programs — several of which have become nationally distinctive. Built on an exceptional history of partnerships, Columbus State has created two campuses that create a foundation for students to succeed in the...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

P360

THE IMPACT OF P360’S INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY

The life sciences industry is about improving people’s lives. It operates in an incredibly competitive and complex environment where being ahead of the curve is critical. And getting their life-enhancing products to physicians, specialists and other healthcare professionals requires that companies be proactive in adopting innovative technologies that help them...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LEADS 2B

A SALES-FOCUSED TECH COMPANY

Founded by three experienced systems developers and sales professionals, the company was born with the goal to offer the market a platform with all the features that a marketing and sales department need to achieve its goals. During the previous experiences of its founders, an opportunity was noticed in providing...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

NJSBDC

HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES GROW

America’s Small Business Development Centers – New Jersey (NJSBDC), also known as New Jersey Small Business Development Centers, was established by Congress in 1978 as one of the first national SBDC pilot projects leading to the passage of Public Law 96-302. At present the NJSBDC network is comprised of the...

INNOVATION Quebec

JACOBB

CCTT IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Our mission at JACOBB, a centre for innovation and applied research in artificial intelligence (AI), is to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into Quebec’s economic fabric. Our CCTT has experienced rapid growth since it was created in 2019, with now more than a dozen specialists on board under the...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Everything You Need to Know When You Arrive in Canada as a South African

Screenshot of the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) website with the tagline “Helping South Africans Make Canada Home,” showcasing resources, checklists, and community support for South African expats in Canada.

The South African Institute of Canada Has Your Back

Moving to Canada as a South African is an exciting leap, but it comes with a steep learning curve—especially when it comes to settling in. From pre-departure checklists to navigating life after arrival, everything you need to know when you arrive in Canada as a South African can feel overwhelming....

INNOVATION Quebec

In-Sec-M,

une source d’innovation en cybersécurité

L’innovation numérique ne cesse de repousser les limites du possible. En parallèle, la cybersécurité se dresse en rempart contre toutes les vulnérabilités entrainées par ces avancées technologiques. Elle vient protéger ces innovations afin de leur permettre de jouer leur rôle de leviers de la croissance économique. Antoine Normand, Président d’In-sec-M...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

NEW VALMAR BV

INNOVATION BY AUTOMATION

Our core business is big distribution of baby items in- and outside the EU in a multi-channel setting. That means a lot of requirements by country legal systems and specific customer demands. Customers in more the 45 countries have different needs and requests. They must be reached to be successful....

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

NINETEEN 21

NINETEEN 21-UNORTHODOX THINKING

UNORTHODOX THINKING

Established in 2019, Nineteen21 is an innovative subscription business that presents savings and rewards solutions across a number of tiers. The company initially sought out to find a solution for college and varsity students to save money and maximise on the value of their limited monthly allowances. The company built...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

THE AI HUB

AN ART INCUBATOR - KANSAS CITY’S PREMIER ART INCUBATOR EMPOWERING CREATIVES TO TURN PASSIONS INTO CAREERS

The AI Hub is a cutting-edge art incubator dedicated to fostering professional growth and innovation through creative career development. Since its inception in July 2022, it has become a beacon for artists, entrepreneurs, and the broader creative community. The AI Hub offers a unique environment where creatives can explore the...

Finly .io- Productive Power

Finly.io - Finly.io- Productive Power

Consider this scenario: a 35% boost in productivity, 0% cash leakage and 68% less working capital requirement for businesses. It might seem like fiction at first glance, but a Bengaluru-based FinTech startup is helping businesses achieve such numbers. Conceptualised as a governance suite for all finance processes, Finly’s finance software...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Claflin University

Enduring Legacy of Innovation

Claflin University’s enduring legacy of innovation reflects the institution’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence, creativity, and transformative leadership. Founded in 1869, Claflin is the oldest Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in South Carolina. It was the first higher education institution in South Carolina to admit students regardless of their ethnic origin,...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HONEST CHOCOLATE

HONEST CHOCOLATE- DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

Honest Chocolate was founded in 2010 by two friends Anthony Gird and Michael de Klerk. When they couldn’t find high quality, locally made chocolate on the retail shelf they decided to start making their own. When their friends couldn’t get enough of these homemade treats, Anthony and Michael realised there...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

RON ARTESANO

RON ARTESANO

Artesano is the product of inspiration, perspiration, hard work and perseverance

This is what we call Ron Artesano. This craft rum brand is hand-made in small batches in the mountains of Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The founders are a solid team of professionals that handle the different aspects of the business: Commercial Operations & Business Development, Distillation, Production & Aging and Rum...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

UHN

UHN-Is the Leading and Largest Research Hospital in Canada. The Scope of Research and Complexity of Cases at UHN Has Made It a National and International Source of Discovery

Is the Leading and Largest Research Hospital in Canada. The Scope of Research and Complexity of Cases at UHN Has Made It a National and International Source of Discovery, Education and Excellence in Patient Care

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN is the only institution in Canada devoted exclusively to applied health sciences education, Michener is Canada’s first-ever merger between a hospital and a post-secondary health education institution and the only post-secondary institution devoted exclusively to specialized applied health education in the country.  ...

INNOVATION Quebec

L’INSTITUT D’IA APPLIQUÉE DE CONCORDIA (IA2)

L’INSTITUT D’IA APPLIQUÉE DE CONCORDIA (IA2) EST UNE UNITÉ DE RECHERCHE APPLIQUÉE MULTIDISCIPLINAIRE QUI REPRÉSENTE PLUS DE 120 PROFESSEURS ET LEURS ÉTUDIANTS GRADUÉS AFFILIÉS AUX 4 FACULTÉS DE L’UNIVERSITÉ CONCORDIA : ARTS ET SCIENCES, BEAUX ARTS, ÉCOLE DE GÉNIE ET D’INFORMATIQUE GINA CODY, ET ÉCOLE DE GESTION JOHN MOLSON. Organisés...

INNOVATE® Georgia

CORESITE

EMPOWERING A MORE CONNECTED FUTURE

CoreSite probably is a part of your life today. As a colocation data center provider, CoreSite and its partners deliver services that shape how we live, work and play, creating the “intersection of interconnection” that helps empower modern digital life. CoreSite started in 2001 as CRG West, a portfolio company...

INNOVATE® Detroit

DCI MARKETING

FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INNOVATION FOCUSED ON INVENTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR LEADING AUTOMOTIVE AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS, MAJOR RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS

Even in its earliest history, DCI Marketing was focused on brand-building. Originally known as ColorPrint Products Printing, the company built a name for itself producing window signage for shoe stores. But new opportunities with Cadillac and Harley-Davidson propelled DCI Marketing forward, establishing it as not only an innovative design firm,...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Nashville Stars

Building a Brand, Creating a Venue, Inspiring a City

When the story of Nashville’s first Major League Baseball franchise is finally written, one theme will stand above the rest: innovation. Music City Baseball (MCB), the local ownership foundation behind the Nashville Stars, has approached the challenge of bringing MLB to Tennessee with a strategy that goes beyond the traditional...

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...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

WHC

SAVING WATER AND MONEY FOR THE FUTURE

WHC stands for Water, Hygiene, Convenience....

INNOVATE® Miami

Endeavor

Endeavor - Enabling high-impact entrepreneurs for a more prosperous future for all

Enabling high-impact entrepreneurs for a more prosperous future for all

Endeavor is a mission-driven, global organization present in 37 markets leading the high-impact entrepreneurship movement. Its ultimate aim is a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone. Endeavor, launched in 1997, was founded on the belief that job creation, innovation, and overall prosperity flourish where there is robust support for...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

MASICORP

MASICORP -SUPPORTING EDUCATION IN MASIPHUMELELE – REAL CHANGE IS A TEAM EFFORT

SUPPORTING EDUCATION IN MASIPHUMELELE – REAL CHANGE IS A TEAM EFFORT

It all began with a visit to the Masiphumelele township in Cape Town, in 1999, when John and Carol Thompson from the US, were holidaying in South Africa, and ventured inside what was previously known as ‘’Site 5’’. Like most townships in South Africa, Masi (short for Masiphumelele) was established...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Bluewave Technologies Inc.

Bluewave Technologies Inc. - A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub

A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub

Created in 2015 company, BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s Innovation Hub. Innovation Hub. BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup and the creator of the BLUEWAVE, a device that can deodorize items with its proprietary ozone infusion technology in as little as...

INNOVATE® Georgia

COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY

INNOVATING PARTNERSHIPS

Columbus State University is a just-the-right-size institution that serves workforce needs with a wide array of affordable, relevant programs — several of which have become nationally distinctive. Built on an exceptional history of partnerships, Columbus State has created two campuses that create a foundation for students to succeed in the...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

P360

THE IMPACT OF P360’S INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY

The life sciences industry is about improving people’s lives. It operates in an incredibly competitive and complex environment where being ahead of the curve is critical. And getting their life-enhancing products to physicians, specialists and other healthcare professionals requires that companies be proactive in adopting innovative technologies that help them...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LEADS 2B

A SALES-FOCUSED TECH COMPANY

Founded by three experienced systems developers and sales professionals, the company was born with the goal to offer the market a platform with all the features that a marketing and sales department need to achieve its goals. During the previous experiences of its founders, an opportunity was noticed in providing...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

NJSBDC

HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES GROW

America’s Small Business Development Centers – New Jersey (NJSBDC), also known as New Jersey Small Business Development Centers, was established by Congress in 1978 as one of the first national SBDC pilot projects leading to the passage of Public Law 96-302. At present the NJSBDC network is comprised of the...

INNOVATION Quebec

JACOBB

CCTT IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Our mission at JACOBB, a centre for innovation and applied research in artificial intelligence (AI), is to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into Quebec’s economic fabric. Our CCTT has experienced rapid growth since it was created in 2019, with now more than a dozen specialists on board under the...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Everything You Need to Know When You Arrive in Canada as a South African

Screenshot of the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) website with the tagline “Helping South Africans Make Canada Home,” showcasing resources, checklists, and community support for South African expats in Canada.

The South African Institute of Canada Has Your Back

Moving to Canada as a South African is an exciting leap, but it comes with a steep learning curve—especially when it comes to settling in. From pre-departure checklists to navigating life after arrival, everything you need to know when you arrive in Canada as a South African can feel overwhelming....

INNOVATION Quebec

In-Sec-M,

une source d’innovation en cybersécurité

L’innovation numérique ne cesse de repousser les limites du possible. En parallèle, la cybersécurité se dresse en rempart contre toutes les vulnérabilités entrainées par ces avancées technologiques. Elle vient protéger ces innovations afin de leur permettre de jouer leur rôle de leviers de la croissance économique. Antoine Normand, Président d’In-sec-M...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

NEW VALMAR BV

INNOVATION BY AUTOMATION

Our core business is big distribution of baby items in- and outside the EU in a multi-channel setting. That means a lot of requirements by country legal systems and specific customer demands. Customers in more the 45 countries have different needs and requests. They must be reached to be successful....

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

NINETEEN 21

NINETEEN 21-UNORTHODOX THINKING

UNORTHODOX THINKING

Established in 2019, Nineteen21 is an innovative subscription business that presents savings and rewards solutions across a number of tiers. The company initially sought out to find a solution for college and varsity students to save money and maximise on the value of their limited monthly allowances. The company built...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

THE AI HUB

AN ART INCUBATOR - KANSAS CITY’S PREMIER ART INCUBATOR EMPOWERING CREATIVES TO TURN PASSIONS INTO CAREERS

The AI Hub is a cutting-edge art incubator dedicated to fostering professional growth and innovation through creative career development. Since its inception in July 2022, it has become a beacon for artists, entrepreneurs, and the broader creative community. The AI Hub offers a unique environment where creatives can explore the...

Finly .io- Productive Power

Finly.io - Finly.io- Productive Power

Consider this scenario: a 35% boost in productivity, 0% cash leakage and 68% less working capital requirement for businesses. It might seem like fiction at first glance, but a Bengaluru-based FinTech startup is helping businesses achieve such numbers. Conceptualised as a governance suite for all finance processes, Finly’s finance software...

Ecosystems