Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Detroit

Prince Concepts

Transforming Space, Elevating Detroit

Prince Concepts isn’t simply in the business of real estate—it’s in the business of transformation. Led by visionary developer Philip Kafka, this firm is rewriting the rules of urban development, turning overlooked spaces into thriving, purpose-driven communities. With a philosophy that values space as a living, breathing entity rather than...

INNOVATE® South Florida

PREMIERVIRTUAL

LAUNCHED IN LATE 2019 WHERE OUR MOTTO AT THE TIME WAS ‘FUTURE FOCUSED’

From the very beginning we knew that our virtual hiring event platform was ahead of its time, and that employers would have to be ‘Future Focused’ in order to embrace it. Founder and President of Premier Virtual, Steve Edwards saw the shift to digital firsthand as he hosted in-person job...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LAQUILA

QUALITY AND INNOVATION IN TWO WHEELS

Laquila was founded in 1980, with a small 100m² store, focused on selling motorcycle parts, in Rio Grande do Sul. With determination and a vision of the future, they expanded to 200m² and, later, to an even larger space, adopting the wholesale model. After 12 years in the capital of...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

STUDIO C&G

Alright stop! Collaborate and listen! We hit the tech industry with a brand new intention!

Alright stop! Collaborate and listen! We hit the tech industry with a brand new intention! What is something you see all the time? Is it companies focusing on iteration, always eager to jump directly into the development of neat, new technology? (A desire to explore the Great Unknown – to...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

AVATAR

THERE IS A NEW ENERGY FUTURE. LET’S GO BUILD IT.

LEADERSHIP. COLLABORATION. CAPITAL. IT’S HOW WE’RE TURNING ENERGY TRANSITION INTO A MASSIVE OPPORTUNITY.Avatar was born from the simple premise that solutions to the complex challenges of climate change and energy transition must come from within the energy industry. By working inside incumbent heavy industry, Avatar Innovations unlocks industry validated solutions...

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® Nashville

Nashville State Community College

From Classroom to Career: Nashville State Powers Progress Through Education and Partnerships

A Good Fit. A Great Future. That’s how Nashville State Community College defines itself—serving diverse students from Nashville’s urban core to rural counties, each bringing unique backgrounds and experiences. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to how Nashville State serves its students and communities. In fact, with Vision 2030 – its...

INNOVATION Quebec

INNOVATION MARITIME

CCTT DU SECTEUR MARITIME

Créativité et savoir-faire au service de l’industrie maritime. Actif depuis plus de vingt ans dans le secteur maritime, Innovation maritime (IMAR) est un centre de recherche appliquée affilié à l’Institut maritime du Québec (IMQ). La mission du CCTT est de contribuer au développement du secteur maritime et stimuler l’excellence par...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Sticker Builder

Unlocking the Next Frontier

“Mass customization made simple. Creative chaos made scalable.” In today’s experience-driven economy, personalization isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of competitive advantage. Customers expect more than just products; they want creative control, self-expression, and seamless experiences. That’s where Sticker Builder by Antigro Designer, based in Kraków, Poland, comes in. This...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

REUSABLY

The circular solution to plastic pollution - Reusably is changing the world one container at a time.

Australians throw out a staggering 2.7 million single-use or disposable coffee cups every day, amounting to one billion coffee cups thrown out each year. In response to this waste crisis, Reusably, an Adelaide-based sustainability start-up, is on a mission to eliminateexcessive use of disposable goods and accelerate the transition away...

INNOVATE® Georgia

HUMANS DOING

INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF RECRUITMENT: THE HUMANS DOING APPROACH

In the heart of Georgia, a technical revolution is quietly reshaping the landscape of recruitment and talent acquisition. By redefining the way businesses and candidates connect in a rapidly evolving job market through innovation, Humans Doing is at the forefront of this transformation. Founded in 2019, Humans Doing leverages its...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SHORELINK

POWERING THE FUTURE; SHORELINK’S ROLE IN DECARBONIZING GLOBAL PORTS FROM ESTONIA

As the global maritime industry advances toward cleaner, more sustainable operations, Estonia has emerged as a hub of innovation in the decarbonisation of ports. ShoreLink, an Estonian company, has become a trusted provider of advanced shore power and charging solutions for ports and shipping terminals across the world. Shore power...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

A SAFE HAVEN FOUNDATION

A SAFE HAVEN FOUNDATION-OUR MISSION: ASPIRE. TRANSFORM. SUSTAIN.

OUR MISSION: ASPIRE. TRANSFORM. SUSTAIN.

A Safe Haven Foundation is a 501(c)3 not for profit, social enterprise that helps people ASPIRE. TRANSFORM. and SUSTAIN¨ their lives as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency with pride and purpose. A Safe Haven provides the tools for each individual to overcome the root causes of homelessness through a...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

OMNISCAPE

OMNISCAPE-BEYOND THE POLYGON: Making The Metaverse Real

BEYOND THE POLYGON: Making The Metaverse Real

Transmira is the innovative company behind Omniscape™, the first true Metaverse platform that blends augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) together in a unique synthesis while connecting the real world and digital information, data layers, and holograms together. Transmira goes beyond simply creating 3D spaces and games like most other “metaverse”...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Tyler York

Relationship-centered real estate, valuing people over profit, and inspiring others to do the same.

“Relationship-centered real estate, valuing people over profit, and inspiring others to do the same” – this was the vision of Founder and CEO Charlie Peterson when launching Tyler York Real Estate Brokers at the beginning of 2018. After a meteoric rise in Nashville real estate beginning in 2013, Charlie quickly...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

DMPED (Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development)

Driving Innovation and Economic Growth in Washington, D.C.

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) is a driving force behind Washington, D.C.’s economic engine, a catalyst for innovation, growth, and opportunity in the nation’s capital. With a mission to foster a thriving, inclusive ecosystem, DMPED spearheads initiatives that attract businesses and cultivate job...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

EMOTIONAL IDEAS

EMOTIONAL IDEAS-BATTLE RACING: A New Combat Motorsport Built for Drivers

BATTLE RACING: A New Combat Motorsport Built for Drivers, Designed for Gamers… THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF RACING

Emotional Ideas, inc. aka EI, is a sports and entertainment technology company revolutionizing known attractions, games, and products for the next generation of entertainment thrill-seekers. We are currently taking the popular sport of go-kart racing and combining it with the strategy and skill of Esports gaming to pioneer a new...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

COOKPAD

COOKPAD-OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE EVERYDAY COOKING FUN

OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE EVERYDAY COOKING FUN

Cookpad is a tech company working to reconnect the world with everyday cooking. We believe that cooking is the key to a happier and healthier life for people, communities and the planet.   The choices we make shape our world. And when we cook, the choices we make have an...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

ANTIBE THERAPEUTICS

ANTIBE THERAPEUTICS -THIS TORONTO BIOTECH FIRM IS DEVELOPING SAFER TREATMENTS FOR PAIN AND INFLAMMATION.

THIS TORONTO BIOTECH FIRM IS DEVELOPING SAFER TREATMENTS FOR PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

The key to innovation is seeing opportunity in unlikely places. For Antibe Therapeutics, the place is a cloud of noxious gas; the prize is a new generation of painkillers. In the wake of the opioid crisis, there is an urgent need for safer analgesics. Almost one-in-10 Canadians prescribed opioid medications...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

VIL

Empowering logistics for over 20 years

Creating added value for and enhancing competitiveness of all Flemish companies with logistics operations is VIL’s main focus. And it has been for over twenty years. From a small non-profit organization, VIL has grown to be a hands-on, company driven organization, with a staff of 35 employees. Since 2017 VIL...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

THE DC WHEELS

SKATEBOARD TEAM AND CHARITY ORGANIZATION USES THE POWER OF SKATEBOARDING TO CHANGE LIVES

Their mission is to overcome longstanding stereotypes that surround skateboarding by helping others, reinforcing positivity, and supporting a healthy lifestyle. Also known as the Skate Crusaders, they have handpicked talent from across the metropolitan region and dedicate themselves to meaningfully help those in need. The team is comprised of girls/women...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

GLADIUS STUDIOS

TRANSFORMING IDEAS INTO A WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT AND INNOVATION

Gladius Studios is an Emmy Award Winner animation studio located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The innovation and emerging technologies company is committed to develop superior quality projects such as content for advertising, educational purposes and entertainment. To support and retain local talent in the industry of animation and technology,...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

FUNDERS & INVESTORSUnderstanding that early-stage companies have particularly unique challenges when it comes to securing capital, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) offers a suite of resources to support them throughout their lifecycle. As the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth, the Authority plays a pivotal role in...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Rethreaded

Rethreaded-Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

ELEVATOR PITCH Rethreaded provides a second chance at life through employment for survivors of human trafficking. Women have employment opportunities in different facets of the company, including production, inventory, sales, marketing and finance/admin. Through its own enterprise and its distribution company that partners with like-minded businesses, Rethreaded’s mission is to...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Prince Concepts

Transforming Space, Elevating Detroit

Prince Concepts isn’t simply in the business of real estate—it’s in the business of transformation. Led by visionary developer Philip Kafka, this firm is rewriting the rules of urban development, turning overlooked spaces into thriving, purpose-driven communities. With a philosophy that values space as a living, breathing entity rather than...

INNOVATE® South Florida

PREMIERVIRTUAL

LAUNCHED IN LATE 2019 WHERE OUR MOTTO AT THE TIME WAS ‘FUTURE FOCUSED’

From the very beginning we knew that our virtual hiring event platform was ahead of its time, and that employers would have to be ‘Future Focused’ in order to embrace it. Founder and President of Premier Virtual, Steve Edwards saw the shift to digital firsthand as he hosted in-person job...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LAQUILA

QUALITY AND INNOVATION IN TWO WHEELS

Laquila was founded in 1980, with a small 100m² store, focused on selling motorcycle parts, in Rio Grande do Sul. With determination and a vision of the future, they expanded to 200m² and, later, to an even larger space, adopting the wholesale model. After 12 years in the capital of...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

STUDIO C&G

Alright stop! Collaborate and listen! We hit the tech industry with a brand new intention!

Alright stop! Collaborate and listen! We hit the tech industry with a brand new intention! What is something you see all the time? Is it companies focusing on iteration, always eager to jump directly into the development of neat, new technology? (A desire to explore the Great Unknown – to...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

AVATAR

THERE IS A NEW ENERGY FUTURE. LET’S GO BUILD IT.

LEADERSHIP. COLLABORATION. CAPITAL. IT’S HOW WE’RE TURNING ENERGY TRANSITION INTO A MASSIVE OPPORTUNITY.Avatar was born from the simple premise that solutions to the complex challenges of climate change and energy transition must come from within the energy industry. By working inside incumbent heavy industry, Avatar Innovations unlocks industry validated solutions...

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® Nashville

Nashville State Community College

From Classroom to Career: Nashville State Powers Progress Through Education and Partnerships

A Good Fit. A Great Future. That’s how Nashville State Community College defines itself—serving diverse students from Nashville’s urban core to rural counties, each bringing unique backgrounds and experiences. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to how Nashville State serves its students and communities. In fact, with Vision 2030 – its...

INNOVATION Quebec

INNOVATION MARITIME

CCTT DU SECTEUR MARITIME

Créativité et savoir-faire au service de l’industrie maritime. Actif depuis plus de vingt ans dans le secteur maritime, Innovation maritime (IMAR) est un centre de recherche appliquée affilié à l’Institut maritime du Québec (IMQ). La mission du CCTT est de contribuer au développement du secteur maritime et stimuler l’excellence par...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Sticker Builder

Unlocking the Next Frontier

“Mass customization made simple. Creative chaos made scalable.” In today’s experience-driven economy, personalization isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of competitive advantage. Customers expect more than just products; they want creative control, self-expression, and seamless experiences. That’s where Sticker Builder by Antigro Designer, based in Kraków, Poland, comes in. This...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

REUSABLY

The circular solution to plastic pollution - Reusably is changing the world one container at a time.

Australians throw out a staggering 2.7 million single-use or disposable coffee cups every day, amounting to one billion coffee cups thrown out each year. In response to this waste crisis, Reusably, an Adelaide-based sustainability start-up, is on a mission to eliminateexcessive use of disposable goods and accelerate the transition away...

INNOVATE® Georgia

HUMANS DOING

INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF RECRUITMENT: THE HUMANS DOING APPROACH

In the heart of Georgia, a technical revolution is quietly reshaping the landscape of recruitment and talent acquisition. By redefining the way businesses and candidates connect in a rapidly evolving job market through innovation, Humans Doing is at the forefront of this transformation. Founded in 2019, Humans Doing leverages its...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SHORELINK

POWERING THE FUTURE; SHORELINK’S ROLE IN DECARBONIZING GLOBAL PORTS FROM ESTONIA

As the global maritime industry advances toward cleaner, more sustainable operations, Estonia has emerged as a hub of innovation in the decarbonisation of ports. ShoreLink, an Estonian company, has become a trusted provider of advanced shore power and charging solutions for ports and shipping terminals across the world. Shore power...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

A SAFE HAVEN FOUNDATION

A SAFE HAVEN FOUNDATION-OUR MISSION: ASPIRE. TRANSFORM. SUSTAIN.

OUR MISSION: ASPIRE. TRANSFORM. SUSTAIN.

A Safe Haven Foundation is a 501(c)3 not for profit, social enterprise that helps people ASPIRE. TRANSFORM. and SUSTAIN¨ their lives as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency with pride and purpose. A Safe Haven provides the tools for each individual to overcome the root causes of homelessness through a...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

OMNISCAPE

OMNISCAPE-BEYOND THE POLYGON: Making The Metaverse Real

BEYOND THE POLYGON: Making The Metaverse Real

Transmira is the innovative company behind Omniscape™, the first true Metaverse platform that blends augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) together in a unique synthesis while connecting the real world and digital information, data layers, and holograms together. Transmira goes beyond simply creating 3D spaces and games like most other “metaverse”...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Tyler York

Relationship-centered real estate, valuing people over profit, and inspiring others to do the same.

“Relationship-centered real estate, valuing people over profit, and inspiring others to do the same” – this was the vision of Founder and CEO Charlie Peterson when launching Tyler York Real Estate Brokers at the beginning of 2018. After a meteoric rise in Nashville real estate beginning in 2013, Charlie quickly...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

DMPED (Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development)

Driving Innovation and Economic Growth in Washington, D.C.

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) is a driving force behind Washington, D.C.’s economic engine, a catalyst for innovation, growth, and opportunity in the nation’s capital. With a mission to foster a thriving, inclusive ecosystem, DMPED spearheads initiatives that attract businesses and cultivate job...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

EMOTIONAL IDEAS

EMOTIONAL IDEAS-BATTLE RACING: A New Combat Motorsport Built for Drivers

BATTLE RACING: A New Combat Motorsport Built for Drivers, Designed for Gamers… THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF RACING

Emotional Ideas, inc. aka EI, is a sports and entertainment technology company revolutionizing known attractions, games, and products for the next generation of entertainment thrill-seekers. We are currently taking the popular sport of go-kart racing and combining it with the strategy and skill of Esports gaming to pioneer a new...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

COOKPAD

COOKPAD-OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE EVERYDAY COOKING FUN

OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE EVERYDAY COOKING FUN

Cookpad is a tech company working to reconnect the world with everyday cooking. We believe that cooking is the key to a happier and healthier life for people, communities and the planet.   The choices we make shape our world. And when we cook, the choices we make have an...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

ANTIBE THERAPEUTICS

ANTIBE THERAPEUTICS -THIS TORONTO BIOTECH FIRM IS DEVELOPING SAFER TREATMENTS FOR PAIN AND INFLAMMATION.

THIS TORONTO BIOTECH FIRM IS DEVELOPING SAFER TREATMENTS FOR PAIN AND INFLAMMATION

The key to innovation is seeing opportunity in unlikely places. For Antibe Therapeutics, the place is a cloud of noxious gas; the prize is a new generation of painkillers. In the wake of the opioid crisis, there is an urgent need for safer analgesics. Almost one-in-10 Canadians prescribed opioid medications...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

VIL

Empowering logistics for over 20 years

Creating added value for and enhancing competitiveness of all Flemish companies with logistics operations is VIL’s main focus. And it has been for over twenty years. From a small non-profit organization, VIL has grown to be a hands-on, company driven organization, with a staff of 35 employees. Since 2017 VIL...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

THE DC WHEELS

SKATEBOARD TEAM AND CHARITY ORGANIZATION USES THE POWER OF SKATEBOARDING TO CHANGE LIVES

Their mission is to overcome longstanding stereotypes that surround skateboarding by helping others, reinforcing positivity, and supporting a healthy lifestyle. Also known as the Skate Crusaders, they have handpicked talent from across the metropolitan region and dedicate themselves to meaningfully help those in need. The team is comprised of girls/women...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

GLADIUS STUDIOS

TRANSFORMING IDEAS INTO A WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT AND INNOVATION

Gladius Studios is an Emmy Award Winner animation studio located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The innovation and emerging technologies company is committed to develop superior quality projects such as content for advertising, educational purposes and entertainment. To support and retain local talent in the industry of animation and technology,...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

FUNDERS & INVESTORSUnderstanding that early-stage companies have particularly unique challenges when it comes to securing capital, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) offers a suite of resources to support them throughout their lifecycle. As the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth, the Authority plays a pivotal role in...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Rethreaded

Rethreaded-Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

Provides A Second Chance At Life Through Employment For Survivors Of Human Trafficking

ELEVATOR PITCH Rethreaded provides a second chance at life through employment for survivors of human trafficking. Women have employment opportunities in different facets of the company, including production, inventory, sales, marketing and finance/admin. Through its own enterprise and its distribution company that partners with like-minded businesses, Rethreaded’s mission is to...

Ecosystems