Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Blockchain

unFederalReserve

Residual Token, Inc. dba unFederalReserve is a Fintech SaaS technology company specializing in fintech software development. The software utilizes blockchain and standard programming languages, tools, and databases to unlock efficiencies within financial services companies and lending markets.

The company and its affiliate operate in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) fintech sub-sector. They empower CeFi (Centralized Finance) entities and democratize finance by allowing companies and individuals to “Be the Bank.” The company operates as a SaaS enterprise and is developing commercial-grade programs for the license to qualified entities. “Access...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Grove

Redefining How the Internet Connects Itself

When Arthur Sabintsev describes Grove, he leans into vivid analogies. “Imagine an open-air bazaar,” says the CEO and co-founder. “Vendors are hawking their blueberries or camels or rugs, and you need chocolate from Bolivia. You go to a local guide, and that guide takes you to the best Bolivian chocolate...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

NBIF

Established in 2003, NBIF continues to build on New Brunswick's history as a leading innovation hub

At the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, we’re building on a remarkable history of ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit in New Brunswick to propel the development of the next generation of global technology firms. Heading into our third decade of catapulting innovative ideas into thriving enterprises, our organization – better known by...

INNOVATE® Nashville

INTERAWORKS

INTERAWORKS-IS YOUR ORGANIZATION READY FOR THE FUTURE@WORK?

IS YOUR ORGANIZATION READY FOR THE FUTURE@WORK?

InteraWorks is an answer to how companies and their employees can elevate the human experience at work, leading to higher performance and new models of leadership, learning, and culture.   The world has changed, and it is time that companies realize that people absolutely must come first. Their capacity and...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

AISTRA

DEVELOPING AI SKILLS AND DECENTRALIZED AI READINESS ACROSS SECTORS

AISTRA: Building AI Literacy and Decentralized AI Readiness Across Sectors In Estonia’s fast-moving digital ecosystem — where nearly every public service is online and global corporations test future-ready solutions — one consultancy has quietly shaped the national conversation on how artificial intelligence should work: technologically, ethically, and organizationally, while advancing...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

IGNITE

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A ONE-STOP DESTINATION TO TURN BOLD IDEAS INTO GAME-CHANGING TECHNOLOGIES, LAUNCH THRIVING BUSINESSES, OR EXPAND ESTABLISHED COMPANIES GLOBALLY, LOOK NO FURTHER.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A ONE-STOP DESTINATION TO TURN BOLD IDEAS INTO GAME-CHANGING TECHNOLOGIES, LAUNCH THRIVING BUSINESSES, OR EXPAND ESTABLISHED COMPANIES GLOBALLY, LOOK NO FURTHER. Ignite equips entrepreneurs and businesses with the tools to succeed in an evolving marketplace. Together with our partners at Planet Hatch, we are committed to...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

ETHEREAL VENTURES

INVESTING IN POTENTIAL, UNEARTHING THE GOLD WITHIN

Founded in 2020, Ethereal Ventures AB builds on two decades of experience in AI and data innovation — helping leaders transform potential into purpose. Our mission is simple: to add value to leaders who multiply value to others—through coaching, speaking, writing, and investing in dreams. We believe that achieving a...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Maryland Sports Commission

Our focus is ensuring that every event we pursue, leaves a lasting legacy.

When the Maryland Stadium Authority and Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (now the Maryland Department of Commerce) partnered in 2008 to create the Office of Sports Marketing, their goal was bold and unmistakable: position Maryland as an elite destination for sports and a national leader in sports tourism....

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

PS27 Female Founders Forum

PS27 Female Founders Forum-To Motivate and Improve the Skills of Female Founders

To Motivate and Improve the Skills of Female Founders, Entrepreneurs, and Intrepreneurs

The Female Founders Forum is an annual event, organized by PS27 Empowerment, to motivate and improve the skills of Female Founders, entrepreneurs, and intrepreneurs.   The event brings successful women role models together with early-stage female founders. Each year the event takes place on International Women’s Day. During the event,...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

ESTONIAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

A UNIVERSITY BORN OF A VISION

When Estonia regained independence in the early 1990s, its economy was in flux. The country was moving rapidly from a socialist system into the unpredictable, high-speed world of open markets. At that critical juncture, one man – Ülo Pärnits – saw a gap that urgently needed filling. Estonia had bright...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

ZAS

The leading hospital network of the City of Antwerp

Two hospital networks merged in July 2024 in order to create ZAS, the largest healthcare organization in Belgium. ZAS stands for ‘Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom’ (‘Hospital by the river’), a reference to the Schelde, the river of commercial and strategic importance that defines the city. In similar fashion, ZAS plays...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

STEADFAST

MAKING IT WORK

Steadfast began in 1998 as an internet-technology passion project for Steadfast’s Founder, Karl Zimmerman, when he was only 14 years old. Karl’s dream to help companies with their data hosting and security needs started early on, and through these relationships, Karl learned there was a frustrating gap with many hosting...

INNOVATE® Nashville

ACQUIRE

ACQUIRE-The last time we had a technology this versatile

The last time we had a technology this versatile, it changed and improved every element of nearly every business

People used to wonder whether blockchain technology would survive. Then the question transitioned to “It’s not a matter of if, but when it will take hold?” Now the key question being asked is “who is using it and how?” To answer that question, you must understand that Web2 and Web3...

INNOVATION Quebec

2 DEGRÉS

EST UN INCUBATEUR SPÉCIALISÉ EN TECHNOLOGIES PROPRES AU QUÉBEC

2 Degrés accompagne des startups au stade de pré-démarrage, jusqu’au démarrage, qui proposent une solution innovante démontrant un fort potentiel de croissance et d’impact dans les secteurs des énergies, des matières résiduelles et de l’eau. Basé dans la Ville de Québec, 2 Degrés est né d’un rassemblement de jeunes gens...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

WUNDERMAN THOMPSON

WUNDERMAN THOMPSON-BUILDING GROWTH FOR AMBITIOUS BRANDS

BUILDING GROWTH FOR AMBITIOUS BRANDS

Something has changed in the last two years in Puerto Rico, and we are not talking about the pandemic. J. Walter Thompson, a pioneer agency in strategy and creativity, merged with Wunderman, a leading agency in data and technology. In 2019, Wunderman Thompson Puerto Rico was born, an agency that...

INNOVATION Quebec

HEC MONTRÉAL

A hub of management knowledge that inspires, innovates, and makes its mark worldwide

One of the most renowned business schools in the world for the quality of its programs, for the success rate of its alumni and for its influence in research, HEC Montréal does much more than just move your career forward. It drives new ideas. HEC Montréal is that place of...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

DIG SOUTH

BUILDING THE SOUTH’S TECH FUTURE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

In 2012, with two young children at home and a bold vision for the South’s untapped potential, Stanfield Gray and his wife, Sunny Gray, launched DIG SOUTH in Charleston, South Carolina. They were driven by a simple question: Why should a child from the South have fewer opportunities than a...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ELECTROLUX GROUP

SHAPING LIVING FOR THE BETTER FOR OVER A CENTURY

Since 1996 in Curitiba, the city is a hub for global innovation in home appliances. Founded in 1919 by Axel Wenner-Gren in Sweden and present in more than 120 countries, Electrolux Group is a global leader in household and professional appliances. For over a century, the company has been dedicated...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

Metron

Turning Water Data Into Actionable Intelligence

In an era where water costs are rising faster than any other utility and infrastructure is under unprecedented strain, Metron has positioned itself at the center of a critical shift: transforming water from a hidden cost into a measurable, manageable, and strategic asset. From its base in Colorado, its leadership...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

DC Tech and Venture Coalition (DCTAV)

Elevating Washington DC as a Global Tech Hub

Founded by a group of passionate innovators, entrepreneurs, and executives, the DC Tech and Venture Coalition (DCTAV) aims to revolutionize the tech and innovation landscape of Washington, D.C. Kevin Morgan, the Founder and Executive Director, shares its mission: “We aim to establish Washington, D.C., as the epicenter of the world’s...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

B.EST SOLUTIONS

REDEFINING SECURE DIGITAL IDENTITY WHILE STRENGTHENING LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS

Can a digital state be built from scratch with external expertise and support? B.EST Solutions has spent the past 15 years proving that it can. Founded with the mission of adapting Estonia’s pioneering digital state experience to new contexts, the company has become a trusted developer and operator of national...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

QREDIBLE®

CULTIVATING TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY: HOW QREDIBLE® IS REVOLUTIONIZING THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY

Qredible is a first-of-its-kind platform, leading the way in building trust and transparency in the cannabis, CBD, and hemp supply chains. The legalized cannabis industry can be a maze of false, misleading, outdated, or missing information. Qredible’s unique platform is revolutionizing the industry by connecting the entire CBD, hemp, and...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

Global Philadelphia Association

2025 World Heritage City Celebration

Connecting Heritage, People, and Global Ideas

Innovation as Civic Infrastructure in America’s First World Heritage City In a global landscape where cities compete for visibility, talent, and influence, innovation is often defined narrowly—through technology, startups, or commercial growth. The Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) offers a broader, more civic-minded model. Rather than innovating through a single product...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

Aon

Aon-INNOVATION’S ROLE IN A HIGHLY VOLATILE WORLD

INNOVATION’S ROLE IN A HIGHLY VOLATILE WORLD

One of the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic experience is that companies have fundamentally changed the way they look at risk. Risks are more interconnected, so the impact is more profound. For example, increased weather events and supply chain disruptions are happening more frequently and having a greater impact...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

unFederalReserve

Residual Token, Inc. dba unFederalReserve is a Fintech SaaS technology company specializing in fintech software development. The software utilizes blockchain and standard programming languages, tools, and databases to unlock efficiencies within financial services companies and lending markets.

The company and its affiliate operate in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) fintech sub-sector. They empower CeFi (Centralized Finance) entities and democratize finance by allowing companies and individuals to “Be the Bank.” The company operates as a SaaS enterprise and is developing commercial-grade programs for the license to qualified entities. “Access...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Grove

Redefining How the Internet Connects Itself

When Arthur Sabintsev describes Grove, he leans into vivid analogies. “Imagine an open-air bazaar,” says the CEO and co-founder. “Vendors are hawking their blueberries or camels or rugs, and you need chocolate from Bolivia. You go to a local guide, and that guide takes you to the best Bolivian chocolate...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

NBIF

Established in 2003, NBIF continues to build on New Brunswick's history as a leading innovation hub

At the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, we’re building on a remarkable history of ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit in New Brunswick to propel the development of the next generation of global technology firms. Heading into our third decade of catapulting innovative ideas into thriving enterprises, our organization – better known by...

INNOVATE® Nashville

INTERAWORKS

INTERAWORKS-IS YOUR ORGANIZATION READY FOR THE FUTURE@WORK?

IS YOUR ORGANIZATION READY FOR THE FUTURE@WORK?

InteraWorks is an answer to how companies and their employees can elevate the human experience at work, leading to higher performance and new models of leadership, learning, and culture.   The world has changed, and it is time that companies realize that people absolutely must come first. Their capacity and...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

AISTRA

DEVELOPING AI SKILLS AND DECENTRALIZED AI READINESS ACROSS SECTORS

AISTRA: Building AI Literacy and Decentralized AI Readiness Across Sectors In Estonia’s fast-moving digital ecosystem — where nearly every public service is online and global corporations test future-ready solutions — one consultancy has quietly shaped the national conversation on how artificial intelligence should work: technologically, ethically, and organizationally, while advancing...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

IGNITE

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A ONE-STOP DESTINATION TO TURN BOLD IDEAS INTO GAME-CHANGING TECHNOLOGIES, LAUNCH THRIVING BUSINESSES, OR EXPAND ESTABLISHED COMPANIES GLOBALLY, LOOK NO FURTHER.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A ONE-STOP DESTINATION TO TURN BOLD IDEAS INTO GAME-CHANGING TECHNOLOGIES, LAUNCH THRIVING BUSINESSES, OR EXPAND ESTABLISHED COMPANIES GLOBALLY, LOOK NO FURTHER. Ignite equips entrepreneurs and businesses with the tools to succeed in an evolving marketplace. Together with our partners at Planet Hatch, we are committed to...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

ETHEREAL VENTURES

INVESTING IN POTENTIAL, UNEARTHING THE GOLD WITHIN

Founded in 2020, Ethereal Ventures AB builds on two decades of experience in AI and data innovation — helping leaders transform potential into purpose. Our mission is simple: to add value to leaders who multiply value to others—through coaching, speaking, writing, and investing in dreams. We believe that achieving a...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Maryland Sports Commission

Our focus is ensuring that every event we pursue, leaves a lasting legacy.

When the Maryland Stadium Authority and Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (now the Maryland Department of Commerce) partnered in 2008 to create the Office of Sports Marketing, their goal was bold and unmistakable: position Maryland as an elite destination for sports and a national leader in sports tourism....

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

PS27 Female Founders Forum

PS27 Female Founders Forum-To Motivate and Improve the Skills of Female Founders

To Motivate and Improve the Skills of Female Founders, Entrepreneurs, and Intrepreneurs

The Female Founders Forum is an annual event, organized by PS27 Empowerment, to motivate and improve the skills of Female Founders, entrepreneurs, and intrepreneurs.   The event brings successful women role models together with early-stage female founders. Each year the event takes place on International Women’s Day. During the event,...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

ESTONIAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

A UNIVERSITY BORN OF A VISION

When Estonia regained independence in the early 1990s, its economy was in flux. The country was moving rapidly from a socialist system into the unpredictable, high-speed world of open markets. At that critical juncture, one man – Ülo Pärnits – saw a gap that urgently needed filling. Estonia had bright...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

ZAS

The leading hospital network of the City of Antwerp

Two hospital networks merged in July 2024 in order to create ZAS, the largest healthcare organization in Belgium. ZAS stands for ‘Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom’ (‘Hospital by the river’), a reference to the Schelde, the river of commercial and strategic importance that defines the city. In similar fashion, ZAS plays...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

STEADFAST

MAKING IT WORK

Steadfast began in 1998 as an internet-technology passion project for Steadfast’s Founder, Karl Zimmerman, when he was only 14 years old. Karl’s dream to help companies with their data hosting and security needs started early on, and through these relationships, Karl learned there was a frustrating gap with many hosting...

INNOVATE® Nashville

ACQUIRE

ACQUIRE-The last time we had a technology this versatile

The last time we had a technology this versatile, it changed and improved every element of nearly every business

People used to wonder whether blockchain technology would survive. Then the question transitioned to “It’s not a matter of if, but when it will take hold?” Now the key question being asked is “who is using it and how?” To answer that question, you must understand that Web2 and Web3...

INNOVATION Quebec

2 DEGRÉS

EST UN INCUBATEUR SPÉCIALISÉ EN TECHNOLOGIES PROPRES AU QUÉBEC

2 Degrés accompagne des startups au stade de pré-démarrage, jusqu’au démarrage, qui proposent une solution innovante démontrant un fort potentiel de croissance et d’impact dans les secteurs des énergies, des matières résiduelles et de l’eau. Basé dans la Ville de Québec, 2 Degrés est né d’un rassemblement de jeunes gens...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

WUNDERMAN THOMPSON

WUNDERMAN THOMPSON-BUILDING GROWTH FOR AMBITIOUS BRANDS

BUILDING GROWTH FOR AMBITIOUS BRANDS

Something has changed in the last two years in Puerto Rico, and we are not talking about the pandemic. J. Walter Thompson, a pioneer agency in strategy and creativity, merged with Wunderman, a leading agency in data and technology. In 2019, Wunderman Thompson Puerto Rico was born, an agency that...

INNOVATION Quebec

HEC MONTRÉAL

A hub of management knowledge that inspires, innovates, and makes its mark worldwide

One of the most renowned business schools in the world for the quality of its programs, for the success rate of its alumni and for its influence in research, HEC Montréal does much more than just move your career forward. It drives new ideas. HEC Montréal is that place of...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

DIG SOUTH

BUILDING THE SOUTH’S TECH FUTURE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

In 2012, with two young children at home and a bold vision for the South’s untapped potential, Stanfield Gray and his wife, Sunny Gray, launched DIG SOUTH in Charleston, South Carolina. They were driven by a simple question: Why should a child from the South have fewer opportunities than a...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ELECTROLUX GROUP

SHAPING LIVING FOR THE BETTER FOR OVER A CENTURY

Since 1996 in Curitiba, the city is a hub for global innovation in home appliances. Founded in 1919 by Axel Wenner-Gren in Sweden and present in more than 120 countries, Electrolux Group is a global leader in household and professional appliances. For over a century, the company has been dedicated...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

Metron

Turning Water Data Into Actionable Intelligence

In an era where water costs are rising faster than any other utility and infrastructure is under unprecedented strain, Metron has positioned itself at the center of a critical shift: transforming water from a hidden cost into a measurable, manageable, and strategic asset. From its base in Colorado, its leadership...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

DC Tech and Venture Coalition (DCTAV)

Elevating Washington DC as a Global Tech Hub

Founded by a group of passionate innovators, entrepreneurs, and executives, the DC Tech and Venture Coalition (DCTAV) aims to revolutionize the tech and innovation landscape of Washington, D.C. Kevin Morgan, the Founder and Executive Director, shares its mission: “We aim to establish Washington, D.C., as the epicenter of the world’s...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

B.EST SOLUTIONS

REDEFINING SECURE DIGITAL IDENTITY WHILE STRENGTHENING LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS

Can a digital state be built from scratch with external expertise and support? B.EST Solutions has spent the past 15 years proving that it can. Founded with the mission of adapting Estonia’s pioneering digital state experience to new contexts, the company has become a trusted developer and operator of national...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

QREDIBLE®

CULTIVATING TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY: HOW QREDIBLE® IS REVOLUTIONIZING THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY

Qredible is a first-of-its-kind platform, leading the way in building trust and transparency in the cannabis, CBD, and hemp supply chains. The legalized cannabis industry can be a maze of false, misleading, outdated, or missing information. Qredible’s unique platform is revolutionizing the industry by connecting the entire CBD, hemp, and...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

Global Philadelphia Association

2025 World Heritage City Celebration

Connecting Heritage, People, and Global Ideas

Innovation as Civic Infrastructure in America’s First World Heritage City In a global landscape where cities compete for visibility, talent, and influence, innovation is often defined narrowly—through technology, startups, or commercial growth. The Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) offers a broader, more civic-minded model. Rather than innovating through a single product...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

Aon

Aon-INNOVATION’S ROLE IN A HIGHLY VOLATILE WORLD

INNOVATION’S ROLE IN A HIGHLY VOLATILE WORLD

One of the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic experience is that companies have fundamentally changed the way they look at risk. Risks are more interconnected, so the impact is more profound. For example, increased weather events and supply chain disruptions are happening more frequently and having a greater impact...

Ecosystems