Stories of Innovation
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
BASTIEN LLAMAS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND READER INHUMAN GENETICS, AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR ANCIENT DNA AT THE UNIVERSITY
Who are we? Where do we come from? The history of humanity is a complex affair full of twists and turns that shaped our genetic diversity and cultural identity. To unveil or rewrite some of that history, I use ancient DNA extracted from the skeletons of long-dead ancestors as a...
INNOVATION Quebec
ISMER
25 YEARS OF DISCOVERIES IN MARINE SCIENCES
The Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER) will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2024. Attached to the Université du Québec à Rimouski, ISMER is a world reference in research, training and innovation in marine sciences in a sustainable development and climate change perspective. ISMER is the most...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
THE GIANT FLAG
IS A WORLD-FIRST GREEN INNOVATION PROJECT THAT CELEBRATES THE SPIRIT OF SOUTH AFRICA, HER LAND AND HER PEOPLE, WHILE BRINGING TOGETHER JOB CREATION, CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION, CLEAN ENERGY AND TOURISM
The Giant Flag is a world-first green innovation project that celebrates the spirit of South Africa, her land and her people, while bringing together job creation, climate change mitigation, clean energy and tourism. The Giant Flag will be made up of millions of coloured desert plants, agricultural tunnels, a tourism...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
JUMPSTART NJ
INVESTING IN EARLY-STAGE GROWTH COMPANIES IN NEW JERSEY AND BEYOND
JumpStart NJ Angel Network invests in early-stage growth companies with high potential and innovative technology that disrupts traditional businesses. The group of angel investors screens more than 100 companies each year and invests an average $1.5 million annually in leading-edge startups. Based in the Garden State, JumpStart NJ invests in...
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
Stone & Chalk Group
Is the largest innovation community in Australia.
Since its inception in 2015, Stone & Chalk’s mission has been to transform Australia into a sustainable, technology-driven economy. As a not-for-profit, purpose-driven, and sustainable organisation, Stone & Chalk works to support startups, scaleups, corporations, and governments through every stage of their innovation journey. The Stone & Chalk capital G...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
ACQUIRE
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
COALIA
CCTT IN MINERAL TECHNOLOGY AND PLASTICS ENGINEERING
COALIA is a research and innovation centre specializing in mineral technology, plastic engineering and advanced materials. Our mission is to develop innovative materials, products and processes in collaboration with companies in these sectors. We support them through technical assistance and play an important role in carrying out applied research and...
INNOVATE® Nashville
CURCIO DERMATOLOGY
A Life-Long Calling To Heal, Cutting-Edge Medical Expertise, And An Entrepreneurship-Mindset Are At The Heart Of Helping Others
ANSWERING THE CALL TO HEALFor as long as I can remember, medicine has been a special calling for me. And nearly as long, I realized my passion for healing was through dermatology. This was a gift that I inherited from my father, Frederick David Curcio, III, M.D. He knew that...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
HORSCH
A COMPANY WITH INNOVATION IN ITS DNA
The world’s agriculture is becoming increasingly modern. For decades, there has been a visible technological revolution happening in the field, with farmers seeking machines that boost productivity while minimizing environmental impact, doing more with less in a responsible way. Since its foundation in 1984 in Germany, HORSCH has been dedicated...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
SPLASH
A RIPPLE IN INNOVATION, A WAVE OF COMMUNITY.
A sustainably minded hub for entrepreneurship, start-up life, innovation, and community – leading the start-up world – that is Splash. Splash Coworking (Splash) the model of a shared work space and business resource center where entrepreneurs, independent professionals and creatives connect, collaborate and make business happen. Located in downtown San...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
SNAPSCAN
SIMPLIFYING PAYMENTS ONE SNAP AT A TIME
SnapScan is more than just a smartphone app. It’s a contactless, mobile payment solution that makes it easy and safe to pay and receive payments in a store, online, at home, and on the go. Our storyFounded in 2013, SnapScan gained traction at markets and coffee shops in Stellenbosch....
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
UTFPR
TECHNOLOGY COMPETITION TEAM BY UTFPR
The Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) – Brazil, is a century-old center for technological education, founded in 1909. In 2005, it became the first Technological University in Brazil. In 2023, it has approximately 35,000 students in various undergraduate courses across 13 campuses distributed throughout the state of Paraná. The...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
CHICAGO FURNITURE BANK
TURNING HOUSES INTO HOMES SINCE 2018
The mission of the Chicago Furniture Bank (CFB) is to provide dignity, stability, and comfort to Chicagoans facing poverty by allowing our clients to handpick an entire home’s worth of furnishings for free. As the country’s largest furniture bank, we furnish 15 client homes per day through partnerships with our...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
PERCH
THE PROPTECH STARTUP EMPOWERING CANADIANS ON THEIR HOMEOWNERSHIP JOURNEY TO BUILD WEALTH THROUGH REAL ESTATE
Through technology and automation, Perch’s free analytics platform gives users detailed insights into all aspects regarding homeownership, all of which is supplemented by a dedicated mortgage advisor that strategizes with clients to help them achieve their homeownership goals. Perch’s mission is to empower Canadians to make more informed decisions when...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
GUNKII
REDESIGNING AFFORDABLE LUXURY ORAL CARE
It is possible to have fresher breath and a healthier mouth with a tongue cleaner. gunkii brings affordable luxury oral care to the market. Founded in May 2020, gunkii is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Jayesh and Nicole Parmar, who had the vision to offer a tongue scraper to help...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
MYSOCIALIFE
IS AN EDTECH TRAINING PROGRAM THAT TRAINS PRE-TEENS AND TEENS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ABOUT ONLINE SAFETY, DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP AND MEDIA LITERACY, IN ORDER TO FIRST MAKE THEM CONSCIOUS AND AWARE OF SAFETY ONLINE, WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY ALLOW THEM TO EXPLORE INTELLIGENTLY AND LATER EXCEL IN A COMPETITIVE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
In order to ensure this is successful, the South African-based educators also teach learners’ parents and their teachers too, as well as mental health professionals, helping to bridge the technological divide and provide the much-needed insights and tools to navigate a complex social landscape. “The more we do that,...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Pope Francis Center
Works Toward a Detroit Future Without Chronic Homelessness
“When we work together, miracles happen.” Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ, says those words often. Fr. Tim, as he is known, is president and CEO of the Pope Francis Center (PFC), a Detroit nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness. PFC started humbly in 1990 when Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
ARTHUR L. IRVING ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRE
IS A CREATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE SPACE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS IN ATLANTIC CANADA
Students come to the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre from all disciplines and for many reasons. Some come with an idea they want to test. Others come to learn the habits and skills of an entrepreneurial mindset – skills like agility, resiliency, design thinking, and leadership. Some come looking for...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
ADPO
REVOLUTIONIZING CHEMICAL LOGISTICS IN EUROPE
Future-forward. Future-focused. ADPO is committed to accelerating the energy transition by decarbonizing the supply chain for its customers. “If you want to begin to reduce your environmental footprint, the quickest way to start is to find those suppliers who’ve already reduced theirs,” says Filip De Dijcker, Managing Director at ADPO....
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
NobleReach Foundation
Inspiring the Best to Serve
Our country’s most pressing challenges – from climate change and national security to healthcare and education – demand a renewed partnership across the private and public sectors to connect our greatest national asset: our talent. The NobleReach Foundation inspires, develops, and supports mission-driven entrepreneurship to tackle our society’s biggest challenges...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
OMNICART
A SAAS PLATFORM AND DELIVERY OPERATING SYSTEM FOR ENTREPRENEURS WHO WANT TO BUILD AND SCALE
OMNICART-A SAAS PLATFORM AND DELIVERY OPERATING SYSTEM FOR ENTREPRENEURS WHO WANT TO BUILD AND SCALE A DELIVERY BUSINESS, AND WE ARE ON A MISSION TO EMPOWER EVERYONE TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF ON-DEMAND DELIVERY. In the same way that Shopify made it easier for anyone to start and scale an...
INNOVATION Quebec
TransMedTech Institute
Empowering human-centered medtech innovation
OUR MISSIONThe TransMedTech Institute (iTMT) aims to support innovation in medical technologies that meet the needs of users and the healthcare community, in order to facilitate and catalyze their development and implementation in the healthcare system. While supporting the industry and the innovation community, the iTMT also aims to train...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
BIOFORWARD WISCONSIN:
LEADING THE PATH TO PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
Pioneering Innovation in BiohealthNestled in the heart of America’s Midwest, BioForward Wisconsin represents Wisconsin’s vibrant biohealth sector which stands as a beacon of innovation and economic growth. A 501(c) 6 member association established in 1988 as the Wisconsin Biotechnology Association, the organization initially focused on biotechnology. It expanded its membership...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
BASTIEN LLAMAS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND READER INHUMAN GENETICS, AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR ANCIENT DNA AT THE UNIVERSITY
Who are we? Where do we come from? The history of humanity is a complex affair full of twists and turns that shaped our genetic diversity and cultural identity. To unveil or rewrite some of that history, I use ancient DNA extracted from the skeletons of long-dead ancestors as a...
INNOVATION Quebec
ISMER
25 YEARS OF DISCOVERIES IN MARINE SCIENCES
The Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER) will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2024. Attached to the Université du Québec à Rimouski, ISMER is a world reference in research, training and innovation in marine sciences in a sustainable development and climate change perspective. ISMER is the most...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
THE GIANT FLAG
IS A WORLD-FIRST GREEN INNOVATION PROJECT THAT CELEBRATES THE SPIRIT OF SOUTH AFRICA, HER LAND AND HER PEOPLE, WHILE BRINGING TOGETHER JOB CREATION, CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION, CLEAN ENERGY AND TOURISM
The Giant Flag is a world-first green innovation project that celebrates the spirit of South Africa, her land and her people, while bringing together job creation, climate change mitigation, clean energy and tourism. The Giant Flag will be made up of millions of coloured desert plants, agricultural tunnels, a tourism...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
JUMPSTART NJ
INVESTING IN EARLY-STAGE GROWTH COMPANIES IN NEW JERSEY AND BEYOND
JumpStart NJ Angel Network invests in early-stage growth companies with high potential and innovative technology that disrupts traditional businesses. The group of angel investors screens more than 100 companies each year and invests an average $1.5 million annually in leading-edge startups. Based in the Garden State, JumpStart NJ invests in...
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
Stone & Chalk Group
Is the largest innovation community in Australia.
Since its inception in 2015, Stone & Chalk’s mission has been to transform Australia into a sustainable, technology-driven economy. As a not-for-profit, purpose-driven, and sustainable organisation, Stone & Chalk works to support startups, scaleups, corporations, and governments through every stage of their innovation journey. The Stone & Chalk capital G...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
ACQUIRE
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
COALIA
CCTT IN MINERAL TECHNOLOGY AND PLASTICS ENGINEERING
COALIA is a research and innovation centre specializing in mineral technology, plastic engineering and advanced materials. Our mission is to develop innovative materials, products and processes in collaboration with companies in these sectors. We support them through technical assistance and play an important role in carrying out applied research and...
INNOVATE® Nashville
CURCIO DERMATOLOGY
A Life-Long Calling To Heal, Cutting-Edge Medical Expertise, And An Entrepreneurship-Mindset Are At The Heart Of Helping Others
ANSWERING THE CALL TO HEALFor as long as I can remember, medicine has been a special calling for me. And nearly as long, I realized my passion for healing was through dermatology. This was a gift that I inherited from my father, Frederick David Curcio, III, M.D. He knew that...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
HORSCH
A COMPANY WITH INNOVATION IN ITS DNA
The world’s agriculture is becoming increasingly modern. For decades, there has been a visible technological revolution happening in the field, with farmers seeking machines that boost productivity while minimizing environmental impact, doing more with less in a responsible way. Since its foundation in 1984 in Germany, HORSCH has been dedicated...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
SPLASH
A RIPPLE IN INNOVATION, A WAVE OF COMMUNITY.
A sustainably minded hub for entrepreneurship, start-up life, innovation, and community – leading the start-up world – that is Splash. Splash Coworking (Splash) the model of a shared work space and business resource center where entrepreneurs, independent professionals and creatives connect, collaborate and make business happen. Located in downtown San...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
SNAPSCAN
SIMPLIFYING PAYMENTS ONE SNAP AT A TIME
SnapScan is more than just a smartphone app. It’s a contactless, mobile payment solution that makes it easy and safe to pay and receive payments in a store, online, at home, and on the go. Our storyFounded in 2013, SnapScan gained traction at markets and coffee shops in Stellenbosch....
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
UTFPR
TECHNOLOGY COMPETITION TEAM BY UTFPR
The Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) – Brazil, is a century-old center for technological education, founded in 1909. In 2005, it became the first Technological University in Brazil. In 2023, it has approximately 35,000 students in various undergraduate courses across 13 campuses distributed throughout the state of Paraná. The...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
CHICAGO FURNITURE BANK
TURNING HOUSES INTO HOMES SINCE 2018
The mission of the Chicago Furniture Bank (CFB) is to provide dignity, stability, and comfort to Chicagoans facing poverty by allowing our clients to handpick an entire home’s worth of furnishings for free. As the country’s largest furniture bank, we furnish 15 client homes per day through partnerships with our...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
PERCH
THE PROPTECH STARTUP EMPOWERING CANADIANS ON THEIR HOMEOWNERSHIP JOURNEY TO BUILD WEALTH THROUGH REAL ESTATE
Through technology and automation, Perch’s free analytics platform gives users detailed insights into all aspects regarding homeownership, all of which is supplemented by a dedicated mortgage advisor that strategizes with clients to help them achieve their homeownership goals. Perch’s mission is to empower Canadians to make more informed decisions when...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
GUNKII
REDESIGNING AFFORDABLE LUXURY ORAL CARE
It is possible to have fresher breath and a healthier mouth with a tongue cleaner. gunkii brings affordable luxury oral care to the market. Founded in May 2020, gunkii is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Jayesh and Nicole Parmar, who had the vision to offer a tongue scraper to help...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
MYSOCIALIFE
IS AN EDTECH TRAINING PROGRAM THAT TRAINS PRE-TEENS AND TEENS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ABOUT ONLINE SAFETY, DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP AND MEDIA LITERACY, IN ORDER TO FIRST MAKE THEM CONSCIOUS AND AWARE OF SAFETY ONLINE, WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY ALLOW THEM TO EXPLORE INTELLIGENTLY AND LATER EXCEL IN A COMPETITIVE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
In order to ensure this is successful, the South African-based educators also teach learners’ parents and their teachers too, as well as mental health professionals, helping to bridge the technological divide and provide the much-needed insights and tools to navigate a complex social landscape. “The more we do that,...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Pope Francis Center
Works Toward a Detroit Future Without Chronic Homelessness
“When we work together, miracles happen.” Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ, says those words often. Fr. Tim, as he is known, is president and CEO of the Pope Francis Center (PFC), a Detroit nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness. PFC started humbly in 1990 when Saints Peter and Paul Jesuit Church...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
ARTHUR L. IRVING ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRE
IS A CREATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE SPACE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS IN ATLANTIC CANADA
Students come to the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre from all disciplines and for many reasons. Some come with an idea they want to test. Others come to learn the habits and skills of an entrepreneurial mindset – skills like agility, resiliency, design thinking, and leadership. Some come looking for...
INNOVATE™ Flanders
ADPO
REVOLUTIONIZING CHEMICAL LOGISTICS IN EUROPE
Future-forward. Future-focused. ADPO is committed to accelerating the energy transition by decarbonizing the supply chain for its customers. “If you want to begin to reduce your environmental footprint, the quickest way to start is to find those suppliers who’ve already reduced theirs,” says Filip De Dijcker, Managing Director at ADPO....
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
NobleReach Foundation
Inspiring the Best to Serve
Our country’s most pressing challenges – from climate change and national security to healthcare and education – demand a renewed partnership across the private and public sectors to connect our greatest national asset: our talent. The NobleReach Foundation inspires, develops, and supports mission-driven entrepreneurship to tackle our society’s biggest challenges...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
OMNICART
A SAAS PLATFORM AND DELIVERY OPERATING SYSTEM FOR ENTREPRENEURS WHO WANT TO BUILD AND SCALE
OMNICART-A SAAS PLATFORM AND DELIVERY OPERATING SYSTEM FOR ENTREPRENEURS WHO WANT TO BUILD AND SCALE A DELIVERY BUSINESS, AND WE ARE ON A MISSION TO EMPOWER EVERYONE TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF ON-DEMAND DELIVERY. In the same way that Shopify made it easier for anyone to start and scale an...
INNOVATION Quebec
TransMedTech Institute
Empowering human-centered medtech innovation
OUR MISSIONThe TransMedTech Institute (iTMT) aims to support innovation in medical technologies that meet the needs of users and the healthcare community, in order to facilitate and catalyze their development and implementation in the healthcare system. While supporting the industry and the innovation community, the iTMT also aims to train...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
BIOFORWARD WISCONSIN:
LEADING THE PATH TO PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
Pioneering Innovation in BiohealthNestled in the heart of America’s Midwest, BioForward Wisconsin represents Wisconsin’s vibrant biohealth sector which stands as a beacon of innovation and economic growth. A 501(c) 6 member association established in 1988 as the Wisconsin Biotechnology Association, the organization initially focused on biotechnology. It expanded its membership...