Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

BUSINESS RITES INVESTMENTS (BSSR)

BEGAN OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER 2020 AND HAS BEEN FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON HIGH QUALITY AND COSTEFFECTIVE BIG DATA SOLUTIONS, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICES

We are advancing at a tremendous pace and with the involvement of skilled and experienced people working in the organization. BSSR is currently doing business with local SMEs and is actively taking part in hackathons and competitions, developing innovative solutions, and becoming key players in the country’s digital transformation. The...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

MITACS

BRINGING INNOVATION INTO REACH FOR ALBERTANS

A national not-for-profit organization, Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through effective partnerships that deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. It assists organizations in reaching their goals, funds cutting-edge innovation, and creates job opportunities for students and postdocs. These achievements are supported by the Government of Alberta, the Government of...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

Bank Zero

A SIMPLE YET ADVANCED DIGITAL BANK, FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS

Bank Zero is a unique and powerful App-based bank with Zero fees and a patented secure card. It caters for both individuals and businesses. Digital, social and financial connectedness is a reality and it’s also a very human trait. Bank Zero supports this directly in its innovative design. By friending...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Bradley

The Legal Architects Behind Innovation

A construction supervisor reviews jobsite footage delivered remotely by an onsite robot. In a rural hospital, a patient’s MRI is uploaded to an online portal, where a specialist on the other side of the country reviews it. An aviation breakthrough gains patent protection to power the next generation of supersonic...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Newlab

Building the Future of Sustainable Mobility at Michigan Central

Newlab is a global network of purpose-built innovation hubs that accelerates climate and deep tech time-to-market. Newlab provides startups with physical infrastructure, direct investment opportunities, and pilot partnerships to drive meaningful commercialization outcomes and economic development in energy, materials, and mobility. Newlab established its Detroit home in 2023 to enable...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIMMI

CENTRE EN IMAGERIE NUMÉRIQUE ET MÉDIAS INTÉRACTIFS

Founded in 2008, the Centre en imagerie numérique et médias interactifs (CIMMI) is a technology transfer centre located in Cégep de Sainte-Foy’s Pavillon de la recherche in Quebec City. Our mission is to help Quebec and Canadian businesses and public institutions develop innovative solutions in the field of digital technologies....

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

VALMET

MARKET LEADER, VALMET OFFERS UNIQUE AND INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS FOR PAPER, PULP AND ENERGY INDUSTRIES

With more than 220-years of industrial history and 63-years of presence in Brazil, the Finnish multinational provides integrated technologies, reaffirming its commitment to constant improvement and renewal. Valmet is a global leader in the development and supply of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries....

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

GRUPO SENFF

CRAFTING A LEGACY: GRUPO SENFF’S 130 YEARS OF INNOVATION

In the heart of Curitiba, Brazil, Grupo Senff’s journey started in 1892 within the walls of a humble bakery, laying the foundation for 130 years of continuous innovation. This financial stalwart reached a pivotal juncture in 1977 by evolving into the acclaimed Parati Supermarket Chain. A transformative moment occurred in...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

AVOKAADO

FROM LEGAL CHAOS TO OPERATIONAL CLARITY

For most businesses, contracts are critical but chaotic. They’re scattered across inboxes, cloud folders, and outdated templates. Legal teams spend days or even weeks managing reviews, chasing approvals, and mitigating compliance risks. The result is a bottleneck that slows deals, creates risk, and turns legal into a reactive cost center....

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BIKE TO THE BEACH+ADD IMPACT NETWORK

IS A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS

The foundation of our mission lies in the collective capacity building of local non-profits, and the engagement of community members through events like Bike to the Beach, a renowned national cycling series that raises funds for autism and disabilities. This initiative began as a small gathering of friends who shared...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

CAPIO

CHANGE AS A RESPONSE TO HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES

Swedish healthcare is in the midst of profound change. An ageing population, rising demand for care, and persistent staff shortages mean that resources must be used differently. For the system to remain sustainable, both new organisational models and more efficient ways of working are needed. Capio, one of Sweden’s largest...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

INTEGER HOTSPOT

INTEGERHOTSPOT- THE INNO-GRATION AGENCY

THE INNO-GRATION AGENCY

“Inno-gration”? For IntegerHotspot’s, true innovation, founded in full integration, has informed the approach and ethos since day one. And has afforded the agency an edge since before certain interpretations of “integration” infiltrated agency zeitgeist. THE INTEGRATION ARCHETYPEIntegerHotspot’s was founded in 1999 by advertising maverick, Di Wilson as Pod Communications. From...

INNOVATE® Seattle

Trupanion

Medical Insurance for the life of your pet.

SUPERPOWERED PET INSURANCE On a breezy September day in 2006, Darryl Rawlings was sitting on a beach in a tent in Mexico enjoying the warm sun and crashing waves and having a chat with his wife. Trupanion, the pet medical insurance company Darryl had founded in Vancouver, B.C. in 1999,...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

NATURE'S FYND

NATURE'S FYND-TRANSFORMING HOW THE WORLD EATS WITH FY™

TRANSFORMING HOW THE WORLD EATS WITH FY™, A NEW-TO-THE-WORLD, NUTRITIONAL FUNGI PROTEIN

The story of Nature’s Fynd™ begins millions of years ago, in an acidic hot spring located in what is today Yellowstone National Park when a remarkable microbe was born. In 2009, NASA-backed research on extremophiles led our co-founder to the park’s hot springs. He then isolated and discovered a remarkable...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Drobot

Human-Centered Automation, Born in South Carolina

In a manufacturing world grappling with worker shortages, rising costs, and the relentless complexity of “high-mix, low-volume” production, one Greenville-based startup is quietly reimagining what it means for humans and robots to work together. Drobot Inc. is pioneering a new generation of Collaborative Mobile Robots (CMRs) – machines designed not...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

ASSOCIATED BANK

MAKING BANKING BETTER FOR EVERYONE

Associated Bank (Associated) operates under the guiding principle of being the “Champion of You.” Every choice and investment made is inspired by customer feedback and aims to strengthen their financial health and simplify their financial lives. The bank’s ranking as #1 for Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction in the Upper Midwest...

INNOVATE® Nashville

OVYL

OVYL-MAKING HIGH-END

MAKING HIGH-END, HIGH-TECH PRODUCTS

THE QUESTIONHave you ever had to throw your best work away? I have. It’s demoralizing, but sometimes things you can’t control go wrong and there’s nothing to do but let it go. You can start to think, “why bother?” I’ve seen it happen to our clients too. As a device...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

SPOON

SPOON-CHOOSE YOUR CULINARY EXPERIENCE

CHOOSE YOUR CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Founded in 2012 by Paulina Salach and Gustavo Antonetti, Spoon is Puerto Rico’s leading tour operator and travel planning & logistics company with a specialization in culinary experiences. We craft immersive, authentic, and educational gastronomic & cultural experiences for the leisure and corporate markets. On the leisure segment we service...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

SSE BUSINESS LAB

CREATING THE CONDITIONS FOR UNICORNS

SSE Business Lab is the startup incubator of the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), one of Europe’s top business schools. Since its founding in 2001, the incubator has supported more than 300 startups, including some of Sweden’s most recognized success stories such as Klarna, Voi, Instabee (formerly Budbee), and Legora....

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Silent Layer of Innovation:

How Dynamic QR Technology Connects Physical and Digital Worlds

Every few years, a technology quietly shifts from being a simple tool to becoming part of the invisible infrastructure that moves the world forward. QR codes have reached that point not through hype, but through the natural way people now interact with information. What was once a square barcode on...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CAPITEC

CAPITEC - LET’S BUILD A BANK

LET’S BUILD A BANK

Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come, suggested Victor Hugo, French literary genius, in 1852. Capitec was – and is still – such an idea, but you might not have thought so at the time. At the beginning of the 21st century, the general consensus was...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HOME OF MY OWN

HOME OF MY OWN-MANY SOUTH AFRICANS STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE VITAL ROLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PLAYS IN GETTING AHEAD FINANCIALLY

MANY SOUTH AFRICANS STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE VITAL ROLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PLAYS IN GETTING AHEAD FINANCIALLY

At Home of My Own, we are passionate about homeownership because:• It generates wealth for homeowners and their families• Creates a more stable home environment• Results in better educational and behavioral outcomes for children• Improves physical and mental health homeowners• Builds stronger and more engaged communities Our mission is to...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

ENTARA

ENTARA-PLAN FOR THE UNPREDICTABLE

PLAN FOR THE UNPREDICTABLE

It’s no secret that we live in a fast-paced world. Technology is constantly changing, cyber security attacks are on the rise, and consumer interests and needs continue to evolve. To keep up, Managed Service Providers (MSP) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSP) are having to modify their offerings to adhere...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Where to Find South African Food in Canada

Howzit Canada logo alongside the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) branding, set against a scenic Canadian landscape, representing a hub for South African expats to find goods, businesses, and community support in Canada.

HowZit Canada Leads the Way

For South African expats in Canada craving a taste of home—think boerewors, biltong, or rooibos tea—knowing where to find South African food in Canada can feel like a treasure hunt. Fortunately, a groundbreaking platform, HowZit Canada (howzitcanada.ca), launched by the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC), is revolutionizing the search....

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

BUSINESS RITES INVESTMENTS (BSSR)

BEGAN OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER 2020 AND HAS BEEN FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON HIGH QUALITY AND COSTEFFECTIVE BIG DATA SOLUTIONS, SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICES

We are advancing at a tremendous pace and with the involvement of skilled and experienced people working in the organization. BSSR is currently doing business with local SMEs and is actively taking part in hackathons and competitions, developing innovative solutions, and becoming key players in the country’s digital transformation. The...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

MITACS

BRINGING INNOVATION INTO REACH FOR ALBERTANS

A national not-for-profit organization, Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through effective partnerships that deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. It assists organizations in reaching their goals, funds cutting-edge innovation, and creates job opportunities for students and postdocs. These achievements are supported by the Government of Alberta, the Government of...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

Bank Zero

A SIMPLE YET ADVANCED DIGITAL BANK, FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS

Bank Zero is a unique and powerful App-based bank with Zero fees and a patented secure card. It caters for both individuals and businesses. Digital, social and financial connectedness is a reality and it’s also a very human trait. Bank Zero supports this directly in its innovative design. By friending...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Bradley

The Legal Architects Behind Innovation

A construction supervisor reviews jobsite footage delivered remotely by an onsite robot. In a rural hospital, a patient’s MRI is uploaded to an online portal, where a specialist on the other side of the country reviews it. An aviation breakthrough gains patent protection to power the next generation of supersonic...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Newlab

Building the Future of Sustainable Mobility at Michigan Central

Newlab is a global network of purpose-built innovation hubs that accelerates climate and deep tech time-to-market. Newlab provides startups with physical infrastructure, direct investment opportunities, and pilot partnerships to drive meaningful commercialization outcomes and economic development in energy, materials, and mobility. Newlab established its Detroit home in 2023 to enable...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIMMI

CENTRE EN IMAGERIE NUMÉRIQUE ET MÉDIAS INTÉRACTIFS

Founded in 2008, the Centre en imagerie numérique et médias interactifs (CIMMI) is a technology transfer centre located in Cégep de Sainte-Foy’s Pavillon de la recherche in Quebec City. Our mission is to help Quebec and Canadian businesses and public institutions develop innovative solutions in the field of digital technologies....

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

VALMET

MARKET LEADER, VALMET OFFERS UNIQUE AND INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS FOR PAPER, PULP AND ENERGY INDUSTRIES

With more than 220-years of industrial history and 63-years of presence in Brazil, the Finnish multinational provides integrated technologies, reaffirming its commitment to constant improvement and renewal. Valmet is a global leader in the development and supply of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries....

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

GRUPO SENFF

CRAFTING A LEGACY: GRUPO SENFF’S 130 YEARS OF INNOVATION

In the heart of Curitiba, Brazil, Grupo Senff’s journey started in 1892 within the walls of a humble bakery, laying the foundation for 130 years of continuous innovation. This financial stalwart reached a pivotal juncture in 1977 by evolving into the acclaimed Parati Supermarket Chain. A transformative moment occurred in...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

AVOKAADO

FROM LEGAL CHAOS TO OPERATIONAL CLARITY

For most businesses, contracts are critical but chaotic. They’re scattered across inboxes, cloud folders, and outdated templates. Legal teams spend days or even weeks managing reviews, chasing approvals, and mitigating compliance risks. The result is a bottleneck that slows deals, creates risk, and turns legal into a reactive cost center....

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BIKE TO THE BEACH+ADD IMPACT NETWORK

IS A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS

The foundation of our mission lies in the collective capacity building of local non-profits, and the engagement of community members through events like Bike to the Beach, a renowned national cycling series that raises funds for autism and disabilities. This initiative began as a small gathering of friends who shared...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

CAPIO

CHANGE AS A RESPONSE TO HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES

Swedish healthcare is in the midst of profound change. An ageing population, rising demand for care, and persistent staff shortages mean that resources must be used differently. For the system to remain sustainable, both new organisational models and more efficient ways of working are needed. Capio, one of Sweden’s largest...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

INTEGER HOTSPOT

INTEGERHOTSPOT- THE INNO-GRATION AGENCY

THE INNO-GRATION AGENCY

“Inno-gration”? For IntegerHotspot’s, true innovation, founded in full integration, has informed the approach and ethos since day one. And has afforded the agency an edge since before certain interpretations of “integration” infiltrated agency zeitgeist. THE INTEGRATION ARCHETYPEIntegerHotspot’s was founded in 1999 by advertising maverick, Di Wilson as Pod Communications. From...

INNOVATE® Seattle

Trupanion

Medical Insurance for the life of your pet.

SUPERPOWERED PET INSURANCE On a breezy September day in 2006, Darryl Rawlings was sitting on a beach in a tent in Mexico enjoying the warm sun and crashing waves and having a chat with his wife. Trupanion, the pet medical insurance company Darryl had founded in Vancouver, B.C. in 1999,...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

NATURE'S FYND

NATURE'S FYND-TRANSFORMING HOW THE WORLD EATS WITH FY™

TRANSFORMING HOW THE WORLD EATS WITH FY™, A NEW-TO-THE-WORLD, NUTRITIONAL FUNGI PROTEIN

The story of Nature’s Fynd™ begins millions of years ago, in an acidic hot spring located in what is today Yellowstone National Park when a remarkable microbe was born. In 2009, NASA-backed research on extremophiles led our co-founder to the park’s hot springs. He then isolated and discovered a remarkable...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Drobot

Human-Centered Automation, Born in South Carolina

In a manufacturing world grappling with worker shortages, rising costs, and the relentless complexity of “high-mix, low-volume” production, one Greenville-based startup is quietly reimagining what it means for humans and robots to work together. Drobot Inc. is pioneering a new generation of Collaborative Mobile Robots (CMRs) – machines designed not...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

ASSOCIATED BANK

MAKING BANKING BETTER FOR EVERYONE

Associated Bank (Associated) operates under the guiding principle of being the “Champion of You.” Every choice and investment made is inspired by customer feedback and aims to strengthen their financial health and simplify their financial lives. The bank’s ranking as #1 for Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction in the Upper Midwest...

INNOVATE® Nashville

OVYL

OVYL-MAKING HIGH-END

MAKING HIGH-END, HIGH-TECH PRODUCTS

THE QUESTIONHave you ever had to throw your best work away? I have. It’s demoralizing, but sometimes things you can’t control go wrong and there’s nothing to do but let it go. You can start to think, “why bother?” I’ve seen it happen to our clients too. As a device...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

SPOON

SPOON-CHOOSE YOUR CULINARY EXPERIENCE

CHOOSE YOUR CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Founded in 2012 by Paulina Salach and Gustavo Antonetti, Spoon is Puerto Rico’s leading tour operator and travel planning & logistics company with a specialization in culinary experiences. We craft immersive, authentic, and educational gastronomic & cultural experiences for the leisure and corporate markets. On the leisure segment we service...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

SSE BUSINESS LAB

CREATING THE CONDITIONS FOR UNICORNS

SSE Business Lab is the startup incubator of the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), one of Europe’s top business schools. Since its founding in 2001, the incubator has supported more than 300 startups, including some of Sweden’s most recognized success stories such as Klarna, Voi, Instabee (formerly Budbee), and Legora....

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Silent Layer of Innovation:

How Dynamic QR Technology Connects Physical and Digital Worlds

Every few years, a technology quietly shifts from being a simple tool to becoming part of the invisible infrastructure that moves the world forward. QR codes have reached that point not through hype, but through the natural way people now interact with information. What was once a square barcode on...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CAPITEC

CAPITEC - LET’S BUILD A BANK

LET’S BUILD A BANK

Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come, suggested Victor Hugo, French literary genius, in 1852. Capitec was – and is still – such an idea, but you might not have thought so at the time. At the beginning of the 21st century, the general consensus was...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HOME OF MY OWN

HOME OF MY OWN-MANY SOUTH AFRICANS STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE VITAL ROLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PLAYS IN GETTING AHEAD FINANCIALLY

MANY SOUTH AFRICANS STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE VITAL ROLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PLAYS IN GETTING AHEAD FINANCIALLY

At Home of My Own, we are passionate about homeownership because:• It generates wealth for homeowners and their families• Creates a more stable home environment• Results in better educational and behavioral outcomes for children• Improves physical and mental health homeowners• Builds stronger and more engaged communities Our mission is to...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

ENTARA

ENTARA-PLAN FOR THE UNPREDICTABLE

PLAN FOR THE UNPREDICTABLE

It’s no secret that we live in a fast-paced world. Technology is constantly changing, cyber security attacks are on the rise, and consumer interests and needs continue to evolve. To keep up, Managed Service Providers (MSP) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSP) are having to modify their offerings to adhere...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Where to Find South African Food in Canada

Howzit Canada logo alongside the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) branding, set against a scenic Canadian landscape, representing a hub for South African expats to find goods, businesses, and community support in Canada.

HowZit Canada Leads the Way

For South African expats in Canada craving a taste of home—think boerewors, biltong, or rooibos tea—knowing where to find South African food in Canada can feel like a treasure hunt. Fortunately, a groundbreaking platform, HowZit Canada (howzitcanada.ca), launched by the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC), is revolutionizing the search....

Ecosystems