Stories of Innovation
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
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, 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. ...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Detroit Opera
Setting the Scene for Opera's Future
Over the last half-century, Detroit Opera—formerly Michigan Opera Theatre—has become a deeply rooted cultural force in a city of innovation and diverse perspectives, presenting programs that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds while positively impacting the local economy. Appointed as the company’s second-ever Artistic Director in 2020, Yuval...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Jenno Co.
We help teams understand their market, articulate their value, and bring their bold ideas to life.
Working in a space where passionate problem solvers and innovative risk-takers intersect is a privilege you must experience to understand. It means you’re part of a community. Even if that community spans regions, disciplines, and industries, the passion we bring to improving both the present and the future is what...
INNOVATE® Seattle
Path Ahead Ventures
Path Ahead Ventures (PAV) is focused on ensuring the outdoor industry reflects the true diversity of the people who love, protect, and share life outside.
REI Co-op believes the vibrancy of the outdoor industry depends on the economic mobility and contributions of diverse communities as customers and creators. In 2020, we accelerated our efforts to advance racial equity across every piece of our business and wanted to set bold goals towards diversifying our supplier base,...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
CHICAGO HOPES FOR KIDS
IS CHANGING ACADEMIC TRAJECTORIES FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Chicago HOPES for Kids is the only organization in Chicago that provides educational after school and remote learning programs for students experiencing homelessness in grades Kindergarten through 9th, directly to the shelters and communities where they live. It is our mission to provide students with the resources and encouragement they...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
EMERGE BUILDING SOLUTIONS
A FULLY INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION COMPANY THAT FOCUSES ON THE RESIDENTIAL MULTI-UNIT MARKET
With over 27 years of experience delivering high-quality construction projects. Emerge starts construction by building components of the project in a manufacturing plant for the above-ground portion of a multi-story building at the time of groundbreaking. While the underground foundation and parking structure is being constructed, concrete and steel precast...
INNOVATE® Miami
Recipes for Change
A localized society created to evoke social change
Recipes for Change is a non – profit organization founded by Chef Santiago Gomez in 2017. Is localized society created to evoke social change by inspiring and educating people through gastronomy, volunteer programs, educational workshops and fundraising events. Our aim is to unite Miami’s local community in order to educate...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Civilized Coffee Company - About Creating A Culture Around The Brand
ELEVATOR PITCH At Civilized Coffee it is not just about sourcing and roasting great coffee—it is about creating a culture around the brand. Northeast Florida has a very strong environment and support system for Coffee and Tea. Their reason to take this small business global was to bring awareness to...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
ZIPPLICITY
FEARLESS FLIGHT
Zipplicity is a New Breed It’s a suitcase in disguise, “un-luggage” if you will. It’s an ingenious innovation for the world of travel. Beginning with Trial and Perseverance Three years of sickness and pain had diminished Amber Waldeier’s existence to very little. Eating and movement caused pain—but responsibilities continued—she struggled...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
SUMMERFEST TECH
UNVEILING INNOVATION, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Technology’s power to drive collaboration is transformative. Summerfest Tech was created in 2018 to showcase the impactful influence of technology in Milwaukee and the Midwest, and provide a platform to network, educate, and celebrate the evolution of technology. Today, Summerfest Tech continues to leverage the world-class music festival Summerfest, while...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
FLIKSHOP
BRIDGING GAPS, REUNITING FAMILIES AND ENDING RECIDIVISM
“We want to create a footprint in this community that kicks in doors to give access to folks like me.” When Marcus Bullock was just 15, he faced a life-altering challenge. Arrested and sentenced to eight years in adult maximum security prison for carjacking, he found himself in a...
INNOVATION Quebec
RQIS
THE BEATING HEART OF QUEBEC’S SOCIAL INNOVATION SYSTEM
The Réseau québécois en innovation sociale (RQIS) is a space for sharing and mobilizing knowledge and experience, helping to make social innovation an essential lever for sustainable development in Quebec. Created in 2005 as part of the Université du Québec network, RQIS first focused on gaining a better understanding of...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
GO ON ASSOCIATED
IS A CONSULTING COMPANY FOCUSED ON PROVIDING BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SOLUTIONS
GO ON ASSOCIATED- IS A CONSULTING COMPANY FOCUSED ON PROVIDINGBUSINESS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SOLUTIONS WITH EXCELLENCE,THROUGH DEEP BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OFINNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS. Founded in 2015 in Curitiba, Go On Associated is an IT consultancy focused on providing business management solutions through digital transformation. With a track record of...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
ALIS - MEDTELLIGENT
Life-Changing Software For Assisted Living Facilities
ALIS is the primary offering of Medtelligent, a health-tech company serving the senior housing industry. Built from the ground up to match the needs of assisted living operators and providers, ALIS is the preferred software choice for fast-growing portfolios in the sector. Medtelligent was founded in 2005 with an original...
INNOVATION Quebec
IRDQ
Une porte d’entrée gratuite vers les infrastructures R-D du Québec
Afin d’en faciliter l’utilisation pour le développement de nouvelles applications, le portail québécois des infrastructures en recherche et développement du Québec (IRDQ) regroupe les installations et équipements de pointe de classe mondiale des universités, des CCTT et des centres de recherche publics. L’objectif de l’IRDQ est de promouvoir ces équipements...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
RETROVIRAL MATCHKIT
Slick & Easy
I TRAVELLED TO ANFIELD JUST BEFORE THE HARD LOCKDOWN. I’M A HUGE LIVERPOOL FAN AND WANTED TO WATCH THE TEAM PLAY AT HOME BEFORE THEY WON THE LEAGUE, WHICH – FORTUNATELY – THEY DID. SO I RETURNED HOME ON A HIGH, BUT THEN GLOBAL AND LOCAL SPORT CAME TO A...
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...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
CELLR
REVOLUTIONIZING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL REALMS
In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, establishing a meaningful connection between brands and consumers has become a necessity. Recognizing this need, Cellr, an innovative Australian tech startup, has emerged as a game-changer, seamlessly bridging the physical and digital worlds through its groundbreaking connected packaging technology. By empowering brands to strengthen trust,...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
VOON
IS AN ESTONIAN GREENTECH COMPANY THAT HAS SET ITS SIGHTS ON TRANSFORMING A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM INTO A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Co-founded by a young entrepreneur just in her twenties, Eliise Lehtsaar, the company produces biodegradable air filters from waste wool, offering a solution to the staggering figure of nine billion plastic ventilation system filters discarded worldwide each year. For Voon, the goal is straightforward yet compelling: why continue to landfill...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
FORECHECK
THE SECRET WEAPON IN WINNING THE CYBERCRIME WAR
Cyber security is an arms race that is positioned to continue indefinitely. New technologies are constantly emerging to combat cyber criminals, but regardless, criminals discover how to exploit them. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and other security-focused vendors detect many of these attacks and alert their customers and the community,...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
TMJ ATTORNEYS
PRACTICAL, SENSIBLE SOLUTIONS
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
ALTURA
WHERE BLOCKCHAIN MEETS GAMING
Altura’s mission is to provide gamers with the ability to control and own their in-game items and the ability for game developers to integrate blockchain technology in their video games seamlessly. Altura’s NFT Project The current state of NFTs is comparable to that of the web in the 90s; static...
Global Innovation Spotlight
Hosting solutions for growing webshops
A webshop’s success depends not only on products and design but also on the technical foundation that supports daily operations. Hosting is the backbone of every online store, determining speed, reliability, and the ability to handle growth. Modern businesses increasingly look for flexible and future-proof environments that can adapt to...
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
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, 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. ...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Detroit Opera
Setting the Scene for Opera's Future
Over the last half-century, Detroit Opera—formerly Michigan Opera Theatre—has become a deeply rooted cultural force in a city of innovation and diverse perspectives, presenting programs that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds while positively impacting the local economy. Appointed as the company’s second-ever Artistic Director in 2020, Yuval...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Jenno Co.
We help teams understand their market, articulate their value, and bring their bold ideas to life.
Working in a space where passionate problem solvers and innovative risk-takers intersect is a privilege you must experience to understand. It means you’re part of a community. Even if that community spans regions, disciplines, and industries, the passion we bring to improving both the present and the future is what...
INNOVATE® Seattle
Path Ahead Ventures
Path Ahead Ventures (PAV) is focused on ensuring the outdoor industry reflects the true diversity of the people who love, protect, and share life outside.
REI Co-op believes the vibrancy of the outdoor industry depends on the economic mobility and contributions of diverse communities as customers and creators. In 2020, we accelerated our efforts to advance racial equity across every piece of our business and wanted to set bold goals towards diversifying our supplier base,...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
CHICAGO HOPES FOR KIDS
IS CHANGING ACADEMIC TRAJECTORIES FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Chicago HOPES for Kids is the only organization in Chicago that provides educational after school and remote learning programs for students experiencing homelessness in grades Kindergarten through 9th, directly to the shelters and communities where they live. It is our mission to provide students with the resources and encouragement they...
INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2
EMERGE BUILDING SOLUTIONS
A FULLY INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION COMPANY THAT FOCUSES ON THE RESIDENTIAL MULTI-UNIT MARKET
With over 27 years of experience delivering high-quality construction projects. Emerge starts construction by building components of the project in a manufacturing plant for the above-ground portion of a multi-story building at the time of groundbreaking. While the underground foundation and parking structure is being constructed, concrete and steel precast...
INNOVATE® Miami
Recipes for Change
A localized society created to evoke social change
Recipes for Change is a non – profit organization founded by Chef Santiago Gomez in 2017. Is localized society created to evoke social change by inspiring and educating people through gastronomy, volunteer programs, educational workshops and fundraising events. Our aim is to unite Miami’s local community in order to educate...
INNOVATE® Jacksonville
Civilized Coffee Company - About Creating A Culture Around The Brand
ELEVATOR PITCH At Civilized Coffee it is not just about sourcing and roasting great coffee—it is about creating a culture around the brand. Northeast Florida has a very strong environment and support system for Coffee and Tea. Their reason to take this small business global was to bring awareness to...
INNOVATE® Kansas City
ZIPPLICITY
FEARLESS FLIGHT
Zipplicity is a New Breed It’s a suitcase in disguise, “un-luggage” if you will. It’s an ingenious innovation for the world of travel. Beginning with Trial and Perseverance Three years of sickness and pain had diminished Amber Waldeier’s existence to very little. Eating and movement caused pain—but responsibilities continued—she struggled...
INNOVATE® Milwaukee
SUMMERFEST TECH
UNVEILING INNOVATION, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
Technology’s power to drive collaboration is transformative. Summerfest Tech was created in 2018 to showcase the impactful influence of technology in Milwaukee and the Midwest, and provide a platform to network, educate, and celebrate the evolution of technology. Today, Summerfest Tech continues to leverage the world-class music festival Summerfest, while...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
FLIKSHOP
BRIDGING GAPS, REUNITING FAMILIES AND ENDING RECIDIVISM
“We want to create a footprint in this community that kicks in doors to give access to folks like me.” When Marcus Bullock was just 15, he faced a life-altering challenge. Arrested and sentenced to eight years in adult maximum security prison for carjacking, he found himself in a...
INNOVATION Quebec
RQIS
THE BEATING HEART OF QUEBEC’S SOCIAL INNOVATION SYSTEM
The Réseau québécois en innovation sociale (RQIS) is a space for sharing and mobilizing knowledge and experience, helping to make social innovation an essential lever for sustainable development in Quebec. Created in 2005 as part of the Université du Québec network, RQIS first focused on gaining a better understanding of...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
GO ON ASSOCIATED
IS A CONSULTING COMPANY FOCUSED ON PROVIDING BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SOLUTIONS
GO ON ASSOCIATED- IS A CONSULTING COMPANY FOCUSED ON PROVIDINGBUSINESS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SOLUTIONS WITH EXCELLENCE,THROUGH DEEP BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OFINNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS. Founded in 2015 in Curitiba, Go On Associated is an IT consultancy focused on providing business management solutions through digital transformation. With a track record of...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
ALIS - MEDTELLIGENT
Life-Changing Software For Assisted Living Facilities
ALIS is the primary offering of Medtelligent, a health-tech company serving the senior housing industry. Built from the ground up to match the needs of assisted living operators and providers, ALIS is the preferred software choice for fast-growing portfolios in the sector. Medtelligent was founded in 2005 with an original...
INNOVATION Quebec
IRDQ
Une porte d’entrée gratuite vers les infrastructures R-D du Québec
Afin d’en faciliter l’utilisation pour le développement de nouvelles applications, le portail québécois des infrastructures en recherche et développement du Québec (IRDQ) regroupe les installations et équipements de pointe de classe mondiale des universités, des CCTT et des centres de recherche publics. L’objectif de l’IRDQ est de promouvoir ces équipements...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
RETROVIRAL MATCHKIT
Slick & Easy
I TRAVELLED TO ANFIELD JUST BEFORE THE HARD LOCKDOWN. I’M A HUGE LIVERPOOL FAN AND WANTED TO WATCH THE TEAM PLAY AT HOME BEFORE THEY WON THE LEAGUE, WHICH – FORTUNATELY – THEY DID. SO I RETURNED HOME ON A HIGH, BUT THEN GLOBAL AND LOCAL SPORT CAME TO A...
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...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
CELLR
REVOLUTIONIZING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL REALMS
In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, establishing a meaningful connection between brands and consumers has become a necessity. Recognizing this need, Cellr, an innovative Australian tech startup, has emerged as a game-changer, seamlessly bridging the physical and digital worlds through its groundbreaking connected packaging technology. By empowering brands to strengthen trust,...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
VOON
IS AN ESTONIAN GREENTECH COMPANY THAT HAS SET ITS SIGHTS ON TRANSFORMING A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM INTO A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Co-founded by a young entrepreneur just in her twenties, Eliise Lehtsaar, the company produces biodegradable air filters from waste wool, offering a solution to the staggering figure of nine billion plastic ventilation system filters discarded worldwide each year. For Voon, the goal is straightforward yet compelling: why continue to landfill...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
FORECHECK
THE SECRET WEAPON IN WINNING THE CYBERCRIME WAR
Cyber security is an arms race that is positioned to continue indefinitely. New technologies are constantly emerging to combat cyber criminals, but regardless, criminals discover how to exploit them. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and other security-focused vendors detect many of these attacks and alert their customers and the community,...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
TMJ ATTORNEYS
PRACTICAL, SENSIBLE SOLUTIONS
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
ALTURA
WHERE BLOCKCHAIN MEETS GAMING
Altura’s mission is to provide gamers with the ability to control and own their in-game items and the ability for game developers to integrate blockchain technology in their video games seamlessly. Altura’s NFT Project The current state of NFTs is comparable to that of the web in the 90s; static...
Global Innovation Spotlight
Hosting solutions for growing webshops
A webshop’s success depends not only on products and design but also on the technical foundation that supports daily operations. Hosting is the backbone of every online store, determining speed, reliability, and the ability to handle growth. Modern businesses increasingly look for flexible and future-proof environments that can adapt to...