Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

ECOMsquare

COWORKING SPACE AND COMMUNITY FOR ECOMMERCE IN VANCOUVER

A community project since day one.You might think of ECOMsquare as a place. To its founder, Steve Krueger, the distinctive blue building on West 8th Ave represents the latest evolution of a community he’s been building since June 12, 2014. Krueger hosted an Ecommerce Town Hall to connect with professionals...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

UNIVERSITY STARTUPS

Empowering Tomorrow

In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, two Georgetown University McDonough School of Business professors found themselves contemplating a way to bring more purpose to their work and students’ lives. Marc Steren and John Jabara, both seasoned academics and entrepreneurs, decided to channel their expertise into something transformative. What...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NEDBANK

NEDBANK -A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS

A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS

Digitisation and technological innovation are nothing new to the South African banking industry, but those banks that had made significant progress on their digital journeys before the Covid-19 pandemic, have been best placed to meet the fast-changing needs of their clients and, as is the case with Nedbank, gain efficiencies...

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® Nashville

bundleN

OUR AGILE TEAM DELIVERS QUALITY SOFTWARE BEYOND EXPECTATION

Software should solve problems, not create them. However, the process of developing software has its own set of bugs. In 2021, 48-percent of software development projects ran over budget and a third over time, according to a Deloitte study. These project pitfalls stem from a lack of transparency and proper...

INNOVATE® Georgia

QTS

THE BACKBONE OF OUR MODERN ECONOMY

QTS Data Centers is a leading provider of data center solutions across a diverse footprint with over two gigawatts of critical power capacity under customer contract in North America and Europe. Part of the Blackstone portfolio, QTS delivers secure, compliant infrastructure solutions, robust connectivity and premium customer service to leading...

INNOVATE® Georgia

COLLIBRA

DO MORE WITH TRUSTED DATA

THE LEADER IN DATA INTELLIGENCECollibra helps our customers do more with trusted data. Our Data Intelligence Platform brings flexible governance, continuous quality and built-in privacy to the world’s leading brands. Headquartered in New York City and Brussels, we work with 700+ customers worldwide and partner with the most innovative companies....

INNOVATE™ Estonia

CLARICY

POWERING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITH DEEPTECH

Founded in 2022 by Johanna Stina Haar (MA) at the age of 24, Claricy is an Estonian DeepTech company that helps small and mid-sized enterprises navigate digital transformation. Johanna holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in IT management, complemented by experience as both a financial specialist...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

UFPR

FOUNDED IN 1912, UFPR IS THE OLDEST UNIVERSITY IN BRAZIL.

It was initially known as the University of Paraná, and it has been since then a national reference when it comes to teaching, research, and outreach services. Therefore, the UFPR historic building, located at Praça Santos Andrade, was chosen by Curitiba residents as the very symbol of the city. Initially,...

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™ Oeiras

Daikin

Daikin - Air Conditioning Portugal

Air Conditioning Portugal

With more than 90 years of experience in the design and manufacture of heating and cooling technologies, Daikin is the European market leader in air conditioning and heat pump systems, providing perfect thermal conditions for homes, businesses and industries. At Daikin Portugal we are working with passionate people to provide...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

MY MODULAR

15-YEARS AGO, A VISIONARY ELECTRICIAN IDENTIFIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVOLUTIONIZE ELECTRICAL INSTALL

MyModular is a South Australian based modular and prefabricated electrical solutions provider. Our success stems from our relentless pursuit of change and exceptional delivery. With over 10 exciting innovation projects in progress, we are poised for domestic and international expansion. Through strategic investments in capability and capacity, we are primed...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Intrapreneurial Capital

Breaking Barriers: Meet the Trio That's Transforming Intrapreneurship from Buzzword to Business Strategy

Albert Bengtson, Birgitte Stjärne, and Roland Williams bring a dynamic blend of expertise and proven strategies that drive transformative innovation in the corporate world. As seasoned leaders in business development, creative strategy, and innovation management, they provide powerful insights tailored to today’s complex and competitive landscape. Their approach empowers organizations...

INNOVATE® Seattle

SVB - SILICON VALLEY BANK

SVB helps individuals, investors and the world’s most innovative companies achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Our Seattle-based team is dedicated to helping leading founders, executives, and investors achieve their financial goals. We’re based in downtown Seattle and proudly serve the Greater Seattle innovation economy. Silicon Valley Bank, SVB Capital, SVB Private, and SVB Securities together offer the services that dynamic and fast-growing clients require as...

INNOVATE® South Florida

Betr Holdings, Inc.

REDEFINING SPORTS GAMING AND MEDIA FROM SOUTH FLORIDA

REDEFINING SPORTS GAMING AND MEDIA FROM SOUTH FLORIDA Betr Holdings, Inc. is a Miami-based sports gaming and media company at the forefront of innovation in the sports betting and entertainment sectors. Co-founded in 2022 by entrepreneur Joey Levy and professional boxer and serial entrepreneur Jake Paul. Betr is revolutionizing how...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

GREATER NEWARK ENTERPRISES CORPORATION

GREATER NEWARK ENTERPRISES CORPORATION-A CDFI that Provides Technical ASSISTANCE and Lending capital so NJ Small Businesses Survive and Thrive

A CDFI that Provides Technical ASSISTANCE and Lending capital so NJ Small Businesses Survive and Thrive

Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation (GNEC) is a Newark-based non-profit certified community development financial institution (CDFI) with a proven record of delivering capital and microenterprise services to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs in the northern New Jersey areas of Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Bergen, Middlesex, Union and Monmouth counties of New Jersey. GNEC’s primary purpose...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

OLIST

MEET OLIST, THE LEADING ECOSYSTEM IN E-COMMERCE SOLUTIONS FOR SMES

Founded in 2015, Olist is a benchmark startup in e-commerce solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, focused on operational management, increased competitiveness in marketplaces and multichannel sales. In 2021, the company acquired Tiny e Vnda, companies based on high technology that offer top-notch services and share the same goal of...

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® Seattle

DEFINED.AI

TRANSFORMING AI TRAINING, ONE DATASET AT A TIME

At Defined.ai, our commitment is to enable the builders of AI with ethically sourced data and deliver conversational AI to digitally low-resourced markets. I had the idea of founding the company when I realized how the Conversational AI market was becoming mainstream, and everyone was building multilingual voice search and...

INNOVATE® Nashville

TEACH FOR AMERICA

TRANSFORMING CLASSROOMS AND EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES

A National Movement to Expand Educational Opportunity This year, Teach For America marks its 35th anniversary – a milestone that celebrates a movement of leaders working alongside communities to expand opportunity for all children. Since its founding in 1990, Teach For America has recruited, developed, and supported a diverse network...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

Ideawake

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE In a world where ideas hold immense value, Ideawake is on a mission to empower companies to mine their most valuable resource: their employees’ creativity and insights. Founded in 2013 by Coby Skonord and Trae Tessmann, Ideawake began with a vision to make innovation accessible...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CAPITAL WORKFORCE INNOVATION CONSORTIUM

Empowering D.C.’s Future Through Workforce Innovation

The InnovationFounded in 2024, the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium is a Next Generation Sector Partnership formed by the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) and convened by BuildWithin. This initiative serves as an engine for aligning local talent with market demands through robust public-private partnerships, particularly in the...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

ONTARIO INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

ONTARIO INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH- MOBILIZING THE CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNITY TO DRIVE PERSONALIZED CARE

MOBILIZING THE CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNITY TO DRIVE PERSONALIZED CARE

Cancer is not just one disease. Each tumour is unique, and each person will experience cancer differently, requiring tailored therapies matched to the unique drivers of their disease.   To address this tremendous challenge effectively, it takes a diverse range of people working together in multidisciplinary networks on innovations in...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

PORT OF ANTWERP-BRUGES

PORT OF ANTWERP-BRUGES- BUILDING THE PORT OF THE FUTURE

BUILDING THE PORT OF THE FUTURE

Major challenges on energy transition, climate, mobility, and digital transformation are ahead of us and are closely linked to the activities of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, being the 2nd largest port in Europe and the 2nd largest integrated chemical cluster in the world. The recent merger between the ports of Antwerp...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

ECOMsquare

COWORKING SPACE AND COMMUNITY FOR ECOMMERCE IN VANCOUVER

A community project since day one.You might think of ECOMsquare as a place. To its founder, Steve Krueger, the distinctive blue building on West 8th Ave represents the latest evolution of a community he’s been building since June 12, 2014. Krueger hosted an Ecommerce Town Hall to connect with professionals...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

UNIVERSITY STARTUPS

Empowering Tomorrow

In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, two Georgetown University McDonough School of Business professors found themselves contemplating a way to bring more purpose to their work and students’ lives. Marc Steren and John Jabara, both seasoned academics and entrepreneurs, decided to channel their expertise into something transformative. What...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NEDBANK

NEDBANK -A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS

A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS

Digitisation and technological innovation are nothing new to the South African banking industry, but those banks that had made significant progress on their digital journeys before the Covid-19 pandemic, have been best placed to meet the fast-changing needs of their clients and, as is the case with Nedbank, gain efficiencies...

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® Nashville

bundleN

OUR AGILE TEAM DELIVERS QUALITY SOFTWARE BEYOND EXPECTATION

Software should solve problems, not create them. However, the process of developing software has its own set of bugs. In 2021, 48-percent of software development projects ran over budget and a third over time, according to a Deloitte study. These project pitfalls stem from a lack of transparency and proper...

INNOVATE® Georgia

QTS

THE BACKBONE OF OUR MODERN ECONOMY

QTS Data Centers is a leading provider of data center solutions across a diverse footprint with over two gigawatts of critical power capacity under customer contract in North America and Europe. Part of the Blackstone portfolio, QTS delivers secure, compliant infrastructure solutions, robust connectivity and premium customer service to leading...

INNOVATE® Georgia

COLLIBRA

DO MORE WITH TRUSTED DATA

THE LEADER IN DATA INTELLIGENCECollibra helps our customers do more with trusted data. Our Data Intelligence Platform brings flexible governance, continuous quality and built-in privacy to the world’s leading brands. Headquartered in New York City and Brussels, we work with 700+ customers worldwide and partner with the most innovative companies....

INNOVATE™ Estonia

CLARICY

POWERING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITH DEEPTECH

Founded in 2022 by Johanna Stina Haar (MA) at the age of 24, Claricy is an Estonian DeepTech company that helps small and mid-sized enterprises navigate digital transformation. Johanna holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in IT management, complemented by experience as both a financial specialist...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

UFPR

FOUNDED IN 1912, UFPR IS THE OLDEST UNIVERSITY IN BRAZIL.

It was initially known as the University of Paraná, and it has been since then a national reference when it comes to teaching, research, and outreach services. Therefore, the UFPR historic building, located at Praça Santos Andrade, was chosen by Curitiba residents as the very symbol of the city. Initially,...

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™ Oeiras

Daikin

Daikin - Air Conditioning Portugal

Air Conditioning Portugal

With more than 90 years of experience in the design and manufacture of heating and cooling technologies, Daikin is the European market leader in air conditioning and heat pump systems, providing perfect thermal conditions for homes, businesses and industries. At Daikin Portugal we are working with passionate people to provide...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

MY MODULAR

15-YEARS AGO, A VISIONARY ELECTRICIAN IDENTIFIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVOLUTIONIZE ELECTRICAL INSTALL

MyModular is a South Australian based modular and prefabricated electrical solutions provider. Our success stems from our relentless pursuit of change and exceptional delivery. With over 10 exciting innovation projects in progress, we are poised for domestic and international expansion. Through strategic investments in capability and capacity, we are primed...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Intrapreneurial Capital

Breaking Barriers: Meet the Trio That's Transforming Intrapreneurship from Buzzword to Business Strategy

Albert Bengtson, Birgitte Stjärne, and Roland Williams bring a dynamic blend of expertise and proven strategies that drive transformative innovation in the corporate world. As seasoned leaders in business development, creative strategy, and innovation management, they provide powerful insights tailored to today’s complex and competitive landscape. Their approach empowers organizations...

INNOVATE® Seattle

SVB - SILICON VALLEY BANK

SVB helps individuals, investors and the world’s most innovative companies achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Our Seattle-based team is dedicated to helping leading founders, executives, and investors achieve their financial goals. We’re based in downtown Seattle and proudly serve the Greater Seattle innovation economy. Silicon Valley Bank, SVB Capital, SVB Private, and SVB Securities together offer the services that dynamic and fast-growing clients require as...

INNOVATE® South Florida

Betr Holdings, Inc.

REDEFINING SPORTS GAMING AND MEDIA FROM SOUTH FLORIDA

REDEFINING SPORTS GAMING AND MEDIA FROM SOUTH FLORIDA Betr Holdings, Inc. is a Miami-based sports gaming and media company at the forefront of innovation in the sports betting and entertainment sectors. Co-founded in 2022 by entrepreneur Joey Levy and professional boxer and serial entrepreneur Jake Paul. Betr is revolutionizing how...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

GREATER NEWARK ENTERPRISES CORPORATION

GREATER NEWARK ENTERPRISES CORPORATION-A CDFI that Provides Technical ASSISTANCE and Lending capital so NJ Small Businesses Survive and Thrive

A CDFI that Provides Technical ASSISTANCE and Lending capital so NJ Small Businesses Survive and Thrive

Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation (GNEC) is a Newark-based non-profit certified community development financial institution (CDFI) with a proven record of delivering capital and microenterprise services to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs in the northern New Jersey areas of Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Bergen, Middlesex, Union and Monmouth counties of New Jersey. GNEC’s primary purpose...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

OLIST

MEET OLIST, THE LEADING ECOSYSTEM IN E-COMMERCE SOLUTIONS FOR SMES

Founded in 2015, Olist is a benchmark startup in e-commerce solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, focused on operational management, increased competitiveness in marketplaces and multichannel sales. In 2021, the company acquired Tiny e Vnda, companies based on high technology that offer top-notch services and share the same goal of...

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® Seattle

DEFINED.AI

TRANSFORMING AI TRAINING, ONE DATASET AT A TIME

At Defined.ai, our commitment is to enable the builders of AI with ethically sourced data and deliver conversational AI to digitally low-resourced markets. I had the idea of founding the company when I realized how the Conversational AI market was becoming mainstream, and everyone was building multilingual voice search and...

INNOVATE® Nashville

TEACH FOR AMERICA

TRANSFORMING CLASSROOMS AND EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES

A National Movement to Expand Educational Opportunity This year, Teach For America marks its 35th anniversary – a milestone that celebrates a movement of leaders working alongside communities to expand opportunity for all children. Since its founding in 1990, Teach For America has recruited, developed, and supported a diverse network...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

Ideawake

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE

REVOLUTIONIZING CORPORATE INNOVATION FROM MILWAUKEE In a world where ideas hold immense value, Ideawake is on a mission to empower companies to mine their most valuable resource: their employees’ creativity and insights. Founded in 2013 by Coby Skonord and Trae Tessmann, Ideawake began with a vision to make innovation accessible...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CAPITAL WORKFORCE INNOVATION CONSORTIUM

Empowering D.C.’s Future Through Workforce Innovation

The InnovationFounded in 2024, the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium is a Next Generation Sector Partnership formed by the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) and convened by BuildWithin. This initiative serves as an engine for aligning local talent with market demands through robust public-private partnerships, particularly in the...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

ONTARIO INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

ONTARIO INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH- MOBILIZING THE CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNITY TO DRIVE PERSONALIZED CARE

MOBILIZING THE CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNITY TO DRIVE PERSONALIZED CARE

Cancer is not just one disease. Each tumour is unique, and each person will experience cancer differently, requiring tailored therapies matched to the unique drivers of their disease.   To address this tremendous challenge effectively, it takes a diverse range of people working together in multidisciplinary networks on innovations in...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

PORT OF ANTWERP-BRUGES

PORT OF ANTWERP-BRUGES- BUILDING THE PORT OF THE FUTURE

BUILDING THE PORT OF THE FUTURE

Major challenges on energy transition, climate, mobility, and digital transformation are ahead of us and are closely linked to the activities of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, being the 2nd largest port in Europe and the 2nd largest integrated chemical cluster in the world. The recent merger between the ports of Antwerp...

Ecosystems