Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

NINETEEN 21

NINETEEN 21-UNORTHODOX THINKING

UNORTHODOX THINKING

Established in 2019, Nineteen21 is an innovative subscription business that presents savings and rewards solutions across a number of tiers. The company initially sought out to find a solution for college and varsity students to save money and maximise on the value of their limited monthly allowances. The company built...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

CREATIVEYEWORKS

CREATIVEYEWORKS- HAVING THE GREATEST POSSIBLE SOCIAL IMPACT AND CREATING A REALISTIC SOCIAL

HAVING THE GREATEST POSSIBLE SOCIAL IMPACT AND CREATING A REALISTIC SOCIAL, CIRCULARECONOMIC SELF-SUSTAINING SYSTEM. THIS IS THE MISSION OF THE CREATIVEYEWORKS PROJECT. THE PROJECT AIMS TO CREATE A GREAT ADDED VALUE THAT FLOWS COMPLETELY BACK TO SOCIETY

I am Koen Van Pottelbergh and due to a serious accident where I lost half of my sight, my view on life changed drastically. That is why I created the concept “CreativEyeworks”. Because everyone in the world has the right to see well, and to take all opportunities life has...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

FIREFLY BIOTECH

RESEARCH TOOLS THAT ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD

Firefly Biotech is an Adelaide start-up that targets a growing niche between medical research and engineering. They specialise in space medicine and research tools. They also offer advice, expertise and inspiration to the next generation of aspiring space scientists. Founded by Dr Giles Kirby, a thought leader in space medicine...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID)

A Vision Realized

The Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID) is dedicated to fostering a thriving, safe, and vibrant commercial and arts district in the designated BID area. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it ensures that local businesses have the resources they need to succeed while promoting economic development that aligns with the unique character...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

BADER AERO

PAVING THE WAY TO FLY GREEN

Bader Aero is revolutionising the way pilots learn and continue to fly by producing advanced zero emissions aircraft. As a proud South Australian based company, Bader Aero is building safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly light aircraft. They are a leader in the fastpaced aviation industry with their light aircraft platforms,...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

CHICAGO CONNECTORY

CHICAGO CONNECTORY-THE CENTRAL HUB OF IOT AND INNOVATION IN CHICAGO

THE CENTRAL HUB OF IOT AND INNOVATION IN CHICAGO, LEADING THE INITIATIVE AROUND THE WORLD

The Chicago Connectory is a co-creation space and IoT incubator located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart. Our co-working space builds business, collaboration, and network opportunities to our community. The Chicago Connectory opened its doors in May 2017. The idea for the Chicago Connectory sparked with Bosch, a multinational engineering and...

INNOVATION Quebec

CENTRE FOR CIRCUS ARTS RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER ( CR!TAC )

THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY

We are a collective of world-class researchers and experts conducting applied research on human potential and movement in the context of the performing arts. Through a cross-disciplinary approach, we strive to solve complex technological, technical or societal challenges. We pool our expertise to find innovative ways to support, enhance and...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

POSITIVO TECNOLOGIA

CURITIBA AND POSITIVO TECNOLOGIA: EVOLUTION WITH TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

We are a technology company, but our history is intrinsically linked to education. Unlike other large companies in the segment, we were created in 1989 inside a classroom. Our initial dream became a reality as we developed genuinely Brazilian technology, becoming a market reference and enabling millions of Brazilians to...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

UNIONWEAR

USA MADE BASEBALL CAPS AND TOTE BAGS: DESIGNED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, MANUFACTURED BY ROBOTS.

Unionwear manufactures – from scratch—100% made in USA baseball hats, backpacks, messenger bags, portfolios, and binders, with 160 union sewers in Newark, NJ. Mitch Cahn founded Unionwear in 1992 with six sewers and a contract to make baseball hats for Ralph Lauren, and has evolved by buying legacy manufacturers of...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CITY OF SALISBURY

THE ECONOMIC HEART OF NORTHERN ADELAIDE

The City of Salisbury covers 158km2 and stretches from Valley View in the south to Edinburgh in the north, St Kilda in the west and Salisbury Heights in the east. It contributes $8.65 billion to the State economy and nearly 61,994 jobs. Significant employment hubs are located in: • Vicinity...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

BOAST AI

Boast’s AI-powered platform maximizes R&D tax credits while accelerating access to funding

Boast’s AI-powered platform maximizes R&D tax credits while accelerating access to funding The good news for companies of all sizes: Each year, the Canadian and U.S. federal governments provide businesses with more than $20 billion in research and development (R&D) credits. The bad news: application processes are cumbersome, time-consuming, and...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Duolingo

Duolingo's Detroit Journey: From Gunner to Hobbes and Animated Innovation.

In Detroit, two motion design studios were making waves in the animation world: Gunner, known for its bold illustration and character animation, and Hobbes, a leader in product-driven animation. The companies earned reputations for creativity and emotional intelligence, collaborating with high-profile clients for years. However, everything changed when Duolingo—the world’s...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Altus

Altus - Making Financial Services Faster

Making Financial Services Faster

Our mission is to eliminate paper from financial services; leaving our clients free to focus on a digital future and reducing costs for consumers. In 2005 a small group of technical evangelists concluded it was time to tackle the mountains of paper still driving large parts of the financial services...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Ekaterina Vert-Wong (Nostopharma)

Resourceful and Scrappy Just Might Win the Race for a Biobased Economy

Across roles at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and human impact, Ekateirna Vert-Wong has demonstrated a belief that progress is most meaningful when it benefits people while safeguarding the future. Both as an executive leading biomedical teams and an entrepreneur building climate-resilient medicine in Maryland, her path has been guided...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center at Montgomery County

ON THE RISE - Making Maryland the Biomanufacturing Global Leader

ON THE RISE – Making Maryland the Biomanufacturing Global Leader WORKFORCE INNOVATION STARTSWITH BIOHUB MARYLAND BioHub Maryland, a workforce initiative of the Maryland Tech Council, is set to bridge gaps in the state’s life sciences ecosystem and propel biomanufacturing in the National Capital Region. BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

PCG SOFTWARE

PCG SOFTWARE- THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

PCG Software is a multi-award-winning, youth-led software development startup that offers bespoke digital solutions. We offer a diverse range of services including planning and consulting, back-end integrations, application development, testing and maintenance to deliver quality software apps that work across multiple platforms and devices. From left to right: Michael Mavuso –...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

THINK BIG LEADERS

THINK BIG, BUILD FOR SCALE: UNLOCKING INNOVATION AND AI’S POTENTIAL

Sweden and Stockholm must leverage innovation and AI to remain relevant and competitive, and to achieve the values that we believe in. But it’s hard to achieve the scale, speed, and direction that we aim for in a sustainable way. Think Big Leaders helps organizations formulate a strategic direction and...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

IMPACT BUILDERS

TOWARDS A RESILIENT AND HUMAN-CENTERED EUROPE

Europe stands at a turning point. Global supply chains are increasingly shaped by geopolitical shifts, critical technologies are still developed elsewhere, and many European industries struggle with succession and growth. To safeguard prosperity, the continent needs to build its own strength. A Europe-first economy means homegrown technologies, resilient supply chains,...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

The Positive Life Company

The Positive Life Company - In a World of Chaos

In a World of Chaos, Our Happiness Is Being Tested Everyday

In a world of chaos, our happiness is being tested everyday. According to the World Happiness Report, the United States is the unhappiest it has ever been. Finding innovative ways to protect and sustain our happiness levels is the basis of The Positive Life Company.   We believe that, through...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Agricultural Software Trends Transforming Industry in 2025 and Beyond

Agtech is changing farming in exciting ways by using smart digital tools and machines to solve old problems. Farmers today face higher costs, fewer workers, and more pressure to farm in ways that protect the environment. To handle these challenges, more farms are using agtech than ever before. At the...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LIGGA

CONNECTIVITY IN SCHOOLS DRIVES DIGITAL INCLUSION IN INDIGENOUS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN PARANÁ

The arrival of Ligga’s fiber optic network in rural schools supports the work of teachers and encourages students’ knowledge and access to technology, benefiting the entire teaching ecosystem and the local community. Ligga, the main internet company and connectivity provider in Paraná, in partnership with the State Department of Education...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF)

AN INNOVATIVE FORCE-THE PRESERVATION OF DIGNITY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Canada’s population is growing older. In 2019, the population of seniors 65-years of age and older was almost one-fifth of the overall population, and by 2040 the population of seniors is predicted to reach one-fourth of the overall population, with over one-third of seniors having two or more chronic diseases.1...

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® Gaming & Esports

DREAMCRAFT

We Are Hands-On Venture Engineers Who Support Dreamers And Crafters Building Legendary Companies

At Dreamcraft, we invest in European tech-driven companies from pre-seed to Series A. We are generalists with a proven track record in iGaming, gaming, esports, D2C, B2B SaaS, and decarbonization. We believe success is created by a team of dreamers and crafters – and we are venture engineers who help...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

NINETEEN 21

NINETEEN 21-UNORTHODOX THINKING

UNORTHODOX THINKING

Established in 2019, Nineteen21 is an innovative subscription business that presents savings and rewards solutions across a number of tiers. The company initially sought out to find a solution for college and varsity students to save money and maximise on the value of their limited monthly allowances. The company built...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

CREATIVEYEWORKS

CREATIVEYEWORKS- HAVING THE GREATEST POSSIBLE SOCIAL IMPACT AND CREATING A REALISTIC SOCIAL

HAVING THE GREATEST POSSIBLE SOCIAL IMPACT AND CREATING A REALISTIC SOCIAL, CIRCULARECONOMIC SELF-SUSTAINING SYSTEM. THIS IS THE MISSION OF THE CREATIVEYEWORKS PROJECT. THE PROJECT AIMS TO CREATE A GREAT ADDED VALUE THAT FLOWS COMPLETELY BACK TO SOCIETY

I am Koen Van Pottelbergh and due to a serious accident where I lost half of my sight, my view on life changed drastically. That is why I created the concept “CreativEyeworks”. Because everyone in the world has the right to see well, and to take all opportunities life has...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

FIREFLY BIOTECH

RESEARCH TOOLS THAT ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD

Firefly Biotech is an Adelaide start-up that targets a growing niche between medical research and engineering. They specialise in space medicine and research tools. They also offer advice, expertise and inspiration to the next generation of aspiring space scientists. Founded by Dr Giles Kirby, a thought leader in space medicine...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID)

A Vision Realized

The Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID) is dedicated to fostering a thriving, safe, and vibrant commercial and arts district in the designated BID area. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it ensures that local businesses have the resources they need to succeed while promoting economic development that aligns with the unique character...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

BADER AERO

PAVING THE WAY TO FLY GREEN

Bader Aero is revolutionising the way pilots learn and continue to fly by producing advanced zero emissions aircraft. As a proud South Australian based company, Bader Aero is building safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly light aircraft. They are a leader in the fastpaced aviation industry with their light aircraft platforms,...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

CHICAGO CONNECTORY

CHICAGO CONNECTORY-THE CENTRAL HUB OF IOT AND INNOVATION IN CHICAGO

THE CENTRAL HUB OF IOT AND INNOVATION IN CHICAGO, LEADING THE INITIATIVE AROUND THE WORLD

The Chicago Connectory is a co-creation space and IoT incubator located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart. Our co-working space builds business, collaboration, and network opportunities to our community. The Chicago Connectory opened its doors in May 2017. The idea for the Chicago Connectory sparked with Bosch, a multinational engineering and...

INNOVATION Quebec

CENTRE FOR CIRCUS ARTS RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER ( CR!TAC )

THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY

We are a collective of world-class researchers and experts conducting applied research on human potential and movement in the context of the performing arts. Through a cross-disciplinary approach, we strive to solve complex technological, technical or societal challenges. We pool our expertise to find innovative ways to support, enhance and...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

POSITIVO TECNOLOGIA

CURITIBA AND POSITIVO TECNOLOGIA: EVOLUTION WITH TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

We are a technology company, but our history is intrinsically linked to education. Unlike other large companies in the segment, we were created in 1989 inside a classroom. Our initial dream became a reality as we developed genuinely Brazilian technology, becoming a market reference and enabling millions of Brazilians to...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

UNIONWEAR

USA MADE BASEBALL CAPS AND TOTE BAGS: DESIGNED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, MANUFACTURED BY ROBOTS.

Unionwear manufactures – from scratch—100% made in USA baseball hats, backpacks, messenger bags, portfolios, and binders, with 160 union sewers in Newark, NJ. Mitch Cahn founded Unionwear in 1992 with six sewers and a contract to make baseball hats for Ralph Lauren, and has evolved by buying legacy manufacturers of...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CITY OF SALISBURY

THE ECONOMIC HEART OF NORTHERN ADELAIDE

The City of Salisbury covers 158km2 and stretches from Valley View in the south to Edinburgh in the north, St Kilda in the west and Salisbury Heights in the east. It contributes $8.65 billion to the State economy and nearly 61,994 jobs. Significant employment hubs are located in: • Vicinity...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

BOAST AI

Boast’s AI-powered platform maximizes R&D tax credits while accelerating access to funding

Boast’s AI-powered platform maximizes R&D tax credits while accelerating access to funding The good news for companies of all sizes: Each year, the Canadian and U.S. federal governments provide businesses with more than $20 billion in research and development (R&D) credits. The bad news: application processes are cumbersome, time-consuming, and...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Duolingo

Duolingo's Detroit Journey: From Gunner to Hobbes and Animated Innovation.

In Detroit, two motion design studios were making waves in the animation world: Gunner, known for its bold illustration and character animation, and Hobbes, a leader in product-driven animation. The companies earned reputations for creativity and emotional intelligence, collaborating with high-profile clients for years. However, everything changed when Duolingo—the world’s...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Altus

Altus - Making Financial Services Faster

Making Financial Services Faster

Our mission is to eliminate paper from financial services; leaving our clients free to focus on a digital future and reducing costs for consumers. In 2005 a small group of technical evangelists concluded it was time to tackle the mountains of paper still driving large parts of the financial services...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Ekaterina Vert-Wong (Nostopharma)

Resourceful and Scrappy Just Might Win the Race for a Biobased Economy

Across roles at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and human impact, Ekateirna Vert-Wong has demonstrated a belief that progress is most meaningful when it benefits people while safeguarding the future. Both as an executive leading biomedical teams and an entrepreneur building climate-resilient medicine in Maryland, her path has been guided...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center at Montgomery County

ON THE RISE - Making Maryland the Biomanufacturing Global Leader

ON THE RISE – Making Maryland the Biomanufacturing Global Leader WORKFORCE INNOVATION STARTSWITH BIOHUB MARYLAND BioHub Maryland, a workforce initiative of the Maryland Tech Council, is set to bridge gaps in the state’s life sciences ecosystem and propel biomanufacturing in the National Capital Region. BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

PCG SOFTWARE

PCG SOFTWARE- THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

PCG Software is a multi-award-winning, youth-led software development startup that offers bespoke digital solutions. We offer a diverse range of services including planning and consulting, back-end integrations, application development, testing and maintenance to deliver quality software apps that work across multiple platforms and devices. From left to right: Michael Mavuso –...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

THINK BIG LEADERS

THINK BIG, BUILD FOR SCALE: UNLOCKING INNOVATION AND AI’S POTENTIAL

Sweden and Stockholm must leverage innovation and AI to remain relevant and competitive, and to achieve the values that we believe in. But it’s hard to achieve the scale, speed, and direction that we aim for in a sustainable way. Think Big Leaders helps organizations formulate a strategic direction and...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

IMPACT BUILDERS

TOWARDS A RESILIENT AND HUMAN-CENTERED EUROPE

Europe stands at a turning point. Global supply chains are increasingly shaped by geopolitical shifts, critical technologies are still developed elsewhere, and many European industries struggle with succession and growth. To safeguard prosperity, the continent needs to build its own strength. A Europe-first economy means homegrown technologies, resilient supply chains,...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

The Positive Life Company

The Positive Life Company - In a World of Chaos

In a World of Chaos, Our Happiness Is Being Tested Everyday

In a world of chaos, our happiness is being tested everyday. According to the World Happiness Report, the United States is the unhappiest it has ever been. Finding innovative ways to protect and sustain our happiness levels is the basis of The Positive Life Company.   We believe that, through...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Agricultural Software Trends Transforming Industry in 2025 and Beyond

Agtech is changing farming in exciting ways by using smart digital tools and machines to solve old problems. Farmers today face higher costs, fewer workers, and more pressure to farm in ways that protect the environment. To handle these challenges, more farms are using agtech than ever before. At the...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LIGGA

CONNECTIVITY IN SCHOOLS DRIVES DIGITAL INCLUSION IN INDIGENOUS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN PARANÁ

The arrival of Ligga’s fiber optic network in rural schools supports the work of teachers and encourages students’ knowledge and access to technology, benefiting the entire teaching ecosystem and the local community. Ligga, the main internet company and connectivity provider in Paraná, in partnership with the State Department of Education...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF)

AN INNOVATIVE FORCE-THE PRESERVATION OF DIGNITY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Canada’s population is growing older. In 2019, the population of seniors 65-years of age and older was almost one-fifth of the overall population, and by 2040 the population of seniors is predicted to reach one-fourth of the overall population, with over one-third of seniors having two or more chronic diseases.1...

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® Gaming & Esports

DREAMCRAFT

We Are Hands-On Venture Engineers Who Support Dreamers And Crafters Building Legendary Companies

At Dreamcraft, we invest in European tech-driven companies from pre-seed to Series A. We are generalists with a proven track record in iGaming, gaming, esports, D2C, B2B SaaS, and decarbonization. We believe success is created by a team of dreamers and crafters – and we are venture engineers who help...

Ecosystems