Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® South Carolina

DC BLOX

DRIVING DIGITAL INNOVATION AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Every morning, the sun rises over a small, unassuming building nestled near the shores of Myrtle Beach. From the outside, it could be anything—a warehouse, a power station, just another part of the city’s horizon. But inside, this facility is something extraordinary: a new kind of port, not for ships...

INNOVATE® Detroit

ITC HOLDINGS CORP.

Transmission is Key to Unlocking Our Energy Future

From electric vehicles to renewable energy, the world is looking at electricity in a new way, and ITC is focused on building and maintaining a power grid that can handle it all. The path to a highly connected, advanced society in which vehicles and infrastructure talk to each other, drones...

INNOVATE® Nashville

NASHVILLE SOFTWARE SCHOOL

NASHVILLE SOFTWARE SCHOOL-CREATING AN ONRAMP TO REWARDING CAREERS IN TECHNOLOGY

CREATING AN ONRAMP TO REWARDING CAREERS IN TECHNOLOGY

It was late 2011 when Nashville Software School (NSS) Founder and CEO, John Wark set out to find a solution to a challenge he frequently heard about in Nashville’s business community – the persistent shortage of trained tech talent such as software developers. The tech skills gap was (and is)...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Civilized Coffee Company - About Creating A Culture Around The Brand

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® Nashville

Nashville Stars

Building a Brand, Creating a Venue, Inspiring a City

When the story of Nashville’s first Major League Baseball franchise is finally written, one theme will stand above the rest: innovation. Music City Baseball (MCB), the local ownership foundation behind the Nashville Stars, has approached the challenge of bringing MLB to Tennessee with a strategy that goes beyond the traditional...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

METRO MLS

A COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION

“Innovation is a cumulation of creativity and ingenuity with a splash of chaos that produces something of great substance.” Metro MLS has been reshaping the landscape of real estate in Wisconsin since its establishment in 1962. This powerhouse serves over 10,000 real estate professionals across the state, constantly pushing the...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

THINCLAB

GIVE YOUR IDEAS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE

ThincLab is the University of Adelaide’s business incubator and provides start-ups with a dynamic space and community in which to nurture ideas, develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and facilitate valuable connections and networks with mentors, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. ThincLab supports students, alumni, staff and the wider community create and...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

COHESION

We Are Transforming Commercial Real Estate With Smart Building Technology That Enhances The Workplace Experience, Streamlines Operations And Optimizes Revenue In One Single Digital Platform

The Cohesion app fulfills these demands by integrating building systems and IoT devices for seamless interactions in the workplace environment....

INNOVATE® Nashville

AllianceBernstein

Focused on Expanding our Talent Pipeline through Strategic Relationship

AllianceBernstein (AB) is a leading global investment management firm, offering diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals, and private wealth clients in major world markets. In 2018, AB announced its relocation from Midtown Manhattan to Nashville, Tennessee, creating 1,000 high-paying jobs. During that process, AB recognized the strength of the...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

PLAYMAKER RECRUITING

Is here to level the playing field for student athletes and coaches, providing more access to opportunities and resources

Playmaker Recruiting was born from the broken system that is college athlete recruiting, with the mission to help students and coaches navigate the complicated recruiting process, and provide greater access to opportunities at the next level. Having seen friends and family go through the college recruiting process, it was apparent...

INNOVATE® Nashville

MOTUS DRIVE

PRACTICAL MOBILITY SOLUTIONS

Motus Drive was founded by Ferhan Jemal after seeing firsthand the challenges his uncle faced due to limited mobility and the high costs associated with powered wheelchairs. Motivated by this experience, Ferhan spent eight years studying the wheelchair market, talking with industry experts, prototyping, and gathering direct feedback from wheelchair...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Imagi

Reimagining Technology Education for an Inclusive Future

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, imagi stands at the forefront of transforming education to ensure that the digital and AI revolution is inclusive, equitable, and future-proof. Founded with the vision of creating an environment where every child, regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic background see themselves as creators...

United Nations Lesotho

UNDP

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

SUPPORT ON DIGITIZATION UNDP helps countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress. UNDP is working for a Lesotho that is empowered and more resilient to create and sustain growth that will improve people’s lives. LEHOKELA DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR COMMUNITY POLICING UNDP Lesotho, through...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

SITTERCITY

SITTERCITY

As the first and largest digital platform for finding in-home care, Sittercity, a Bright Horizons company, has come a long way since 2001. , We were the first to make online child care an employee benefit and we continue to connect millions of parents with babysitters and nannies every year....

INNOVATE® South Florida

ROBOHOOD

REVOLUTIONIZING ART WITH ROBOTICS

Robohood is a groundbreaking startup that enables anyone to turn an image into a painting with their software and robotic arms. Originally founded by Anna Mishchenko and Nikolay Gavrilin, the company was inspired by Anna’s personal journey. Anna grew up with hand tremors that prevented her from painting, so she...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

MOTORICA

ANIMATION AT SCALE, CREATIVITY IN CONTROL

The gaming and interactive media industries are built on the ambition of creating experiences that customers love. Players expect living, reactive worlds. Studios dream big to fulfill those expectations but often find themselves blocked by outdated workflows and legacy pipelines. Instead of creating, teams are stuck firefighting, forced to choose...

INNOVATION Quebec

ISEQ

THE PÔLE D’EXCELLENCE DE L’INDUSTRIE DES SYSTÈMES ÉLECTRONIQUES DU QUÉBEC (ISEQ)

It acts as a vehicle for collaboration to foster innovation, industry recognition, expanded opportunities, commercialization, and business competitiveness. Promote the export of electronics goods, services, and innovations to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the North American restructuring of electronic systems supply chains. ISEQ was created by the Ministère...

INNOVATE® Detroit

StockX

Leading Next Gen Retail

The Birth of a Marketplace Revolution. In 2016, in downtown Detroit, a disruptive idea took shape—one that would forever change the way people buy and sell limited-edition sneakers, streetwear, and collectibles. StockX, the brainchild of Greg Schwartz, Josh Luber, Dan Gilbert, and Chris Kaufman, was built on a simple yet...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

ValueMapping®

ValueMapping® - A GPS for Clarifying Human and Business Value

A GPS for Clarifying Human and Business Value

ValueMapping® is a GPS for clarifying human and business value and then authentically communicating that story to the world. ValueMapping’s foundations were established in the late 1990s when founder Al Emerick first began working with clients in broadcast advertising and brand development. His exploration of how people defined value was...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CITRINE ANGELS

SUPPORTING FEMALE FOUNDERS AND FUNDERS FOR A STRONGER ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

In a world where investment landscapes favor men, Citrine Angels emerges as a game-changer for its support of female founders and funders. Founded in 2019 by Allyson Redpath along with DC power players Lisa Friedlander, Stephanie Bauer Marshall and Aurelia Flores, Citrine Angels is a dynamic, female-only membership group based...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

ART4L

SMARTPICK CONNECTS THE WAREHOUSE OPERATOR OF THE FUTURE

ART4L is a Belgian software technology company based in Ghent. Its flagship product is Smartpick and the companion Smartpick SDK. Smartpick aims to connect and guide warehouse operators in the best possible way. This is an important goal because the tasks of warehouse operators become increasingly difficult, while the availability...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

CIFAR

CIFAR-ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE TO CHANGE THE WORLD

ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE TO CHANGE THE WORLD

INNOVATORS, SCHOLARS & EXPERTSCIFAR is a global leader in the research community, bringing together top researchers across disciplines to advance our understanding of the most complex and far-reaching questions. Our researchers establish new fields of inquiry — reimagining our health, our understanding of the Universe, the prosperity of our societies,...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

Venn Innovation

Helping Atlantic Canadian Companies Recognize Their Strengths and Potential to Become Globally Connective and Competitive

Since 2010, Venn Innovation has been helping founders and startup entrepreneurs who want to build scalable technology companies. We help them validate their technology, understand their markets through research and insights, connect them with mentors and experts, and access talent and capital through the collaborative technology ecosystem we are nurturing...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA

BUILDING COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING TECH SECTOR GROWTH

Technology Alberta is an industry-business association that supports the growth of Alberta’s tech sector, by building community. With an entrepreneur-led approach, we coordinate efforts and collaborate with key stakeholders – so that together, we deliver greater value for all of Alberta’s advanced technology growth companies. As a province-wide organization, our...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

DC BLOX

DRIVING DIGITAL INNOVATION AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Every morning, the sun rises over a small, unassuming building nestled near the shores of Myrtle Beach. From the outside, it could be anything—a warehouse, a power station, just another part of the city’s horizon. But inside, this facility is something extraordinary: a new kind of port, not for ships...

INNOVATE® Detroit

ITC HOLDINGS CORP.

Transmission is Key to Unlocking Our Energy Future

From electric vehicles to renewable energy, the world is looking at electricity in a new way, and ITC is focused on building and maintaining a power grid that can handle it all. The path to a highly connected, advanced society in which vehicles and infrastructure talk to each other, drones...

INNOVATE® Nashville

NASHVILLE SOFTWARE SCHOOL

NASHVILLE SOFTWARE SCHOOL-CREATING AN ONRAMP TO REWARDING CAREERS IN TECHNOLOGY

CREATING AN ONRAMP TO REWARDING CAREERS IN TECHNOLOGY

It was late 2011 when Nashville Software School (NSS) Founder and CEO, John Wark set out to find a solution to a challenge he frequently heard about in Nashville’s business community – the persistent shortage of trained tech talent such as software developers. The tech skills gap was (and is)...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Civilized Coffee Company - About Creating A Culture Around The Brand

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® Nashville

Nashville Stars

Building a Brand, Creating a Venue, Inspiring a City

When the story of Nashville’s first Major League Baseball franchise is finally written, one theme will stand above the rest: innovation. Music City Baseball (MCB), the local ownership foundation behind the Nashville Stars, has approached the challenge of bringing MLB to Tennessee with a strategy that goes beyond the traditional...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

METRO MLS

A COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION

“Innovation is a cumulation of creativity and ingenuity with a splash of chaos that produces something of great substance.” Metro MLS has been reshaping the landscape of real estate in Wisconsin since its establishment in 1962. This powerhouse serves over 10,000 real estate professionals across the state, constantly pushing the...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

THINCLAB

GIVE YOUR IDEAS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE

ThincLab is the University of Adelaide’s business incubator and provides start-ups with a dynamic space and community in which to nurture ideas, develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and facilitate valuable connections and networks with mentors, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. ThincLab supports students, alumni, staff and the wider community create and...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

COHESION

We Are Transforming Commercial Real Estate With Smart Building Technology That Enhances The Workplace Experience, Streamlines Operations And Optimizes Revenue In One Single Digital Platform

The Cohesion app fulfills these demands by integrating building systems and IoT devices for seamless interactions in the workplace environment....

INNOVATE® Nashville

AllianceBernstein

Focused on Expanding our Talent Pipeline through Strategic Relationship

AllianceBernstein (AB) is a leading global investment management firm, offering diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals, and private wealth clients in major world markets. In 2018, AB announced its relocation from Midtown Manhattan to Nashville, Tennessee, creating 1,000 high-paying jobs. During that process, AB recognized the strength of the...

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

PLAYMAKER RECRUITING

Is here to level the playing field for student athletes and coaches, providing more access to opportunities and resources

Playmaker Recruiting was born from the broken system that is college athlete recruiting, with the mission to help students and coaches navigate the complicated recruiting process, and provide greater access to opportunities at the next level. Having seen friends and family go through the college recruiting process, it was apparent...

INNOVATE® Nashville

MOTUS DRIVE

PRACTICAL MOBILITY SOLUTIONS

Motus Drive was founded by Ferhan Jemal after seeing firsthand the challenges his uncle faced due to limited mobility and the high costs associated with powered wheelchairs. Motivated by this experience, Ferhan spent eight years studying the wheelchair market, talking with industry experts, prototyping, and gathering direct feedback from wheelchair...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

Imagi

Reimagining Technology Education for an Inclusive Future

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, imagi stands at the forefront of transforming education to ensure that the digital and AI revolution is inclusive, equitable, and future-proof. Founded with the vision of creating an environment where every child, regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic background see themselves as creators...

United Nations Lesotho

UNDP

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

SUPPORT ON DIGITIZATION UNDP helps countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress. UNDP is working for a Lesotho that is empowered and more resilient to create and sustain growth that will improve people’s lives. LEHOKELA DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR COMMUNITY POLICING UNDP Lesotho, through...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

SITTERCITY

SITTERCITY

As the first and largest digital platform for finding in-home care, Sittercity, a Bright Horizons company, has come a long way since 2001. , We were the first to make online child care an employee benefit and we continue to connect millions of parents with babysitters and nannies every year....

INNOVATE® South Florida

ROBOHOOD

REVOLUTIONIZING ART WITH ROBOTICS

Robohood is a groundbreaking startup that enables anyone to turn an image into a painting with their software and robotic arms. Originally founded by Anna Mishchenko and Nikolay Gavrilin, the company was inspired by Anna’s personal journey. Anna grew up with hand tremors that prevented her from painting, so she...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

MOTORICA

ANIMATION AT SCALE, CREATIVITY IN CONTROL

The gaming and interactive media industries are built on the ambition of creating experiences that customers love. Players expect living, reactive worlds. Studios dream big to fulfill those expectations but often find themselves blocked by outdated workflows and legacy pipelines. Instead of creating, teams are stuck firefighting, forced to choose...

INNOVATION Quebec

ISEQ

THE PÔLE D’EXCELLENCE DE L’INDUSTRIE DES SYSTÈMES ÉLECTRONIQUES DU QUÉBEC (ISEQ)

It acts as a vehicle for collaboration to foster innovation, industry recognition, expanded opportunities, commercialization, and business competitiveness. Promote the export of electronics goods, services, and innovations to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the North American restructuring of electronic systems supply chains. ISEQ was created by the Ministère...

INNOVATE® Detroit

StockX

Leading Next Gen Retail

The Birth of a Marketplace Revolution. In 2016, in downtown Detroit, a disruptive idea took shape—one that would forever change the way people buy and sell limited-edition sneakers, streetwear, and collectibles. StockX, the brainchild of Greg Schwartz, Josh Luber, Dan Gilbert, and Chris Kaufman, was built on a simple yet...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

ValueMapping®

ValueMapping® - A GPS for Clarifying Human and Business Value

A GPS for Clarifying Human and Business Value

ValueMapping® is a GPS for clarifying human and business value and then authentically communicating that story to the world. ValueMapping’s foundations were established in the late 1990s when founder Al Emerick first began working with clients in broadcast advertising and brand development. His exploration of how people defined value was...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CITRINE ANGELS

SUPPORTING FEMALE FOUNDERS AND FUNDERS FOR A STRONGER ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

In a world where investment landscapes favor men, Citrine Angels emerges as a game-changer for its support of female founders and funders. Founded in 2019 by Allyson Redpath along with DC power players Lisa Friedlander, Stephanie Bauer Marshall and Aurelia Flores, Citrine Angels is a dynamic, female-only membership group based...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

ART4L

SMARTPICK CONNECTS THE WAREHOUSE OPERATOR OF THE FUTURE

ART4L is a Belgian software technology company based in Ghent. Its flagship product is Smartpick and the companion Smartpick SDK. Smartpick aims to connect and guide warehouse operators in the best possible way. This is an important goal because the tasks of warehouse operators become increasingly difficult, while the availability...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

CIFAR

CIFAR-ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE TO CHANGE THE WORLD

ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE TO CHANGE THE WORLD

INNOVATORS, SCHOLARS & EXPERTSCIFAR is a global leader in the research community, bringing together top researchers across disciplines to advance our understanding of the most complex and far-reaching questions. Our researchers establish new fields of inquiry — reimagining our health, our understanding of the Universe, the prosperity of our societies,...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

Venn Innovation

Helping Atlantic Canadian Companies Recognize Their Strengths and Potential to Become Globally Connective and Competitive

Since 2010, Venn Innovation has been helping founders and startup entrepreneurs who want to build scalable technology companies. We help them validate their technology, understand their markets through research and insights, connect them with mentors and experts, and access talent and capital through the collaborative technology ecosystem we are nurturing...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA

BUILDING COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING TECH SECTOR GROWTH

Technology Alberta is an industry-business association that supports the growth of Alberta’s tech sector, by building community. With an entrepreneur-led approach, we coordinate efforts and collaborate with key stakeholders – so that together, we deliver greater value for all of Alberta’s advanced technology growth companies. As a province-wide organization, our...

Ecosystems