Stories of Innovation

The Calgary Innovation Coalition (CIC) is striving to create a healthy, inclusive, globally recognized innovation ecosystem supporting thriving ventures in the Calgary region. To accelerate the venture’s journey we leverage the connectivity, experience, and knowledge of our member network to identify and address ecosystem needs, enhance connections, and enable venture...

“OUR RESEARCH DOESN’T STOP AFTER WRITING THE CONCLUSION.” – GUY HENDRICKX, FOUNDING MANAGING DIRECTOR, AVIA-GIS Ever heard of the proverb “better safe than sorry”? Well, Avia-GIS sure has. Even better: they built their entire business around it. Founder and CEO Guy Hendrickx started Avia-GIS in 2001 as a company with...

The genesis of CyberecoIn 2018, Desjardins Group, National Bank, Deloitte and RHEA Group decided to join forces to advance cybersecurity by creating Cybereco. The initiative was motivated in particular by the founders’ desire to work together to meet the challenges of the talent shortage, to improve the cyber resilience of...

It was with this mindset that iCities emerged 12 years ago in the city of Curitiba, Paraná. A pioneering company in spreading the concept of smart cities in Brazil, always focused on intelligent urban development and improving the quality of life for people. Making good use of its innovative DNA,...

At Thnks, our mission is to leverage technology and the science of gratitude to help establish and build strong relationships for the modern world, through efficient, personalized, and thoughtful appreciation. Thnks has created a movement in workplaces with over 15,000 Thnks sent every week — helping business professionals improve their...

The Puerto Rico Innovation & Technology Service, created by Act 75- 2019, is the government office in charge of overseeing and implementing technology across the Executive Branch. The office’s mission is to create a new and innovative government framework, consistent with the demands of the 21st century, and capable of...

Mason EnterpriseTM is a George Mason University-based economic development division that focuses the energy, skills, and intellectual capital of Virginians on new company creation and small business expansion. Through 24 intertwined, complementary programs that include business counseling, workshops, training, and connection to university assets (research, class projects, interns), Mason Enterprise...

HAPPINESS. TO LIVE A HAPPIER AND MORE FULFILLING LIFE IS EVERY INDIVIDUAL’S ULTIMATE GOAL. WE OFTEN SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES IN THINGS LIKE RELATIONSHIPS, CAREERS, HOBBIES, AND MATERIAL POSSESSIONS. BUT WE FORGET TO RECOGNIZE THAT SUSTAINABLE HAPPINESS CAN BE CULTIVATED WITHIN ONESELF. These are the thoughts of the...

Resility Health is on a mission to reduce the negative physical and emotional effects of stress. Their innovative, data-driven stress management program is personalized for each user. Resility’s wearable sensor trains people to recognize when their body is tensing up, and support from their coaches drives lasting behavior change. Stress...

Founded by CEO Steve Sashihara in 1980 and still headquartered in Princeton, we help clients improve performance through the successful deployment of AI and Optimization. Blending world-class technical expertise and deep business insight, our consultants work in small, agile teams to provide transformational solutions and services that drive innovation. Our...

Based in Miami, Pipeline Workspaces is a shared workspace concept that caters to a diverse community of entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporate teams and international business executives. With seven locations, our members range from local innovators to large companies such as Uber, Google and Postmates. Our growth has been deeply intertwined with...

Just minutes from downtown Milwaukee, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is one of the top research universities in the nation, and one of only two top-rated research universities in the state. Serving as a bridge between academia and industry, UWM does more than just ensure that all students have equitable...

Since its foundation in 1955, Grupo Servopa has been a true pioneer in the automotive and service sectors, playing a crucial role in Curitiba’s economic landscape. With a vision rooted in sustainable growth, the group expanded its presence with established brands and invested in innovative initiatives to drive the automotive...

Many people think having a “financial plan” means having a budget, a retirement savings account, and maybe a small cash reserve. But, those basic financials are only scratching the surface and exclude some key details like estate documents, saving strategies, or debt elimination plans. With that popular—and lacking—mindset, it’s perhaps...

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...

La création de l’organisation s’est faite en 2018, à la suite d’un processus de consultation et de concertation régional, pour établir le positionnement adéquat de l’organisation. La complémentarité de la mission de l’organisation avec l’ensemble des partenaires de l’écosystème de développement et d’innovation en région a permis de conclure à...

Founded in 2017, the Maison de l’innovation sociale (MIS) is an NFP whose mission is to eliminate the obstacles between an idea with a positive social and environmental impact and its implementation. At MIS, we are interested in the precursor stage of a social innovation. We help very early-stage projects...

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...

Mobi Loo is a company that provides professional and reliable services in mobile toilet hire. Its mission is to restore dignity back to the people by setting a foundation of quality and excellence which is the heart of the company. Since inception, its expectation has been to WOW! Its clients...

The leading source for training, staffing, and career transitions, General Assembly fosters a flourishing community of professionals pursuing careers they love. What began as a co-working space in Manhattan in 2011 has since evolved into a global education and career development company, with more than 70,000 graduates and 32 campuses...

With a mantra of ‘Esports for Everyone,’ Aquatik Esports is truly unique and has propelled an abrupt tidal wave of followers, fans, and participants spread across multiple channels and touchpoints across the world. By providing approachable spaces, opportunities, and platforms for amateur competitive gamers, creators, and streamers to launch their...

When innovation is combined with creativity, it not only captures attention, it can create an experience that can lead to change. Castano Group specializes in designing and producing these experiences: multimedia, multisensory engagements that change the way people communicate with brands in digital and physical environments. Castano Group was launched...

Philadelphia is a city defined by its history of civic engagement, political innovation, and trade and culture in the early days of the United States of America. Two-hundred-and-fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia’s identity as a center for political activation is still going strong. In...

Creating added value for and enhancing the competitiveness of all Flemish companies with logistics operations is VIL’s main focus. And it has been for over twenty years. From a small non-profit organization, VIL has grown to be a hands-on, company-driven organization, with a staff of 35 employees. Since 2017, VIL...