Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Nashville

FIRSTBANK

FIRSTBANK-PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW WAVE

PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW WAVE

It’s not often you hear about companies that thrive for over a century, but FirstBank, from its humble start in rural West Tennessee in 1906 continues to evolve and conquer 117 years later. From its original mission of serving a small-town farming community, FirstBank, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with a...

INNOVATE® Georgia

BEAZER HOMES - LET'S BUILD YOUR FUTURE

LEADING INNOVATION IN HOMEBUILDING

Since 1985, Beazer Homes has earned a reputation for quality and innovation in the homebuilding industry. Established by Brian Beazer, the company has evolved from its British roots to become a leading force in American homebuilding, standing as a testament to nine generations of craftsmanship. Beazer Homes builds nationwide while...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

THE HYGIENE CO.

Some plastic is visible to consumers and some is hidden… wipes are 25,000,000 kgs!

With innovation at the core of founders Phil Scardigno and Corey White’s approach, they saw the volume of plastic waste in each of their respective manufacturing and importing businesses and knew something needed to change. More plastic = more wasteRight now, volumes of plastics continue to grow in our global...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Gresham Smith

Pioneering Innovation in Design

Gresham Smith, a leading architecture, engineering, design and consulting firm that has called Nashville home for more than 50 years, is an industry leader in innovation. At Gresham Smith, innovation is not just about adopting emerging technologies—it’s about transforming the design and planning process to create healthier, more connected communities....

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TRIDO ENERGY SERVICES

SUPPORTING THE ENERGY INDUSTRY TOWARDS A DECARBONIZED FUTURE

Trido Energy Services, a Centurion Group company is a renewable energy technology company focused on reducing methane emissions to help clients reach carbon-reduction targets and support the energy industry on its journey toward a decarbonized future. To date, Trido has supported more than 40 clients to reduce CO2e emissions by...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

ACQUIRE

The last time we had a technology this versatile, it changed and improved every element of nearly every business

People used to wonder whether blockchain technology would survive. Then the question transitioned to “It’s not a matter of if, but when it will take hold?” Now the key question being asked is “who is using it and how?” To answer that question, you must understand that Web2 and Web3...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GAME QUITTERS

GAME QUITTERS-Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content

Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content, Community And Coaching

Game Quitters provides the best tools, resources, and support for gamers of all ages to keep gaming under control and maintain their health and wellbeing. We believe there are benefits and risks associated with playing video games and individuals should be equipped to navigate that experience. We do this by...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

RASA

Igniting Culinary Passions

A culinary revolution is brewing in the D.C. area, led by two visionaries, Rahul and Sahil, whose destinies were intertwined by their heritage and an indomitable spirit to redefine Indian cuisine. RASA, their brainchild, emerged from the rich tapestry of their upbringing, deeply rooted in the vibrant flavors and traditions...

INNOVATE® Nashville

BOON LEGAL

BOON LEGAL-MAKE MORE MISTAKES AND FAIL EARLY AND OFTEN IN SERVICE OF DISCOVERY

MAKE MORE MISTAKES AND FAIL EARLY AND OFTEN IN SERVICE OF DISCOVERY

It’s all too easy to get swept up in the fervor of “innovation.” In the polished, produced world of prime-time, venture capitalists drop seven figures into start-ups while founders celebrate exits. Like most things that reach a level of celebrity status in our world of “reality” entertainment, the true story...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

JUST VERTICAL

JUST VERTICAL-FURNITURE THAT FEEDS YOU - INDOOR GARDENS BUILT BY PLANT SCIENCE FOR EVERY GROWER AND EVERY HOME.

FURNITURE THAT FEEDS YOU - INDOOR GARDENS BUILT BY PLANT SCIENCE FOR EVERY GROWER AND EVERY HOME.

How salmon & sangria started a green revolution.Some of the most inspiring inventions come at the most innocuous times. In 2017, Just Vertical co-founders Conner Tidd and Kevin Jakiela were completing their Masters of Science at the University of Toronto. Bright eyed and full of enthusiasm, they hoped to equip...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

UMKC Innovation Center

THE UMKC INNOVATION CENTER UNLOCKS THE POTENTIAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY HELPING PEOPLE TURN THEIR IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS INTO VENTURES THAT SHAPE AN ECONOMY OF HOPE.

Founded with the vision of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship,the UMKC Innovation Center was established in 2003 to transform Kansas City into a thriving hub of entrepreneurial activity. The center’s purpose is to nurture and support entrepreneurs, from fledgling startups to established businesses, by providing vital resources, coaching, and connections. By...

Global Innovation Spotlight

HOUSELL

HOUSELL-The Proptech That Has Democratised The Real Estate Market

The Proptech That Has Democratised The Real Estate Market

Housell is a proptech – a company that applies information technology and the new economy to the property sector – founded in Madrid in 2017 by Guillermo Llibre, CEO of the company. Its revolutionary concept, which seeks to use technology to give autonomy and power to the user, so that...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

THE ECOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEUR

THE ECOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEUR- THE PATHWAY TO YOUR CLIMATE NEUTRAL BUSINESS

THE PATHWAY TO YOUR CLIMATE NEUTRAL BUSINESS

The “Why” of sustainability is clear for most, the “how” and “what”, unfortunately much less. For many, sustainability remains an utterly vague, complex, and confusing concept. And even without confusion, questions concerning usefulness of actions and impact arise.   The Ecological Entrepreneur translates complexity to concrete guidelines, policies, and activities...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

DATA HOLDINGS

KEEPING BUSINESSES’ DATA SECURE AND AVAILABLE

Data Holdings is a premier Tier III+ commercial data center, centrally located in Milwaukee with a LEED gold design. Offering a full suite of solutions and services designed to meet any needs, Data Holdings is a highly secure facility with 24/7 staffing and monitoring. Commissioned in 2013 by Potawatomi Ventures,...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

MAHLAKO A PHAHLA

MAHLAKO A PHAHLA - AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED

AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED, MANAGED AND INSPIRED, THAT PROMOTES AFRICAN AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EXCELLENCE

Mahlako a Phahla, founded by sisters Makole Mupita and Meta Mhlarhi, is named after our mother Mahlako to pay homage to her pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit in building a successful family business at a time when it was difficult for many black people to do so.   Mahlako is an...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC SBDC

Supporting the visionaries whose innovations have the power to transform lives and shape the future.

The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) advances the state’s economic development by providing entrepreneurs world-class consulting services, access to a wellspring of resources and affordable training programs. The SC SBDC operates as a cohesive network, offering clients at every stage of the business lifecycle (from pre-venture and...

INNOVATION Quebec

NOKIA BELL LABS

NOKIA BELL LABS-A CENTURY OF INNOVATION AT THE FLAGSHIP TELECOM RESEARCH INSTITUTE

A CENTURY OF INNOVATION AT THE FLAGSHIP TELECOM RESEARCH INSTITUTE

For nearly a century, Bell Labs has been revolutionizing the telecommunications industry from its headquarters in Murray Hill, New Jersey. The facility has been a hotbed of innovation for the renowned industrial research institute. Perhaps Bell Labs’ greatest brainchild, the transistor, was first demonstrated there in 1947. Groundbreaking inventions in...

INNOVATION Quebec

CTGN

LE CTGN, VOTRE PARTENAIRE POUR UNE UTILISATION PLUS RESPONSABLE DE L’ÉNERGIE

Fondé en 1992, le CTGN est un centre de recherche et développement, à but non lucratif, spécialisé dans les technologies énergétiques. Bien que l’utilisation du gaz naturel soit à l’origine de sa raison d’être, le CTGN travaille activement, depuis 2007, à l’intégration des énergies nouvelles, notamment le gaz naturel renouvelable, l’hydrogène,...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

PUXANO

PUXANO- ACCELERATING STRUCTURE-BASED PROTEIN RESEARCH

ACCELERATING STRUCTURE-BASED PROTEIN RESEARCH

PROTEIN STRUCTURESProteins are key building blocks and fulfill many essential roles within all living organisms. They are involved in processes such as immunity, metabolism, perception, etc. As many diseases are the result of malfunctioning proteins, understanding what they look like and how they work is essential to develop better therapeutic...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

TARSUS ON DEMAND

TARSUS ON DEMAND-ACCELERATING ISV GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION

ACCELERATING ISV GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION

We are living in an era where hybrid and multi-cloud business environments are on an increase, and this has put the spotlight on the critical role ISVs play. Now is the time for Independent Software Vendors to capitalise on the great opportunities presented to them through assisting consumers to efficiently...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Holmes Custom

Creating Personalised Products

Now celebrating its 65th year in business, Jacksonville-based Holmes Custom designs, manufactures, and retails personalized products across 8 web brands. How does a business that was started in the 1950s stand the test of time? There’s only one way: Innovation. What began as a rubber stamp manufacturer in a garage...

INNOVATE® Georgia

DJJ Technologies

Building The Future

A Journey of Transformation The story of DJJ Technologies is deeply intertwined with the personal journey of its founder. James began his career at AT&T in 1984, where he honed his skills by selling telephone systems and computers to major oil companies across Texas. His move to Atlanta in 1986...

INNOVATE® Nashville

IDEMIA

IDEMIA-A twenty-year innovation journey positions Tennessee as the technology backbone of the fingerprinting background check industry

A twenty-year innovation journey positions Tennessee as the technology backbone of the fingerprinting background check industry

In March 1996, Casey Mayfield interviewed with a small biometrics company in Springfield, IL in a stylish business suit she’d purchased for $25 at a secondhand store. She met the owners, was fascinated with the technology, and signed on to be a Fingerprint Technician. She soon met Erik Wolle, who...

INNOVATE® Nashville

BOS FRAMEWORK

BOS FRAMEWORK-Cloud Enablement

Cloud Enablement, Simplified

Tech-enabled companies and enterprises save 30-50% of their Cloud development and modernization cost and time with BOS. After building over 200 software products across industries spanning Clinical Research, HealthCare, Finance, Departments of Corrections, Defense, and Education in multiple geographies including North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, BOS CEO and Founder...

INNOVATE® Nashville

FIRSTBANK

FIRSTBANK-PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW WAVE

PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW WAVE

It’s not often you hear about companies that thrive for over a century, but FirstBank, from its humble start in rural West Tennessee in 1906 continues to evolve and conquer 117 years later. From its original mission of serving a small-town farming community, FirstBank, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with a...

INNOVATE® Georgia

BEAZER HOMES - LET'S BUILD YOUR FUTURE

LEADING INNOVATION IN HOMEBUILDING

Since 1985, Beazer Homes has earned a reputation for quality and innovation in the homebuilding industry. Established by Brian Beazer, the company has evolved from its British roots to become a leading force in American homebuilding, standing as a testament to nine generations of craftsmanship. Beazer Homes builds nationwide while...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

THE HYGIENE CO.

Some plastic is visible to consumers and some is hidden… wipes are 25,000,000 kgs!

With innovation at the core of founders Phil Scardigno and Corey White’s approach, they saw the volume of plastic waste in each of their respective manufacturing and importing businesses and knew something needed to change. More plastic = more wasteRight now, volumes of plastics continue to grow in our global...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Gresham Smith

Pioneering Innovation in Design

Gresham Smith, a leading architecture, engineering, design and consulting firm that has called Nashville home for more than 50 years, is an industry leader in innovation. At Gresham Smith, innovation is not just about adopting emerging technologies—it’s about transforming the design and planning process to create healthier, more connected communities....

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TRIDO ENERGY SERVICES

SUPPORTING THE ENERGY INDUSTRY TOWARDS A DECARBONIZED FUTURE

Trido Energy Services, a Centurion Group company is a renewable energy technology company focused on reducing methane emissions to help clients reach carbon-reduction targets and support the energy industry on its journey toward a decarbonized future. To date, Trido has supported more than 40 clients to reduce CO2e emissions by...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

ACQUIRE

The last time we had a technology this versatile, it changed and improved every element of nearly every business

People used to wonder whether blockchain technology would survive. Then the question transitioned to “It’s not a matter of if, but when it will take hold?” Now the key question being asked is “who is using it and how?” To answer that question, you must understand that Web2 and Web3...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GAME QUITTERS

GAME QUITTERS-Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content

Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content, Community And Coaching

Game Quitters provides the best tools, resources, and support for gamers of all ages to keep gaming under control and maintain their health and wellbeing. We believe there are benefits and risks associated with playing video games and individuals should be equipped to navigate that experience. We do this by...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

RASA

Igniting Culinary Passions

A culinary revolution is brewing in the D.C. area, led by two visionaries, Rahul and Sahil, whose destinies were intertwined by their heritage and an indomitable spirit to redefine Indian cuisine. RASA, their brainchild, emerged from the rich tapestry of their upbringing, deeply rooted in the vibrant flavors and traditions...

INNOVATE® Nashville

BOON LEGAL

BOON LEGAL-MAKE MORE MISTAKES AND FAIL EARLY AND OFTEN IN SERVICE OF DISCOVERY

MAKE MORE MISTAKES AND FAIL EARLY AND OFTEN IN SERVICE OF DISCOVERY

It’s all too easy to get swept up in the fervor of “innovation.” In the polished, produced world of prime-time, venture capitalists drop seven figures into start-ups while founders celebrate exits. Like most things that reach a level of celebrity status in our world of “reality” entertainment, the true story...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

JUST VERTICAL

JUST VERTICAL-FURNITURE THAT FEEDS YOU - INDOOR GARDENS BUILT BY PLANT SCIENCE FOR EVERY GROWER AND EVERY HOME.

FURNITURE THAT FEEDS YOU - INDOOR GARDENS BUILT BY PLANT SCIENCE FOR EVERY GROWER AND EVERY HOME.

How salmon & sangria started a green revolution.Some of the most inspiring inventions come at the most innocuous times. In 2017, Just Vertical co-founders Conner Tidd and Kevin Jakiela were completing their Masters of Science at the University of Toronto. Bright eyed and full of enthusiasm, they hoped to equip...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

UMKC Innovation Center

THE UMKC INNOVATION CENTER UNLOCKS THE POTENTIAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY HELPING PEOPLE TURN THEIR IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS INTO VENTURES THAT SHAPE AN ECONOMY OF HOPE.

Founded with the vision of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship,the UMKC Innovation Center was established in 2003 to transform Kansas City into a thriving hub of entrepreneurial activity. The center’s purpose is to nurture and support entrepreneurs, from fledgling startups to established businesses, by providing vital resources, coaching, and connections. By...

Global Innovation Spotlight

HOUSELL

HOUSELL-The Proptech That Has Democratised The Real Estate Market

The Proptech That Has Democratised The Real Estate Market

Housell is a proptech – a company that applies information technology and the new economy to the property sector – founded in Madrid in 2017 by Guillermo Llibre, CEO of the company. Its revolutionary concept, which seeks to use technology to give autonomy and power to the user, so that...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

THE ECOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEUR

THE ECOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEUR- THE PATHWAY TO YOUR CLIMATE NEUTRAL BUSINESS

THE PATHWAY TO YOUR CLIMATE NEUTRAL BUSINESS

The “Why” of sustainability is clear for most, the “how” and “what”, unfortunately much less. For many, sustainability remains an utterly vague, complex, and confusing concept. And even without confusion, questions concerning usefulness of actions and impact arise.   The Ecological Entrepreneur translates complexity to concrete guidelines, policies, and activities...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

DATA HOLDINGS

KEEPING BUSINESSES’ DATA SECURE AND AVAILABLE

Data Holdings is a premier Tier III+ commercial data center, centrally located in Milwaukee with a LEED gold design. Offering a full suite of solutions and services designed to meet any needs, Data Holdings is a highly secure facility with 24/7 staffing and monitoring. Commissioned in 2013 by Potawatomi Ventures,...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

MAHLAKO A PHAHLA

MAHLAKO A PHAHLA - AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED

AN ORGANISATION THAT IS AFRICAN WOMEN-OWNED, MANAGED AND INSPIRED, THAT PROMOTES AFRICAN AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EXCELLENCE

Mahlako a Phahla, founded by sisters Makole Mupita and Meta Mhlarhi, is named after our mother Mahlako to pay homage to her pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit in building a successful family business at a time when it was difficult for many black people to do so.   Mahlako is an...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC SBDC

Supporting the visionaries whose innovations have the power to transform lives and shape the future.

The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) advances the state’s economic development by providing entrepreneurs world-class consulting services, access to a wellspring of resources and affordable training programs. The SC SBDC operates as a cohesive network, offering clients at every stage of the business lifecycle (from pre-venture and...

INNOVATION Quebec

NOKIA BELL LABS

NOKIA BELL LABS-A CENTURY OF INNOVATION AT THE FLAGSHIP TELECOM RESEARCH INSTITUTE

A CENTURY OF INNOVATION AT THE FLAGSHIP TELECOM RESEARCH INSTITUTE

For nearly a century, Bell Labs has been revolutionizing the telecommunications industry from its headquarters in Murray Hill, New Jersey. The facility has been a hotbed of innovation for the renowned industrial research institute. Perhaps Bell Labs’ greatest brainchild, the transistor, was first demonstrated there in 1947. Groundbreaking inventions in...

INNOVATION Quebec

CTGN

LE CTGN, VOTRE PARTENAIRE POUR UNE UTILISATION PLUS RESPONSABLE DE L’ÉNERGIE

Fondé en 1992, le CTGN est un centre de recherche et développement, à but non lucratif, spécialisé dans les technologies énergétiques. Bien que l’utilisation du gaz naturel soit à l’origine de sa raison d’être, le CTGN travaille activement, depuis 2007, à l’intégration des énergies nouvelles, notamment le gaz naturel renouvelable, l’hydrogène,...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

PUXANO

PUXANO- ACCELERATING STRUCTURE-BASED PROTEIN RESEARCH

ACCELERATING STRUCTURE-BASED PROTEIN RESEARCH

PROTEIN STRUCTURESProteins are key building blocks and fulfill many essential roles within all living organisms. They are involved in processes such as immunity, metabolism, perception, etc. As many diseases are the result of malfunctioning proteins, understanding what they look like and how they work is essential to develop better therapeutic...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

TARSUS ON DEMAND

TARSUS ON DEMAND-ACCELERATING ISV GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION

ACCELERATING ISV GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION

We are living in an era where hybrid and multi-cloud business environments are on an increase, and this has put the spotlight on the critical role ISVs play. Now is the time for Independent Software Vendors to capitalise on the great opportunities presented to them through assisting consumers to efficiently...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Holmes Custom

Creating Personalised Products

Now celebrating its 65th year in business, Jacksonville-based Holmes Custom designs, manufactures, and retails personalized products across 8 web brands. How does a business that was started in the 1950s stand the test of time? There’s only one way: Innovation. What began as a rubber stamp manufacturer in a garage...

INNOVATE® Georgia

DJJ Technologies

Building The Future

A Journey of Transformation The story of DJJ Technologies is deeply intertwined with the personal journey of its founder. James began his career at AT&T in 1984, where he honed his skills by selling telephone systems and computers to major oil companies across Texas. His move to Atlanta in 1986...

INNOVATE® Nashville

IDEMIA

IDEMIA-A twenty-year innovation journey positions Tennessee as the technology backbone of the fingerprinting background check industry

A twenty-year innovation journey positions Tennessee as the technology backbone of the fingerprinting background check industry

In March 1996, Casey Mayfield interviewed with a small biometrics company in Springfield, IL in a stylish business suit she’d purchased for $25 at a secondhand store. She met the owners, was fascinated with the technology, and signed on to be a Fingerprint Technician. She soon met Erik Wolle, who...

INNOVATE® Nashville

BOS FRAMEWORK

BOS FRAMEWORK-Cloud Enablement

Cloud Enablement, Simplified

Tech-enabled companies and enterprises save 30-50% of their Cloud development and modernization cost and time with BOS. After building over 200 software products across industries spanning Clinical Research, HealthCare, Finance, Departments of Corrections, Defense, and Education in multiple geographies including North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, BOS CEO and Founder...

Ecosystems