Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Kansas City

KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN TECH: THE LEGACY OF KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH

In 2013, against the backdrop of a male-dominated tech landscape, Jennifer Wadalla, a passionate advocate for gender equality, founded Kansas City Women in Tech (KCWiT). Her vision was to create a supportive ecosystem that would empower women to thrive in the technology industry. Under Jennifer’s visionary leadership, KCWiT quickly became...

INNOVATION Quebec

CÉRSÉ

CCTT EN RESPONSABILITÉ SOCIALE ET ÉCOCITOYENNETÉ

Le Centre d’étude en responsabilité sociale et écocitoyenneté (CÉRSÉ) est un centre de recherche action qui vise à accélérer l’innovation sociale responsable dans les organisations et la société civile en rendant le processus accessible et inclusif. Spécialisations Approche et positionnementLes services du CÉRSÉ reposent sur des méthodologies de recherche collaboratives...

AI Québec

Le Tech3Lab de HEC Montréal

Le plus grand laboratoire public de recherche en expérience utilisateur au monde

Le Tech3Lab de HEC Montréal est un laboratoire spécialisé dans l’évaluation de l’expérience utilisateur en contexte de technologies d’affaires. Les recherches menées au Tech3Lab se caractérisent par l’utilisation d’outils issus des neurosciences afin de développer une compréhension riche de l’expérience réellement vécue par des utilisateurs, que ce soit des consommateurs,...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Menace Media

A Movement of Creativity, Community, and Change

Menace Media was born in the heart of Detroit, a city built on resilience, creativity, and cultural revolution. More than just a media company, Menace Media is a movement—a platform designed to uplift, empower, and unite creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. What started as a passion project among friends has grown...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CHORUS CALL

THE DIAMOND OF CONFERENCING CHORUS CALL- IS A LEADING PROVIDER IN CONFERENCING

CHORUS CALL IS A LEADING PROVIDER IN CONFERENCING, OFFERING AUDIO, VIDEO AND VIRTUAL EVENT SOLUTIONS. WE PROVIDE PERSONALIZED AND CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS TO YOUR CONFERENCING NEEDS

Chorus Call founder, Dr. Giorgio Coraluppi, started with Compunetics in 1968 when they won the US Navy contract for control and communications equipment, employed in the AWS (Anti-Submarine Warfare) program. The original idea grew to three companies that provide hardware, software, and conference services to the international markets. In 1990,...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

BEKTEK

INNOVATING MANAGEMENT: CUTTING-EDGE HR, PAYROLL, AND MORE FOR TODAY’S WORKFORCE

INTRODUCTIONSince our inception, Bektek has been on a remarkable journey of innovation and growth. What began as a pioneering venture into Time and Attendance management, with the introduction of HostedTime, our flagship software, has evolved into a one stop solution for today’s workforce. OUR STORYAt Bektek, our story is one...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

CHICAGO HOPES FOR KIDS

CHICAGO HOPES FOR KIDS - IS CHANGING ACADEMIC TRAJECTORIES FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

IS CHANGING ACADEMIC TRAJECTORIES FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

Chicago HOPES for Kids is the only organization in Chicago that provides educational after school and remote learning programs for students experiencing homelessness in grades Kindergarten through 9th, directly to the shelters and communities where they live. It is our mission to provide students with the resources and encouragement they...

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® Washington DMV Edition

SOLDIERFIT

IS A FUNCTIONAL FITNESS WORKOUT PROGRAM INSPIRED BY THE UNITED STATES MILITARY VOTED “BEST BOOTCAMP

We have revolutionized Bootcamp fitness by delivering results for all fitness levels through military structured, camaraderie based training while giving people a place of belonging. All while giving back to a greater purpose – Our Veterans. With every workout and drop of sweat we honor and remember those who paid...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PLAYHAUS

DATA MANAGEMENT BUILT FOR ALL

playhaus is an emerging technology company working at the intersection of web3 systems and artificial intelligence. It has always had a Midwest-based identity, with the company having started in Ann Arbor, MI, but relocated to Kansas City, MO, in June of 2022 to be immersed in KC’s vibrant creative and...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

Athletico Paranaense

INNOVATION AND FOREFRONT

Innovation is a key element that not only facilitates but also provides significant advantages in the customer experience. In the contemporary landscape, where the pursuit of new technologies and disruptive approaches is relentless, visionary companies stand out by incorporating innovation into every aspect of their operations. Club Athletico Paranaense is...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

CREATING IT FUTURES

CREATING IT FUTURES-Satisfying

Satisfying, Well-Paying Tech Jobs Abound

The acute shortage of technology workers in the United States has driven up wages significantly. The median annual salary of an entry-level employee working on a help desk is $53,470, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for all tech workers is $81,000. The expected growth...

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® Blockchain

FUTUREVAULT

Believes that INFORMATION IS AN ASSET CLASS and should be treated as such. The company’s B2C blockchain endeavor is creating a novel utility token that will not only benefit consumers by having more control over their personal information, but by being able to MONETIZE it as they choose

Founded in 2015 by one of Canada’s most prolific finance, media, and technology financiers, G Scott Paterson, along with marketing ace, Michael Bradley, FutureVault has been at the forefront of innovation by providing modern and sophisticated document management solutions via white-labeled Digital Vaults to financial institutions, wealth management firms, and...

INNOVATE® Georgia

DATABANK

TAG25TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK

“Atlanta is one of the most sought-after markets for data center capacity across all segments of our customer base – enterprises, technology, and hyperscale public cloud providers,” said Raul Martynek, DataBank CEO. “And now with new AI applications coming online, we’re seeing an entirely new driver of demand that promises...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

One Interface, One Billion Blockchain Data Points How Covalent is Using Programming Tools to Build a Reliable Future. If you have a crypto wallet or NFT, you have likely benefited from Covalent’s data services. Everything from current token pricing to streaming depends on a reliable, programmatic data retrieval process, simplified...

INNOVATE® Seattle

MAVERON

BACKING TRANSFORMATIVE CONSUMERBUSINESSES FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

In the 1990s, Howard Schultz built Starbucks into one of the world’s most iconic consumer businesses. In 1998, after taking Starbucks public, Dan Levitan and Howard founded Maveron. They recognized that digital technologies would integrate into people’s lives in unprecedented ways and that great teams attacking consumer-focused problems would require...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

GRUPO GUAYACÁN-Building Local Entrepreneurship From The Ground Up

Very few people were talking about entrepreneurship in Puerto Rico when Grupo Guayacan, Inc. was born in 1996. Founded by Enrique “Ricky” Adsuar as a private sector mission-driven nonprofit organization, it has served entrepreneurs with a unique model that has coupled private equity investment with a series of programs to...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Apple Rose

Apple Rose - Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking

Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking

Apple Rose Beauty is a natural skincare company that creates spa-quality organic beauty products with the tangible mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking. Products are sold on Amazon, at boutiques, and through an e-commerce website with ingredients that are natural, certified organic, and wildcrafted, with a focus...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

CuliVino Hospitality Management + Consulting: Chef Tom Gray

OUR STORY Chef Tom Gray is one of North Florida’s most lauded and respected chefs, with two James Beard Award nominations as well as countless awards and accolades. He began his career in his hometown of Jacksonville at the age of 15 at a local country club, with culinary school...

INNOVATION Quebec

NUMANA

LE MACRO-ACCÉLÉRATEUR DU QUÉBEC

Numana est un organisme à but non lucratif (OBNL) québécois et agit en tant que macro-accélérateur en créant, promouvant et dynamisant des projets d’écosystèmes technologiques en TIC. Dans cette mission, Numana regroupe des écosystèmes composés d’entreprises qui utilisent des technologies et d’entreprises qui fournissent des TIC (matériel, logiciels et applications),...

INNOVATION Quebec

CINDERELLA'S

ELEVATING CLEANING STANDARDS FOR A PRISTINE SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The dynamic husband and wife team of Mark and Tracey Ferdinands, set out to disrupt the cleaning industry with their innovative Territory Management System. Armed with a strong hospitality background and a team of highly trained and caring professionals, the Cinderella’s team consistently delivers exceptional results. Larger organisations are flocking...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

ACCENTURE

ACCENTURE- Innovation Is A Long And Complex Process. It All Starts With An Idea That Evolves Until It Is Implemented

Innovation Is A Long And Complex Process. It All Starts With An Idea That Evolves Until It Is Implemented, Ensuring Value Creation. Throughout This Process, It Is Necessary To Guarantee All The Essential Capabalities To Put Each Step Into Practice

Accenture is a global professional services organization, a leader in digital, cloud, and security capabilities. Combining an unparalleled experience with a strong specialization in more than 40 sectors of activity, it offers a wide range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology, and operations, supported by the largest worldwide...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Consumers Energy

Powering Michigan’s Future with Reliability, Sustainability, and Community

For over a century, Consumers Energy has been the backbone of Michigan’s energy infrastructure, powering homes, businesses, and industries across the Lower Peninsula. Serving 6.8 million residents with electricity and natural gas, the company is more than an energy provider—it is an innovator driving sustainability and community-focused initiatives that ensure...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN TECH: THE LEGACY OF KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH

In 2013, against the backdrop of a male-dominated tech landscape, Jennifer Wadalla, a passionate advocate for gender equality, founded Kansas City Women in Tech (KCWiT). Her vision was to create a supportive ecosystem that would empower women to thrive in the technology industry. Under Jennifer’s visionary leadership, KCWiT quickly became...

INNOVATION Quebec

CÉRSÉ

CCTT EN RESPONSABILITÉ SOCIALE ET ÉCOCITOYENNETÉ

Le Centre d’étude en responsabilité sociale et écocitoyenneté (CÉRSÉ) est un centre de recherche action qui vise à accélérer l’innovation sociale responsable dans les organisations et la société civile en rendant le processus accessible et inclusif. Spécialisations Approche et positionnementLes services du CÉRSÉ reposent sur des méthodologies de recherche collaboratives...

AI Québec

Le Tech3Lab de HEC Montréal

Le plus grand laboratoire public de recherche en expérience utilisateur au monde

Le Tech3Lab de HEC Montréal est un laboratoire spécialisé dans l’évaluation de l’expérience utilisateur en contexte de technologies d’affaires. Les recherches menées au Tech3Lab se caractérisent par l’utilisation d’outils issus des neurosciences afin de développer une compréhension riche de l’expérience réellement vécue par des utilisateurs, que ce soit des consommateurs,...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Menace Media

A Movement of Creativity, Community, and Change

Menace Media was born in the heart of Detroit, a city built on resilience, creativity, and cultural revolution. More than just a media company, Menace Media is a movement—a platform designed to uplift, empower, and unite creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. What started as a passion project among friends has grown...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CHORUS CALL

THE DIAMOND OF CONFERENCING CHORUS CALL- IS A LEADING PROVIDER IN CONFERENCING

CHORUS CALL IS A LEADING PROVIDER IN CONFERENCING, OFFERING AUDIO, VIDEO AND VIRTUAL EVENT SOLUTIONS. WE PROVIDE PERSONALIZED AND CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS TO YOUR CONFERENCING NEEDS

Chorus Call founder, Dr. Giorgio Coraluppi, started with Compunetics in 1968 when they won the US Navy contract for control and communications equipment, employed in the AWS (Anti-Submarine Warfare) program. The original idea grew to three companies that provide hardware, software, and conference services to the international markets. In 1990,...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

BEKTEK

INNOVATING MANAGEMENT: CUTTING-EDGE HR, PAYROLL, AND MORE FOR TODAY’S WORKFORCE

INTRODUCTIONSince our inception, Bektek has been on a remarkable journey of innovation and growth. What began as a pioneering venture into Time and Attendance management, with the introduction of HostedTime, our flagship software, has evolved into a one stop solution for today’s workforce. OUR STORYAt Bektek, our story is one...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

CHICAGO HOPES FOR KIDS

CHICAGO HOPES FOR KIDS - IS CHANGING ACADEMIC TRAJECTORIES FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

IS CHANGING ACADEMIC TRAJECTORIES FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

Chicago HOPES for Kids is the only organization in Chicago that provides educational after school and remote learning programs for students experiencing homelessness in grades Kindergarten through 9th, directly to the shelters and communities where they live. It is our mission to provide students with the resources and encouragement they...

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® Washington DMV Edition

SOLDIERFIT

IS A FUNCTIONAL FITNESS WORKOUT PROGRAM INSPIRED BY THE UNITED STATES MILITARY VOTED “BEST BOOTCAMP

We have revolutionized Bootcamp fitness by delivering results for all fitness levels through military structured, camaraderie based training while giving people a place of belonging. All while giving back to a greater purpose – Our Veterans. With every workout and drop of sweat we honor and remember those who paid...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PLAYHAUS

DATA MANAGEMENT BUILT FOR ALL

playhaus is an emerging technology company working at the intersection of web3 systems and artificial intelligence. It has always had a Midwest-based identity, with the company having started in Ann Arbor, MI, but relocated to Kansas City, MO, in June of 2022 to be immersed in KC’s vibrant creative and...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

Athletico Paranaense

INNOVATION AND FOREFRONT

Innovation is a key element that not only facilitates but also provides significant advantages in the customer experience. In the contemporary landscape, where the pursuit of new technologies and disruptive approaches is relentless, visionary companies stand out by incorporating innovation into every aspect of their operations. Club Athletico Paranaense is...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

CREATING IT FUTURES

CREATING IT FUTURES-Satisfying

Satisfying, Well-Paying Tech Jobs Abound

The acute shortage of technology workers in the United States has driven up wages significantly. The median annual salary of an entry-level employee working on a help desk is $53,470, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for all tech workers is $81,000. The expected growth...

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® Blockchain

FUTUREVAULT

Believes that INFORMATION IS AN ASSET CLASS and should be treated as such. The company’s B2C blockchain endeavor is creating a novel utility token that will not only benefit consumers by having more control over their personal information, but by being able to MONETIZE it as they choose

Founded in 2015 by one of Canada’s most prolific finance, media, and technology financiers, G Scott Paterson, along with marketing ace, Michael Bradley, FutureVault has been at the forefront of innovation by providing modern and sophisticated document management solutions via white-labeled Digital Vaults to financial institutions, wealth management firms, and...

INNOVATE® Georgia

DATABANK

TAG25TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK

“Atlanta is one of the most sought-after markets for data center capacity across all segments of our customer base – enterprises, technology, and hyperscale public cloud providers,” said Raul Martynek, DataBank CEO. “And now with new AI applications coming online, we’re seeing an entirely new driver of demand that promises...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

One Interface, One Billion Blockchain Data Points How Covalent is Using Programming Tools to Build a Reliable Future. If you have a crypto wallet or NFT, you have likely benefited from Covalent’s data services. Everything from current token pricing to streaming depends on a reliable, programmatic data retrieval process, simplified...

INNOVATE® Seattle

MAVERON

BACKING TRANSFORMATIVE CONSUMERBUSINESSES FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

In the 1990s, Howard Schultz built Starbucks into one of the world’s most iconic consumer businesses. In 1998, after taking Starbucks public, Dan Levitan and Howard founded Maveron. They recognized that digital technologies would integrate into people’s lives in unprecedented ways and that great teams attacking consumer-focused problems would require...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

GRUPO GUAYACÁN-Building Local Entrepreneurship From The Ground Up

Very few people were talking about entrepreneurship in Puerto Rico when Grupo Guayacan, Inc. was born in 1996. Founded by Enrique “Ricky” Adsuar as a private sector mission-driven nonprofit organization, it has served entrepreneurs with a unique model that has coupled private equity investment with a series of programs to...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Apple Rose

Apple Rose - Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking

Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking

Apple Rose Beauty is a natural skincare company that creates spa-quality organic beauty products with the tangible mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking. Products are sold on Amazon, at boutiques, and through an e-commerce website with ingredients that are natural, certified organic, and wildcrafted, with a focus...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

CuliVino Hospitality Management + Consulting: Chef Tom Gray

OUR STORY Chef Tom Gray is one of North Florida’s most lauded and respected chefs, with two James Beard Award nominations as well as countless awards and accolades. He began his career in his hometown of Jacksonville at the age of 15 at a local country club, with culinary school...

INNOVATION Quebec

NUMANA

LE MACRO-ACCÉLÉRATEUR DU QUÉBEC

Numana est un organisme à but non lucratif (OBNL) québécois et agit en tant que macro-accélérateur en créant, promouvant et dynamisant des projets d’écosystèmes technologiques en TIC. Dans cette mission, Numana regroupe des écosystèmes composés d’entreprises qui utilisent des technologies et d’entreprises qui fournissent des TIC (matériel, logiciels et applications),...

INNOVATION Quebec

CINDERELLA'S

ELEVATING CLEANING STANDARDS FOR A PRISTINE SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The dynamic husband and wife team of Mark and Tracey Ferdinands, set out to disrupt the cleaning industry with their innovative Territory Management System. Armed with a strong hospitality background and a team of highly trained and caring professionals, the Cinderella’s team consistently delivers exceptional results. Larger organisations are flocking...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

ACCENTURE

ACCENTURE- Innovation Is A Long And Complex Process. It All Starts With An Idea That Evolves Until It Is Implemented

Innovation Is A Long And Complex Process. It All Starts With An Idea That Evolves Until It Is Implemented, Ensuring Value Creation. Throughout This Process, It Is Necessary To Guarantee All The Essential Capabalities To Put Each Step Into Practice

Accenture is a global professional services organization, a leader in digital, cloud, and security capabilities. Combining an unparalleled experience with a strong specialization in more than 40 sectors of activity, it offers a wide range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology, and operations, supported by the largest worldwide...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Consumers Energy

Powering Michigan’s Future with Reliability, Sustainability, and Community

For over a century, Consumers Energy has been the backbone of Michigan’s energy infrastructure, powering homes, businesses, and industries across the Lower Peninsula. Serving 6.8 million residents with electricity and natural gas, the company is more than an energy provider—it is an innovator driving sustainability and community-focused initiatives that ensure...

Ecosystems