Stories of Innovation

Global Innovation Spotlight

SMARTHEAD

SMARTHEAD-The World’s First Platform Where 100% Of Companies Are Active In Sustainability

The World’s First Platform Where 100% Of Companies Are Active In Sustainability

SmartHead is the world’s first platform for companies of all sizes to manage and communicate their sustainability initiatives effectively through their own digital Sustainability Profile. It is based on 4 main pillars: Data management, communication, sharing best-practices, and collaboration. DIGITAL COMPANY SUSTAINABILITY PROFILE ON BESMARTHEAD.COMEffective data management and transparent sustainability...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Bradley

The Legal Architects Behind Innovation

A construction supervisor reviews jobsite footage delivered remotely by an onsite robot. In a rural hospital, a patient’s MRI is uploaded to an online portal, where a specialist on the other side of the country reviews it. An aviation breakthrough gains patent protection to power the next generation of supersonic...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

INC.AFRICA

INC.AFRICA -WHY AFRICA’S INNOVATION STORY MUST BE TOLD AND WHY INC.AFRICA IS WRITING THE NARRATIVE

WHY AFRICA’S INNOVATION STORY MUST BE TOLD AND WHY INC.AFRICA IS WRITING THE NARRATIVE

Why are there so many books about Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos in online book stores and libraries, but so few of the innovators redefining Africa? “All you have to do is Google an African innovator and almost nothing pops up,” says researcher Nnamdi Oranye, who is also...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

DC DAO AND ETHDC

Building a Web3 Hub in the Nation’s Capital

“Our mission is to build a vibrant community that empowers connection, champions innovation, and works with leading industry participants to add a builder-focused voice to forward-thinking policies.” DC DAO and ETHDC are at the forefront of a transformative movementin the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. As a steward of...

INNOVATION Quebec

STARTUP MONTRÉAL

WE ARE STARTUP MONTRÉAL, AN NPO WHOSE MISSION IS TO MAXIMIZE THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE MONTRÉAL STARTUP ECOSYSTEM AND MAKE IT SHINE, HERE AND ELSEWHERE

Our vision: To have an attractive Montréal startup ecosystem that is internationally recognized for its performance, diversity, and impact. Our activities are based on five pillars that guide the development of our projects and programs. We are working to make the ecosystem increasingly accessible, collaborative, diverse, and impactful, and to...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

INNOVATE™ Alberta

ENVOY

ENVOY- MAKES HIRING AND MANAGING AN INTERNATIONAL WORKFORCE A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE

MAKES HIRING AND MANAGING AN INTERNATIONAL WORKFORCE A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE

Envoy is a global immigration services provider offering the only immigration management platform that makes it seamless for companies to hire and manage an international workforce. We combine expert legal representation and proprietary technology to bring efficiency and transparency to the immigration process for employers and employees.   At Envoy...

INNOVATE® Utah

Momni

Free Childcare Option That Is Affordable And Easy To Use

Momni links all moms everywhere, offering instant access to trusted care. We are a subscription-free childcare option that is affordable and easy to use. Momni includes easy profile setup, instant connection with hosts near you, access to reviews, and payment within the platform. We also provide a way for moms...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

VITAL

The Perfect Blend: AI Meets Human Flourishing

“Vital envisions a future where AI and human expertise unite to empower personal growth, creating a seamless path to complete well-being.” In today’s fast-paced world, individuals face constant pressures that can lead to stress, burnout, and a sense of overwhelm. Vital was created to address these challenges head-on, offering AI-driven...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Pennovation Works

Where Ideas Go To Work

Pennovation Works stands as one of the University of Pennsylvania’s most dynamic contributions to Philadelphia’s innovation landscape, a 23-acre urban technology park designed to bring ideas out of the lab and into the world. Situated at the intersection of research, entrepreneurship, and industry, Pennovation Works embodies a simple but powerful...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

United Bank of Philadelphia

So Much More than Banking

Since opening in 1992 under founder Dr. Emma C. Chappell, United Bank of Philadelphia (“the Bank”) has upheld its mission: driving economic inclusion and opportunity in urban communities. Philadelphia has always been a city of visionaries and entrepreneurs, but vision does not turn into a successful business without capital. As...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

TECHARENA

WHERE INNOVATION BEGINS WITH HUMAN CONNECTION

Techarena is a Nordic-born platform for innovation and entrepreneurship that brings together thousands of founders, investors, business leaders, and policymakers every year. Through high-impact events, accelerator programs, and media channels, Techarena creates opportunities for cross-border collaboration and sustainable growth. From Local Competition to Global Platform What began in 2014 as...

Finly .io- Productive Power

Finly.io - Finly.io- Productive Power

Consider this scenario: a 35% boost in productivity, 0% cash leakage and 68% less working capital requirement for businesses. It might seem like fiction at first glance, but a Bengaluru-based FinTech startup is helping businesses achieve such numbers. Conceptualised as a governance suite for all finance processes, Finly’s finance software...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

E-ZINC

E-ZINC- “METALLIZING ENERGY” FOR LONG-DURATION STORAGE

"METALLIZING ENERGY” FOR LONG-DURATION STORAGE

e-Zinc is a company based in Toronto, Canada that has developed a breakthrough electrochemical technology for storing energy in zinc metal. This affordable, flexible, and long-duration energy storage solution is positioned to enable the world’s energy markets to be fully powered by renewable energy, enabling a zero-carbon energy future.  ...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

RICE ME UP

RICE ME UP - DISCOVER THE TRUE VALUE OF RICE

DISCOVER THE TRUE VALUE OF RICE

RiceMeUp is a food startup with a focus on changing the image of rice. RiceMeUp offers a wide range of rice varieties with the highest quality through an E-commerce channel and carefully selected retailers. The company is founded by Antwerpians Babak Khazaeli and Annemie Struyf. Rice was cultivated in the...

INNOVATION Quebec

IRIPII

CCTT IN IMMIGRATION, INTERCULTURAL PRACTICES ANS INCLUSION

The Institut de recherche sur l’immigration et sur les pratiques interculturelles et inclusives (IRIPII) was created in 2009 at Collège de Maisonneuve. As an interface between the research community and the various client communities, our CCTT is one of the few organizations in Quebec that can cover all stages of...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

FLEXPODS

Our mission is to empower a collective of fitness and wellness professionals to build their brand

Laurent is a regular on the media circuit, seen on Oprah’s Live Your Best Life Tour, the Dr.Oz Show, TEDx talks, and many local news programs. Laurent had an idea. His idea was to create a space to support the fitness community. Providing affordable expertly designed and fully equipped fitness...

INNOVATE® Georgia

AFLAC

REIMAGINING THE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE

Aflac’s vision is to create a world in which people are better prepared for the expected — and unexpected — with benefits primary health insurance doesn’t cover. For nearly 70 years, Aflac supplemental insurance has provided millions of people worldwide the opportunity to focus on recovery instead of financial stress,...

INNOVATE® Georgia

DC BLOX

PIONEERING THE SOUTHEAST DIGITAL FRONTIER

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Southeastern United States, DC BLOX has positioned itself as a linchpin in the accelerating digital transformation that is sweeping across industries. The urgency of this transformation is underscored by several key factors, each playing a crucial role in shaping the digital future of...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

CCEG

CCTT EN GÉRONTOLOGIE

Le seul et unique centre de recherche collégial sur le vieillissement au Canada – Le CCEG, leader, partenaire et ambassadeur. Le Centre collégial d’expertise en gérontologie (CCEG) se préoccupe des multiples dimensions du vieillissement de la population. Il contribue ainsi activement à faire avancer la compréhension des enjeux des personnes...

INNOVATION Quebec

LA GUILDE DU JEU VIDÉO DU QUÉBEC

A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE INDUSTRY

La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, born from the merger between the Alliance numérique and La Guilde des développeurs de jeux indépendants du Québec, is a Cooperative which brings together video game studios, academic institutions and entrepreneurs from related fields established in Quebec. With more than 300 members, the...

Global Innovation Spotlight

How Pet Insurance Makes Vet Visits Stress-Free

Woman smiling as she cuddles a long-haired cat in sunlight

What a policy really covers, what it excludes, and how to judge whether it fits your cat.

Pet insurance reduces financial stress at the vet by reimbursing eligible unexpected costs, such as emergency surgery, diagnostics, and hospitalization, so pet parents can focus on the care decision rather than the bill. Understanding what a plan actually covers, what it excludes, and how to evaluate whether it fits your...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CONNECTpreneur

Fueling Innovation in the Heart of Washington D.C.

In Washington, D.C., the entrepreneurial spirit isn’t just alive; it’s thriving, thanks to CONNECTpreneur. This isn’t your typical forum – it’s the heartbeat of business innovation. Boasting a global network of over 30,000 trailblazers – from CEOs to investors, and angels to entrepreneurs – CONNECTpreneur is where ideas ignite and...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

SHAUN ROWLES

THE GREAT DISTRACTION

On October 31st 2008, a white paper was published by an obscure character named Satoshi Nakamoto. Curiously, this paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” came to dominate media headlines and popular consciousness a decade later. The excitement surrounding Bitcoin, and its underlying technology Blockchain, became eerily similar to...

Global Innovation Spotlight

SMARTHEAD

SMARTHEAD-The World’s First Platform Where 100% Of Companies Are Active In Sustainability

The World’s First Platform Where 100% Of Companies Are Active In Sustainability

SmartHead is the world’s first platform for companies of all sizes to manage and communicate their sustainability initiatives effectively through their own digital Sustainability Profile. It is based on 4 main pillars: Data management, communication, sharing best-practices, and collaboration. DIGITAL COMPANY SUSTAINABILITY PROFILE ON BESMARTHEAD.COMEffective data management and transparent sustainability...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Bradley

The Legal Architects Behind Innovation

A construction supervisor reviews jobsite footage delivered remotely by an onsite robot. In a rural hospital, a patient’s MRI is uploaded to an online portal, where a specialist on the other side of the country reviews it. An aviation breakthrough gains patent protection to power the next generation of supersonic...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

INC.AFRICA

INC.AFRICA -WHY AFRICA’S INNOVATION STORY MUST BE TOLD AND WHY INC.AFRICA IS WRITING THE NARRATIVE

WHY AFRICA’S INNOVATION STORY MUST BE TOLD AND WHY INC.AFRICA IS WRITING THE NARRATIVE

Why are there so many books about Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos in online book stores and libraries, but so few of the innovators redefining Africa? “All you have to do is Google an African innovator and almost nothing pops up,” says researcher Nnamdi Oranye, who is also...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

DC DAO AND ETHDC

Building a Web3 Hub in the Nation’s Capital

“Our mission is to build a vibrant community that empowers connection, champions innovation, and works with leading industry participants to add a builder-focused voice to forward-thinking policies.” DC DAO and ETHDC are at the forefront of a transformative movementin the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. As a steward of...

INNOVATION Quebec

STARTUP MONTRÉAL

WE ARE STARTUP MONTRÉAL, AN NPO WHOSE MISSION IS TO MAXIMIZE THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE MONTRÉAL STARTUP ECOSYSTEM AND MAKE IT SHINE, HERE AND ELSEWHERE

Our vision: To have an attractive Montréal startup ecosystem that is internationally recognized for its performance, diversity, and impact. Our activities are based on five pillars that guide the development of our projects and programs. We are working to make the ecosystem increasingly accessible, collaborative, diverse, and impactful, and to...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

INNOVATE™ Alberta

ENVOY

ENVOY- MAKES HIRING AND MANAGING AN INTERNATIONAL WORKFORCE A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE

MAKES HIRING AND MANAGING AN INTERNATIONAL WORKFORCE A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE

Envoy is a global immigration services provider offering the only immigration management platform that makes it seamless for companies to hire and manage an international workforce. We combine expert legal representation and proprietary technology to bring efficiency and transparency to the immigration process for employers and employees.   At Envoy...

INNOVATE® Utah

Momni

Free Childcare Option That Is Affordable And Easy To Use

Momni links all moms everywhere, offering instant access to trusted care. We are a subscription-free childcare option that is affordable and easy to use. Momni includes easy profile setup, instant connection with hosts near you, access to reviews, and payment within the platform. We also provide a way for moms...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

VITAL

The Perfect Blend: AI Meets Human Flourishing

“Vital envisions a future where AI and human expertise unite to empower personal growth, creating a seamless path to complete well-being.” In today’s fast-paced world, individuals face constant pressures that can lead to stress, burnout, and a sense of overwhelm. Vital was created to address these challenges head-on, offering AI-driven...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Pennovation Works

Where Ideas Go To Work

Pennovation Works stands as one of the University of Pennsylvania’s most dynamic contributions to Philadelphia’s innovation landscape, a 23-acre urban technology park designed to bring ideas out of the lab and into the world. Situated at the intersection of research, entrepreneurship, and industry, Pennovation Works embodies a simple but powerful...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

United Bank of Philadelphia

So Much More than Banking

Since opening in 1992 under founder Dr. Emma C. Chappell, United Bank of Philadelphia (“the Bank”) has upheld its mission: driving economic inclusion and opportunity in urban communities. Philadelphia has always been a city of visionaries and entrepreneurs, but vision does not turn into a successful business without capital. As...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

TECHARENA

WHERE INNOVATION BEGINS WITH HUMAN CONNECTION

Techarena is a Nordic-born platform for innovation and entrepreneurship that brings together thousands of founders, investors, business leaders, and policymakers every year. Through high-impact events, accelerator programs, and media channels, Techarena creates opportunities for cross-border collaboration and sustainable growth. From Local Competition to Global Platform What began in 2014 as...

Finly .io- Productive Power

Finly.io - Finly.io- Productive Power

Consider this scenario: a 35% boost in productivity, 0% cash leakage and 68% less working capital requirement for businesses. It might seem like fiction at first glance, but a Bengaluru-based FinTech startup is helping businesses achieve such numbers. Conceptualised as a governance suite for all finance processes, Finly’s finance software...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

E-ZINC

E-ZINC- “METALLIZING ENERGY” FOR LONG-DURATION STORAGE

"METALLIZING ENERGY” FOR LONG-DURATION STORAGE

e-Zinc is a company based in Toronto, Canada that has developed a breakthrough electrochemical technology for storing energy in zinc metal. This affordable, flexible, and long-duration energy storage solution is positioned to enable the world’s energy markets to be fully powered by renewable energy, enabling a zero-carbon energy future.  ...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

RICE ME UP

RICE ME UP - DISCOVER THE TRUE VALUE OF RICE

DISCOVER THE TRUE VALUE OF RICE

RiceMeUp is a food startup with a focus on changing the image of rice. RiceMeUp offers a wide range of rice varieties with the highest quality through an E-commerce channel and carefully selected retailers. The company is founded by Antwerpians Babak Khazaeli and Annemie Struyf. Rice was cultivated in the...

INNOVATION Quebec

IRIPII

CCTT IN IMMIGRATION, INTERCULTURAL PRACTICES ANS INCLUSION

The Institut de recherche sur l’immigration et sur les pratiques interculturelles et inclusives (IRIPII) was created in 2009 at Collège de Maisonneuve. As an interface between the research community and the various client communities, our CCTT is one of the few organizations in Quebec that can cover all stages of...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

FLEXPODS

Our mission is to empower a collective of fitness and wellness professionals to build their brand

Laurent is a regular on the media circuit, seen on Oprah’s Live Your Best Life Tour, the Dr.Oz Show, TEDx talks, and many local news programs. Laurent had an idea. His idea was to create a space to support the fitness community. Providing affordable expertly designed and fully equipped fitness...

INNOVATE® Georgia

AFLAC

REIMAGINING THE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE

Aflac’s vision is to create a world in which people are better prepared for the expected — and unexpected — with benefits primary health insurance doesn’t cover. For nearly 70 years, Aflac supplemental insurance has provided millions of people worldwide the opportunity to focus on recovery instead of financial stress,...

INNOVATE® Georgia

DC BLOX

PIONEERING THE SOUTHEAST DIGITAL FRONTIER

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Southeastern United States, DC BLOX has positioned itself as a linchpin in the accelerating digital transformation that is sweeping across industries. The urgency of this transformation is underscored by several key factors, each playing a crucial role in shaping the digital future of...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

CCEG

CCTT EN GÉRONTOLOGIE

Le seul et unique centre de recherche collégial sur le vieillissement au Canada – Le CCEG, leader, partenaire et ambassadeur. Le Centre collégial d’expertise en gérontologie (CCEG) se préoccupe des multiples dimensions du vieillissement de la population. Il contribue ainsi activement à faire avancer la compréhension des enjeux des personnes...

INNOVATION Quebec

LA GUILDE DU JEU VIDÉO DU QUÉBEC

A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE INDUSTRY

La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, born from the merger between the Alliance numérique and La Guilde des développeurs de jeux indépendants du Québec, is a Cooperative which brings together video game studios, academic institutions and entrepreneurs from related fields established in Quebec. With more than 300 members, the...

Global Innovation Spotlight

How Pet Insurance Makes Vet Visits Stress-Free

Woman smiling as she cuddles a long-haired cat in sunlight

What a policy really covers, what it excludes, and how to judge whether it fits your cat.

Pet insurance reduces financial stress at the vet by reimbursing eligible unexpected costs, such as emergency surgery, diagnostics, and hospitalization, so pet parents can focus on the care decision rather than the bill. Understanding what a plan actually covers, what it excludes, and how to evaluate whether it fits your...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

CONNECTpreneur

Fueling Innovation in the Heart of Washington D.C.

In Washington, D.C., the entrepreneurial spirit isn’t just alive; it’s thriving, thanks to CONNECTpreneur. This isn’t your typical forum – it’s the heartbeat of business innovation. Boasting a global network of over 30,000 trailblazers – from CEOs to investors, and angels to entrepreneurs – CONNECTpreneur is where ideas ignite and...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

SHAUN ROWLES

THE GREAT DISTRACTION

On October 31st 2008, a white paper was published by an obscure character named Satoshi Nakamoto. Curiously, this paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System” came to dominate media headlines and popular consciousness a decade later. The excitement surrounding Bitcoin, and its underlying technology Blockchain, became eerily similar to...

Ecosystems