Stories of Innovation

Our journey began a decade ago, here in Nashville – a city known for creativity and reinvention. That same spirit shaped how we approach innovation: with collaboration, grit, and a builder’s mindset. At SwitchPoint Ventures, we build companies around pioneering technologies – particularly in AI, data science, and digital innovation...

ELEVATOR PITCH Bristol Private Equity Club (BPEC) was founded by Jerry Barnes alongside five local influential and successful entrepreneurs in May 2016 and has, to date, provided circa £6M to 18 Bristol-based tech companies, some of whom are progressing to being globally-recognised leaders in their specialised sector. These investments have...

The three major research projects headed by Siemens Research Chair on the Integration of Industry 4.0 Technologies are the result of a work carried out over a year by Professor Hany Moustapha and many collaborators. Funded by Siemens, NSERC and MITACS, these projects bring together the expertise of 20 professors...

With the rapid growth of the logistics industry, it became necessary to develop systems limiting the handling of cargo to speed up the delivery process. During the 1990’s the late Harry Wicks, of Buffalo, NY, USA developed and patented early RailRunner concepts for a bimodal transportation system designed to take...

In an era where healthcare systems face growing challenges, including aging populations, chronic health issues, and workforce shortages, technology offers a solution. However, the key to success lies not in technology itself but in how seamlessly it integrates into care environments. Delta Care, a Belgian innovator, bridges this gap with...

PADL makes getting out on the water easy by combining technology and paddleboards into its paddle share system. Users can quickly unlock a smart board from one of PADL’s docking stations through the mobile app and enjoy their ride. PADL is on a mission to get more people out on...

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) is a driving force behind Washington, D.C.’s economic engine, a catalyst for innovation, growth, and opportunity in the nation’s capital. With a mission to foster a thriving, inclusive ecosystem, DMPED spearheads initiatives that attract businesses and cultivate job...

DistriQ, Quantum Innovation Zone, is an organization that provides expertise and infrastructure to foster the emergence and acceleration of innovation in the quantum science and technology sector. DistriQ supports the development of one of the first innovation zones of the Quebec government, the Sherbrooke Quantum Innovation Zone. Since its designation...

QUEBEC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INSTITUTE IS THE EPICENTRE OF CANADA’S EXPERTISE IN DEEP LEARNING Led by Professor Yoshua Bengio, co-recipient of the 2018 A.M. Turing Award for his groundbreaking work on deep learning, Mila is a community of over 1,000 of some of the world’s best AI researchers. This concentration of...

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...

As businesses go, restaurants aren’t for the faint of heart. The hospitality industry is one of cutthroat competition. This industry demands discipline, dedication, constant innovation, passion, opportunity, and perseverance from restaurateurs, managers, kitchen staff, and front-of-house staff. Creating fine-dining cuisine is as much an art form as it is the science...

It was initially known as the University of Paraná, and it has been since then a national reference when it comes to teaching, research, and outreach services. Therefore, the UFPR historic building, located at Praça Santos Andrade, was chosen by Curitiba residents as the very symbol of the city. Initially,...

Les racinesDepuis près de 20 ans qu’au Saguenay–LacSaint-Jean – une région de plus de 275 000 habitants située à 500 km au nord-est de Montréal – des initiatives concertées sont déployées afin de stimuler l’innovation auprès des PME. Idéa innovation PME (2004-2010), puis Innovation 02 (2011-2019) ont généré tour à...

Rutgers University–Newark is a leading urban research university that leverages diversity and high-impact scholarship to cultivate the talent essential to transform communities and change the world. An anchor institution in our home city, we are not just in but of Newark. The RU-N community has long recognized that our location...

Shout-It-Now (Shout) is an innovative social enterprise, empowering youth to own their sexuality. We concentrate on hard to reach communities; we go to the places where they are, provide services they want, in such a way that they choose to keep coming back. We are a local South African organisation...

Untapped potential: a breeding ground for innovation and disruption. South Africa is overflowing with infinite talent. Unlocking their potential means unlocking opportunities. Millennials are excelling by themselves and for themselves. South Africa’s students and junior talent are the very essence of untapped potential. They are breaking down barriers. Alexa Georga...

Créé en 2016, l’Institut quantique (IQ) de l’Université de Sherbrooke réunit plus de 300 scientifiques spécialistes reconnus mondialement en matériaux, information et ingénierie quantiques dans le but d’effectuer des travaux en recherche fondamentale et de développer les technologies quantiques. Que ce soit en matière d’architecture d’ordinateur quantique, de supraconductivité ou...

Fredericton-based SmartSkin Technologies is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical and beverage manufacturing industries through innovative sensor technology and data-driven solutions. Using a combination of advanced patented sensor technology and sophisticated data analytics, SmartSkin identifies and solves issues in production and bottling lines, helping companies optimize production, reduce waste, and increase efficiency. This...

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...

With a 40-year legacy, Mili stands out as the leading 100% Brazilian manufacturer in the tissue sector. Headquartered in Curitiba since 1983, a city recognized as the most intelligent in the world by the World Smart City Awards, the synergy between Mili’s innovative mindset and the proactive and favourable environment...

A pioneer in university teaching in video games, digital creation and 3D creation, UQAT’s Creation and New Media Teaching and Research Unit has been contributing to the development of the digital and cultural industries for over 20-years. The expertise of the teaching team, based in Montreal and Rouyn-Noranda, is internationally...

What never changes: Christ-centeredness and transformative experiences.What drives change: Curiosity and courage. For more than 134 years, Lipscomb University has been a Christ-centered academic institution rooted in purpose-driven education. Located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb is one of the few institutions in the nation offering educational pathways from...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create content for games or interactive stories. The overwhelming number of 30+ tools you must juggle? What is the chance for you to succeed amidst the endless pool of published games? The team developing VIO, Oleg Sidorkin, CTO, xIBM Chief AI Architect...

ELEVATOR PITCH We document a plan for efficiency and success. That plan could include hardware, software, app development, or just the use of apps that offer better efficiency. We measure our progress, document the improvement, profitability, and savings that are produced by our efforts. Then we help our customers identify...