Stories of Innovation

Founded in 2015, Olist is a benchmark startup in e-commerce solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, focused on operational management, increased competitiveness in marketplaces and multichannel sales. In 2021, the company acquired Tiny e Vnda, companies based on high technology that offer top-notch services and share the same goal of...

HUMAN LED, AI POWERED. Founded in 2021, Fusion Cyber has grown from a small start-up to are cognized leader in cybersecurity education. It has partnerships with fourw ell-known universities: the University of South Carolina, the University of Kentucky, Florida International University, and Denmark Technical College. Fusion Cyber offers cutting-edge courses...

In 2019, the vision for Technologists Aspiring Through Servant Leadership (TASL), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established in Charleston, SC. Founded by Khanh Tran, TASL’s core mission was to address a critical need: preparing aspiring technologists, especially veterans and individuals from non-traditional backgrounds, for successful careers in the global digital...

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...

Just Esports is an organization that is dedicated to working on justice initiatives in the esports and gaming space. Much of their work focuses on educational programs aimed at empowering others to promote justice in their respective groups and providing individuals with the best tools to build out esports communities...

When Made in KC launched in 2015, it redefined the local economy and fostered a community of creators ever since. It has emerged not just as a business but as a catalyst for creativity, turning a 300-square-foot pop-up shop into a sprawling network that champions local artists, designers, and makers....

At Meal Maps, we’re changing the game for anyone dealing with multiple chronic conditions by offering delicious, health-focused recipes tailored just for you. Our team of dietitians and nurses craft each meal with care, ensuring they meet the specific needs of each person while still being tasty. Prefer not to...

As Philadelphia marks its 250th year, the city continues to evolve economically, culturally, and physically. In a World Heritage City, the built environment plays a defining role in shaping how institutions perform, how communities connect, and how opportunity expands. FIFTEEN Architecture + Design approaches this responsibility with a clear belief:...

Rachel and Siya Kolisi founded the Kolisi Foundation with this belief in mind: it is through the power of listening that positive change can happen in South Africa. We need to listen to what people dealing with challenging circumstances really need. We need to listen to the people already working...

“Mass customization made simple. Creative chaos made scalable.” In today’s experience-driven economy, personalization isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of competitive advantage. Customers expect more than just products; they want creative control, self-expression, and seamless experiences. That’s where Sticker Builder by Antigro Designer, based in Kraków, Poland, comes in. This...

Renaissance Jax: Building a Future of Innovation in North Florida Renaissance Jax is the North Florida Affiliate Partner for the world’s biggest youth robotics competition platform, FIRST Robotics. Between 2013 and 2018, we’ve grown from 120 to over 4,000 students who design, build, and program robots for competition each year....

The story of Nando’s is well-known to South Africans who grew up alongside us in our relatively new democracy. In 1987 two friends shared a meal at a humble Portuguese eatery in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. Here they were inspired by the taste of the African Bird’s Eye Chilli, a spice that...

Innovation, as a term, is vague. It can conjure up a variety of thoughts. One of those would probably not have been that innovation means inclusivity. 2Gether-International (2GI) emerges as a revolutionary force, challenging conventional narratives in the entrepreneurial space. Founded by Diego Mariscal, a proud advocate for the Disabled...

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...

In today’s world, business professionals understand that knowledge is power and want to be able to intelligently monitor and predict events leveraging data. However, data is accumulating at an unprecedented rate, pouring in from all sources. We help business professionals and organizations navigate the industrial internet and organize data to...

BiaCure™ Therapies Redefining Healthcare Standards: The Wisconsin Leaders Bringing Breakthrough Medical Solutions to Life. Innovation isn’t just about discovering new technologies—it’s about assembling the right team of experts to solve the most pressing unmet clinical needs. This belief has fueled every venture led by Laura King. BiaCure is more than...

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...

The South Carolina Research Authority has the distinct honor and responsibility to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy. In 2024, it contributed over $1.33 billion to the state’s economy and supported 6624 South Carolina-based jobs. The average annual salary of these jobs was almost $92,000, 71% higher than the statewide average....

Industrial operations rely on data to ensure the efficiency and safety of their processes. However, the information that the operators need to carry out their routines safely and efficiently is spread among a multitude of data sources, reports, systems, and documents. That’s where Vidya Technology comes in. Founded in 2013...

19th of March 1863, in a house in a suburb of Antwerp, François-Xavier de Beukelaer – after finishing his studies as a doctor and pharmacist – discovered early in the morning after years of research, the recipe for a delicious liqueur: Elixir d’Anvers. Elixir d’Anvers soon became famous for his...

INSIGHT. INNOVATE. IMPROVE. August Brown has established itself as a trailblazer in Milwaukee’s innovation ecosystem, bridging the often-daunting gap between research and market execution. Founded by Dr. Gordon Nameni and Erik Vickstrom, this boutique agency has become synonymous with strategic excellence and groundbreaking impact. “It all really started in 2018,”...

In the heart of Canada’s technology and innovation ecosystem, you’ll find LatAm Startups helping grow innovative entrepreneurs and their international technology companies in Canada.   As an accelerator that works exclusively with international companies and as a designated organization for Canada’s Start-up Visa Program, LatAm Startups has developed a special...

Kansas City has long been a center of industry and grit. In recent years, it has also proven itself to be a center of innovation. Pipeline Entrepreneurs sits at the heart of that shift. Founded in 2007, the organization supports the Midwest’s most driven founders and proves that world-class companies...

What Dyne DoesDyne is a B2B SaaS company that specialises in providing cutting-edge analytics for all types of restaurants. Its innovative software utilises AI and machine learning to help restaurants optimise their internal operations and ultimately increase profitability. Their platform’s current key features offer a wide range of functionality, from...