Stories of Innovation

Global Innovation Spotlight

Transforming B2B IT Procurement: Markit’s New Approach to Transparency

Transparency unlocks true value in IT procurement.

In today’s competitive IT procurement landscape, transparency is crucial for optimizing purchasing processes. Markit stands out as a leading platform that champions transparency, simplifying the B2B IT channel for businesses worldwide. With over 10,000 companies—including more than 400 from the Forbes 2000 list—relying on Markit daily, it has become a trusted partner...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Frampton Construction

Building Value Across the Southeast

Commercial construction plays a critical role in shaping South Carolina’s economy and the communities it serves. From advanced manufacturing and industrial facilities to office, medical, and distribution centers, Frampton Construction delivers projects that support growth, innovation, and long-term resilience. Founded in 1993 as Frampton & Associates, Inc., Frampton Construction is...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

TOPSTEP

INNOVATORS OF THE WORLD

Our Mission At Topstep, our goal is to be where the world goes to safely engage in and profit from the financial markets. In a nutshell, what we do at Topstep is break down the barriers to entry in what has historically been a very exclusive industry. Our mission is...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

UNIONWEAR

USA MADE BASEBALL CAPS AND TOTE BAGS: DESIGNED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, MANUFACTURED BY ROBOTS.

Unionwear manufactures – from scratch—100% made in USA baseball hats, backpacks, messenger bags, portfolios, and binders, with 160 union sewers in Newark, NJ. Mitch Cahn founded Unionwear in 1992 with six sewers and a contract to make baseball hats for Ralph Lauren, and has evolved by buying legacy manufacturers of...

INNOVATE® Georgia

UPS

REVOLUTIONIZING LOGISTICS WITH TOMORROW’S TECHNOLOGY TODAY

AT UPS, THE COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION AND FORWARD-THINKING STRATEGIES IS NOT JUST A VISION – IT’S A REALITY UNFOLDING EACH DAY. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the logistics giant is at the forefront of technological advancements, continuously redefining industry standards. From the Network of the Future to implementing Smart Package Smart...

INNOVATION Quebec

CQMF

LE CENTRE QUÉBÉCOIS SUR LES MATÉRIAUX FONCTIONNELS (CQMF) EST UN REGROUPEMENT STRATÉGIQUE DU FRQNT1 QUI RASSEMBLE PLUS DE 100 GROUPES DE RECHERCHE UNIVERSITAIRES ET COLLÉGIAUX, AINSI QUE PLUSIEURS PLATEFORMES SCIENTIFIQUES. Le CQMF adresse les grands défis de société par le biais des matériaux ayant des fonctionnalités avancées2 développés en étroite...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

UWE BRISTOL

UWE BRISTOL-WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE

WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE

Skills for economic and inclusive growth UWE Bristol is a large, diverse university with over 3,500 staff and 27,000 students, contributing over £400m to the West of England economy – equivalent to 1.3% of the region’s economic output. Every year more than 50% of the University’s graduates remain in the...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

DEFENCE TRAILBLAZER

THE SA ‘TRAILBLAZER’ DRIVING DEFENCE INNOVATION

Dr Sanjay Mazumdar: The SA ‘trailblazer’ driving defence innovationIn 2022, South Australia reinforced its reputation as the nation’s “defence state” when the University of Adelaide established the Defence Trailblazer for Concept to Sovereign Capability in partnership with the University of New South Wales. Now, this ground-breaking research commercialisation program has...

INNOVATE® Georgia

BROOKSOURCE

A RELATIONSHIP-FOCUSED APPROACH TO BUILDING THE FUTURE OF TECH & GEORGIA!

Since 2000, Brooksource has established lasting relationships with its clients, consultants, and the Atlanta community to deliver unparalleled experiences. Brooksource is a trusted services provider that specializes in delivering Engineering and IT initiatives for Fortune 500 organizations and the public sector through Experience-Driven Staffing, Professional Services, and its Workforce Transformation...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

THE WATER COUNCIL

INNOVATING THE FUTURE: THE WATER COUNCIL’S VISIONARY JOURNEY

In the heart of Milwaukee, where the vast expanse of Lake Michigan meets the city’s vibrant streets, a transformation in water technology and stewardship is underway. This isn’t just a story of a city that grew from the rich waters of the Great Lakes; it’s a narrative of revolution, where...

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™ Curitiba

RENAULT GROUP

A 25-YEAR LEGACY AND THE START OF A NEW ERA

On 12 March 1996, Renault Group chose Paraná as the site for its new plant, marking the start of a new chapter in automotive history for Brazil. On 4 December 1998, the Ayrton Senna industrial complex opened its doors in Curitiba, becoming one of Renault Group’s main sites in South...

INNOVATE® Seattle

QUADRANT TECHNOLOGIES

A PHENOMENAL VOYAGE OF EMPOWERING BUSINESSES WITH CUTTING-EDGE IT SOLUTIONS

A PHENOMENAL VOYAGE OF EMPOWERING BUSINESSES WITH CUTTING-EDGE IT SOLUTIONS Founding Story: The Birth of Quadrant Resource, LLC In the year 2004, amidst a rapidly evolving technological landscape, a visionary group of IT experts came together to lay the foundation for what would eventually become Quadrant Resource, LLC DBA Quadrant...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SKILLSGAPP

FROM GAMEPLAY TO PAYDAY

Reimagining South Carolina’s Workforce Pipeline Workforce needs have been at a crisis point for years, but traditional efforts for career awareness and access weren’t reaching the next generation in time. That gap in matching talent with in-demand jobs sparked South Carolina-based skillsgapp,a first-of-its kind workforce engagement platform. Its flagship products,...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

RIVER CLEANUP

From a 10-minute cleanup to 1000 plastic-free rivers

River Cleanup is a Belgium-based organization with one clear goal: making rivers plastic-free. The non-profit started with manual cleanup actions and evolved into a pioneer in the field of river protection, with mentions in Forbes, De Tijd, The Economist and many more. Their recently launched Clean River Model offers a...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Northeastern’s campus in Arlington, Virginia launched in 2023, joining a growing global university system, now totaling 13 campuses in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Each Northeastern location offers varying combinations of undergraduate, graduate, and professional learning; use inspired research; and entrepreneurship—all aligned with the talent and innovation needs of...

INNOVATE® Maryland

MCEDC

MARYLAND’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INNOVATION

Steps from the nation’s capital, Montgomery County, Maryland, is one of America’s most dynamic centers of innovation and talent. From mapping the human genome (DNA) as a result of the Human Genome Projects, one of the most influential scientific endeavors in history, to the first successful transplant of a pig...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRIM

L’innovation, c’est ici que ça se passe

Innover c’est transformer une idée en valeur, c’est transposer l’idée dans l’environnement de l’entreprise avec ses réalités, c’est permettre à l’entreprise de devenir plus compétitive. CRIM, le partenaire en innovationLes clients du CRIM ont en commun le désir d’innover et de garder le cap sur la concurrence. Ils nous viennent...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

UNIVERSITY STARTUPS

Empowering Tomorrow

In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, two Georgetown University McDonough School of Business professors found themselves contemplating a way to bring more purpose to their work and students’ lives. Marc Steren and John Jabara, both seasoned academics and entrepreneurs, decided to channel their expertise into something transformative. What...

INNOVATION Quebec

CENTRE D’EXCELLENCE SUR LES DRONES (CED)

PIONNIER CANADIEN DE L’INDUSTRIE DES SATP CIVILS ET COMMERCIAUX

Lancé en 2011, le CED est une communauté d’intérêts et un OSBL travaillant au développement, à la gestion et à la promotion d’une gamme de services, d’expertises et d’innovations liées au secteur des Systèmes d’Aéronefs Télépilotés (SATP). Notre siège social est situé à l’aéroport d’Alma (CYTF) et nos services sont...

INNOVATE® Seattle

Youth Growth Network

Empowering the Next Generation

Founding Story: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Real-World Experience Youth Growth Network (YGN) was founded with a powerful mission: to bridge the gap between academic learning and the real-world skills students need to thrive in their future careers. Recognizing that traditional education often falls short in providing hands-on experiences,...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

BMW

BMW-Full Speed Towards The Mobility Of The Future

Full Speed Towards The Mobility Of The Future

With more than 100 years of history and a journey based on the courage to innovate and compete among the best, the BMW Group continues to learn from the challenges of the past to respond to the opportunities of the future. We believe that the answer to great challenges is...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Local Initiatives Support Corporation DC (LISC)

Catalysts for Community Change

Catalysts for Community Change For over four decades, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has been a transformative force in the Washington, D.C., area, empowering underinvested communities and fostering innovative solutions to complex urban challenges. As Executive Director Ramon Jacobson eloquently puts it: “Our mission is to help people uncover...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRITM

CRITM-An essential resource in promoting innovation in metal transformation

Une ressource incontournable pour l’innovation en transformation métallique

L’industrie de la transformation métallique revêt une importance majeure dans l’économie du Québec. Avec de multiples défis à relever en matière de main-d’œuvre, de compétitivité mondiale, de productivité, d’énergie et d’empreinte environnementale, les entreprises doivent se démarquer et innover constamment. C’est en 2014, pour répondre à ses enjeux, que le...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Transforming B2B IT Procurement: Markit’s New Approach to Transparency

Transparency unlocks true value in IT procurement.

In today’s competitive IT procurement landscape, transparency is crucial for optimizing purchasing processes. Markit stands out as a leading platform that champions transparency, simplifying the B2B IT channel for businesses worldwide. With over 10,000 companies—including more than 400 from the Forbes 2000 list—relying on Markit daily, it has become a trusted partner...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Frampton Construction

Building Value Across the Southeast

Commercial construction plays a critical role in shaping South Carolina’s economy and the communities it serves. From advanced manufacturing and industrial facilities to office, medical, and distribution centers, Frampton Construction delivers projects that support growth, innovation, and long-term resilience. Founded in 1993 as Frampton & Associates, Inc., Frampton Construction is...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

TOPSTEP

INNOVATORS OF THE WORLD

Our Mission At Topstep, our goal is to be where the world goes to safely engage in and profit from the financial markets. In a nutshell, what we do at Topstep is break down the barriers to entry in what has historically been a very exclusive industry. Our mission is...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

UNIONWEAR

USA MADE BASEBALL CAPS AND TOTE BAGS: DESIGNED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, MANUFACTURED BY ROBOTS.

Unionwear manufactures – from scratch—100% made in USA baseball hats, backpacks, messenger bags, portfolios, and binders, with 160 union sewers in Newark, NJ. Mitch Cahn founded Unionwear in 1992 with six sewers and a contract to make baseball hats for Ralph Lauren, and has evolved by buying legacy manufacturers of...

INNOVATE® Georgia

UPS

REVOLUTIONIZING LOGISTICS WITH TOMORROW’S TECHNOLOGY TODAY

AT UPS, THE COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION AND FORWARD-THINKING STRATEGIES IS NOT JUST A VISION – IT’S A REALITY UNFOLDING EACH DAY. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the logistics giant is at the forefront of technological advancements, continuously redefining industry standards. From the Network of the Future to implementing Smart Package Smart...

INNOVATION Quebec

CQMF

LE CENTRE QUÉBÉCOIS SUR LES MATÉRIAUX FONCTIONNELS (CQMF) EST UN REGROUPEMENT STRATÉGIQUE DU FRQNT1 QUI RASSEMBLE PLUS DE 100 GROUPES DE RECHERCHE UNIVERSITAIRES ET COLLÉGIAUX, AINSI QUE PLUSIEURS PLATEFORMES SCIENTIFIQUES. Le CQMF adresse les grands défis de société par le biais des matériaux ayant des fonctionnalités avancées2 développés en étroite...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

UWE BRISTOL

UWE BRISTOL-WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE

WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE

Skills for economic and inclusive growth UWE Bristol is a large, diverse university with over 3,500 staff and 27,000 students, contributing over £400m to the West of England economy – equivalent to 1.3% of the region’s economic output. Every year more than 50% of the University’s graduates remain in the...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

DEFENCE TRAILBLAZER

THE SA ‘TRAILBLAZER’ DRIVING DEFENCE INNOVATION

Dr Sanjay Mazumdar: The SA ‘trailblazer’ driving defence innovationIn 2022, South Australia reinforced its reputation as the nation’s “defence state” when the University of Adelaide established the Defence Trailblazer for Concept to Sovereign Capability in partnership with the University of New South Wales. Now, this ground-breaking research commercialisation program has...

INNOVATE® Georgia

BROOKSOURCE

A RELATIONSHIP-FOCUSED APPROACH TO BUILDING THE FUTURE OF TECH & GEORGIA!

Since 2000, Brooksource has established lasting relationships with its clients, consultants, and the Atlanta community to deliver unparalleled experiences. Brooksource is a trusted services provider that specializes in delivering Engineering and IT initiatives for Fortune 500 organizations and the public sector through Experience-Driven Staffing, Professional Services, and its Workforce Transformation...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

THE WATER COUNCIL

INNOVATING THE FUTURE: THE WATER COUNCIL’S VISIONARY JOURNEY

In the heart of Milwaukee, where the vast expanse of Lake Michigan meets the city’s vibrant streets, a transformation in water technology and stewardship is underway. This isn’t just a story of a city that grew from the rich waters of the Great Lakes; it’s a narrative of revolution, where...

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™ Curitiba

RENAULT GROUP

A 25-YEAR LEGACY AND THE START OF A NEW ERA

On 12 March 1996, Renault Group chose Paraná as the site for its new plant, marking the start of a new chapter in automotive history for Brazil. On 4 December 1998, the Ayrton Senna industrial complex opened its doors in Curitiba, becoming one of Renault Group’s main sites in South...

INNOVATE® Seattle

QUADRANT TECHNOLOGIES

A PHENOMENAL VOYAGE OF EMPOWERING BUSINESSES WITH CUTTING-EDGE IT SOLUTIONS

A PHENOMENAL VOYAGE OF EMPOWERING BUSINESSES WITH CUTTING-EDGE IT SOLUTIONS Founding Story: The Birth of Quadrant Resource, LLC In the year 2004, amidst a rapidly evolving technological landscape, a visionary group of IT experts came together to lay the foundation for what would eventually become Quadrant Resource, LLC DBA Quadrant...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SKILLSGAPP

FROM GAMEPLAY TO PAYDAY

Reimagining South Carolina’s Workforce Pipeline Workforce needs have been at a crisis point for years, but traditional efforts for career awareness and access weren’t reaching the next generation in time. That gap in matching talent with in-demand jobs sparked South Carolina-based skillsgapp,a first-of-its kind workforce engagement platform. Its flagship products,...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

RIVER CLEANUP

From a 10-minute cleanup to 1000 plastic-free rivers

River Cleanup is a Belgium-based organization with one clear goal: making rivers plastic-free. The non-profit started with manual cleanup actions and evolved into a pioneer in the field of river protection, with mentions in Forbes, De Tijd, The Economist and many more. Their recently launched Clean River Model offers a...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Northeastern’s campus in Arlington, Virginia launched in 2023, joining a growing global university system, now totaling 13 campuses in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Each Northeastern location offers varying combinations of undergraduate, graduate, and professional learning; use inspired research; and entrepreneurship—all aligned with the talent and innovation needs of...

INNOVATE® Maryland

MCEDC

MARYLAND’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INNOVATION

Steps from the nation’s capital, Montgomery County, Maryland, is one of America’s most dynamic centers of innovation and talent. From mapping the human genome (DNA) as a result of the Human Genome Projects, one of the most influential scientific endeavors in history, to the first successful transplant of a pig...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRIM

L’innovation, c’est ici que ça se passe

Innover c’est transformer une idée en valeur, c’est transposer l’idée dans l’environnement de l’entreprise avec ses réalités, c’est permettre à l’entreprise de devenir plus compétitive. CRIM, le partenaire en innovationLes clients du CRIM ont en commun le désir d’innover et de garder le cap sur la concurrence. Ils nous viennent...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

UNIVERSITY STARTUPS

Empowering Tomorrow

In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, two Georgetown University McDonough School of Business professors found themselves contemplating a way to bring more purpose to their work and students’ lives. Marc Steren and John Jabara, both seasoned academics and entrepreneurs, decided to channel their expertise into something transformative. What...

INNOVATION Quebec

CENTRE D’EXCELLENCE SUR LES DRONES (CED)

PIONNIER CANADIEN DE L’INDUSTRIE DES SATP CIVILS ET COMMERCIAUX

Lancé en 2011, le CED est une communauté d’intérêts et un OSBL travaillant au développement, à la gestion et à la promotion d’une gamme de services, d’expertises et d’innovations liées au secteur des Systèmes d’Aéronefs Télépilotés (SATP). Notre siège social est situé à l’aéroport d’Alma (CYTF) et nos services sont...

INNOVATE® Seattle

Youth Growth Network

Empowering the Next Generation

Founding Story: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Real-World Experience Youth Growth Network (YGN) was founded with a powerful mission: to bridge the gap between academic learning and the real-world skills students need to thrive in their future careers. Recognizing that traditional education often falls short in providing hands-on experiences,...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

BMW

BMW-Full Speed Towards The Mobility Of The Future

Full Speed Towards The Mobility Of The Future

With more than 100 years of history and a journey based on the courage to innovate and compete among the best, the BMW Group continues to learn from the challenges of the past to respond to the opportunities of the future. We believe that the answer to great challenges is...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

Local Initiatives Support Corporation DC (LISC)

Catalysts for Community Change

Catalysts for Community Change For over four decades, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has been a transformative force in the Washington, D.C., area, empowering underinvested communities and fostering innovative solutions to complex urban challenges. As Executive Director Ramon Jacobson eloquently puts it: “Our mission is to help people uncover...

INNOVATION Quebec

CRITM

CRITM-An essential resource in promoting innovation in metal transformation

Une ressource incontournable pour l’innovation en transformation métallique

L’industrie de la transformation métallique revêt une importance majeure dans l’économie du Québec. Avec de multiples défis à relever en matière de main-d’œuvre, de compétitivité mondiale, de productivité, d’énergie et d’empreinte environnementale, les entreprises doivent se démarquer et innover constamment. C’est en 2014, pour répondre à ses enjeux, que le...

Ecosystems