Stories of Innovation

What exactly is innovation? It’s more than a brand new way of thinking, though that is definitely a key part of the equation. Genuine innovation also must have a practical application; that is, be impactfully useful. Sometimes the combination of novel idea and usefulness reach the summit and forge a...

In 2022, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago celebrated its 164th birthday. There are only a handful of organizations in the country with that kind of history. But all those candles on the cake are not merely a reminder of accomplishments passed. It’s also a light leading the way forward, illuminating...

Before Chicago became a tech hub featuring world-renowned incubators like 1871 and more than a dozen unicorns, there was Technori – a small group of early adopters and startup founders on a mission to turn Chicago into the largest and most diverse tech community in the world. And, what began...

Founded in 1989, the Centre de développement des composites du Québec (CDCQ) is an applied research centre affiliated and integrated with the Cégep de Saint-Jérôme—the only college in Quebec offering a technical program in composite materials engineering. The CDCQ’s research facilities are adjacent to the CEGEP. Our mission and visionThrough...

US WorldMeds is a specialty pharmaceutical company guided by a clear purpose: to improve the lives of patients facing rare and serious conditions. With a focus on areas that are often overlooked, the company is committed to identifying unmet needs and delivering therapies that create real impact for patients, families,...

Public-private partnership Launch Tennessee has spent more than a decade creating a unique statewide startup ecosystem, supporting entrepreneurs in all 95 counties across the Volunteer State by providing capital, commercialization support, and connections. “It’s a great privilege to work on behalf of the entire state to boost innovation and entrepreneurship,”...

OUR CULTUREAs an organization, our modus operandi is fashioned around the concept of the Adinkra symbol from Ghana, ‘Nkonsonkonson’ also known as Chain link. A symbol of unity and human relations. A reminder that in unity lies strength. Flows into the Ubuntu philosophy from southern Africa, where the word means...

Introducing Neumann SpaceFounded in 2015, Neumann Space is an Australian-owned company that provides world leading propulsion systems for spacecraft. The company’s origins are itself a story of innovation. It’s Chief Scientist and Founder, Dr. Patrick “Paddy” Neumann, developed the technology during his PhD for a plasma propulsion system that uses...

Chez Cintech agroalimentaire c’est en collectif que nous entendons bien agir. En misant sur l’association des expertises de nos équipes, mais également en nous appuyant sur les savoirfaire spécifiques de chacun de nos clients, nous cherchons à répondre aux nouvelles attentes des consommateurs, plus généralement de la société en matière...

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...

TEDCO is Maryland’s powerhouse of technology and innovation, driving progress and creating boundless opportunities. Founded by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998, TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) has been at the forefront of fostering an inclusive and entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Troy A. LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO...

“You Can Only Harvest Once. Make It Count.” A Manitoba-Made Company with Global Reach BranValt, formerly Bushel Plus, is a Manitoba-rooted agricultural technology company helping farmers measure harvest performance, reduce grain loss, and get more grain in the bin. Founded in 2016 and now trusted in more than 45 countries,...

As the pace of change accelerates, innovation becomes essential for organizations to adapt and maintain a competitive edge. Motiv, an award-winning digital innovation firm and venture builder, guides its partners through their innovation journey. With a mission to generate new value through digital innovation, Motiv works with its partners to...

From Taguspark, AQVA MORE develops a water saving system for homes and services. AQVA MORE, a startup based at the Taguspark Incubator, has developed a technological system, intuitive and easy to install in any home, which allows for considerable water savings. For example, in a household of four people, the...

At Thnks, our mission is to leverage technology and the science of gratitude to help establish and build strong relationships for the modern world, through efficient, personalized, and thoughtful appreciation. Thnks has created a movement in workplaces with over 15,000 Thnks sent every week — helping business professionals improve their...

Crowd Capital is a game changing social impact fintech operating at the intersection of crowd financing, investment platforms, and real estate. We help defaulting borrowers secure their homes while delivering above market average financial returns to our customers in a frictionless and transparent way. By leveraging machine learning and mobile...

WHO WE ARE Phase Eight Theater Company is the latest arts organization to be formed in Jacksonville, Florida. It is recognized as a boundary-pushing and socially progressive theater group. They’ve presented fourteen productions in its first two and a half years of existence having performed for hundreds of audience members....

University of Washington Fosters Innovation on the World Stage In pursuit of the lofty goal of accelerating its innovation-to-impact cycle, the University of Washington invited Creative Destruction in, launching a Seattle site with Advanced Manufacturing and Computational Health streams aimed at disrupting production and revolutionizing diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes. In...

When the Maryland Stadium Authority and Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (now the Maryland Department of Commerce) partnered in 2008 to create the Office of Sports Marketing, their goal was bold and unmistakable: position Maryland as an elite destination for sports and a national leader in sports tourism....

ABOUT FORWARD LEARNINGForward Learning was founded in 1993 with the vision of promoting the effective use of technology for the development of individuals, companies, and society. Over the years they have worked with enthusiastic professionals to promote innovation through technology, creativity, personal and professional development. Their services include in-person and...

The Research Centre on Advanced Materials of Université Laval (CERMA) in Quebec City is dedicated to fundamental and applied studies aiming at developing materials that can benefit Quebec society. Reproduction of the upper part of a pig femur by 3D printing (right: real bone; left: printed model; center: 3D representation...

EMPOWERING SEA CHANGE MAKERS & GROWING SOUTH FLORIDA’S BLUE ECONOMY Seaworthy Collective is a 501c3 nonprofit that supports current, aspiring, and underrepresented entrepreneurs driving innovation for ocean and climate impact (AKA BlueTech). Our mission is to make BlueTech accessible and inclusive; bringing all hands on deck via programs to co-create...

The SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance (the Alliance) is South Carolina’s unique applied research partnership designed to help companies innovate faster, de-risk new technologies, and strengthen the state’s competitiveness in advanced industries. Managed by the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes) and its applied research arm, Palmetto Applied Research Council,...

Fondé en 1994, l’Institut de recherche sur l’hydrogène (IRH) de l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières est un des centres les plus expérimentés et reconnus dans le domaine de la recherche et du développement des technologies de l’hydrogène. L’IRH se donne pour mission de répondre à l’urgence climatique par la formation,...