Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PLAYHAUS

DATA MANAGEMENT BUILT FOR ALL

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...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

MSOE

INNOVATION AT THE FOREFRONT

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) stands as a beacon of innovation, driving forward the boundaries of what’s possible in engineering, business, technology and nursing. With a legacy that intertwines with the heart of Milwaukee’s development, MSOE has become synonymous with excellence, opportunity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. At the...

INNOVATE® Detroit

METALBUILT

Forming the Future of Mobility

Metalbuilt understands the importance of leveraging generations of manufacturing wisdom to shape the future of mobility in our world. When walking through their Metro Detroit facility, one will see a synchronized dance of large metal stamping presses cycling up and down, sparks flying behind welding curtains, and high-tech lasers cutting...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

START ME UP

SPEAK YOUR TRUTH. OWN YOUR STORY.

In a galaxy far, far away but closer than you may think lived a company called Start Me Up PR. Landing in YYC first — because even extraterrestrials love the mountains — to invade the local and global tech scene, they set off to support emerging-founders, the investors who help...

INNOVATE® Detroit

AUTOMATION ALLEY

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT EMBRACING DIGITAL INNOVATION WITH AUTOMATION ALLEY

In the heart of Detroit, Automation Alley propels Michigan into a future defined by digital innovation. Explore the transformative impact of Industry 4.0 through the lens of our groundbreaking initiatives. In collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Automation Alley is a key player in a signature Industry 4.0...

INNOVATE® Nashville

NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-Since 1847

Since 1847, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has increased economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership

Since 1847, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has been working for Middle Tennessee businesses. The Chamber is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership. The Nashville Area Chamber is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing more than 1,700 member businesses in 10 counties (Davidson,...

INNOVATION Manitoba

BIOSCIENCE ASSOCIATION MANITOBA

ADVANCING MANITOBA’S BIOSCIENCE SECTOR THROUGH COLLABORATION AND GROWTH

Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM) serves as the central connector and catalyst for the province’s bioscience sector, bringing together companies, researchers, educators, students, and government partners to strengthen an industry that is steadily growing in both scale and impact. BAM was created with an important purpose: to support the development of...

INNOVATE® South Florida

Miami Dade College

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT There’s a tech revolution happening in the heart of Miami. It’s being fueled by big thinkers, risk-taking entrepreneurs, public and private supporters. And alongside them at the grown-up’s table: Miami Dade College. Long acknowledged as one of the nation’s biggest and most diverse institutions of...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

CONDOR CONNECT

CONNECTING GREAT IDEAS TO GREAT OPPORTUNITIES

The Condor Connect accelerator has been working for over 4-years leading to growth and investing in the acceleration of startups focused on retail and trends. Today, there are nine businesses in acceleration and six in VC investments. It found Curitiba’s innovation ecosystem the ideal place to consolidate its operation, adding...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

BIORN GROUP CYBER

TECHNOLOGISTS ASPIRING THROUGH SERVANT LEADERSHIP (TASL)

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...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

FORJ

REVOLUTIONIZES MEMBER EXPERIENCE WITH INNOVATIVE PLATFORM, JOURNEY BY FORJ

Forj has emerged as a trailblazer in the world of association and professional network technology with the launch of their groundbreaking platform, Journey by Forj. The company is redefining how organizations engage with their members, combining the power of community with cutting-edge learning experiences. Forj, a forward-thinking SaaS company, has...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

VIDCRUITER

FROM A TEAM OF TWO TO 100+ – VIDCRUITER DRIVES THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL RECRUITMENT

When Sean Fahey, CEO of VidCruiter, was faced with a challenge of hiring 200 people in a time crunch, he learned how frustrating and inefficient it was to find and hire candidates the traditional way. He asked, “What if there’s a way to improve and scale the interviewing process for...

INNOVATION Quebec

ISEQ

LE PÔLE D’EXCELLENCE DE L’INDUSTRIE DES SYSTÈMES ÉLECTRONIQUES DU QUÉBEC (ISEQ) CONCERTE LES EN

Soyons le changement des produits électroniques québécois de demainIl agit comme vecteur de collaboration afin de favoriser l’innovation, la reconnaissance de l’industrie, l’élargissement des opportunités, la commercialisation et la compétitivité des entreprises. Il favorise l’exportation des biens, des services et des innovations du secteur de l’électronique pour profiter des opportunités...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

SCHOOLTRY

BUILDING A SINGLE DIGITAL BACKBONE FOR EDUCATION WORLDWIDE

As education systems around the world shift rapidly toward digital operations, one company is quietly standing out. SchoolTry, a Stockholm-based tech company, has created a cloud-based platform that brings school management, digital learning, and career readiness together in one seamless system. Founded by software engineer Ismail Eleburuike, SchoolTry tackles a...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FINCLUSION GROUP

WHO ARE THE FINCLUSION GROUP?

FINCLUSION GROUP IS ENHANCING FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN AFRICA BY COMBINING A WORLD-CLASS PRODUCT OFFERING WITH TOP OF THE LINE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THOSE TRADITIONALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE FORMAL FINANCIAL SECTOR. Finclusion Group is a diverse team of fintech professionals and entrepreneurs. They are passionate about...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE

YOU CAN GET ANYWHERE FROM HERE

150+ Programs Eight Schools of Study make up a curriculum that is continously reviewed and optimized to meet workforce demand. Students are known by their name, not a number, with an average class size of 17. Over $150,000 in Scholarships Affordable tuition ensures students can complete their programs without substantial...

INNOVATE® Detroit

DIMO

Redefining Mobility with User-Controlled Digital Infrastructure

DIMO is redefining the automotive experience for drivers and developers across the broad world of mobility and auto. As an open source project and ecosystem, DIMO — Digital Infrastructure for Moving Objects — brings user empowerment to the legacy auto sector. Its mission is clear: to transform the industry with...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

PRAIRIESCAN

PRAIRIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA

BUILDING ON SUCCESSIn 2021, the Government of Canada embarked on a new approach to economic development in the West. To better recognize the unique economic drivers of the Prairies and British Columbia, the department known as Western Economic Diversification (WD) evolved into two departments. On August 6, 2021, Prairies Economic...

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...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

ELIXIR D’ANVERS

ELIXIR D’ANVERS-ARTISAN LIQUEUR. UNIQUE TASTE. UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY. 160 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

ARTISAN LIQUEUR. UNIQUE TASTE. UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY. 160 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

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...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

PILOTO 151

PILOTO 151-PUERTO RICO’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION

PUERTO RICO’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION

The year was 2012. Stolberg siblings, Sofia and Juan Carlos, had just moved back to their native Puerto Rico, ran their own businesses, and were searching for a coworking space to network with like-minded individuals. Noticing that coworking was not a thing on the Island, they took it upon themselves...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

ESPORTS BAR

ESPORTS BAR-GATHERS INDUSTRY LEADERS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE TOGETHER

GATHERS INDUSTRY LEADERS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE TOGETHER

The world of esports is still young: the community is expanding, business models are fluid, and innovation never stops, as the industry looks to stay fresh and exciting.   Esports BAR is the world’s esports business arena, and our mission is to transform the sport of the digital generation into...

INNOVATION Manitoba

TAIV

BUSINESS TV REIMAGINED

A commercial break at a Jets playoff game gave two University of Manitoba students an idea. Nearly a decade later, Taiv’s AI powers the screens in thousands of venues across North America. It still calls Winnipeg home. On a spring night in 2018, Noah Palansky was watching a Winnipeg Jets...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Gemba Systems

Empowering People with Smarter Technologies

In the heart of Greenville, South Carolina, Gemba Systems Inc. is redefining what “smart manufacturing” really means. Rather than chasing automation for its own sake, the company focuses on empowering people with smarter technologies – solutions that give manufacturers the visibility, insight, and control they need to perform at their...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PLAYHAUS

DATA MANAGEMENT BUILT FOR ALL

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...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

MSOE

INNOVATION AT THE FOREFRONT

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) stands as a beacon of innovation, driving forward the boundaries of what’s possible in engineering, business, technology and nursing. With a legacy that intertwines with the heart of Milwaukee’s development, MSOE has become synonymous with excellence, opportunity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. At the...

INNOVATE® Detroit

METALBUILT

Forming the Future of Mobility

Metalbuilt understands the importance of leveraging generations of manufacturing wisdom to shape the future of mobility in our world. When walking through their Metro Detroit facility, one will see a synchronized dance of large metal stamping presses cycling up and down, sparks flying behind welding curtains, and high-tech lasers cutting...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

START ME UP

SPEAK YOUR TRUTH. OWN YOUR STORY.

In a galaxy far, far away but closer than you may think lived a company called Start Me Up PR. Landing in YYC first — because even extraterrestrials love the mountains — to invade the local and global tech scene, they set off to support emerging-founders, the investors who help...

INNOVATE® Detroit

AUTOMATION ALLEY

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT EMBRACING DIGITAL INNOVATION WITH AUTOMATION ALLEY

In the heart of Detroit, Automation Alley propels Michigan into a future defined by digital innovation. Explore the transformative impact of Industry 4.0 through the lens of our groundbreaking initiatives. In collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Automation Alley is a key player in a signature Industry 4.0...

INNOVATE® Nashville

NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-Since 1847

Since 1847, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has increased economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership

Since 1847, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has been working for Middle Tennessee businesses. The Chamber is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership. The Nashville Area Chamber is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing more than 1,700 member businesses in 10 counties (Davidson,...

INNOVATION Manitoba

BIOSCIENCE ASSOCIATION MANITOBA

ADVANCING MANITOBA’S BIOSCIENCE SECTOR THROUGH COLLABORATION AND GROWTH

Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM) serves as the central connector and catalyst for the province’s bioscience sector, bringing together companies, researchers, educators, students, and government partners to strengthen an industry that is steadily growing in both scale and impact. BAM was created with an important purpose: to support the development of...

INNOVATE® South Florida

Miami Dade College

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT There’s a tech revolution happening in the heart of Miami. It’s being fueled by big thinkers, risk-taking entrepreneurs, public and private supporters. And alongside them at the grown-up’s table: Miami Dade College. Long acknowledged as one of the nation’s biggest and most diverse institutions of...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

CONDOR CONNECT

CONNECTING GREAT IDEAS TO GREAT OPPORTUNITIES

The Condor Connect accelerator has been working for over 4-years leading to growth and investing in the acceleration of startups focused on retail and trends. Today, there are nine businesses in acceleration and six in VC investments. It found Curitiba’s innovation ecosystem the ideal place to consolidate its operation, adding...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

BIORN GROUP CYBER

TECHNOLOGISTS ASPIRING THROUGH SERVANT LEADERSHIP (TASL)

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...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

FORJ

REVOLUTIONIZES MEMBER EXPERIENCE WITH INNOVATIVE PLATFORM, JOURNEY BY FORJ

Forj has emerged as a trailblazer in the world of association and professional network technology with the launch of their groundbreaking platform, Journey by Forj. The company is redefining how organizations engage with their members, combining the power of community with cutting-edge learning experiences. Forj, a forward-thinking SaaS company, has...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

VIDCRUITER

FROM A TEAM OF TWO TO 100+ – VIDCRUITER DRIVES THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL RECRUITMENT

When Sean Fahey, CEO of VidCruiter, was faced with a challenge of hiring 200 people in a time crunch, he learned how frustrating and inefficient it was to find and hire candidates the traditional way. He asked, “What if there’s a way to improve and scale the interviewing process for...

INNOVATION Quebec

ISEQ

LE PÔLE D’EXCELLENCE DE L’INDUSTRIE DES SYSTÈMES ÉLECTRONIQUES DU QUÉBEC (ISEQ) CONCERTE LES EN

Soyons le changement des produits électroniques québécois de demainIl agit comme vecteur de collaboration afin de favoriser l’innovation, la reconnaissance de l’industrie, l’élargissement des opportunités, la commercialisation et la compétitivité des entreprises. Il favorise l’exportation des biens, des services et des innovations du secteur de l’électronique pour profiter des opportunités...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

SCHOOLTRY

BUILDING A SINGLE DIGITAL BACKBONE FOR EDUCATION WORLDWIDE

As education systems around the world shift rapidly toward digital operations, one company is quietly standing out. SchoolTry, a Stockholm-based tech company, has created a cloud-based platform that brings school management, digital learning, and career readiness together in one seamless system. Founded by software engineer Ismail Eleburuike, SchoolTry tackles a...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FINCLUSION GROUP

WHO ARE THE FINCLUSION GROUP?

FINCLUSION GROUP IS ENHANCING FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN AFRICA BY COMBINING A WORLD-CLASS PRODUCT OFFERING WITH TOP OF THE LINE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THOSE TRADITIONALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE FORMAL FINANCIAL SECTOR. Finclusion Group is a diverse team of fintech professionals and entrepreneurs. They are passionate about...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE

YOU CAN GET ANYWHERE FROM HERE

150+ Programs Eight Schools of Study make up a curriculum that is continously reviewed and optimized to meet workforce demand. Students are known by their name, not a number, with an average class size of 17. Over $150,000 in Scholarships Affordable tuition ensures students can complete their programs without substantial...

INNOVATE® Detroit

DIMO

Redefining Mobility with User-Controlled Digital Infrastructure

DIMO is redefining the automotive experience for drivers and developers across the broad world of mobility and auto. As an open source project and ecosystem, DIMO — Digital Infrastructure for Moving Objects — brings user empowerment to the legacy auto sector. Its mission is clear: to transform the industry with...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

PRAIRIESCAN

PRAIRIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CANADA

BUILDING ON SUCCESSIn 2021, the Government of Canada embarked on a new approach to economic development in the West. To better recognize the unique economic drivers of the Prairies and British Columbia, the department known as Western Economic Diversification (WD) evolved into two departments. On August 6, 2021, Prairies Economic...

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...

INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2

ELIXIR D’ANVERS

ELIXIR D’ANVERS-ARTISAN LIQUEUR. UNIQUE TASTE. UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY. 160 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

ARTISAN LIQUEUR. UNIQUE TASTE. UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY. 160 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

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...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

PILOTO 151

PILOTO 151-PUERTO RICO’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION

PUERTO RICO’S LAUNCHPAD FOR INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION

The year was 2012. Stolberg siblings, Sofia and Juan Carlos, had just moved back to their native Puerto Rico, ran their own businesses, and were searching for a coworking space to network with like-minded individuals. Noticing that coworking was not a thing on the Island, they took it upon themselves...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

ESPORTS BAR

ESPORTS BAR-GATHERS INDUSTRY LEADERS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE TOGETHER

GATHERS INDUSTRY LEADERS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE TOGETHER

The world of esports is still young: the community is expanding, business models are fluid, and innovation never stops, as the industry looks to stay fresh and exciting.   Esports BAR is the world’s esports business arena, and our mission is to transform the sport of the digital generation into...

INNOVATION Manitoba

TAIV

BUSINESS TV REIMAGINED

A commercial break at a Jets playoff game gave two University of Manitoba students an idea. Nearly a decade later, Taiv’s AI powers the screens in thousands of venues across North America. It still calls Winnipeg home. On a spring night in 2018, Noah Palansky was watching a Winnipeg Jets...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Gemba Systems

Empowering People with Smarter Technologies

In the heart of Greenville, South Carolina, Gemba Systems Inc. is redefining what “smart manufacturing” really means. Rather than chasing automation for its own sake, the company focuses on empowering people with smarter technologies – solutions that give manufacturers the visibility, insight, and control they need to perform at their...

Ecosystems