Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ Flanders

RIVER CLEANUP

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

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....

INNOVATION Quebec

CANADA EXCELLENCE RESEARCH CHAIR IN SMART, SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND CITIES

We envision next-generation communities as zero-emission, livable, affordable, equitable and inclusive environments

Zero-emission communities require largescale electrification, retrofitting buildings, integrating renewable energy, developing sustainable mobility concepts, implementing green industry solutions, and transforming cities in a human-centered way. Furthermore, those next-generation communities should be affordable, mixed and inclusive, providing all essential services within walking distance. This also means easy access to green spaces,...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Avant - Curious Music For Curious Minds

Avant - Curious Music For Curious Minds

Music is a Passport, allowing travelers to walk into cultures, time periods, and gaining exposure to new ways of thinking. Avant ensures community members access to these windows of culture through diverse, dynamic and eclectic programming. By giving our community access, it encourages innovation by expanding minds, opening new horizons,...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GAME QUITTERS

GAME QUITTERS-Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content

Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content, Community And Coaching

Game Quitters provides the best tools, resources, and support for gamers of all ages to keep gaming under control and maintain their health and wellbeing. We believe there are benefits and risks associated with playing video games and individuals should be equipped to navigate that experience. We do this by...

Global Innovation Spotlight

INDEXA CAPITAL

INDEXA CAPITAL-Is The Independent Automated Investment Manager In Spain With 1

Es El Gestor Automatizado Independiente Líder En España Con Más De 1400 Millones De Euros De Activos Gestionados O Asesorados, De Más De 56 Mil Clientes, En Crecimiento De +100% Al Año De Media Desde 2018

“No somos un banco: ponemos el interés de nuestro cliente por encima de todo, sin comisiones ocultas ni letra pequeña. Nuestro círculo de éxito consiste en ofrecer más rentabilidad potencial gracias a las comisiones bajas y así crecer en número de clientes satisfechos que nos recomienden” destaca François Derbaix. Unai...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

JUST ESPORTS

JUST ESPORTS – BUILDING A BETTER WORLD FOR EACH AND EVERY GAMER

BUILDING A BETTER WORLD FOR EACH AND EVERY GAMER

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...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

ZAS

The leading hospital network of the City of Antwerp

Two hospital networks merged in July 2024 in order to create ZAS, the largest healthcare organization in Belgium. ZAS stands for ‘Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom’ (‘Hospital by the river’), a reference to the Schelde, the river of commercial and strategic importance that defines the city. In similar fashion, ZAS plays...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

ESTONIA’S INNOVATION POLICY: DESIGNING A FUTURE-READY NATION

When Estonia regained its independence in the early 1990s, it faced a dauntingquestion: how can a nation so small, with so few resources, stand out in theworld? The answer did not come in steel or oil, but in imagination and boldness.Out of necessity, Estonians learned to skip steps others had...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Sticker Builder

Unlocking the Next Frontier

“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...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

TALTECH

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION: IT DIDACTICS RESEARCH GROUP AT TALTECH

Our Vision and Laboratory Looking around us, we witness the rapid rise of technology that touches every aspect of our lives—robots, artificial intelligence, social media, and countless other digital tools. But how do these innovations translate into meaningful changes in education? At Tallinn University of Technology’s IT College, the IT...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

KNAPP

MAKING COMPLEXITY SIMPLE INNOVATION AND KNAPP ARE INSEPARABLY LINKED

In a world where everything is constantly changing, strong values and trust matter. Partnerships matter. The KNAPP Group provides intelligent logistics solutions for data-driven value chains, uniting technological know-how with its long-established experience in diverse industries. KNAPP brings new technology to warehouse logistics, working with its customers globally to develop...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

AUVE TECH

DRIVING ESTONIA’S AUTONOMOUS FUTURE, ONE SHORT ROUTE AT A TIME

Cities are stitched together by infrastructure – roads, rails, sidewalks, and transit routes. Yet for many, that final stretch between a transit stop and the destination is the hardest to bridge. Often, commuters surrender to convenience, hailing a car instead and adding congestion and emissions to already-strained streets. Estonia’s Auve...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

FACIAP

INNOVATION: THE CORE OF FACIAP’S PHILOSOPHY

Innovation and the promotion of corporate development are ingrained in the ethos of the Trade and Business Associations Federation of the State of Paraná (FACIAP). Headquartered in Curitiba, FACIAP represents over 75% of the municipalities in Paraná. Since its establishment in 1959, FACIAP has recognized innovation as a crucial factor...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

SAGE

CREATING A SMARTER FUTURE, BETTER WORLD

SAGE is a specialist industrial digitalisation services provider, combining the best thinking with world-leading technology to deliver the best outcome. SAGE’s specialist businesses – SAGE Automation, Nukon, Skills Lab and Embedded Expertise – work with organisations to deliver strategy and horizon phasing, automation of industrial operations, data-driven business transformation, training...

INNOVATE® Georgia

CATALYST BY WELLSTAR

LET’S DISRUPT THE STATUS QUO TO CREATE A HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR ALL OF US.

To push Wellstar’s legacy of innovation even further, Catalyst by Wellstar was created in 2021 as the first-of-its-kind innovation company and venture firm. A team of innovators, investors, and builders was assembled to harness the decades of experience and knowledge of Wellstar and shape the future of healthcare. Grounded in...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Silent Layer of Innovation:

How Dynamic QR Technology Connects Physical and Digital Worlds

Every few years, a technology quietly shifts from being a simple tool to becoming part of the invisible infrastructure that moves the world forward. QR codes have reached that point not through hype, but through the natural way people now interact with information. What was once a square barcode on...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

3PARK

GROWING ADVENTURES IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

What if playgrounds could grow with the forest instead of replacing it? At 3park, the team designs and builds adventure parks that blend safety, creativity, and sustainability. Born in Estonia, 3park believes play should bring people together and strengthen communities. Their parks are more than climbing frames: they are safe...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Bluewave Technologies Inc.

Bluewave Technologies Inc. - A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub

A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub

Created in 2015 company, BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s Innovation Hub. Innovation Hub. BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup and the creator of the BLUEWAVE, a device that can deodorize items with its proprietary ozone infusion technology in as little as...

INNOVATION Quebec

POLYTECHNIQUE MONTRÉAL

UNE RECHERCHE DE POINTE EN MOBILITÉ MULTIMODALE, DURABLE ET INTELLIGENTE

Comment aider les dirigeants à prendre les bonnes décisions pour offrir une alternative de transport (confortable, sécuritaire et efficace) à l’automobile privée et assurer ainsi une répartition plus équitable des espaces publics entre les usages et modes de transport? Comment mieux répondre aux attentes et besoins de toute la population,...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Airspace Link

Pioneering Safe Drone Integration for a Connected Future

Throughout history, the advancement of human civilization has been intrinsically linked to the development of transportation infrastructure. Each era has brought forth revolutionary changes that reshaped our world, our economies, and our way of life. From the expansion of railroads in the 19th century to the rise of automobiles and...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

RETROVIRAL MATCHKIT

RETROVIRAL MATCHKIT-Slick & Easy

Slick & Easy

I TRAVELLED TO ANFIELD JUST BEFORE THE HARD LOCKDOWN. I’M A HUGE LIVERPOOL FAN AND WANTED TO WATCH THE TEAM PLAY AT HOME BEFORE THEY WON THE LEAGUE, WHICH – FORTUNATELY – THEY DID. SO I RETURNED HOME ON A HIGH, BUT THEN GLOBAL AND LOCAL SPORT CAME TO A...

INNOVATE® Miami

SunVessel

SunVessel - Transforming the way we travel around our country

Transforming the way we travel around our country

SunVessel is a network of smart charging stations for electric and robotic personal mobility devices installed in partnering hotels, offices, and apartment buildings. We are the next-generation transportation amenity. Our stations lock, charge, and teach users how to ride in a seamless manner. Users can come up to our stations...

INNOVATION Quebec

Calcul Québec

Calcul Québec- Collaborate to innovate

Collaborate to innovate

United for more powerQuébec is a pioneer in the field of advanced computing in the country. From 1992, several inter-institutional collaborations emerged. These collaborations made possible the acquisition of supercomputers, and the development of local expertise in order to support the research community. Thirty years ago, this support enabled Québec...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

THE INDUS ENTREPRENEUR

ABOUT THE INDUS ENTREPRENEUR (TiE) ORGANIZATIONTiE ranks among the world’s largest ecosystems for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development. With a global reach and a local focus, the heart of TiE’s efforts lies in its five foundational programs, – Mentoring, Networking, Education, Funding, and Incubation. With a focus on giving back...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

RIVER CLEANUP

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

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....

INNOVATION Quebec

CANADA EXCELLENCE RESEARCH CHAIR IN SMART, SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND CITIES

We envision next-generation communities as zero-emission, livable, affordable, equitable and inclusive environments

Zero-emission communities require largescale electrification, retrofitting buildings, integrating renewable energy, developing sustainable mobility concepts, implementing green industry solutions, and transforming cities in a human-centered way. Furthermore, those next-generation communities should be affordable, mixed and inclusive, providing all essential services within walking distance. This also means easy access to green spaces,...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Avant - Curious Music For Curious Minds

Avant - Curious Music For Curious Minds

Music is a Passport, allowing travelers to walk into cultures, time periods, and gaining exposure to new ways of thinking. Avant ensures community members access to these windows of culture through diverse, dynamic and eclectic programming. By giving our community access, it encourages innovation by expanding minds, opening new horizons,...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GAME QUITTERS

GAME QUITTERS-Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content

Supporting The Mental Health Of Gamers And Their Families Through Content, Community And Coaching

Game Quitters provides the best tools, resources, and support for gamers of all ages to keep gaming under control and maintain their health and wellbeing. We believe there are benefits and risks associated with playing video games and individuals should be equipped to navigate that experience. We do this by...

Global Innovation Spotlight

INDEXA CAPITAL

INDEXA CAPITAL-Is The Independent Automated Investment Manager In Spain With 1

Es El Gestor Automatizado Independiente Líder En España Con Más De 1400 Millones De Euros De Activos Gestionados O Asesorados, De Más De 56 Mil Clientes, En Crecimiento De +100% Al Año De Media Desde 2018

“No somos un banco: ponemos el interés de nuestro cliente por encima de todo, sin comisiones ocultas ni letra pequeña. Nuestro círculo de éxito consiste en ofrecer más rentabilidad potencial gracias a las comisiones bajas y así crecer en número de clientes satisfechos que nos recomienden” destaca François Derbaix. Unai...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

JUST ESPORTS

JUST ESPORTS – BUILDING A BETTER WORLD FOR EACH AND EVERY GAMER

BUILDING A BETTER WORLD FOR EACH AND EVERY GAMER

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...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

ZAS

The leading hospital network of the City of Antwerp

Two hospital networks merged in July 2024 in order to create ZAS, the largest healthcare organization in Belgium. ZAS stands for ‘Ziekenhuis aan de Stroom’ (‘Hospital by the river’), a reference to the Schelde, the river of commercial and strategic importance that defines the city. In similar fashion, ZAS plays...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

ESTONIA’S INNOVATION POLICY: DESIGNING A FUTURE-READY NATION

When Estonia regained its independence in the early 1990s, it faced a dauntingquestion: how can a nation so small, with so few resources, stand out in theworld? The answer did not come in steel or oil, but in imagination and boldness.Out of necessity, Estonians learned to skip steps others had...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Sticker Builder

Unlocking the Next Frontier

“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...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

TALTECH

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION: IT DIDACTICS RESEARCH GROUP AT TALTECH

Our Vision and Laboratory Looking around us, we witness the rapid rise of technology that touches every aspect of our lives—robots, artificial intelligence, social media, and countless other digital tools. But how do these innovations translate into meaningful changes in education? At Tallinn University of Technology’s IT College, the IT...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

KNAPP

MAKING COMPLEXITY SIMPLE INNOVATION AND KNAPP ARE INSEPARABLY LINKED

In a world where everything is constantly changing, strong values and trust matter. Partnerships matter. The KNAPP Group provides intelligent logistics solutions for data-driven value chains, uniting technological know-how with its long-established experience in diverse industries. KNAPP brings new technology to warehouse logistics, working with its customers globally to develop...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

AUVE TECH

DRIVING ESTONIA’S AUTONOMOUS FUTURE, ONE SHORT ROUTE AT A TIME

Cities are stitched together by infrastructure – roads, rails, sidewalks, and transit routes. Yet for many, that final stretch between a transit stop and the destination is the hardest to bridge. Often, commuters surrender to convenience, hailing a car instead and adding congestion and emissions to already-strained streets. Estonia’s Auve...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

FACIAP

INNOVATION: THE CORE OF FACIAP’S PHILOSOPHY

Innovation and the promotion of corporate development are ingrained in the ethos of the Trade and Business Associations Federation of the State of Paraná (FACIAP). Headquartered in Curitiba, FACIAP represents over 75% of the municipalities in Paraná. Since its establishment in 1959, FACIAP has recognized innovation as a crucial factor...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

SAGE

CREATING A SMARTER FUTURE, BETTER WORLD

SAGE is a specialist industrial digitalisation services provider, combining the best thinking with world-leading technology to deliver the best outcome. SAGE’s specialist businesses – SAGE Automation, Nukon, Skills Lab and Embedded Expertise – work with organisations to deliver strategy and horizon phasing, automation of industrial operations, data-driven business transformation, training...

INNOVATE® Georgia

CATALYST BY WELLSTAR

LET’S DISRUPT THE STATUS QUO TO CREATE A HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR ALL OF US.

To push Wellstar’s legacy of innovation even further, Catalyst by Wellstar was created in 2021 as the first-of-its-kind innovation company and venture firm. A team of innovators, investors, and builders was assembled to harness the decades of experience and knowledge of Wellstar and shape the future of healthcare. Grounded in...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Silent Layer of Innovation:

How Dynamic QR Technology Connects Physical and Digital Worlds

Every few years, a technology quietly shifts from being a simple tool to becoming part of the invisible infrastructure that moves the world forward. QR codes have reached that point not through hype, but through the natural way people now interact with information. What was once a square barcode on...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

3PARK

GROWING ADVENTURES IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

What if playgrounds could grow with the forest instead of replacing it? At 3park, the team designs and builds adventure parks that blend safety, creativity, and sustainability. Born in Estonia, 3park believes play should bring people together and strengthen communities. Their parks are more than climbing frames: they are safe...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Bluewave Technologies Inc.

Bluewave Technologies Inc. - A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub

A health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s innovation hub

Created in 2015 company, BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup that started out of the University of Florida’s Innovation Hub. Innovation Hub. BLUEWAVE Technologies is a health-tech startup and the creator of the BLUEWAVE, a device that can deodorize items with its proprietary ozone infusion technology in as little as...

INNOVATION Quebec

POLYTECHNIQUE MONTRÉAL

UNE RECHERCHE DE POINTE EN MOBILITÉ MULTIMODALE, DURABLE ET INTELLIGENTE

Comment aider les dirigeants à prendre les bonnes décisions pour offrir une alternative de transport (confortable, sécuritaire et efficace) à l’automobile privée et assurer ainsi une répartition plus équitable des espaces publics entre les usages et modes de transport? Comment mieux répondre aux attentes et besoins de toute la population,...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Airspace Link

Pioneering Safe Drone Integration for a Connected Future

Throughout history, the advancement of human civilization has been intrinsically linked to the development of transportation infrastructure. Each era has brought forth revolutionary changes that reshaped our world, our economies, and our way of life. From the expansion of railroads in the 19th century to the rise of automobiles and...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

RETROVIRAL MATCHKIT

RETROVIRAL MATCHKIT-Slick & Easy

Slick & Easy

I TRAVELLED TO ANFIELD JUST BEFORE THE HARD LOCKDOWN. I’M A HUGE LIVERPOOL FAN AND WANTED TO WATCH THE TEAM PLAY AT HOME BEFORE THEY WON THE LEAGUE, WHICH – FORTUNATELY – THEY DID. SO I RETURNED HOME ON A HIGH, BUT THEN GLOBAL AND LOCAL SPORT CAME TO A...

INNOVATE® Miami

SunVessel

SunVessel - Transforming the way we travel around our country

Transforming the way we travel around our country

SunVessel is a network of smart charging stations for electric and robotic personal mobility devices installed in partnering hotels, offices, and apartment buildings. We are the next-generation transportation amenity. Our stations lock, charge, and teach users how to ride in a seamless manner. Users can come up to our stations...

INNOVATION Quebec

Calcul Québec

Calcul Québec- Collaborate to innovate

Collaborate to innovate

United for more powerQuébec is a pioneer in the field of advanced computing in the country. From 1992, several inter-institutional collaborations emerged. These collaborations made possible the acquisition of supercomputers, and the development of local expertise in order to support the research community. Thirty years ago, this support enabled Québec...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

THE INDUS ENTREPRENEUR

ABOUT THE INDUS ENTREPRENEUR (TiE) ORGANIZATIONTiE ranks among the world’s largest ecosystems for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development. With a global reach and a local focus, the heart of TiE’s efforts lies in its five foundational programs, – Mentoring, Networking, Education, Funding, and Incubation. With a focus on giving back...

Ecosystems