Stories of Innovation

AI Québec

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB- AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT

AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT, MCGILL UNIVERSITY

The Bensadoun School of Retail Management (BSRM) at McGill University recently launched a retail innovation lab. This initiative is a collaboration between McGill University and Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT). The lab is a convenience store as well as a living lab that operates on the McGill University campus and houses...

INNOVATE® Georgia

CREDENZA

THE FUTURE OF FAN ENGAGEMENT IS HERE

THE BACKSTORYIn 2013, Sandy Khaund, Credenza Inc’s Founder, was introduced to blockchain. He recognized the potential for decentralized identification, where identity isn’t tied to platforms like Facebook, Google, or proprietary logins, but instead relies on mathematical computation to universally identify each user. He believed that if this concept gained traction,...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

SLA-STEPHANE LAROYE ARCHITECT INC

Boutique Vancouver architectural firm committed to collaborative design and mixed-use projects using engineered wood solutions. The boutique architectural firm of SLA (Stephane Laroye Architect Inc.) is a Vancouver-based architectural firm focused on collaborative design with a passion for Passive House and engineered wood solutions in British Columbia. Established in 2016,...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

At Bethesda Farm, The Chicken Comes First, Then The Egg

At Bethesda Farm

Bethesda Farm began as a dream to provide the best-tasting, healthiest local eggs available and to use the profits to benefit the community.   In 2016, brothers Sean and Jack Hellein received the first organic hens on pastures near Jacksonville. From the beginning, the welfare of the hens at Bethesda...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

GSP International Airport

Reaching New Heights

Our History Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), Upstate South Carolina’s commercial service airport, was established in October 1962. At the time of its opening, the idea of regional collaboration was not a common one among cities, counties, politicians, businesses, or economic development organizations. Without a major interstate roadway to connect the...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

CORCENTRIC

IS A LEADING GLOBAL PROVIDER OF PAYMENTS, PROCUREMENT, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, AND ACCOUNTS REC

Corcentric Inc., headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., is a global provider of best-in-class procurement, payments, and finance solutions coupled with expert guidance to enterprise and mid-market companies. The company reduces stress and increase savings for procurement and finance business leaders by forming a strategic partnership to diagnose pain points and...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Flutterwave’s Olugbenga Agboola

What It Takes To Found a Successful Tech Firm

Take it from someone who knows: Scaling a firm from simple startup to unicorn status isn’t for the faint of heart. For Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, the founder and CEO of the African e-payments platform Flutterwave, earning a valuation of more than $1 billion wasn’t about having the best idea or...

Global Innovation Spotlight

SMARTHEAD

SMARTHEAD-The World’s First Platform Where 100% Of Companies Are Active In Sustainability

The World’s First Platform Where 100% Of Companies Are Active In Sustainability

SmartHead is the world’s first platform for companies of all sizes to manage and communicate their sustainability initiatives effectively through their own digital Sustainability Profile. It is based on 4 main pillars: Data management, communication, sharing best-practices, and collaboration. DIGITAL COMPANY SUSTAINABILITY PROFILE ON BESMARTHEAD.COMEffective data management and transparent sustainability...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PORTER HOUSE KC

GOING BEYOND SURFACE-LEVEL IMPACT

The Porter House KC is renowned in Kansas City for its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship among the underrepresented. Its story is not just about an entrepreneurship support organization; it’s about a catalyst for change in Kansas City’s urban core, pushing the envelope of what it means to ‘scale deep’ in...

INNOVATION Quebec

MONTÉRÉGIE ÉCONOMIQUE

L’ÉCOSYSTÈME INNOVANT DE LA MONTÉRÉGIE

Mis en place en 2020, l’Espace régional d’accélération et de croissance de la Montérégie est propulsé par Montérégie Économique, qui regroupe les organismes de développement économique issus des MRC et de l’agglomération de Longueuil. L’OBNL soutient les agents économiques, guide les entreprises vers les services d’accompagnement et d’accélération d’affaires et...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Essential Culture Podcast Network

Essential Culture Podcast Network - Podcast-based media platform for Northeast Florida

Podcast-based media platform for Northeast Florida

The Essential Culture Podcast Network (ECPN) is a podcast-based media platform for Northeast Florida. Through strategic collaborations with Jacksonville-based media institutions, our network provides a series of cultural programs available to be downloaded on multiple streaming platforms. Listeners can subscribe to shows dedicated to subjects centered around business, advocacy, entertainment,...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

ROLLS-ROYCE SOLUTIONS AMERICA

Building Innovation That Powers the World

Located in Graniteville, South Carolina, just off Interstate 20, Rolls-Royce’s mtu Aiken plant stands as a beacon of advanced manufacturing, workforce development, community commitment and clean energy leadership. Since opening its doors in 2010, the facility has grown from a promising assembly plant to a cornerstone of innovation, producing and...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

AQUATIK ESPORTS

AQUATIK ESPORTS

CREATING AND FOSTERING A COMMUNITY UNLIKE ANY OTHER!

With a mantra of ‘Esports for Everyone,’ Aquatik Esports is truly unique and has propelled an abrupt tidal wave of followers, fans, and participants spread across multiple channels and touchpoints across the world. By providing approachable spaces, opportunities, and platforms for amateur competitive gamers, creators, and streamers to launch their...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

ARTSCAPE

ARTSCAPE-THE POWER OF ARTS AND CREATIVITY AS A FOUNDATION FOR INCLUSIVE INNOVATION

THE POWER OF ARTS AND CREATIVITY AS A FOUNDATION FOR INCLUSIVE INNOVATION

We believe in the power of arts and creativity to contribute to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of our city. For over 30 years, Artscape, a not-for-profit organization, has made space for creativity for artists and creatives to thrive. This has resulted in Artscape developing and operating 15 unique...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

MOLCAJETE FOODS

PASSION FOR CONTRIBUTING TO PUERTO RICO, FOREMOST HONORING, ABUELA DOÑA LOLA

The Rivera brothers returned to their island Puerto Rico decided to honor their grandmother Dolores and her secret recipe for corn tortillas, passed down from generation to generation for more than 100 years. As a Puerto Rican and half-Mexican family, wanted to share the secret of their family gatherings, where...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

NOVELYEAST

SUPERIOR YEAST AS A TARGET AND A TOOL

NovelYeast is an R&D company with world-leading expertise in the design and development of superior industrial yeast strains. Our superior yeast strains for bioethanol and isobutanol production support the transition to a more sustainable bio-based economy in the sectors of automobile and aviation transport. Superior yeast strains for production of...

INNOVATE® Georgia

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA (UNG)

UNG STEPS INTO ITS BRIGHT FUTURE

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of higher education thanks to its willingness to think outside the box in crafting experiences that will prepare students to serve as leaders in an ever-changing world. UNG does this in three specific ways: Seeing its...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

STORYTAILOR

CREATE MOMENTS OF TOGETHERNESS, NOT MORE SCREEN TIME.

Storytailor®is a Kansas City studio turning story time into a hands on adventure for families everywhere. Founded in 2022 by award winning children’s author and illustrator JQ Sirls and product builder Herston Fails, the company builds live stories that wrap around each child like a custom fitted cape. One moment...

INNOVATION Quebec

NERGICA

CCTT EN ÉNERGIES RENOUVELABLES

Nergica est un centre de recherche appliquée qui stimule l’innovation en matière d’énergies renouvelables à travers des activités de recherche, d’aide technique, de transfert technologique et d’accompagnement aux entreprises et aux collectivités. Sa mission : accélérer le développement et l’adoption des énergies renouvelables. Nergica se spécialise dans le développement de...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

W3N

WHAT BEGAN AS AN EXPERIMENT QUICKLY GREW INTO ESTONIA’S LEADING EMERGING TECH FESTIVAL.

When Alexander Bitskov left Estonia at 12, he never imagined that nearly two decades later he would return to turn his hometown into a stage for global innovation. Narva, a city on the country’s eastern border long defined by smokestacks and heavy industry, was the last place most would associate...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

BRANSON CENTRE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP SOUTH AFRICA

BRANSON CENTRE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP SOUTH AFRICA- SCREW IT

SCREW IT, LET’S DO IT!

The world is obsessed with changing businesses for good. Ask the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa (Branson Centre) for its take on that, and it’ll tell you that is actually a misnomer. Fundamentally, business is good. The focus of the Branson Centre is entrepreneurialism and social responsibility. The Branson...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIRADD

CCTT D’INNOVATION SOCIALE EN DÉVELOPPEMENT DURABLE

Fondé en 2006, le CIRADD est depuis 2010 un CCTT en pratiques sociales novatrices spécialisé en développement territorial durable. Situé en Gaspésie, le centre fait partie du Réseau des CCTT. La mission du CIRADD est de soutenir et d’accompagner les organismes, les entreprises et les collectivités vers le développement durable...

INNOVATION Quebec

MILA

EN TANT QU’INSTITUT QUÉBÉCOIS D’INTELLIGENCE ARTIFICIELLE, MILA EST L’ÉPICENTRE DE L’EXPERTISE EN APPRENTISSAGE PROFOND (DEEP LEARNING) AU CANADA

Dirigé par le professeur Yoshua Bengio, corécipiendaire en 2018 du prix Turing pour ses travaux fondateurs sur l’apprentissage profond, Mila regroupe une communauté de plus de 1000 chercheuses et chercheurs en IA parmi les plus talentueux au monde. Cette concentration d’experts effectuant des travaux de pointe a permis au Québec...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

GRUPO SERVOPA

INNOVATION ON WHEELS: GRUPO SERVOPA AND ITS AUTOMOTIVE REVOLUTION IN CURITIBA

Since its foundation in 1955, Grupo Servopa has been a true pioneer in the automotive and service sectors, playing a crucial role in Curitiba’s economic landscape. With a vision rooted in sustainable growth, the group expanded its presence with established brands and invested in innovative initiatives to drive the automotive...

AI Québec

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB- AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT

AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT, MCGILL UNIVERSITY

The Bensadoun School of Retail Management (BSRM) at McGill University recently launched a retail innovation lab. This initiative is a collaboration between McGill University and Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT). The lab is a convenience store as well as a living lab that operates on the McGill University campus and houses...

INNOVATE® Georgia

CREDENZA

THE FUTURE OF FAN ENGAGEMENT IS HERE

THE BACKSTORYIn 2013, Sandy Khaund, Credenza Inc’s Founder, was introduced to blockchain. He recognized the potential for decentralized identification, where identity isn’t tied to platforms like Facebook, Google, or proprietary logins, but instead relies on mathematical computation to universally identify each user. He believed that if this concept gained traction,...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

SLA-STEPHANE LAROYE ARCHITECT INC

Boutique Vancouver architectural firm committed to collaborative design and mixed-use projects using engineered wood solutions. The boutique architectural firm of SLA (Stephane Laroye Architect Inc.) is a Vancouver-based architectural firm focused on collaborative design with a passion for Passive House and engineered wood solutions in British Columbia. Established in 2016,...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

At Bethesda Farm, The Chicken Comes First, Then The Egg

At Bethesda Farm

Bethesda Farm began as a dream to provide the best-tasting, healthiest local eggs available and to use the profits to benefit the community.   In 2016, brothers Sean and Jack Hellein received the first organic hens on pastures near Jacksonville. From the beginning, the welfare of the hens at Bethesda...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

GSP International Airport

Reaching New Heights

Our History Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), Upstate South Carolina’s commercial service airport, was established in October 1962. At the time of its opening, the idea of regional collaboration was not a common one among cities, counties, politicians, businesses, or economic development organizations. Without a major interstate roadway to connect the...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

CORCENTRIC

IS A LEADING GLOBAL PROVIDER OF PAYMENTS, PROCUREMENT, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, AND ACCOUNTS REC

Corcentric Inc., headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., is a global provider of best-in-class procurement, payments, and finance solutions coupled with expert guidance to enterprise and mid-market companies. The company reduces stress and increase savings for procurement and finance business leaders by forming a strategic partnership to diagnose pain points and...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Flutterwave’s Olugbenga Agboola

What It Takes To Found a Successful Tech Firm

Take it from someone who knows: Scaling a firm from simple startup to unicorn status isn’t for the faint of heart. For Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, the founder and CEO of the African e-payments platform Flutterwave, earning a valuation of more than $1 billion wasn’t about having the best idea or...

Global Innovation Spotlight

SMARTHEAD

SMARTHEAD-The World’s First Platform Where 100% Of Companies Are Active In Sustainability

The World’s First Platform Where 100% Of Companies Are Active In Sustainability

SmartHead is the world’s first platform for companies of all sizes to manage and communicate their sustainability initiatives effectively through their own digital Sustainability Profile. It is based on 4 main pillars: Data management, communication, sharing best-practices, and collaboration. DIGITAL COMPANY SUSTAINABILITY PROFILE ON BESMARTHEAD.COMEffective data management and transparent sustainability...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

PORTER HOUSE KC

GOING BEYOND SURFACE-LEVEL IMPACT

The Porter House KC is renowned in Kansas City for its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship among the underrepresented. Its story is not just about an entrepreneurship support organization; it’s about a catalyst for change in Kansas City’s urban core, pushing the envelope of what it means to ‘scale deep’ in...

INNOVATION Quebec

MONTÉRÉGIE ÉCONOMIQUE

L’ÉCOSYSTÈME INNOVANT DE LA MONTÉRÉGIE

Mis en place en 2020, l’Espace régional d’accélération et de croissance de la Montérégie est propulsé par Montérégie Économique, qui regroupe les organismes de développement économique issus des MRC et de l’agglomération de Longueuil. L’OBNL soutient les agents économiques, guide les entreprises vers les services d’accompagnement et d’accélération d’affaires et...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Essential Culture Podcast Network

Essential Culture Podcast Network - Podcast-based media platform for Northeast Florida

Podcast-based media platform for Northeast Florida

The Essential Culture Podcast Network (ECPN) is a podcast-based media platform for Northeast Florida. Through strategic collaborations with Jacksonville-based media institutions, our network provides a series of cultural programs available to be downloaded on multiple streaming platforms. Listeners can subscribe to shows dedicated to subjects centered around business, advocacy, entertainment,...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

ROLLS-ROYCE SOLUTIONS AMERICA

Building Innovation That Powers the World

Located in Graniteville, South Carolina, just off Interstate 20, Rolls-Royce’s mtu Aiken plant stands as a beacon of advanced manufacturing, workforce development, community commitment and clean energy leadership. Since opening its doors in 2010, the facility has grown from a promising assembly plant to a cornerstone of innovation, producing and...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

AQUATIK ESPORTS

AQUATIK ESPORTS

CREATING AND FOSTERING A COMMUNITY UNLIKE ANY OTHER!

With a mantra of ‘Esports for Everyone,’ Aquatik Esports is truly unique and has propelled an abrupt tidal wave of followers, fans, and participants spread across multiple channels and touchpoints across the world. By providing approachable spaces, opportunities, and platforms for amateur competitive gamers, creators, and streamers to launch their...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

ARTSCAPE

ARTSCAPE-THE POWER OF ARTS AND CREATIVITY AS A FOUNDATION FOR INCLUSIVE INNOVATION

THE POWER OF ARTS AND CREATIVITY AS A FOUNDATION FOR INCLUSIVE INNOVATION

We believe in the power of arts and creativity to contribute to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of our city. For over 30 years, Artscape, a not-for-profit organization, has made space for creativity for artists and creatives to thrive. This has resulted in Artscape developing and operating 15 unique...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

MOLCAJETE FOODS

PASSION FOR CONTRIBUTING TO PUERTO RICO, FOREMOST HONORING, ABUELA DOÑA LOLA

The Rivera brothers returned to their island Puerto Rico decided to honor their grandmother Dolores and her secret recipe for corn tortillas, passed down from generation to generation for more than 100 years. As a Puerto Rican and half-Mexican family, wanted to share the secret of their family gatherings, where...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

NOVELYEAST

SUPERIOR YEAST AS A TARGET AND A TOOL

NovelYeast is an R&D company with world-leading expertise in the design and development of superior industrial yeast strains. Our superior yeast strains for bioethanol and isobutanol production support the transition to a more sustainable bio-based economy in the sectors of automobile and aviation transport. Superior yeast strains for production of...

INNOVATE® Georgia

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA (UNG)

UNG STEPS INTO ITS BRIGHT FUTURE

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of higher education thanks to its willingness to think outside the box in crafting experiences that will prepare students to serve as leaders in an ever-changing world. UNG does this in three specific ways: Seeing its...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

STORYTAILOR

CREATE MOMENTS OF TOGETHERNESS, NOT MORE SCREEN TIME.

Storytailor®is a Kansas City studio turning story time into a hands on adventure for families everywhere. Founded in 2022 by award winning children’s author and illustrator JQ Sirls and product builder Herston Fails, the company builds live stories that wrap around each child like a custom fitted cape. One moment...

INNOVATION Quebec

NERGICA

CCTT EN ÉNERGIES RENOUVELABLES

Nergica est un centre de recherche appliquée qui stimule l’innovation en matière d’énergies renouvelables à travers des activités de recherche, d’aide technique, de transfert technologique et d’accompagnement aux entreprises et aux collectivités. Sa mission : accélérer le développement et l’adoption des énergies renouvelables. Nergica se spécialise dans le développement de...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

W3N

WHAT BEGAN AS AN EXPERIMENT QUICKLY GREW INTO ESTONIA’S LEADING EMERGING TECH FESTIVAL.

When Alexander Bitskov left Estonia at 12, he never imagined that nearly two decades later he would return to turn his hometown into a stage for global innovation. Narva, a city on the country’s eastern border long defined by smokestacks and heavy industry, was the last place most would associate...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

BRANSON CENTRE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP SOUTH AFRICA

BRANSON CENTRE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP SOUTH AFRICA- SCREW IT

SCREW IT, LET’S DO IT!

The world is obsessed with changing businesses for good. Ask the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship South Africa (Branson Centre) for its take on that, and it’ll tell you that is actually a misnomer. Fundamentally, business is good. The focus of the Branson Centre is entrepreneurialism and social responsibility. The Branson...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIRADD

CCTT D’INNOVATION SOCIALE EN DÉVELOPPEMENT DURABLE

Fondé en 2006, le CIRADD est depuis 2010 un CCTT en pratiques sociales novatrices spécialisé en développement territorial durable. Situé en Gaspésie, le centre fait partie du Réseau des CCTT. La mission du CIRADD est de soutenir et d’accompagner les organismes, les entreprises et les collectivités vers le développement durable...

INNOVATION Quebec

MILA

EN TANT QU’INSTITUT QUÉBÉCOIS D’INTELLIGENCE ARTIFICIELLE, MILA EST L’ÉPICENTRE DE L’EXPERTISE EN APPRENTISSAGE PROFOND (DEEP LEARNING) AU CANADA

Dirigé par le professeur Yoshua Bengio, corécipiendaire en 2018 du prix Turing pour ses travaux fondateurs sur l’apprentissage profond, Mila regroupe une communauté de plus de 1000 chercheuses et chercheurs en IA parmi les plus talentueux au monde. Cette concentration d’experts effectuant des travaux de pointe a permis au Québec...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

GRUPO SERVOPA

INNOVATION ON WHEELS: GRUPO SERVOPA AND ITS AUTOMOTIVE REVOLUTION IN CURITIBA

Since its foundation in 1955, Grupo Servopa has been a true pioneer in the automotive and service sectors, playing a crucial role in Curitiba’s economic landscape. With a vision rooted in sustainable growth, the group expanded its presence with established brands and invested in innovative initiatives to drive the automotive...

Ecosystems