Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

VIDYA

ENHANCING SAFETY, EFFICIENCY, AND SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH AI-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS

Industrial operations rely on data to ensure the efficiency and safety of their processes. However, the information that the operators need to carry out their routines safely and efficiently is spread among a multitude of data sources, reports, systems, and documents. That’s where Vidya Technology comes in. Founded in 2013...

INNOVATE® Nashville

LODESTONE ADVISORY GROUP

Is reimagining venture capital and economic development from the ground up

When we founded Lodestone Advisory Group in 2013, business leaders were tired of a management consulting industry that was a stiff, black box offering one-size-fits-all “solutions,” with little accountability on end results. Lodestone, named after the naturally occurring magnetic powder that gave early merchants and tradesmen the ability to navigate...

INNOVATION Quebec

RÉSEAU ENVIRONNEMENT

DES ACTIONS CONCRÈTES POUR CATALYSER L’ÉCONOMIE VERTE* AU QUÉBEC

Grâce à l’expertise de ses membres des domaines public, privé et académique, Réseau Environnement fait le pont entre l’expertise technique et les politiques publiques. Par sa place dans le secteur environnemental, notre association se doit d’être à l’avant-garde, et cela passe aussi par une collaboration avec les entrepreneurs, les innovateurs...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Bristol Private Equity Club

Bristol Private Equity Club

ELEVATOR PITCH Bristol Private Equity Club (BPEC) was founded by Jerry Barnes alongside five local influential and successful entrepreneurs in May 2016 and has, to date, provided circa £6M to 18 Bristol-based tech companies, some of whom are progressing to being globally-recognised leaders in their specialised sector. These investments have...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

TPR @ UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP

Your partner for research and training on transport and regional economics

TPR was founded as a research group within the University of Antwerp in the mid-1990s. It is committed to being an international center of excellence for fundamental and applied academic training, research, and service provision in transport economics, logistics, and regional economics. Its mission is to enhance transport and logistics...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

OROT

INCUBATEUR DE SANTÉ CONNECTÉE

L’incubateur de santé connectée – OROT contribue à révolutionner la manière dont on conçoit les technologies médicales et de santé pour améliorer les soins. Les cliniciens, les chercheurs, les usagers et les entrepreneurs sont mis au défi d’utiliser la méthodologie de conception centrée sur l’humain afin de concevoir les technologies...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

BAZ ART

ART SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS -BAZ-ART CREATES PUBLIC INTERACTION THROUGH URBAN ART

Co-founders Alexandre Tilmans (Sales, Marketing and Financial Director) and Melissa Cucci (Operations and Art Director) started the company in 2016 with the vision to make South Africa a flagship and main actor in the public art and marketing sector....

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

SMITH GAMBRELL RUSSELL

SMITH GAMBRELL RUSSELL-A FULL-SERVICE LAW FIRM REPRESENTING THE BUSINESS NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT ECOSYSTEM

A FULL-SERVICE LAW FIRM REPRESENTING THE BUSINESS NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT ECOSYSTEM

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP’s (SGR) entertainment practice includes legal practitioners specializing in intellectual property protection, technology, corporate transactional, tax, and real estate matters. The Firm’s founders began practicing law more than 125 years ago to commit to excellence and attract a wide array of talent dedicated to serving our...

INNOVATE® Detroit

M1 Concourse

The Heart of Automotive Passion

Along the legendary Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, Michigan, M1 Concourse is a world-class motorsports and automotive event destination. Spanning an impressive 87 acres, it is a hub for high-speed excitement and unmatched automotive culture. Whether you’re a dedicated car enthusiast, an adrenaline junkie looking for high-speed track adventures, or someone...

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...

Global Innovation Spotlight

3 Proven Ways for Effortless Green Tech

Laptop displaying software update complete screen.

3 Proven Ways for Effortless Green Tech To build green tech effortlessly, organizations must switch to certified refurbished hardware. Investing in durable aluminum accessories that outlast device cycles is also crucial.  Finally, designing workflows that prioritize cloud computing extends equipment lifespan. These three proven strategies drastically reduce embodied carbon and...

INNOVATE® Georgia

WILLIAM MILLS AGENCY

INFLUENCING WHAT THE INDUSTRY TALKS ABOUT

William Mills Agency (WMA) has been at the forefront of financial technology innovation since its inception. A storied company and perennially one of the top five public relations agencies in Georgia, WMA is trusted by financial companies and institutions around the country and the world. The agency’s history extends before...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

ORBIT MEDIA STUDIOS

ORBIT MEDIA STUDIOS-Web Design

Web Design, Development and Optimization with Deep Roots in the City of Chicago

They both grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and met in high school. When Barrett Lombardo and Andy Crestodina graduated, they headed off to the University of Iowa together.   They shared a dorm room and one of those boxy Macintosh computers. It was the early 1990s. Most people...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Essential Board Portal Features

Directors reviewing reports and charts during a board meeting

What to look for before choosing a governance platform

A board portal should help directors access materials securely, review updates, vote, sign, annotate, and prepare for decisions without relying on long email chains or unsecured attachments. The right platform also needs to fit daily governance habits. A strong portal should reduce manual admin, protect confidential data, and make meeting...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

So Kids SOAR (SKS)

What is one thing shared by all of the innovators within these pages?

THEIR DESIRE TO IMPACT THIS WORLD. One of the most fulfilling ways to feel that impact is by watching the beneficiaries of that impact excel in their lives—and making their own ripple of change in the world. Like a successful rocket launch into space, So Kids SOAR (Formerly Dreams For...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NXATEL

NXATEL-PROVIDES AN ALL-IN-ONE

PROVIDES AN ALL-IN-ONE, EASY TO USE, CLOUD-BASED COMMUNICATION SOLUTION

NxaTel is a Modern Unified communication platform for Small and Medium businesses that allows you to get local numbers from over 10+ African countries to use on any device. It’s easy to set up; you just need three minutes, and you gain access to the cloud phone system, virtual meetings,...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BROCCOLI CITY

Mission for a Healthier Tomorrow

Broccoli City is spearheading a transformative movement in the DMV region and nationally. Founded on the principles of impact, innovation, and empowerment, Broccoli City stands as a beacon of change, redefining what it means to be cool and conscious in today’s urban communities. With this organization, founders Brand McEachern and...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

The Frontier Collective

Building the future of Vancouver’s innovation movement on the local & global stage

Frontier technologies are thriving in Vancouver. The region is a talent engine and hub for VR/AR, AI, Cleantech, Web3, Robotics, Biotech/Healthtech, and so many more industries. Vancouver has an immense opportunity to lead the world in frontier tech, ushering in a new wave of transformation, economic prosperity and high-paying jobs, but...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GOLD STANDARD GAMING

GOLD STANDARD GAMING-DRAMATICALLY INCREASE YOUR SALES BY UNLOCKING THE TRUE POWER OF THE ESPORTS & GAMING INDUSTRY

DRAMATICALLY INCREASE YOUR SALES BY UNLOCKING THE TRUE POWER OF THE ESPORTS & GAMING INDUSTRY

Starting as an esports talent agency in 2017, Gold Standard Gaming has become a full-service marketing company that caters to brands, influencers and corporations worldwide. The founder, Sebastian “Chosen1” Burton is a former professional gamer and spent many years as a consultant to some of the largest brands in the...

INNOVATE® Nashville

STUDIO BANK

STUDIO BANK

How Studio Bank is fueling Nashville’s creative economy with creative financial solutions and human connections

A bank for creators…A Studio is a place where creators do their thing. Studio Bank exists to empower creators. Whether you’re designing a company or creating a better life for your family, crafting a song or writing code, orchestrating social change or enhancing the quality of care, we launched Studio...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

JAXPAL

JAXPAL - The Police Athletic League Of Jacksonville

The Police Athletic League Of Jacksonville, Inc.

The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville, Inc. (JaxPAL) enriches the lives of children by creating positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the youth of our community through education, athletic, leadership, and outreach programs.   THE STORY It only takes one moment to change the trajectory of a life. Years...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

TERA-PRINT

TERA-PRINT -ENABLING INNOVATION THROUGH A DISRUPTIVE NANOFABRICATION TECHNOLOGY

ENABLING INNOVATION THROUGH A DISRUPTIVE NANOFABRICATION TECHNOLOGY

TERA-print is a nanotechnology company that is unlocking the power of ultrahigh precision prototyping with their innovative desktop nanoprinters. This technology is disrupting the way next-generation come to life, such as miniaturized sensors 1/100th the size of your fingernail, highly accurate diagnostic tests for diseases from cancer to Alzheimer’s, and...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Parallel Entrepreneur

How Mark Cleveland Is Redefining Entrepreneurship in Music City

In a city known for breakout artists and bold founders, Mark Cleveland is building something less obvious but no less revolutionary. Through his Parallel Entrepreneur brand – anchored by a podcast, a growing network, and a forthcoming book – Cleveland is giving voice to a specific kind of business leader:...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

VIDYA

ENHANCING SAFETY, EFFICIENCY, AND SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH AI-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS

Industrial operations rely on data to ensure the efficiency and safety of their processes. However, the information that the operators need to carry out their routines safely and efficiently is spread among a multitude of data sources, reports, systems, and documents. That’s where Vidya Technology comes in. Founded in 2013...

INNOVATE® Nashville

LODESTONE ADVISORY GROUP

Is reimagining venture capital and economic development from the ground up

When we founded Lodestone Advisory Group in 2013, business leaders were tired of a management consulting industry that was a stiff, black box offering one-size-fits-all “solutions,” with little accountability on end results. Lodestone, named after the naturally occurring magnetic powder that gave early merchants and tradesmen the ability to navigate...

INNOVATION Quebec

RÉSEAU ENVIRONNEMENT

DES ACTIONS CONCRÈTES POUR CATALYSER L’ÉCONOMIE VERTE* AU QUÉBEC

Grâce à l’expertise de ses membres des domaines public, privé et académique, Réseau Environnement fait le pont entre l’expertise technique et les politiques publiques. Par sa place dans le secteur environnemental, notre association se doit d’être à l’avant-garde, et cela passe aussi par une collaboration avec les entrepreneurs, les innovateurs...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

Bristol Private Equity Club

Bristol Private Equity Club

ELEVATOR PITCH Bristol Private Equity Club (BPEC) was founded by Jerry Barnes alongside five local influential and successful entrepreneurs in May 2016 and has, to date, provided circa £6M to 18 Bristol-based tech companies, some of whom are progressing to being globally-recognised leaders in their specialised sector. These investments have...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

TPR @ UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP

Your partner for research and training on transport and regional economics

TPR was founded as a research group within the University of Antwerp in the mid-1990s. It is committed to being an international center of excellence for fundamental and applied academic training, research, and service provision in transport economics, logistics, and regional economics. Its mission is to enhance transport and logistics...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

OROT

INCUBATEUR DE SANTÉ CONNECTÉE

L’incubateur de santé connectée – OROT contribue à révolutionner la manière dont on conçoit les technologies médicales et de santé pour améliorer les soins. Les cliniciens, les chercheurs, les usagers et les entrepreneurs sont mis au défi d’utiliser la méthodologie de conception centrée sur l’humain afin de concevoir les technologies...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

BAZ ART

ART SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS -BAZ-ART CREATES PUBLIC INTERACTION THROUGH URBAN ART

Co-founders Alexandre Tilmans (Sales, Marketing and Financial Director) and Melissa Cucci (Operations and Art Director) started the company in 2016 with the vision to make South Africa a flagship and main actor in the public art and marketing sector....

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

SMITH GAMBRELL RUSSELL

SMITH GAMBRELL RUSSELL-A FULL-SERVICE LAW FIRM REPRESENTING THE BUSINESS NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT ECOSYSTEM

A FULL-SERVICE LAW FIRM REPRESENTING THE BUSINESS NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT ECOSYSTEM

Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP’s (SGR) entertainment practice includes legal practitioners specializing in intellectual property protection, technology, corporate transactional, tax, and real estate matters. The Firm’s founders began practicing law more than 125 years ago to commit to excellence and attract a wide array of talent dedicated to serving our...

INNOVATE® Detroit

M1 Concourse

The Heart of Automotive Passion

Along the legendary Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, Michigan, M1 Concourse is a world-class motorsports and automotive event destination. Spanning an impressive 87 acres, it is a hub for high-speed excitement and unmatched automotive culture. Whether you’re a dedicated car enthusiast, an adrenaline junkie looking for high-speed track adventures, or someone...

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...

Global Innovation Spotlight

3 Proven Ways for Effortless Green Tech

Laptop displaying software update complete screen.

3 Proven Ways for Effortless Green Tech To build green tech effortlessly, organizations must switch to certified refurbished hardware. Investing in durable aluminum accessories that outlast device cycles is also crucial.  Finally, designing workflows that prioritize cloud computing extends equipment lifespan. These three proven strategies drastically reduce embodied carbon and...

INNOVATE® Georgia

WILLIAM MILLS AGENCY

INFLUENCING WHAT THE INDUSTRY TALKS ABOUT

William Mills Agency (WMA) has been at the forefront of financial technology innovation since its inception. A storied company and perennially one of the top five public relations agencies in Georgia, WMA is trusted by financial companies and institutions around the country and the world. The agency’s history extends before...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

ORBIT MEDIA STUDIOS

ORBIT MEDIA STUDIOS-Web Design

Web Design, Development and Optimization with Deep Roots in the City of Chicago

They both grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and met in high school. When Barrett Lombardo and Andy Crestodina graduated, they headed off to the University of Iowa together.   They shared a dorm room and one of those boxy Macintosh computers. It was the early 1990s. Most people...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Essential Board Portal Features

Directors reviewing reports and charts during a board meeting

What to look for before choosing a governance platform

A board portal should help directors access materials securely, review updates, vote, sign, annotate, and prepare for decisions without relying on long email chains or unsecured attachments. The right platform also needs to fit daily governance habits. A strong portal should reduce manual admin, protect confidential data, and make meeting...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

So Kids SOAR (SKS)

What is one thing shared by all of the innovators within these pages?

THEIR DESIRE TO IMPACT THIS WORLD. One of the most fulfilling ways to feel that impact is by watching the beneficiaries of that impact excel in their lives—and making their own ripple of change in the world. Like a successful rocket launch into space, So Kids SOAR (Formerly Dreams For...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NXATEL

NXATEL-PROVIDES AN ALL-IN-ONE

PROVIDES AN ALL-IN-ONE, EASY TO USE, CLOUD-BASED COMMUNICATION SOLUTION

NxaTel is a Modern Unified communication platform for Small and Medium businesses that allows you to get local numbers from over 10+ African countries to use on any device. It’s easy to set up; you just need three minutes, and you gain access to the cloud phone system, virtual meetings,...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BROCCOLI CITY

Mission for a Healthier Tomorrow

Broccoli City is spearheading a transformative movement in the DMV region and nationally. Founded on the principles of impact, innovation, and empowerment, Broccoli City stands as a beacon of change, redefining what it means to be cool and conscious in today’s urban communities. With this organization, founders Brand McEachern and...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

The Frontier Collective

Building the future of Vancouver’s innovation movement on the local & global stage

Frontier technologies are thriving in Vancouver. The region is a talent engine and hub for VR/AR, AI, Cleantech, Web3, Robotics, Biotech/Healthtech, and so many more industries. Vancouver has an immense opportunity to lead the world in frontier tech, ushering in a new wave of transformation, economic prosperity and high-paying jobs, but...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GOLD STANDARD GAMING

GOLD STANDARD GAMING-DRAMATICALLY INCREASE YOUR SALES BY UNLOCKING THE TRUE POWER OF THE ESPORTS & GAMING INDUSTRY

DRAMATICALLY INCREASE YOUR SALES BY UNLOCKING THE TRUE POWER OF THE ESPORTS & GAMING INDUSTRY

Starting as an esports talent agency in 2017, Gold Standard Gaming has become a full-service marketing company that caters to brands, influencers and corporations worldwide. The founder, Sebastian “Chosen1” Burton is a former professional gamer and spent many years as a consultant to some of the largest brands in the...

INNOVATE® Nashville

STUDIO BANK

STUDIO BANK

How Studio Bank is fueling Nashville’s creative economy with creative financial solutions and human connections

A bank for creators…A Studio is a place where creators do their thing. Studio Bank exists to empower creators. Whether you’re designing a company or creating a better life for your family, crafting a song or writing code, orchestrating social change or enhancing the quality of care, we launched Studio...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

JAXPAL

JAXPAL - The Police Athletic League Of Jacksonville

The Police Athletic League Of Jacksonville, Inc.

The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville, Inc. (JaxPAL) enriches the lives of children by creating positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the youth of our community through education, athletic, leadership, and outreach programs.   THE STORY It only takes one moment to change the trajectory of a life. Years...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

TERA-PRINT

TERA-PRINT -ENABLING INNOVATION THROUGH A DISRUPTIVE NANOFABRICATION TECHNOLOGY

ENABLING INNOVATION THROUGH A DISRUPTIVE NANOFABRICATION TECHNOLOGY

TERA-print is a nanotechnology company that is unlocking the power of ultrahigh precision prototyping with their innovative desktop nanoprinters. This technology is disrupting the way next-generation come to life, such as miniaturized sensors 1/100th the size of your fingernail, highly accurate diagnostic tests for diseases from cancer to Alzheimer’s, and...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Parallel Entrepreneur

How Mark Cleveland Is Redefining Entrepreneurship in Music City

In a city known for breakout artists and bold founders, Mark Cleveland is building something less obvious but no less revolutionary. Through his Parallel Entrepreneur brand – anchored by a podcast, a growing network, and a forthcoming book – Cleveland is giving voice to a specific kind of business leader:...

Ecosystems