Stories of Innovation
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
COLDS Collective
LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AGE
COLDS Collective is a creator collective and digital native organisation helping people of African descent navigate and harness Web3 and other emerging technologies. United by the mission to educate, grow and innovate collectively, COLDS Collective is harnessing the power of bits (technology) to make tangible, positive changes in atoms (real...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
HUNGRY MARKETPLACE
Hungry for something better
This is a company unlike any other in the Washington DMV – and that’s saying a lot. HUNGRY Marketplace has revolutionized the office food market nationally. Founded by visionary entrepreneurs Jeff Grass and Eman and Shy Pahlevani, this Arlington, Virginia-based company is reshaping the landscape of office food solutions with...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
HAX
SOLVING HARD PROBLEMS WITH HARD TECH
SOSV’S HAX is the world’s most active early stage investor in hard tech – the difficult to build physical tech at the forefront of science and engineering in disciplines like robotics, material science, and chemistry. Many investors have shied away from hard tech, and the last 30 years of the...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
WOOD BUFFALO REGIONAL INNOVATION NETWORK
There’s no better time and place to get started with the Wood Buffalo Regional Innovation Network
The Wood Buffalo Regional Innovation Network (WBRIN) was born of a need to connect business support organizations in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo to each other, as well as entrepreneurs in the region and Alberta. It is a network of six organizations in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, who occupy the roles...
INNOVATION Quebec
CENTRE DES TECHNOLOGIES DE L’EAU
L’AVENIR DE L’EAU EST UNE PRÉOCCUPATION MONDIALE!
Le Cteau (Centre des technologies de l’eau) y consacre tous ses efforts depuis 2008 en tant que seul centre de transfert technologique dédié aux technologies de l’eau et à la gestion écologique de la ressource. Son équipe interdisciplinaire comprend notamment des microbiologistes, des chimistes, des ingénieurs (génie de l’eau, civil,...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
DAVID SOBEY RETAILING CENTRE
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF RETAIL
“In the past decade, retailers have been forced to innovate, and in some cases transform themselves in response to several external factors. Changing consumer behavior and employee expectations, the advent of AI, and the need to meet sustainability targets are just some of the factors driving big changes in the...
INNOVATION Quebec
DEL
THE BUSINESS RIGHT-HAND MAN FOR ENTREPRENEURS
For 20 years, DEL (Développement économique de l’agglomération de Longueuil) has been supporting entrepreneurs and accelerating the realization of their business projects. How? By offering personalized business coaching, mostly free of charge. DEL’s objective is simple: to help businesses in the greater Longueuil area succeed through its services:• Innovation• Digitization...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
CHICAGO INNOVATION
EDUCATING, CONNECTING AND CELEBRATING INNOVATORS IN THE CHICAGO REGION
Established in 2002 as the Chicago Innovation Awards, Chicago Innovation has grown from a single awards ceremony to a year-round series of events and programs to empower Chicago’s innovation ecosystem. Its vision is to solidify the Chicago region as a global hub of innovation and ensure that innovation is for...
INNOVATE® Nashville
GO WEST CREATIVE
Go West isn’t a Direction… it’s a state of mind…and that state of mind is filled with Curiosity & Innovation!
Go West Creative. We think about things differently. Not just some things, all things. You see, our company has never seen the word NO as an absolute. There is always a why behind the NO and we want to know why? What went wrong before? What didn’t work? Why NO?...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
SONGFINCH
Is a Platform to Discover and Collaborate With Thousands of Musicians to Create Personalized, One-of-a-Kind Songs
Since launching, Songfinch has grown into the leading creator marketplace for musicians touting some of the most influential names in music and tech as investors, including music icon Quincy Jones, current music superstars Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye and Amala ‘Doja Cat’ Dlamini, Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman, School of Rock...
INNOVATE® Nashville
CIRCA
BRANDING THAT DRIVES MEANINGFUL & MEASURED GROWTH
Circa helps organizations in vital growth periods uncover who they are, connect with who they serve, and build brands that last. In 2015, founders Tori Thomas and Laura Deleot set out with a clear vision: create what matters. They built Circa to not only deliver value for clients, but also...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
2iM
A STORY OF INNOVATION AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The history of 2iM permeates and reflects the life purpose of its founders, Cesar Abicalaffe and Josiane Justus who were born in the state of Paraná, in southern Brazil. They have developed their careers as healthcare professionals and have dedicated themselves since their postgraduation to supporting and influencing the transformation...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
RETROVIRAL
That’s The Start Of The Journey
I heard an apt soundbite from Tim Ferris on a recent podcast: ‘Your network is your net worth’, and for anyone contemplating starting a business, ‘who you know’ is always greater than ‘what you know’. “My main focus in 2010 was to give myself three months and then if...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Nashville Stars
Building a Brand, Creating a Venue, Inspiring a City
When the story of Nashville’s first Major League Baseball franchise is finally written, one theme will stand above the rest: innovation. Music City Baseball (MCB), the local ownership foundation behind the Nashville Stars, has approached the challenge of bringing MLB to Tennessee with a strategy that goes beyond the traditional...
Global Innovation Spotlight
Casino Signup Bonuses vs. Loyalty Programs
Which is Better for Players?
In the online casino space, casino signup bonuses and loyalty programs are among the most attractive offers. These promotional offers have diverse values and purposes that make them different. After reading this guide, you’ll have a more extensive understanding of what casino signup bonuses and loyalty programs entail. Additionally, you’ll...
INNOVATE® South Florida
NEPTUNYA - OCEAN POWER
OCTOPODZ: REVOLUTIONIZING OCEAN ENERGY WITH MIXED-MODE MARINE POWER SOLUTIONS
OCTOPODZ: REVOLUTIONIZING OCEAN ENERGY WITH MIXED-MODE MARINE POWER SOLUTIONS NEPTUNYA, an innovator in marine renewable energy, is transforming the future of ocean-based power with its OCTOPODZ energy converter—a groundbreaking device combining wind and wave power to deliver affordable and reliable offshore energy. As part of its ongoing development, NEPTUNYA will...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Spartanburg Community College
Chasing Dreams, Transforming Futures
Helping Students Dream it. Chase it. Live it. Spartanburg Community College (SCC) transforms lives and communities through accessible, high-quality education and workforce development. Committed to fostering student success and economic growth, SCC equips learners with the skills and knowledge to excel in their careers. With five campuses across Spartanburg, Cherokee,...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Furman University
Furman’s Center for Innovative Leadership: Shaping Leaders, Sparking Innovation.
Furman University, consistently recognized among the nation’s most innovative universities, made a decisive move in 2023 by launching the Center for Innovative Leadership (CIL). Building on Furman’s mission to build lifelong learners who lead lives of meaning and consequence, its reputation for producing high-potential leaders and the Hill Institute for...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
3D CADWORKS
TOP-SHELF INNOVATION
OUR GOAL Our goal is helping companies to solve their mechanical challenges. Our innovation culture, eye for detail and focus on quality is what attracts customers such as Total, CNH, DEME, ArcelorMittal or Pfizer. From the moment a customer submits a problem to us, he feels the eagerness of our...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
SCRA
A Unique and Pivotal Player in SC’s Innovation Ecosystem
The South Carolina Research Authority has the distinct honor and responsibility to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy. In 2024, it contributed over $1.33 billion to the state’s economy and supported 6624 South Carolina-based jobs. The average annual salary of these jobs was almost $92,000, 71% higher than the statewide average....
INNOVATION Quebec
INOVEM
CCTT IN WOODWORKING AND FURNITURE
As a woodworking and furniture innovation centre, Inovem has been supporting Quebec businesses since 1983. A true catalyst for innovation, our CCTT has become the benchmark for sustainable technologies in the woodworking, furniture and appearance wood products industry. Furniture, woodworking and appearance wood products businesses can count on Inovem’s expertise...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
PORTAGE VENTURES
A GLOBAL FINTECH VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTOR
Portage Ventures (“Portage”) is a venture investor that partners with some of the world’s most innovative financial technology companies. Portage is the venture capital arm of multi-asset class alternative investment firm Sagard. It was cofounded in 2016 by Paul Desmarais III (Executive Chairman and CEO of Sagard) and Adam Felesky...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
CAY COLLECTIVE
REDEFINING THE CREATIVE MARKET
In a world where creative talent often struggles to meet commerce, Cay Collective is shaping a new path. Founded in 2023 by Johanna Gauffin and Natalie Navia, the Stockholm-based platform serves as a marketplace for independent artists, fashion designers, and lifestyle creators offering more than just a digital storefront. Cay...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
FARMERS FRIDGE
IS ON A MISSION TO MAKE IT SIMPLE FOR EVERYONE TO EAT WELL
A former traveling salesman driving more than 3,000 miles each week, Farmer’s Fridge Founder and CEO Luke Saunders was frustrated with the lack of healthy, 24/7 options available on the road. Determined to solve this challenge, he built a high-tech smart Fridge that dispenses fresh meals within seconds. Despite facing...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
COLDS Collective
LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR A NEW AGE
COLDS Collective is a creator collective and digital native organisation helping people of African descent navigate and harness Web3 and other emerging technologies. United by the mission to educate, grow and innovate collectively, COLDS Collective is harnessing the power of bits (technology) to make tangible, positive changes in atoms (real...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
HUNGRY MARKETPLACE
Hungry for something better
This is a company unlike any other in the Washington DMV – and that’s saying a lot. HUNGRY Marketplace has revolutionized the office food market nationally. Founded by visionary entrepreneurs Jeff Grass and Eman and Shy Pahlevani, this Arlington, Virginia-based company is reshaping the landscape of office food solutions with...
INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2
HAX
SOLVING HARD PROBLEMS WITH HARD TECH
SOSV’S HAX is the world’s most active early stage investor in hard tech – the difficult to build physical tech at the forefront of science and engineering in disciplines like robotics, material science, and chemistry. Many investors have shied away from hard tech, and the last 30 years of the...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
WOOD BUFFALO REGIONAL INNOVATION NETWORK
There’s no better time and place to get started with the Wood Buffalo Regional Innovation Network
The Wood Buffalo Regional Innovation Network (WBRIN) was born of a need to connect business support organizations in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo to each other, as well as entrepreneurs in the region and Alberta. It is a network of six organizations in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, who occupy the roles...
INNOVATION Quebec
CENTRE DES TECHNOLOGIES DE L’EAU
L’AVENIR DE L’EAU EST UNE PRÉOCCUPATION MONDIALE!
Le Cteau (Centre des technologies de l’eau) y consacre tous ses efforts depuis 2008 en tant que seul centre de transfert technologique dédié aux technologies de l’eau et à la gestion écologique de la ressource. Son équipe interdisciplinaire comprend notamment des microbiologistes, des chimistes, des ingénieurs (génie de l’eau, civil,...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
DAVID SOBEY RETAILING CENTRE
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF RETAIL
“In the past decade, retailers have been forced to innovate, and in some cases transform themselves in response to several external factors. Changing consumer behavior and employee expectations, the advent of AI, and the need to meet sustainability targets are just some of the factors driving big changes in the...
INNOVATION Quebec
DEL
THE BUSINESS RIGHT-HAND MAN FOR ENTREPRENEURS
For 20 years, DEL (Développement économique de l’agglomération de Longueuil) has been supporting entrepreneurs and accelerating the realization of their business projects. How? By offering personalized business coaching, mostly free of charge. DEL’s objective is simple: to help businesses in the greater Longueuil area succeed through its services:• Innovation• Digitization...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
CHICAGO INNOVATION
EDUCATING, CONNECTING AND CELEBRATING INNOVATORS IN THE CHICAGO REGION
Established in 2002 as the Chicago Innovation Awards, Chicago Innovation has grown from a single awards ceremony to a year-round series of events and programs to empower Chicago’s innovation ecosystem. Its vision is to solidify the Chicago region as a global hub of innovation and ensure that innovation is for...
INNOVATE® Nashville
GO WEST CREATIVE
Go West isn’t a Direction… it’s a state of mind…and that state of mind is filled with Curiosity & Innovation!
Go West Creative. We think about things differently. Not just some things, all things. You see, our company has never seen the word NO as an absolute. There is always a why behind the NO and we want to know why? What went wrong before? What didn’t work? Why NO?...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
SONGFINCH
Is a Platform to Discover and Collaborate With Thousands of Musicians to Create Personalized, One-of-a-Kind Songs
Since launching, Songfinch has grown into the leading creator marketplace for musicians touting some of the most influential names in music and tech as investors, including music icon Quincy Jones, current music superstars Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye and Amala ‘Doja Cat’ Dlamini, Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman, School of Rock...
INNOVATE® Nashville
CIRCA
BRANDING THAT DRIVES MEANINGFUL & MEASURED GROWTH
Circa helps organizations in vital growth periods uncover who they are, connect with who they serve, and build brands that last. In 2015, founders Tori Thomas and Laura Deleot set out with a clear vision: create what matters. They built Circa to not only deliver value for clients, but also...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
2iM
A STORY OF INNOVATION AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The history of 2iM permeates and reflects the life purpose of its founders, Cesar Abicalaffe and Josiane Justus who were born in the state of Paraná, in southern Brazil. They have developed their careers as healthcare professionals and have dedicated themselves since their postgraduation to supporting and influencing the transformation...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
RETROVIRAL
That’s The Start Of The Journey
I heard an apt soundbite from Tim Ferris on a recent podcast: ‘Your network is your net worth’, and for anyone contemplating starting a business, ‘who you know’ is always greater than ‘what you know’. “My main focus in 2010 was to give myself three months and then if...
INNOVATE® Nashville
Nashville Stars
Building a Brand, Creating a Venue, Inspiring a City
When the story of Nashville’s first Major League Baseball franchise is finally written, one theme will stand above the rest: innovation. Music City Baseball (MCB), the local ownership foundation behind the Nashville Stars, has approached the challenge of bringing MLB to Tennessee with a strategy that goes beyond the traditional...
Global Innovation Spotlight
Casino Signup Bonuses vs. Loyalty Programs
Which is Better for Players?
In the online casino space, casino signup bonuses and loyalty programs are among the most attractive offers. These promotional offers have diverse values and purposes that make them different. After reading this guide, you’ll have a more extensive understanding of what casino signup bonuses and loyalty programs entail. Additionally, you’ll...
INNOVATE® South Florida
NEPTUNYA - OCEAN POWER
OCTOPODZ: REVOLUTIONIZING OCEAN ENERGY WITH MIXED-MODE MARINE POWER SOLUTIONS
OCTOPODZ: REVOLUTIONIZING OCEAN ENERGY WITH MIXED-MODE MARINE POWER SOLUTIONS NEPTUNYA, an innovator in marine renewable energy, is transforming the future of ocean-based power with its OCTOPODZ energy converter—a groundbreaking device combining wind and wave power to deliver affordable and reliable offshore energy. As part of its ongoing development, NEPTUNYA will...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Spartanburg Community College
Chasing Dreams, Transforming Futures
Helping Students Dream it. Chase it. Live it. Spartanburg Community College (SCC) transforms lives and communities through accessible, high-quality education and workforce development. Committed to fostering student success and economic growth, SCC equips learners with the skills and knowledge to excel in their careers. With five campuses across Spartanburg, Cherokee,...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Furman University
Furman’s Center for Innovative Leadership: Shaping Leaders, Sparking Innovation.
Furman University, consistently recognized among the nation’s most innovative universities, made a decisive move in 2023 by launching the Center for Innovative Leadership (CIL). Building on Furman’s mission to build lifelong learners who lead lives of meaning and consequence, its reputation for producing high-potential leaders and the Hill Institute for...
INNOVATE™ Antwerp Vol.2
3D CADWORKS
TOP-SHELF INNOVATION
OUR GOAL Our goal is helping companies to solve their mechanical challenges. Our innovation culture, eye for detail and focus on quality is what attracts customers such as Total, CNH, DEME, ArcelorMittal or Pfizer. From the moment a customer submits a problem to us, he feels the eagerness of our...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
SCRA
A Unique and Pivotal Player in SC’s Innovation Ecosystem
The South Carolina Research Authority has the distinct honor and responsibility to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy. In 2024, it contributed over $1.33 billion to the state’s economy and supported 6624 South Carolina-based jobs. The average annual salary of these jobs was almost $92,000, 71% higher than the statewide average....
INNOVATION Quebec
INOVEM
CCTT IN WOODWORKING AND FURNITURE
As a woodworking and furniture innovation centre, Inovem has been supporting Quebec businesses since 1983. A true catalyst for innovation, our CCTT has become the benchmark for sustainable technologies in the woodworking, furniture and appearance wood products industry. Furniture, woodworking and appearance wood products businesses can count on Inovem’s expertise...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
PORTAGE VENTURES
A GLOBAL FINTECH VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTOR
Portage Ventures (“Portage”) is a venture investor that partners with some of the world’s most innovative financial technology companies. Portage is the venture capital arm of multi-asset class alternative investment firm Sagard. It was cofounded in 2016 by Paul Desmarais III (Executive Chairman and CEO of Sagard) and Adam Felesky...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
CAY COLLECTIVE
REDEFINING THE CREATIVE MARKET
In a world where creative talent often struggles to meet commerce, Cay Collective is shaping a new path. Founded in 2023 by Johanna Gauffin and Natalie Navia, the Stockholm-based platform serves as a marketplace for independent artists, fashion designers, and lifestyle creators offering more than just a digital storefront. Cay...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
FARMERS FRIDGE
IS ON A MISSION TO MAKE IT SIMPLE FOR EVERYONE TO EAT WELL
A former traveling salesman driving more than 3,000 miles each week, Farmer’s Fridge Founder and CEO Luke Saunders was frustrated with the lack of healthy, 24/7 options available on the road. Determined to solve this challenge, he built a high-tech smart Fridge that dispenses fresh meals within seconds. Despite facing...