Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® South Carolina

KION

FROM GLOBAL VISION TO LOCAL INGENUITY: HOW KION NORTH AMERICA IS DRIVING THE FUTURE OF INNOVATION

IN AN INDUSTRY OFTEN DEFINED BY POWER AND PRECISION, KION NORTH AMERICA STANDS APART FOR SOMETHING MORE INTANGIBLE: ITS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS INNOVATION. FROM ADVANCED ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING TO A CULTURE THAT VALUES CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING, KION NA’S APPROACH IS ONE OF GLOBAL COLLABORATION, LOCAL EXECUTION, AND DEEP CUSTOMER FOCUS. AT...

INNOVATION Quebec

NOVIKA

Novika-40 ans à créer demain. Ensemble

40 ans à créer demain. Ensemble.

La physique chez Novika, c’est bien plus qu’une science; c’est le quotidien. Le nôtre et le vôtre. Depuis quarante ans, nous appliquons nos compétences au développement de produits technologiques et de procédés industriels d’exception. Nous mesurons, comprenons, contrôlons et utilisons les phénomènes physiques pour qu’ils deviennent votre compétitivité, votre qualité...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

V.I FITNESS

V.I FITNESS: YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

V.I FITNESS IS A HOLISTIC FITNESS COMPANY FOUNDED BY COUSINS COLO TLHONG & LEBOGANG MOIPOAI, AS TEENS THEY BOTH HAD A STRONG DRIVE TO STAY ACTIVE  CHALLENGE THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ALBEIT IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS. Lebogang was a multi-sport athlete who would try any and every sport; basketball, football, rugby...

Global Innovation Spotlight

LINGOKIDS

LINGOKIDS-Donde El Aprendizaje Se Hace Jugando

Donde El Aprendizaje Se Hace Jugando

Lingokids es una aplicación 100 % segura y divertida con contenido exclusivo de Playlearning™ para niños de entre 2 y 8 años. Nació en 2016, cuando nuestro CEO, Cristóbal Viedma, buscaba una herramienta educativa para enseñar inglés a su sobrina pequeña. Ese mismo año, en Lingokids comenzamos una asociación con...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

WORKWOLF

WORKWOLF -THE NEXT WAVE OF HIRING SOFTWARE IS ENABLING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AT A COMMERCIAL LEVEL

THE NEXT WAVE OF HIRING SOFTWARE IS ENABLING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AT A COMMERCIAL LEVEL

Owning one of Canada’s most successful Healthcare Recruiting Agencies, Workwolf’s Cofounder and CEO, Erik Simins, spent years working with enterprise companies to help establish more efficient ways to identify, attract and hire talent. Overseeing thousands of hiring cycles, one thing was very clear; resumes were the prominent source of data...

INNOVATION Quebec

PROMPT

YOUR INNOVATION BOOSTER FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES

For 20 years, Prompt, an industrial research sectoral group (Regroupement sectoriel de recherche industrielle – RSRI) mandated by the Québec Government, has been reinforcing collaboration and funding high-impact R&D projects. We are pioneers of collaborative innovation model, where front-line entrepreneurial players work with stakeholders in science and academia to invent...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Where to Get South African Goodies in Canada

An open shipping box filled with South African goodies, including Appletiser, Mrs. Ball’s Chutney, Weet-Bix, Romany Creams, and other beloved South African snacks and pantry staples, ready for delivery from The South African Shop in Canada.

The South African Shop Delivers Nationwide

Craving a taste of home like Mrs. Ball’s chutney, Peppermint Crisp, or Iwisa Mealy Meal? For South African expats in Canada, finding where to get South African goodies in Canada can feel like a mission—until you discover The South African Shop (The South African Shop). Based in Vancouver, this online...

INNOVATION Quebec

CMC MICROSYSTEMS

ACCÉLÉRER L’INNOVATION ET LA RECHERCHE

« CMC permet aux entrepreneurs et innovateurs l’accès aux meilleurs outils et plateformes au monde. Cela offrira à nos clients et partenaires de tout le cycle de vie de conception, de mise à l’essai et de fabrication des produits technologiques de pointe qui façonneront l’économie de demain. » – Gordon...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

KNEAD

UNLEASHING THE POWER OF FOOD RESCUE: KNEAD TECHNOLOGIES LEADS THE CHARGE TOWARDS ZERO WASTE

In a world where nearly 40% of produced food goes to waste, Knead Technologies has emerged as a trailblazer, revolutionizing the fight against food waste (Parfitt et al., 2021, p. 6). With their innovative logistics solutions, this software development company is redefining how food rescue organizations operate worldwide. By seamlessly...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

KISWE

POWERING THE WORLD’S BIGGEST DIGITAL EVENTS THROUGH INTERACTIVE LIVESTREAMS

Kiswe is an award-winning technology company that helps partners fully monetize their content. Trusted by the world’s biggest entertainment and sports brands, Kiswe allows customers to seamlessly customize content for specific audiences, distribute content live or on-demand to their fans with branded ticketing and event websites, and create interactive experiences....

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

TEDx Jacksonville

TEDx Jacksonville - Greatest Assets Are The Ideas And Dreams Of Its Citizenry

Greatest Assets Are The Ideas And Dreams Of Its Citizenry

Our team has embraced the challenge of bringing the TEDx experience to Jacksonville because we believe our city’s greatest assets are the ideas and dreams of its citizenry. Ideas have the power to reshape minds and change the way people act. Dreams are the birthplace of the possible. But, too...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The economy of the fandom experience:

Merch, innovation, and sustainability

Everybody’s part of a fandom nowadays, with many people being part of several communities for different musicians, bands, movies, series, and sports teams at the same time. Since many are quite passionate about the fandoms they’re part of, it’s natural that they’d want to wear their interests on their sleeve....

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

PLAYMAKER RECRUITING

Is here to level the playing field for student athletes and coaches, providing more access to opportunities and resources

Playmaker Recruiting was born from the broken system that is college athlete recruiting, with the mission to help students and coaches navigate the complicated recruiting process, and provide greater access to opportunities at the next level. Having seen friends and family go through the college recruiting process, it was apparent...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

A research, training and innovation powerhouse

With nearly 7,000 students across eight schools and an array of centers and institutes, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) leverages the university’s clinical, behavioral, public health, laboratory, engineering, and social science capabilities to train health professionals and researchers and expand access to quality care. RBHS is among the few...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

SMALL & LOCAL

REDEFINING LOCAL CONNECTIONS: THE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND PLATFORM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & BUY LOCAL SHOPPERS

Many online users face a similar dilemma: they love supporting local but are too tempted by the ease of filling up their Big Box Store online shopping cart and pressing “Order.” If only there was another option—one that could effortlessly help users find and buy from local businesses instead. Good...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

STEP AHEAD CONSULTING

STEP AHEAD CONSULTING- Make It Happen

Make It Happen

Born in the year of the millennium, Step Ahead Consulting, headquartered in Quinta da Fonte, in Oeiras, quickly asserted itself in two aspects: Despite a very strong presence in Angola, the company remained committed to several outstanding national projects, such as the Nationality Process, and other management projects, in clients...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Upling

Delivering Equity, One Order at a Time.

In a world that often overlooks the most vulnerable, Upling is doing more than just delivering cannabis — it’s delivering purpose, access, and social equity. This Maryland-based, AI-powered cannabis delivery platform is rewriting the rules of healthcare access and digital entrepreneurship, all while confronting long-standing injustices in the cannabis industry....

INNOVATE® Detroit

Duolingo

Duolingo's Detroit Journey: From Gunner to Hobbes and Animated Innovation.

In Detroit, two motion design studios were making waves in the animation world: Gunner, known for its bold illustration and character animation, and Hobbes, a leader in product-driven animation. The companies earned reputations for creativity and emotional intelligence, collaborating with high-profile clients for years. However, everything changed when Duolingo—the world’s...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

MERIC S. GERTLER

MERIC S. GERTLER PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO ” INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE ” “U of T’s remarkable diversity provides both a springboard to social mobility and a superb environment for education, research and innovation.” – MERIC S. GERTLER, PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO The strength of Toronto’s higher education, research and innovation enterprise...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

PECHAKUCHA

This Japanese-Inspired Creator Platform Inspires Meaningful Connections – In Real Life And VIrtually – Using Time As Its Superpower

PechaKucha was born in 2003 because people talk too much. That’s what happens when passionate people gather together to share ideas and creations. PechaKucha, which means “chit-chat” in Japanese, was founded in Tokyo by architects Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein of Klein Dytham architecture. It originated as a “20×20’’ live...

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...

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® South Carolina

Mill Village Ministries

Flourishing Takes a Village

Mill Village Ministries is a family of nonprofit social enterprises that was founded in 2012 by Furman University Alum Dan Weidenbenner. Weidenbenner serves as the Executive Director of the West Greenville based “umbrella” nonprofit. The organization is a faith based family of enterprises that aims to elevate the whole community...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

1863 VENTURES

Unleashing Potential

“We’re excited about the continued progress on our path to creating $100B in new wealth by 2030.” In the heart of innovation, where dreams intertwine with reality, 1836 Ventures stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. Born from a modest volunteer project at Georgetown, it has evolved into an...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

KION

FROM GLOBAL VISION TO LOCAL INGENUITY: HOW KION NORTH AMERICA IS DRIVING THE FUTURE OF INNOVATION

IN AN INDUSTRY OFTEN DEFINED BY POWER AND PRECISION, KION NORTH AMERICA STANDS APART FOR SOMETHING MORE INTANGIBLE: ITS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS INNOVATION. FROM ADVANCED ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING TO A CULTURE THAT VALUES CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING, KION NA’S APPROACH IS ONE OF GLOBAL COLLABORATION, LOCAL EXECUTION, AND DEEP CUSTOMER FOCUS. AT...

INNOVATION Quebec

NOVIKA

Novika-40 ans à créer demain. Ensemble

40 ans à créer demain. Ensemble.

La physique chez Novika, c’est bien plus qu’une science; c’est le quotidien. Le nôtre et le vôtre. Depuis quarante ans, nous appliquons nos compétences au développement de produits technologiques et de procédés industriels d’exception. Nous mesurons, comprenons, contrôlons et utilisons les phénomènes physiques pour qu’ils deviennent votre compétitivité, votre qualité...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

V.I FITNESS

V.I FITNESS: YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

V.I FITNESS IS A HOLISTIC FITNESS COMPANY FOUNDED BY COUSINS COLO TLHONG & LEBOGANG MOIPOAI, AS TEENS THEY BOTH HAD A STRONG DRIVE TO STAY ACTIVE  CHALLENGE THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ALBEIT IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS. Lebogang was a multi-sport athlete who would try any and every sport; basketball, football, rugby...

Global Innovation Spotlight

LINGOKIDS

LINGOKIDS-Donde El Aprendizaje Se Hace Jugando

Donde El Aprendizaje Se Hace Jugando

Lingokids es una aplicación 100 % segura y divertida con contenido exclusivo de Playlearning™ para niños de entre 2 y 8 años. Nació en 2016, cuando nuestro CEO, Cristóbal Viedma, buscaba una herramienta educativa para enseñar inglés a su sobrina pequeña. Ese mismo año, en Lingokids comenzamos una asociación con...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

WORKWOLF

WORKWOLF -THE NEXT WAVE OF HIRING SOFTWARE IS ENABLING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AT A COMMERCIAL LEVEL

THE NEXT WAVE OF HIRING SOFTWARE IS ENABLING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AT A COMMERCIAL LEVEL

Owning one of Canada’s most successful Healthcare Recruiting Agencies, Workwolf’s Cofounder and CEO, Erik Simins, spent years working with enterprise companies to help establish more efficient ways to identify, attract and hire talent. Overseeing thousands of hiring cycles, one thing was very clear; resumes were the prominent source of data...

INNOVATION Quebec

PROMPT

YOUR INNOVATION BOOSTER FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES

For 20 years, Prompt, an industrial research sectoral group (Regroupement sectoriel de recherche industrielle – RSRI) mandated by the Québec Government, has been reinforcing collaboration and funding high-impact R&D projects. We are pioneers of collaborative innovation model, where front-line entrepreneurial players work with stakeholders in science and academia to invent...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Where to Get South African Goodies in Canada

An open shipping box filled with South African goodies, including Appletiser, Mrs. Ball’s Chutney, Weet-Bix, Romany Creams, and other beloved South African snacks and pantry staples, ready for delivery from The South African Shop in Canada.

The South African Shop Delivers Nationwide

Craving a taste of home like Mrs. Ball’s chutney, Peppermint Crisp, or Iwisa Mealy Meal? For South African expats in Canada, finding where to get South African goodies in Canada can feel like a mission—until you discover The South African Shop (The South African Shop). Based in Vancouver, this online...

INNOVATION Quebec

CMC MICROSYSTEMS

ACCÉLÉRER L’INNOVATION ET LA RECHERCHE

« CMC permet aux entrepreneurs et innovateurs l’accès aux meilleurs outils et plateformes au monde. Cela offrira à nos clients et partenaires de tout le cycle de vie de conception, de mise à l’essai et de fabrication des produits technologiques de pointe qui façonneront l’économie de demain. » – Gordon...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

KNEAD

UNLEASHING THE POWER OF FOOD RESCUE: KNEAD TECHNOLOGIES LEADS THE CHARGE TOWARDS ZERO WASTE

In a world where nearly 40% of produced food goes to waste, Knead Technologies has emerged as a trailblazer, revolutionizing the fight against food waste (Parfitt et al., 2021, p. 6). With their innovative logistics solutions, this software development company is redefining how food rescue organizations operate worldwide. By seamlessly...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

KISWE

POWERING THE WORLD’S BIGGEST DIGITAL EVENTS THROUGH INTERACTIVE LIVESTREAMS

Kiswe is an award-winning technology company that helps partners fully monetize their content. Trusted by the world’s biggest entertainment and sports brands, Kiswe allows customers to seamlessly customize content for specific audiences, distribute content live or on-demand to their fans with branded ticketing and event websites, and create interactive experiences....

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

TEDx Jacksonville

TEDx Jacksonville - Greatest Assets Are The Ideas And Dreams Of Its Citizenry

Greatest Assets Are The Ideas And Dreams Of Its Citizenry

Our team has embraced the challenge of bringing the TEDx experience to Jacksonville because we believe our city’s greatest assets are the ideas and dreams of its citizenry. Ideas have the power to reshape minds and change the way people act. Dreams are the birthplace of the possible. But, too...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The economy of the fandom experience:

Merch, innovation, and sustainability

Everybody’s part of a fandom nowadays, with many people being part of several communities for different musicians, bands, movies, series, and sports teams at the same time. Since many are quite passionate about the fandoms they’re part of, it’s natural that they’d want to wear their interests on their sleeve....

INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2

PLAYMAKER RECRUITING

Is here to level the playing field for student athletes and coaches, providing more access to opportunities and resources

Playmaker Recruiting was born from the broken system that is college athlete recruiting, with the mission to help students and coaches navigate the complicated recruiting process, and provide greater access to opportunities at the next level. Having seen friends and family go through the college recruiting process, it was apparent...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

A research, training and innovation powerhouse

With nearly 7,000 students across eight schools and an array of centers and institutes, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) leverages the university’s clinical, behavioral, public health, laboratory, engineering, and social science capabilities to train health professionals and researchers and expand access to quality care. RBHS is among the few...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

SMALL & LOCAL

REDEFINING LOCAL CONNECTIONS: THE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND PLATFORM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & BUY LOCAL SHOPPERS

Many online users face a similar dilemma: they love supporting local but are too tempted by the ease of filling up their Big Box Store online shopping cart and pressing “Order.” If only there was another option—one that could effortlessly help users find and buy from local businesses instead. Good...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

STEP AHEAD CONSULTING

STEP AHEAD CONSULTING- Make It Happen

Make It Happen

Born in the year of the millennium, Step Ahead Consulting, headquartered in Quinta da Fonte, in Oeiras, quickly asserted itself in two aspects: Despite a very strong presence in Angola, the company remained committed to several outstanding national projects, such as the Nationality Process, and other management projects, in clients...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Upling

Delivering Equity, One Order at a Time.

In a world that often overlooks the most vulnerable, Upling is doing more than just delivering cannabis — it’s delivering purpose, access, and social equity. This Maryland-based, AI-powered cannabis delivery platform is rewriting the rules of healthcare access and digital entrepreneurship, all while confronting long-standing injustices in the cannabis industry....

INNOVATE® Detroit

Duolingo

Duolingo's Detroit Journey: From Gunner to Hobbes and Animated Innovation.

In Detroit, two motion design studios were making waves in the animation world: Gunner, known for its bold illustration and character animation, and Hobbes, a leader in product-driven animation. The companies earned reputations for creativity and emotional intelligence, collaborating with high-profile clients for years. However, everything changed when Duolingo—the world’s...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

MERIC S. GERTLER

MERIC S. GERTLER PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO ” INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE ” “U of T’s remarkable diversity provides both a springboard to social mobility and a superb environment for education, research and innovation.” – MERIC S. GERTLER, PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO The strength of Toronto’s higher education, research and innovation enterprise...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

PECHAKUCHA

This Japanese-Inspired Creator Platform Inspires Meaningful Connections – In Real Life And VIrtually – Using Time As Its Superpower

PechaKucha was born in 2003 because people talk too much. That’s what happens when passionate people gather together to share ideas and creations. PechaKucha, which means “chit-chat” in Japanese, was founded in Tokyo by architects Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein of Klein Dytham architecture. It originated as a “20×20’’ live...

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...

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® South Carolina

Mill Village Ministries

Flourishing Takes a Village

Mill Village Ministries is a family of nonprofit social enterprises that was founded in 2012 by Furman University Alum Dan Weidenbenner. Weidenbenner serves as the Executive Director of the West Greenville based “umbrella” nonprofit. The organization is a faith based family of enterprises that aims to elevate the whole community...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

1863 VENTURES

Unleashing Potential

“We’re excited about the continued progress on our path to creating $100B in new wealth by 2030.” In the heart of innovation, where dreams intertwine with reality, 1836 Ventures stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. Born from a modest volunteer project at Georgetown, it has evolved into an...

Ecosystems