Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CHEFS WAREHOUSE

CHEFS WAREHOUSE -WHIPPING UP A WINNING RECIPE

WHIPPING UP A WINNING RECIPE

As businesses go, restaurants aren’t for the faint of heart. The hospitality industry is one of cutthroat competition. This industry demands discipline, dedication, constant innovation, passion, opportunity, and perseverance from restaurateurs, managers, kitchen staff, and front-of-house staff. Creating fine-dining cuisine is as much an art form as it is the science...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

AISTRA

DEVELOPING AI SKILLS AND DECENTRALIZED AI READINESS ACROSS SECTORS

AISTRA: Building AI Literacy and Decentralized AI Readiness Across Sectors In Estonia’s fast-moving digital ecosystem — where nearly every public service is online and global corporations test future-ready solutions — one consultancy has quietly shaped the national conversation on how artificial intelligence should work: technologically, ethically, and organizationally, while advancing...

INNOVATE® Georgia

AFLAC

REIMAGINING THE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE

Aflac’s vision is to create a world in which people are better prepared for the expected — and unexpected — with benefits primary health insurance doesn’t cover. For nearly 70 years, Aflac supplemental insurance has provided millions of people worldwide the opportunity to focus on recovery instead of financial stress,...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

GRIT STUDIO

WE ELEVATE BRANDS

In the competitive world of digital marketing, standing out requires more than just expertise; it demands innovation, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. At Grit Studio, we embody these qualities. We are a content-first digital marketing studio dedicated to empowering premium brands through creative innovation and data-driven results. Founded...

INNOVATION Quebec

BAS-SAINT-LAURENT

L’ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITE LES PROJETS

Nos interventions comprennent le réseautage, la collaboration et le référencement des experts·es qui offrent aux entrepreneurs·es des services d’accompagnement technique et d’affaires. Une concertation régionale exemplaireL’EAC BSL est animé par le Collectif régional de développement (CRD). Créé par les huit MRC du Bas-Saint-Laurent, cet organisme de concertation et de planification...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

86 REPAIRS

86 REPAIRS-TAKE REPAIRS OFF YOUR PLATE

TAKE REPAIRS OFF YOUR PLATE

86 Repairs is the repair and maintenance management platform built for the restaurant industry. Our tech-enabled solution includes on-demand repair management and preventative maintenance. With 86 Repairs, restaurants have access to data-driven insights and 24/7 support to control their facilities, reduce their R&M costs, and spend less of their team’s...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

RON ARTESANO

RON ARTESANO

Artesano is the product of inspiration, perspiration, hard work and perseverance

This is what we call Ron Artesano. This craft rum brand is hand-made in small batches in the mountains of Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The founders are a solid team of professionals that handle the different aspects of the business: Commercial Operations & Business Development, Distillation, Production & Aging and Rum...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

PCG SOFTWARE

PCG SOFTWARE- THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

PCG Software is a multi-award-winning, youth-led software development startup that offers bespoke digital solutions. We offer a diverse range of services including planning and consulting, back-end integrations, application development, testing and maintenance to deliver quality software apps that work across multiple platforms and devices. From left to right: Michael Mavuso –...

INNOVATION Quebec

HEXAGRAM

RÉSEAU DE RECHERCHE-CRÉATION EN ARTS, CULTURES ET TECHNOLOGIES

Hexagram est un regroupement stratégique interuniversitaire des Fonds de recherche du Québec dédié à la recherche-création abordant les relations entre les arts, les cultures et les technologies. Fondé en 2001, le réseau regroupe aujourd’hui 45 membres chercheurs et environ 200 membres étudiants issus de 8 institutions d’enseignement supérieur au Québec...

INNOVATE® Nashville

All American Sitters

Redefining Childcare

In an industry often viewed as a basic necessity rather than a specialized service, All American Sitters has emerged as a true innovator in the world of childcare. Founded by Mrs. Teresa Bowens, a professional with more than two decades of hands-on experience, the company has transformed the way families...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FINCLUSION GROUP

WHO ARE THE FINCLUSION GROUP?

FINCLUSION GROUP IS ENHANCING FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN AFRICA BY COMBINING A WORLD-CLASS PRODUCT OFFERING WITH TOP OF THE LINE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THOSE TRADITIONALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE FORMAL FINANCIAL SECTOR. Finclusion Group is a diverse team of fintech professionals and entrepreneurs. They are passionate about...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

METRO MLS

A COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION

“Innovation is a cumulation of creativity and ingenuity with a splash of chaos that produces something of great substance.” Metro MLS has been reshaping the landscape of real estate in Wisconsin since its establishment in 1962. This powerhouse serves over 10,000 real estate professionals across the state, constantly pushing the...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Potluck

And the Reimagining of Social Tech

In an era dominated by likes, follows, and infinite scrolls, Justin Gray, founder of Potluck, is betting on a different future—one where social technology isn’t about building an audience, but about deepening real-life connections with the people we actually see: our friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers. Potluck is more than...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

HEY LISTEN GAMES

HEY LISTEN GAMES-Teaching With Video Games

Teaching With Video Games

Hey Listen Games was born out of my passion for gaming and my desire to find ways to best teach my students. I teach at Ellis Preparatory Academy, a public high school in New York City dedicated to a one hundred percent immigrant and ENL (English as a New Language)...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

MINDCHIP

THE RISE AT SEA: HOW MINDCHIP TEACHES SHIPS TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES

The sea has always been humanity’s vital artery—through it flow goods, people, and ideas. Yet the sea is also unpredictable and harsh. It is here, among waves and storms, that the Estonian deep-tech company MindChip faces a challenge that could reshape the future of maritime operations: how to make ships...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Julia Daviy

From Solar Energy Breakthroughs to Pioneering Sustainable 3D-Printed Fashion and Redefining Innovation

Julia Daviy has revolutionized sustainable manufacturing in the high-tech fashion industry. She created the world’s first sustainable collection of wearable clothing produced entirely using large-scale industrial 3D printers. Daviy also designed the first-ever collection of 3D-printed bags, both of which debuted at New York Fashion Weeks, disrupting traditional design practices...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

HELLO ADSALES BOTSWANA

HELLO ADSALES BOTSWANA- BOLSTERING NEW FRONTIERS OF MEDIA SALES & ADVERTISING

BOLSTERING NEW FRONTIERS OF MEDIA SALES & ADVERTISING

Hello AdSales Botswana is a Television and digital sales organization. They manage advertising and sponsorship for some of the leading television channels in SubSaharan Africa such as Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Arabic, The English, Spanish, Italian Football Premier League, StarLife TV, and CBC Television Zambia amongst others. This focused...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

The Beacon

Encouraging Collaboration

The Beacon is a leading innovation community of forward-thinking tech companies, most of which focus on the challenges faced by our cities, ports, and industries. Located between the city and the port in Antwerp, The Beacon offers not only flexible office spaces, event- and meeting rooms, but also plenty of...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

THEGAMEHERS

THEGAMEHERS-IS THE FIRST AND LARGEST MEDIA PLATFORM

IS THE FIRST AND LARGEST MEDIA PLATFORM, SOCIAL NETWORKING COMMUNITY, AND LIFESTYLE BRAND FOR WOMEN WHO GAME AND WHO WORK IN THE GAMING SPACE

The global gaming market is forecast to worth $257 billion by 2025 and of the 2.7 billion gamers worldwide, 46% of them are women. The majority of these women experience hate and toxicity while gaming, simply for being women. In fact, in an effort to avoid harassment, 75% of women...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NanoBioFAB

Pioneering the Future of Medical Sensing Technology

NanoBioFab blends nanotechnology with artificial intelligence to create innovative solutions for early infection detection and personalized healthcare. Founded by Dr. Xiaonao Liu, this medtech company is revolutionizing the medical industry with its AI-driven smart sensors and high-throughput 3D nano-printing technology. NanoBioFab is on a journey fueled by personal motivation, cutting-edge...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The New MVP Tech Stack: What Forward-Thinking Founders Are Betting On in 2026

The New MVP Tech Stack: What Forward-Thinking Founders Are Betting On in 2026 Somewhere right now, a founder is about to spend $120,000 building an MVP that could have been shipped for $25,000. Not because the cheaper version would be worse. Because the founder picked the wrong tech stack for...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

DATA HOLDINGS

KEEPING BUSINESSES’ DATA SECURE AND AVAILABLE

Data Holdings is a premier Tier III+ commercial data center, centrally located in Milwaukee with a LEED gold design. Offering a full suite of solutions and services designed to meet any needs, Data Holdings is a highly secure facility with 24/7 staffing and monitoring. Commissioned in 2013 by Potawatomi Ventures,...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

Buzzy Rocket

Strategic marketing for startups shaping the future

Buzzy Rocket is a boutique startup marketing firm dedicated to helping early-stage and high-growth companies build awareness, engagement, and momentum through clear, credible storytelling and strategic execution. Founded in 2011, the firm partners with founders who are developing innovative solutions to real-world problems, positioning those companies so the audiences who...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ICITIES

SMART PEOPLE CREATE SMART CITIES

It was with this mindset that iCities emerged 12 years ago in the city of Curitiba, Paraná. A pioneering company in spreading the concept of smart cities in Brazil, always focused on intelligent urban development and improving the quality of life for people. Making good use of its innovative DNA,...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CHEFS WAREHOUSE

CHEFS WAREHOUSE -WHIPPING UP A WINNING RECIPE

WHIPPING UP A WINNING RECIPE

As businesses go, restaurants aren’t for the faint of heart. The hospitality industry is one of cutthroat competition. This industry demands discipline, dedication, constant innovation, passion, opportunity, and perseverance from restaurateurs, managers, kitchen staff, and front-of-house staff. Creating fine-dining cuisine is as much an art form as it is the science...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

AISTRA

DEVELOPING AI SKILLS AND DECENTRALIZED AI READINESS ACROSS SECTORS

AISTRA: Building AI Literacy and Decentralized AI Readiness Across Sectors In Estonia’s fast-moving digital ecosystem — where nearly every public service is online and global corporations test future-ready solutions — one consultancy has quietly shaped the national conversation on how artificial intelligence should work: technologically, ethically, and organizationally, while advancing...

INNOVATE® Georgia

AFLAC

REIMAGINING THE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE

Aflac’s vision is to create a world in which people are better prepared for the expected — and unexpected — with benefits primary health insurance doesn’t cover. For nearly 70 years, Aflac supplemental insurance has provided millions of people worldwide the opportunity to focus on recovery instead of financial stress,...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

GRIT STUDIO

WE ELEVATE BRANDS

In the competitive world of digital marketing, standing out requires more than just expertise; it demands innovation, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. At Grit Studio, we embody these qualities. We are a content-first digital marketing studio dedicated to empowering premium brands through creative innovation and data-driven results. Founded...

INNOVATION Quebec

BAS-SAINT-LAURENT

L’ESPACE D’ACCÉLÉRATION ET DE CROISSANCE DU BAS-SAINT-LAURENT (EAC BSL) FACILITE LES PROJETS

Nos interventions comprennent le réseautage, la collaboration et le référencement des experts·es qui offrent aux entrepreneurs·es des services d’accompagnement technique et d’affaires. Une concertation régionale exemplaireL’EAC BSL est animé par le Collectif régional de développement (CRD). Créé par les huit MRC du Bas-Saint-Laurent, cet organisme de concertation et de planification...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

86 REPAIRS

86 REPAIRS-TAKE REPAIRS OFF YOUR PLATE

TAKE REPAIRS OFF YOUR PLATE

86 Repairs is the repair and maintenance management platform built for the restaurant industry. Our tech-enabled solution includes on-demand repair management and preventative maintenance. With 86 Repairs, restaurants have access to data-driven insights and 24/7 support to control their facilities, reduce their R&M costs, and spend less of their team’s...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

RON ARTESANO

RON ARTESANO

Artesano is the product of inspiration, perspiration, hard work and perseverance

This is what we call Ron Artesano. This craft rum brand is hand-made in small batches in the mountains of Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The founders are a solid team of professionals that handle the different aspects of the business: Commercial Operations & Business Development, Distillation, Production & Aging and Rum...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

PCG SOFTWARE

PCG SOFTWARE- THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

THE TRAILBLAZING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS STARTUP DRIVING INNOVATION IN BOTSWANA AND SOON AFRICA!

PCG Software is a multi-award-winning, youth-led software development startup that offers bespoke digital solutions. We offer a diverse range of services including planning and consulting, back-end integrations, application development, testing and maintenance to deliver quality software apps that work across multiple platforms and devices. From left to right: Michael Mavuso –...

INNOVATION Quebec

HEXAGRAM

RÉSEAU DE RECHERCHE-CRÉATION EN ARTS, CULTURES ET TECHNOLOGIES

Hexagram est un regroupement stratégique interuniversitaire des Fonds de recherche du Québec dédié à la recherche-création abordant les relations entre les arts, les cultures et les technologies. Fondé en 2001, le réseau regroupe aujourd’hui 45 membres chercheurs et environ 200 membres étudiants issus de 8 institutions d’enseignement supérieur au Québec...

INNOVATE® Nashville

All American Sitters

Redefining Childcare

In an industry often viewed as a basic necessity rather than a specialized service, All American Sitters has emerged as a true innovator in the world of childcare. Founded by Mrs. Teresa Bowens, a professional with more than two decades of hands-on experience, the company has transformed the way families...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

FINCLUSION GROUP

WHO ARE THE FINCLUSION GROUP?

FINCLUSION GROUP IS ENHANCING FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN AFRICA BY COMBINING A WORLD-CLASS PRODUCT OFFERING WITH TOP OF THE LINE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THOSE TRADITIONALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE FORMAL FINANCIAL SECTOR. Finclusion Group is a diverse team of fintech professionals and entrepreneurs. They are passionate about...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

METRO MLS

A COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION

“Innovation is a cumulation of creativity and ingenuity with a splash of chaos that produces something of great substance.” Metro MLS has been reshaping the landscape of real estate in Wisconsin since its establishment in 1962. This powerhouse serves over 10,000 real estate professionals across the state, constantly pushing the...

INNOVATE® Nashville

Potluck

And the Reimagining of Social Tech

In an era dominated by likes, follows, and infinite scrolls, Justin Gray, founder of Potluck, is betting on a different future—one where social technology isn’t about building an audience, but about deepening real-life connections with the people we actually see: our friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers. Potluck is more than...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

HEY LISTEN GAMES

HEY LISTEN GAMES-Teaching With Video Games

Teaching With Video Games

Hey Listen Games was born out of my passion for gaming and my desire to find ways to best teach my students. I teach at Ellis Preparatory Academy, a public high school in New York City dedicated to a one hundred percent immigrant and ENL (English as a New Language)...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

MINDCHIP

THE RISE AT SEA: HOW MINDCHIP TEACHES SHIPS TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES

The sea has always been humanity’s vital artery—through it flow goods, people, and ideas. Yet the sea is also unpredictable and harsh. It is here, among waves and storms, that the Estonian deep-tech company MindChip faces a challenge that could reshape the future of maritime operations: how to make ships...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Julia Daviy

From Solar Energy Breakthroughs to Pioneering Sustainable 3D-Printed Fashion and Redefining Innovation

Julia Daviy has revolutionized sustainable manufacturing in the high-tech fashion industry. She created the world’s first sustainable collection of wearable clothing produced entirely using large-scale industrial 3D printers. Daviy also designed the first-ever collection of 3D-printed bags, both of which debuted at New York Fashion Weeks, disrupting traditional design practices...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

HELLO ADSALES BOTSWANA

HELLO ADSALES BOTSWANA- BOLSTERING NEW FRONTIERS OF MEDIA SALES & ADVERTISING

BOLSTERING NEW FRONTIERS OF MEDIA SALES & ADVERTISING

Hello AdSales Botswana is a Television and digital sales organization. They manage advertising and sponsorship for some of the leading television channels in SubSaharan Africa such as Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Arabic, The English, Spanish, Italian Football Premier League, StarLife TV, and CBC Television Zambia amongst others. This focused...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

The Beacon

Encouraging Collaboration

The Beacon is a leading innovation community of forward-thinking tech companies, most of which focus on the challenges faced by our cities, ports, and industries. Located between the city and the port in Antwerp, The Beacon offers not only flexible office spaces, event- and meeting rooms, but also plenty of...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

THEGAMEHERS

THEGAMEHERS-IS THE FIRST AND LARGEST MEDIA PLATFORM

IS THE FIRST AND LARGEST MEDIA PLATFORM, SOCIAL NETWORKING COMMUNITY, AND LIFESTYLE BRAND FOR WOMEN WHO GAME AND WHO WORK IN THE GAMING SPACE

The global gaming market is forecast to worth $257 billion by 2025 and of the 2.7 billion gamers worldwide, 46% of them are women. The majority of these women experience hate and toxicity while gaming, simply for being women. In fact, in an effort to avoid harassment, 75% of women...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

NanoBioFAB

Pioneering the Future of Medical Sensing Technology

NanoBioFab blends nanotechnology with artificial intelligence to create innovative solutions for early infection detection and personalized healthcare. Founded by Dr. Xiaonao Liu, this medtech company is revolutionizing the medical industry with its AI-driven smart sensors and high-throughput 3D nano-printing technology. NanoBioFab is on a journey fueled by personal motivation, cutting-edge...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The New MVP Tech Stack: What Forward-Thinking Founders Are Betting On in 2026

The New MVP Tech Stack: What Forward-Thinking Founders Are Betting On in 2026 Somewhere right now, a founder is about to spend $120,000 building an MVP that could have been shipped for $25,000. Not because the cheaper version would be worse. Because the founder picked the wrong tech stack for...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

DATA HOLDINGS

KEEPING BUSINESSES’ DATA SECURE AND AVAILABLE

Data Holdings is a premier Tier III+ commercial data center, centrally located in Milwaukee with a LEED gold design. Offering a full suite of solutions and services designed to meet any needs, Data Holdings is a highly secure facility with 24/7 staffing and monitoring. Commissioned in 2013 by Potawatomi Ventures,...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

Buzzy Rocket

Strategic marketing for startups shaping the future

Buzzy Rocket is a boutique startup marketing firm dedicated to helping early-stage and high-growth companies build awareness, engagement, and momentum through clear, credible storytelling and strategic execution. Founded in 2011, the firm partners with founders who are developing innovative solutions to real-world problems, positioning those companies so the audiences who...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ICITIES

SMART PEOPLE CREATE SMART CITIES

It was with this mindset that iCities emerged 12 years ago in the city of Curitiba, Paraná. A pioneering company in spreading the concept of smart cities in Brazil, always focused on intelligent urban development and improving the quality of life for people. Making good use of its innovative DNA,...

Ecosystems