Stories of Innovation
INNOVATE® Georgia
REPAY
ATLANTA’S REPAY REVAMPS PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE ADVANTAGES FOR CONSUMERS & BUSINESSES
History & PurposeREPAY was founded in 2006 by John Morris and Shaler Alias with the goal of providing fast, frictionless, and fail-safe integrated payment processing solutions for consumers and businesses. Morris serves as REPAY’s CEO to this day, and Alias co-leads as president from the company’s headquarters in Atlanta. REPAY’s...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Gemba Systems
Empowering People with Smarter Technologies
In the heart of Greenville, South Carolina, Gemba Systems Inc. is redefining what “smart manufacturing” really means. Rather than chasing automation for its own sake, the company focuses on empowering people with smarter technologies – solutions that give manufacturers the visibility, insight, and control they need to perform at their...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
ASSESPRO-PARANÁ
BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES
The Brazilian Association of Information Technology Companie of Paraná (Assespro-Paraná), established in the 1980s, is a key regional branch of the influential Assespro-Paraná Federation, which began in the late 1970s. Celebrating four decades in Paraná, the organization is dedicated to fostering innovation in the state. Assespro-Paraná’s significant engagement in various...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
MITACS
BRINGING INNOVATION INTO REACH FOR ALBERTANS
A national not-for-profit organization, Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through effective partnerships that deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. It assists organizations in reaching their goals, funds cutting-edge innovation, and creates job opportunities for students and postdocs. These achievements are supported by the Government of Alberta, the Government of...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
bikeep
ESTONIA’S SMART SOLUTION FOR GLOBAL MICRO-MOBILITY
ESTONIA’S SMART SOLUTION FOR GLOBAL MICRO-MOBILITY The story of Bikeep begins with a painfully familiar urban problem—bike theft. As the story goes, a group of mechanical engineers, Kustas Kõiv, Meelis Haidak, Ott Reinhold, and Mikk Moses, experienced the frustration of having their bikes stolen. In response, they set out to...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
THE MAKERSPACE
WE DRIVE SOCIAL COHESION THROUGH THE COMMON LANGUAGE OF MAKING, A LANGUAGE THAT TRANSCENDS CLASS & CULTURE AND THAT UPLIFTS AS IT ENLIGHTENS
By leveraging the natural generosity inherent in maker culture, the project is able to unlock a new level of efficiency in skills transfer. Creating a safe environment where anyone can learn to use new technologies, where experienced professionals can share their knowledge and help the next generation. Makers” make things,...
INNOVATION Quebec
INO
INNOVATION AS A DRIVING FORCE
INO is the largest center of expertise in optics and photonics in Canada and is among the best technological research centres in the world. For the past 35 years, it has created and developed innovative and valuable solutions to meet the needs of businesses in Quebec and throughout Canada. Through...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
KLABIN IN PARANÁ
ROOTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The largest producer and exporter of paper for packaging and sustainable solutions in paper packaging in Brazil, Klabin is a protagonist in a history characterized by innovation and a commitment with sustainable development. Founded in 1899, the Company stands out as the only one in Brazil offering solutions in softwood,...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
NEDBANK
A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS
Digitisation and technological innovation are nothing new to the South African banking industry, but those banks that had made significant progress on their digital journeys before the Covid-19 pandemic, have been best placed to meet the fast-changing needs of their clients and, as is the case with Nedbank, gain efficiencies...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Menace Media
A Movement of Creativity, Community, and Change
Menace Media was born in the heart of Detroit, a city built on resilience, creativity, and cultural revolution. More than just a media company, Menace Media is a movement—a platform designed to uplift, empower, and unite creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. What started as a passion project among friends has grown...
INNOVATE® Georgia
GEORGIA TECH - ENTERPRISE INNOVATION INSTITUTE
TRANSFORMS ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES
With more than 60 years of economic development work in Georgia, the Southeast, the United States, and the world, the Enterprise Innovation Institute is the largest university-based economic development organization of its kind in the nation. The Enterprise Innovation Institute supports entrepreneurs in building and scaling technology-based startups; drives and...
INNOVATION Quebec
ÉCONOMIE DU SAVOIR MAURICIE (ESM)
STIMULATING INNOVATION IN THE MAURICIE: THE HEART OF OUR MISSION
In 2011, economic development actors in the Mauricie region were visionary in creating an organization dedicated to innovation. Claude Bourassa, General Manager “Innovation is no longer optional, but rather a mandatory management method for business sustainability and growth!”– Claude Bourassa, General Manager of ESM and ERAC Mauricie Over the years, Économie...
INNOVATION Quebec
L’I2E3
50 ans d’innovations biosourcées
L’Institut d’Innovations en Écomatériaux, Écoproduits et Écoénergies (I2E3) se veut une entité pluridisciplinaire participant à l’avancement de l’économie biosourcée dans une perspective d’économie verte, circulaire et régionale. L’I2E3 est l’évolution stratégique d’un centre de recherche en pâtes et papiers ayant démarré ses activités à l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières en...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
TORONTO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Is One Of Toronto’s Premier Start-Up Incubators And Accelerators With A Rich History Dating Back Three Decades
Since its inception, TBDC has worked with thousands of entrepreneurs by helping them build and grow their ideas. TBDC helps international entrepreneurs aggressively scale up and choose Canada to grow their businesses. To date, TBDC has helped over 9,000 domestic and international entrepreneurial businesses establish themselves in Toronto and Ontario...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
MASC
Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence: The Maritime Association of South Carolina’s Journey into the Future.
The Maritime Association of South Carolina (MASC) is proud to celebrate a century of service to the maritime community in 2026. For almost 100 years, MASC has been at the heart of South Carolina’s dynamic maritime industry, forging strong connections, advancing critical issues & paving the way for a prosperous...
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...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
BRITT RADIUS
When People, Land & Compliance Matter
Our company was established in 1986 during a difficult recession. Grit, determination, and an unwavering pursuit to reimagine what is possible, has gotten us to where we are today. Our ability to consider our role as a company, as leaders, and as a team in relation to the industries we...
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
NERD STREET GAMERS
THERE’S A NERD IN EVERYONE
Nerd Street Gamers is a national esports infrastructure that puts accessibility, integrity and opportunity at the forefront of everything they do. As gaming communities slowly began to gain traction on a small scale, the CEO of Nerd Street Gamers and Localhost, John Fazio, knew that individuals nationwide would soon realize...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Fusion Cyber
HUMAN LED, AI POWERED.
HUMAN LED, AI POWERED. Founded in 2021, Fusion Cyber has grown from a small start-up to are cognized leader in cybersecurity education. It has partnerships with fourw ell-known universities: the University of South Carolina, the University of Kentucky, Florida International University, and Denmark Technical College. Fusion Cyber offers cutting-edge courses...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
AUSLAND
PIONEERING INNOVATION IN THE HEART OF CURITIBA
In the bustling city of Curitiba, renowned for its innovation and forward-thinking ethos, Ausland Consultoria & Informatica has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of ERP technology and consulting. With a rich history steeped in innovation and over 30-years of expertise, this dynamic firm has become synonymous with customer...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
VIRGENT AI
Move Beyond AI-Curious to AI-Powered
As we enter the largest technological revolution of our generation, Virgent AI is guiding leaders and industries beyond AI-curious to AI-powered. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, this forward-thinking AI-centric technology startup specializes in developing and deploying advanced AI agents and AI-enabled applications to solve real-world business problems. At their core, their...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
The University of Adelaide
Australian Institute for Machine Learning
The University of Adelaide’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) is Australia’s first dedicated AI institute, tasked with championing globally challenging research and building the technology of the future. Established as a partnership between the University of Adelaide and the Government of South Australia, AIML is the anchor tenant of...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
CASORO GROUP
Advancing Diversity and Closing the Generational Wealth Gap
THE WORLD STOOD STILLThe global pandemic in 2020 brought the world to a halt. Lives were lost. Businesses were forced to pivot quickly and those who couldn’t suffered. Jobs disappeared. The world stood still in uncertainty and fear; and then the death of George Floyd occurred. That became the catalyst...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
TORO VERDE
We Offer Our Clients A Service of Excellence, In An Atmosphere Of Respect And Harmony With Our Nature
Toro Verde is the largest adventure park in the Americas and the Caribbean. In our facilities you can enjoy beautiful landscapes that will leave you breathless, with a spectacular view from the mountains of the town of Orocovis to the coast of San Juan. It is located at 2,500 feet...
INNOVATE® Georgia
REPAY
ATLANTA’S REPAY REVAMPS PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE ADVANTAGES FOR CONSUMERS & BUSINESSES
History & PurposeREPAY was founded in 2006 by John Morris and Shaler Alias with the goal of providing fast, frictionless, and fail-safe integrated payment processing solutions for consumers and businesses. Morris serves as REPAY’s CEO to this day, and Alias co-leads as president from the company’s headquarters in Atlanta. REPAY’s...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Gemba Systems
Empowering People with Smarter Technologies
In the heart of Greenville, South Carolina, Gemba Systems Inc. is redefining what “smart manufacturing” really means. Rather than chasing automation for its own sake, the company focuses on empowering people with smarter technologies – solutions that give manufacturers the visibility, insight, and control they need to perform at their...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
ASSESPRO-PARANÁ
BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES
The Brazilian Association of Information Technology Companie of Paraná (Assespro-Paraná), established in the 1980s, is a key regional branch of the influential Assespro-Paraná Federation, which began in the late 1970s. Celebrating four decades in Paraná, the organization is dedicated to fostering innovation in the state. Assespro-Paraná’s significant engagement in various...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
MITACS
BRINGING INNOVATION INTO REACH FOR ALBERTANS
A national not-for-profit organization, Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through effective partnerships that deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. It assists organizations in reaching their goals, funds cutting-edge innovation, and creates job opportunities for students and postdocs. These achievements are supported by the Government of Alberta, the Government of...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
bikeep
ESTONIA’S SMART SOLUTION FOR GLOBAL MICRO-MOBILITY
ESTONIA’S SMART SOLUTION FOR GLOBAL MICRO-MOBILITY The story of Bikeep begins with a painfully familiar urban problem—bike theft. As the story goes, a group of mechanical engineers, Kustas Kõiv, Meelis Haidak, Ott Reinhold, and Mikk Moses, experienced the frustration of having their bikes stolen. In response, they set out to...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
THE MAKERSPACE
WE DRIVE SOCIAL COHESION THROUGH THE COMMON LANGUAGE OF MAKING, A LANGUAGE THAT TRANSCENDS CLASS & CULTURE AND THAT UPLIFTS AS IT ENLIGHTENS
By leveraging the natural generosity inherent in maker culture, the project is able to unlock a new level of efficiency in skills transfer. Creating a safe environment where anyone can learn to use new technologies, where experienced professionals can share their knowledge and help the next generation. Makers” make things,...
INNOVATION Quebec
INO
INNOVATION AS A DRIVING FORCE
INO is the largest center of expertise in optics and photonics in Canada and is among the best technological research centres in the world. For the past 35 years, it has created and developed innovative and valuable solutions to meet the needs of businesses in Quebec and throughout Canada. Through...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
KLABIN IN PARANÁ
ROOTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The largest producer and exporter of paper for packaging and sustainable solutions in paper packaging in Brazil, Klabin is a protagonist in a history characterized by innovation and a commitment with sustainable development. Founded in 1899, the Company stands out as the only one in Brazil offering solutions in softwood,...
INNOVATE™ South Africa
NEDBANK
A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON DIGITISATION ALLOWS NEDBANK TO MEET FAST-CHANGING BANKING CUSTOMER NEEDS
Digitisation and technological innovation are nothing new to the South African banking industry, but those banks that had made significant progress on their digital journeys before the Covid-19 pandemic, have been best placed to meet the fast-changing needs of their clients and, as is the case with Nedbank, gain efficiencies...
INNOVATE® Detroit
Menace Media
A Movement of Creativity, Community, and Change
Menace Media was born in the heart of Detroit, a city built on resilience, creativity, and cultural revolution. More than just a media company, Menace Media is a movement—a platform designed to uplift, empower, and unite creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. What started as a passion project among friends has grown...
INNOVATE® Georgia
GEORGIA TECH - ENTERPRISE INNOVATION INSTITUTE
TRANSFORMS ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES
With more than 60 years of economic development work in Georgia, the Southeast, the United States, and the world, the Enterprise Innovation Institute is the largest university-based economic development organization of its kind in the nation. The Enterprise Innovation Institute supports entrepreneurs in building and scaling technology-based startups; drives and...
INNOVATION Quebec
ÉCONOMIE DU SAVOIR MAURICIE (ESM)
STIMULATING INNOVATION IN THE MAURICIE: THE HEART OF OUR MISSION
In 2011, economic development actors in the Mauricie region were visionary in creating an organization dedicated to innovation. Claude Bourassa, General Manager “Innovation is no longer optional, but rather a mandatory management method for business sustainability and growth!”– Claude Bourassa, General Manager of ESM and ERAC Mauricie Over the years, Économie...
INNOVATION Quebec
L’I2E3
50 ans d’innovations biosourcées
L’Institut d’Innovations en Écomatériaux, Écoproduits et Écoénergies (I2E3) se veut une entité pluridisciplinaire participant à l’avancement de l’économie biosourcée dans une perspective d’économie verte, circulaire et régionale. L’I2E3 est l’évolution stratégique d’un centre de recherche en pâtes et papiers ayant démarré ses activités à l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières en...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
TORONTO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Is One Of Toronto’s Premier Start-Up Incubators And Accelerators With A Rich History Dating Back Three Decades
Since its inception, TBDC has worked with thousands of entrepreneurs by helping them build and grow their ideas. TBDC helps international entrepreneurs aggressively scale up and choose Canada to grow their businesses. To date, TBDC has helped over 9,000 domestic and international entrepreneurial businesses establish themselves in Toronto and Ontario...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
MASC
Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence: The Maritime Association of South Carolina’s Journey into the Future.
The Maritime Association of South Carolina (MASC) is proud to celebrate a century of service to the maritime community in 2026. For almost 100 years, MASC has been at the heart of South Carolina’s dynamic maritime industry, forging strong connections, advancing critical issues & paving the way for a prosperous...
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...
INNOVATE™ Alberta
BRITT RADIUS
When People, Land & Compliance Matter
Our company was established in 1986 during a difficult recession. Grit, determination, and an unwavering pursuit to reimagine what is possible, has gotten us to where we are today. Our ability to consider our role as a company, as leaders, and as a team in relation to the industries we...
INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports
NERD STREET GAMERS
THERE’S A NERD IN EVERYONE
Nerd Street Gamers is a national esports infrastructure that puts accessibility, integrity and opportunity at the forefront of everything they do. As gaming communities slowly began to gain traction on a small scale, the CEO of Nerd Street Gamers and Localhost, John Fazio, knew that individuals nationwide would soon realize...
INNOVATE® South Carolina
Fusion Cyber
HUMAN LED, AI POWERED.
HUMAN LED, AI POWERED. Founded in 2021, Fusion Cyber has grown from a small start-up to are cognized leader in cybersecurity education. It has partnerships with fourw ell-known universities: the University of South Carolina, the University of Kentucky, Florida International University, and Denmark Technical College. Fusion Cyber offers cutting-edge courses...
INNOVATE™ Curitiba
AUSLAND
PIONEERING INNOVATION IN THE HEART OF CURITIBA
In the bustling city of Curitiba, renowned for its innovation and forward-thinking ethos, Ausland Consultoria & Informatica has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of ERP technology and consulting. With a rich history steeped in innovation and over 30-years of expertise, this dynamic firm has become synonymous with customer...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
VIRGENT AI
Move Beyond AI-Curious to AI-Powered
As we enter the largest technological revolution of our generation, Virgent AI is guiding leaders and industries beyond AI-curious to AI-powered. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, this forward-thinking AI-centric technology startup specializes in developing and deploying advanced AI agents and AI-enabled applications to solve real-world business problems. At their core, their...
INNOVATE™ Adelaide
The University of Adelaide
Australian Institute for Machine Learning
The University of Adelaide’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) is Australia’s first dedicated AI institute, tasked with championing globally challenging research and building the technology of the future. Established as a partnership between the University of Adelaide and the Government of South Australia, AIML is the anchor tenant of...
INNOVATE® Austin Volume 2
CASORO GROUP
Advancing Diversity and Closing the Generational Wealth Gap
THE WORLD STOOD STILLThe global pandemic in 2020 brought the world to a halt. Lives were lost. Businesses were forced to pivot quickly and those who couldn’t suffered. Jobs disappeared. The world stood still in uncertainty and fear; and then the death of George Floyd occurred. That became the catalyst...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
TORO VERDE
We Offer Our Clients A Service of Excellence, In An Atmosphere Of Respect And Harmony With Our Nature
Toro Verde is the largest adventure park in the Americas and the Caribbean. In our facilities you can enjoy beautiful landscapes that will leave you breathless, with a spectacular view from the mountains of the town of Orocovis to the coast of San Juan. It is located at 2,500 feet...