Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® South Carolina

AstenJohnson

Weaving at Warp Speed

AstenJohnson’s Clinton, South Carolina location is making a significant capital investment to expand its advanced high-speed weaving capabilities and fully transition away from traditional production methods. This upgrade is designed to maximize asset utilization, standardize manufacturing processes, and elevate product quality while improving overall operational efficiency. The investment fundamentally changes...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Free Browser Tool Stack

How one founder runs a startup without paid subscriptions

Running a startup without paid subscriptions forces every choice to be practical. The best setup is a small group of browser-based services that handle writing, planning, files, design, communication, and basic finance. I keep the workflow lean because every recurring fee reduces runway, and the ability to edit PDF documents...

INNOVATE® Seattle

FROM THE CULTURE

REVOLUTIONIZING BLACK INNOVATION IN THE AI STARTUP ECOSYSTEM

From The Culture is redefining the tech game, empowering Black founders to thrive in the fast-paced world of startups. Specializing in AI-driven product development, strategic guidance, and expanded market access, this startup studio transforms visionary ideas into scalable ventures. It’s more than an incubator—it’s a community built to amplify Black...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY-IF YOU BUILD IT

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME...” THIS MISQUOTED LINE DERIVED FROM THE MOVIE, FIELD OF DREAMS, IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH STARTUP DEVELOPMENT. IT SOUNDS GOOD BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS NOT REALISTIC

What does work is the act of providing a reason for why they should come. That is the central theme of Oakwood University’s Entrepreneurship Center, OU Launchpad, and it is why gaming is at the heart of the center’s success. OU Launchpad is structured around ideation and microentrepreneurship. These two...

INNOVATE® Maryland

DCSTW

Where Conversations Become Opportunity

For ten years, DCSTW has stood behind tens of thousands of founders building and scaling something out of nothing. That’s the real magic of the week – not just the 5 days of impact but everything that grows out of them in the months and years after. A founder walks...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LINK MONITORAMENTO

DRIVING SUCCESS: CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF INNOVATION WITH LINK MONITORAMENTO

Founded in Curitiba, a city known for its innovation and entrepreneurship, Link Monitoramento is a pioneer in the Brazilian market for advanced monitoring and telematics, operating as the first franchisor in the sector. In 2024, the company celebrates its 15th anniversary, marking a milestone in its history of innovation and...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NAHANA FOUNDATION

CREATIVITY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

The Nahana Communications Group is a collective of leading specialist agencies that provide creative solutions across the marketing ecosystem....

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

CASA GRANDE

A PROBLEM, SOLUTION, OUTCOME APPROACH TO EDUCATION

For close to three decades, Casa Grande has focused its efforts on the design and development of innovative and motivational educational programs and platforms. The organization has been at the forefront of the region’s educational space with programs, such as One-on-One and platforms like: The New Virtual School and OE...

INNOVATION Quebec

SHERBROOKE INNOPOLE

An Innovative Organization

Sherbrooke Innopole is the para-municipal economic development organization for the industrial and tertiary-engine sectors mandated and financed by the Ville de Sherbrooke. Our goal is to energize the business environment, ensure the influence of Sherbrooke and its businesses on the local, national, and international scenes, and develop existing and future...

INNOVATE® Nashville

JE Dunn

Delivering Construction Solutions

JE Dunn Construction, founded in 1924, is the sixth-largest domestic general building contractor in the United States with offices in 26 locations. They endeavor to be an indispensable business partner, thoroughly understanding their client’s vision so they can deliver construction solutions that meet their needs. For over 30 years, JE...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

United Bank of Philadelphia

So Much More than Banking

Since opening in 1992 under founder Dr. Emma C. Chappell, United Bank of Philadelphia (“the Bank”) has upheld its mission: driving economic inclusion and opportunity in urban communities. Philadelphia has always been a city of visionaries and entrepreneurs, but vision does not turn into a successful business without capital. As...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Global Philadelphia Association

2025 World Heritage City Celebration

Connecting Heritage, People, and Global Ideas

Innovation as Civic Infrastructure in America’s First World Heritage City In a global landscape where cities compete for visibility, talent, and influence, innovation is often defined narrowly—through technology, startups, or commercial growth. The Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) offers a broader, more civic-minded model. Rather than innovating through a single product...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

CENTRE RISC

SPECIALIZES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE AND LOOKS AT CURRENT ISSUES AND CONCERNS

With our multidisciplinary team and unique infrastructure, we bring together both scientific and hands-on expertise to carry out research and development, training and support activities. Our multidisciplinary experimental site—a real open-air laboratory—allows for realistic simulations of the response to the main hazards as well as the emergency situations experienced by...

INNOVATE® Ohio

JUMPSTART

WHEN THEY BUILD BOLDY, EVERYONE BENEFITS

JUMPSTART SUPPORTS THE ENTREPRENEURS MOVING OHIO FOWARD Innovation, the story goes, happens somewhere else besides Ohio. Somewhere with better light, louder money and a mythology that has already been optioned for a miniseries. The reality is Ohio has spent generations making things people rely on, like rubber, steel, glass, cars,...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

GLOBEDRY

SOLAR-DRIED FOODS FOR A RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

In many rural regions, fresh harvests are lost before they ever reach a market — not because of poor quality, but due to heat, humidity, and lack of proper preservation. GlobeDry, a family-owned Estonian company, is tackling this challenge with solar-powered food dryers that allow communities and food entrepreneurs to...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

TIM

5G IN EVERY REGION OF CURITIBA

TIM was the first operator to offer 5G coverage in all 75 neighborhoods of the city of Curitiba. As of August 2022, more than 85% of the population is connected to this new technology. However, it is natural for the operator to be a protagonist, as it is the market...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

INNOVATING IN FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 165 YEARS

INNOVATING IN FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 165 YEARS Founded in 1857, Northwestern Mutual, a FORTUNE 500® financial services company, embodies a unique culture dedicated to helping people achieve financial security. As a mutual company, Northwestern Mutual answers to its policy owners — not Wall Street. Through a comprehensive planning...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

KOGOD

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

The Kogod School of Business at American University stands as a beacon of innovation shaping the next generation of business leaders. With a commitment to sustainability, unparalleled faculty expertise, and a robust experiential learning framework, Kogod ensures that its students graduate well-equipped to take on a career in business that...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

YIEDI

YIEDI -A COMPANY DESIGNED BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

A COMPANY DESIGNED BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Just over eight years ago the founder of YIEDI, Jayshree Naidoo and Jay Naidoo her business and life partner, sat across from a branding expert and outlined the vision for the company. They went on to describe a model that they had created, it was still drawn on a napkin...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CODIUM

IF YOU HAVE A VISION, WE KNOW HOW TO ALIGN YOUR TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY

Codium is your bespoke software development Swat team for Web and Mobile App business systems and platforms. We take a business-first approach looking at the big picture, down to the human elements that make a business unique. We view technology as a critical business pillar tightly integrated into a business...

INNOVATE® Georgia

IVISION

EARNING CLIENTS FOR LIFE EVERY DAY THROUGH ENGINEERING EXPERTISE AND WHITE-GLOVE SERVICE

ivision is a leading technology consulting and managed services provider headquartered in Atlanta, GA. With a client-centric, engineer-based approach, ivision helps organizations leverage technology to achieve their business goals. ivision employs an Architect, Transform, Operate work model to encompass consulting services, managed services and product resale around their four areas...

INNOVATION Quebec

THE ADRIQ

THE ADRIQ: ACCOMPANY.GATHER. TRANSFORM

ACCOMPANY. GATHER. TRANSFORM.

Mission and outreach in QuebecSupport and promote research and innovation in Quebec with the aim of increasing the competitiveness of businesses, here and abroad. Our mission at the ADRIQ (The Association pour le Développement de la Recherche et de l’Innovation du Québec) guides us in our objectives, actions, operations, and...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Rise of Borderless Startups and the Digital Tools Powering Them

Previously, opening a business largely depended on location. A startup owner was expected to establish an office, hire staff in their home city or country, and run their company in that location. However, there’s a growing number of startups that operate internationally from the day they launch, mainly due to...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

AstenJohnson

Weaving at Warp Speed

AstenJohnson’s Clinton, South Carolina location is making a significant capital investment to expand its advanced high-speed weaving capabilities and fully transition away from traditional production methods. This upgrade is designed to maximize asset utilization, standardize manufacturing processes, and elevate product quality while improving overall operational efficiency. The investment fundamentally changes...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Free Browser Tool Stack

How one founder runs a startup without paid subscriptions

Running a startup without paid subscriptions forces every choice to be practical. The best setup is a small group of browser-based services that handle writing, planning, files, design, communication, and basic finance. I keep the workflow lean because every recurring fee reduces runway, and the ability to edit PDF documents...

INNOVATE® Seattle

FROM THE CULTURE

REVOLUTIONIZING BLACK INNOVATION IN THE AI STARTUP ECOSYSTEM

From The Culture is redefining the tech game, empowering Black founders to thrive in the fast-paced world of startups. Specializing in AI-driven product development, strategic guidance, and expanded market access, this startup studio transforms visionary ideas into scalable ventures. It’s more than an incubator—it’s a community built to amplify Black...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY-IF YOU BUILD IT

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME...” THIS MISQUOTED LINE DERIVED FROM THE MOVIE, FIELD OF DREAMS, IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH STARTUP DEVELOPMENT. IT SOUNDS GOOD BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS NOT REALISTIC

What does work is the act of providing a reason for why they should come. That is the central theme of Oakwood University’s Entrepreneurship Center, OU Launchpad, and it is why gaming is at the heart of the center’s success. OU Launchpad is structured around ideation and microentrepreneurship. These two...

INNOVATE® Maryland

DCSTW

Where Conversations Become Opportunity

For ten years, DCSTW has stood behind tens of thousands of founders building and scaling something out of nothing. That’s the real magic of the week – not just the 5 days of impact but everything that grows out of them in the months and years after. A founder walks...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

LINK MONITORAMENTO

DRIVING SUCCESS: CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF INNOVATION WITH LINK MONITORAMENTO

Founded in Curitiba, a city known for its innovation and entrepreneurship, Link Monitoramento is a pioneer in the Brazilian market for advanced monitoring and telematics, operating as the first franchisor in the sector. In 2024, the company celebrates its 15th anniversary, marking a milestone in its history of innovation and...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

NAHANA FOUNDATION

CREATIVITY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

The Nahana Communications Group is a collective of leading specialist agencies that provide creative solutions across the marketing ecosystem....

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

CASA GRANDE

A PROBLEM, SOLUTION, OUTCOME APPROACH TO EDUCATION

For close to three decades, Casa Grande has focused its efforts on the design and development of innovative and motivational educational programs and platforms. The organization has been at the forefront of the region’s educational space with programs, such as One-on-One and platforms like: The New Virtual School and OE...

INNOVATION Quebec

SHERBROOKE INNOPOLE

An Innovative Organization

Sherbrooke Innopole is the para-municipal economic development organization for the industrial and tertiary-engine sectors mandated and financed by the Ville de Sherbrooke. Our goal is to energize the business environment, ensure the influence of Sherbrooke and its businesses on the local, national, and international scenes, and develop existing and future...

INNOVATE® Nashville

JE Dunn

Delivering Construction Solutions

JE Dunn Construction, founded in 1924, is the sixth-largest domestic general building contractor in the United States with offices in 26 locations. They endeavor to be an indispensable business partner, thoroughly understanding their client’s vision so they can deliver construction solutions that meet their needs. For over 30 years, JE...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

United Bank of Philadelphia

So Much More than Banking

Since opening in 1992 under founder Dr. Emma C. Chappell, United Bank of Philadelphia (“the Bank”) has upheld its mission: driving economic inclusion and opportunity in urban communities. Philadelphia has always been a city of visionaries and entrepreneurs, but vision does not turn into a successful business without capital. As...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Global Philadelphia Association

2025 World Heritage City Celebration

Connecting Heritage, People, and Global Ideas

Innovation as Civic Infrastructure in America’s First World Heritage City In a global landscape where cities compete for visibility, talent, and influence, innovation is often defined narrowly—through technology, startups, or commercial growth. The Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) offers a broader, more civic-minded model. Rather than innovating through a single product...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

CENTRE RISC

SPECIALIZES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE AND LOOKS AT CURRENT ISSUES AND CONCERNS

With our multidisciplinary team and unique infrastructure, we bring together both scientific and hands-on expertise to carry out research and development, training and support activities. Our multidisciplinary experimental site—a real open-air laboratory—allows for realistic simulations of the response to the main hazards as well as the emergency situations experienced by...

INNOVATE® Ohio

JUMPSTART

WHEN THEY BUILD BOLDY, EVERYONE BENEFITS

JUMPSTART SUPPORTS THE ENTREPRENEURS MOVING OHIO FOWARD Innovation, the story goes, happens somewhere else besides Ohio. Somewhere with better light, louder money and a mythology that has already been optioned for a miniseries. The reality is Ohio has spent generations making things people rely on, like rubber, steel, glass, cars,...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

GLOBEDRY

SOLAR-DRIED FOODS FOR A RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

In many rural regions, fresh harvests are lost before they ever reach a market — not because of poor quality, but due to heat, humidity, and lack of proper preservation. GlobeDry, a family-owned Estonian company, is tackling this challenge with solar-powered food dryers that allow communities and food entrepreneurs to...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

TIM

5G IN EVERY REGION OF CURITIBA

TIM was the first operator to offer 5G coverage in all 75 neighborhoods of the city of Curitiba. As of August 2022, more than 85% of the population is connected to this new technology. However, it is natural for the operator to be a protagonist, as it is the market...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

INNOVATING IN FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 165 YEARS

INNOVATING IN FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 165 YEARS Founded in 1857, Northwestern Mutual, a FORTUNE 500® financial services company, embodies a unique culture dedicated to helping people achieve financial security. As a mutual company, Northwestern Mutual answers to its policy owners — not Wall Street. Through a comprehensive planning...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

KOGOD

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

The Kogod School of Business at American University stands as a beacon of innovation shaping the next generation of business leaders. With a commitment to sustainability, unparalleled faculty expertise, and a robust experiential learning framework, Kogod ensures that its students graduate well-equipped to take on a career in business that...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

YIEDI

YIEDI -A COMPANY DESIGNED BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

A COMPANY DESIGNED BY ENTREPRENEURS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Just over eight years ago the founder of YIEDI, Jayshree Naidoo and Jay Naidoo her business and life partner, sat across from a branding expert and outlined the vision for the company. They went on to describe a model that they had created, it was still drawn on a napkin...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CODIUM

IF YOU HAVE A VISION, WE KNOW HOW TO ALIGN YOUR TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY

Codium is your bespoke software development Swat team for Web and Mobile App business systems and platforms. We take a business-first approach looking at the big picture, down to the human elements that make a business unique. We view technology as a critical business pillar tightly integrated into a business...

INNOVATE® Georgia

IVISION

EARNING CLIENTS FOR LIFE EVERY DAY THROUGH ENGINEERING EXPERTISE AND WHITE-GLOVE SERVICE

ivision is a leading technology consulting and managed services provider headquartered in Atlanta, GA. With a client-centric, engineer-based approach, ivision helps organizations leverage technology to achieve their business goals. ivision employs an Architect, Transform, Operate work model to encompass consulting services, managed services and product resale around their four areas...

INNOVATION Quebec

THE ADRIQ

THE ADRIQ: ACCOMPANY.GATHER. TRANSFORM

ACCOMPANY. GATHER. TRANSFORM.

Mission and outreach in QuebecSupport and promote research and innovation in Quebec with the aim of increasing the competitiveness of businesses, here and abroad. Our mission at the ADRIQ (The Association pour le Développement de la Recherche et de l’Innovation du Québec) guides us in our objectives, actions, operations, and...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Rise of Borderless Startups and the Digital Tools Powering Them

Previously, opening a business largely depended on location. A startup owner was expected to establish an office, hire staff in their home city or country, and run their company in that location. However, there’s a growing number of startups that operate internationally from the day they launch, mainly due to...

Ecosystems