Stories of Innovation

July 2017 I left my 9-5 job of being a full time Lecturer, and founded Ecohub (Pty) Ltd, a startup that innovatively uses plastic waste combined with other additives to produce affordable, architect designed flat pack ecobricks to build ecohouses. As the only Founder, I took a risk and sold...

In the current context of climate change, biodiversity loss, increasing pressure on natural resources and public health concerns, there is a consensus on the importance of building on the bioeconomy. The bioeconomy is the economic activity associated with the development and production of bioproducts and biological processes. Relying on the...

The University of Antwerp serves as a gateway for future innovations, playing a pivotal role within Antwerp’s thriving innovation ecosystem and beyond. It contributes significantly to driving innovation and fostering societal and economic impact, further solidifying its position as a pioneer in cutting-edge research and innovation. A key driver in...

In establishing Midtown Youth Academy in 1977, Golden Gloves champ Eugene “Thunder” Hughes began with a make-shift boxing ring and a noble goal: draw at-risk youth away from the mean and drug-infested streets of Washington, D.C., and guide them to a successful path in life. “We let them knock themselves...

Acclaim will serve as a Virtual Business Environment (VBE) for all small businesses globally. The idea is to take small businesses to the internet and be able to create virtual offices, stalls, and markets which are manageable. This innovation was inspired by the digital transformation of the economy and the...

In Washington, D.C., the entrepreneurial spirit isn’t just alive; it’s thriving, thanks to CONNECTpreneur. This isn’t your typical forum – it’s the heartbeat of business innovation. Boasting a global network of over 30,000 trailblazers – from CEOs to investors, and angels to entrepreneurs – CONNECTpreneur is where ideas ignite and...

In a market dominated by fast-food giants, Breadless has emerged as a bold disruptor, transforming fast-casual dining with its nutrient-packed, bread-free innovation. This Detroit-born brand is redefining how Americans fuel their lives by replacing traditional bread with leafy super greens. At Breadless, meals are not just sustenance — they’re catalysts...

We first opened our doors in Seattle’s world-famous Pike Place Market in 1992 and have since become a beloved local fixture. Our mission: to bring a world of flavors to the Pacific Northwest and beyond. For over three decades, we’ve been serving delicious handmade baked goods and specialty items to...

DistriQ, Quantum Innovation Zone, is an organization that provides expertise and infrastructure to foster the emergence and acceleration of innovation in the quantum science and technology sector. DistriQ supports the development of one of the first innovation zones of the Quebec government, the Sherbrooke Quantum Innovation Zone. Since its designation...

NOTE FROM FOUNDER A few years ago, I realized how strenuous it is for some to come up with or present a thoughtful gift for any occasion. The idea of The Gift Place grew from my passion to create a gift by simply sourcing various items from different outlets to...

ABOUT US:Join a Join (JAJ) www.joinajoin.com was founded in 2014 and today endures its start-up and entrepreneurial spirit. Local company with presence in the emerging short-term rental segment of the hospitality industry. It has developed solid brand awareness and equity in the Puerto Rico (PR) market, representing a trusted option for hosts...

ESPAT (Esports Pixels and Technology) is a technology company that is utilizing the legacy digital media licensing model to help gaming and esports IP holders monetize their digital assets. Through computer vision and machine learning technology, the company is converting traditional licensed assets into interactive, commerce-enabled experiences for viewers/consumers. As...

Groupe CTT is a non-profit organization specializing in applied research, development and analysis in the fields of technical textiles, geosynthetics and advanced textile-based materials. Created in 1983, Groupe CTT was one of the first college centres for the transfer oftechnology in Quebec. It is located on the Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe...

In Victoriaville, a team of agronomists, biologists and technicians is striving to develop clean and modern agricultural production methods. Affiliated with the Cégep de Victoriaville and with an influence in several regions in Quebec, the Centre d’expertise et de transfert en agriculture biologique et de proximité (CETAB+) has been working...

HONEY ISLAND CAPITAL -IN THE VIBRANT CITY OF CURITIBA, HONEY ISLAND CAPITAL EMERGES AS A PIVOTAL FORCE IN SHAPING THE REGION’S STARTUP ECOSYSTEM. Established in 2015 by the co-founders of EBANX, a cross-border payments startup that achieved unicorn status with presence in more than 20 countries in less than a...

The AI Hub is a cutting-edge art incubator dedicated to fostering professional growth and innovation through creative career development. Since its inception in July 2022, it has become a beacon for artists, entrepreneurs, and the broader creative community. The AI Hub offers a unique environment where creatives can explore the...

I am Koen Van Pottelbergh and due to a serious accident where I lost half of my sight, my view on life changed drastically. That is why I created the concept “CreativEyeworks”. Because everyone in the world has the right to see well, and to take all opportunities life has...

To create a corporate campus that would redefine Hato Rey as a center of urban movement. That is the vision that Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico’s leading financial institution dreamt up years ago for Popular Campus, a $300 million expansion project that will centralize a significant portion of...

How salmon & sangria started a green revolution.Some of the most inspiring inventions come at the most innocuous times. In 2017, Just Vertical co-founders Conner Tidd and Kevin Jakiela were completing their Masters of Science at the University of Toronto. Bright eyed and full of enthusiasm, they hoped to equip...

It was late 2011 when Nashville Software School (NSS) Founder and CEO, John Wark set out to find a solution to a challenge he frequently heard about in Nashville’s business community – the persistent shortage of trained tech talent such as software developers. The tech skills gap was (and is)...

Clemson University stands at the forefront of automotive and manufacturing innovation, serving as a vital asset for both research and workforce development for South Carolina’s economic engine. Clemson is home, for example, to the nation’s only graduate program in automotive engineering, offering M.S. and Ph.D. degrees that prepare students to...

Recognizing a significant gap in STEM exposure products and materials for students aged 13 and above, LINGO steps in to fill this void. Aisha Bowe, the Founder and CEO of LINGO, knows firsthand the importance of having access to quality STEM education. Graduating high school with a 2.3 GPA, she...

For most businesses, contracts are critical but chaotic. They’re scattered across inboxes, cloud folders, and outdated templates. Legal teams spend days or even weeks managing reviews, chasing approvals, and mitigating compliance risks. The result is a bottleneck that slows deals, creates risk, and turns legal into a reactive cost center....

Gene editing holds the potential to cure a wide range of genetic diseases by altering DNA in the genome inside cells – but today’s gene editors have limitations. To better realize the significant opportunity of this therapeutic approach, and allow for its application to new therapeutic areas, Specific Biologics (“Specific”)...