Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

EL CAMINO TRAVEL

Pioneering the Future of Travel

Pioneering the Future of Travel El Camino Travel is revolutionizing the world of travel for the modern, adventurous woman. With a daring vision and a commitment to responsible tourism, El Camino Travel has redefined what it means to explore the world. Led by the passionate CEO, Katalina Mayorga, the company’s...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Peoplr

Peoplr - Turning HR Headaches Into Great Business Results

Turning HR Headaches Into Great Business Results

ELEVATOR PITCH Peoplr is a team of Human Resources experts who tackle all kinds of headaches and turn them into great business results by providing flexible and cost-effective strategies that address a company’s human resources needs. From start-ups to thriving Fortune 100 companies, Peoplr has each client covered with expert...

INNOVATE® Miami

Papa

Papa - By connecting older adults to college students

By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations

Papa is a platform dedicated to solve the loneliness crisis. By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations. Our enthusiastic students – known as Papa Pals, are considered “Grandkids On-Demand!” to our members. Companionship, assistance, and transportation provided by our pals can be...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

QUERRI

CHARLESTON-BASED AI SOFTWARE COMPANY DISRUPTING DATA CULTURE

In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, businesses face a crucial dilemma – either harness the power of AI-driven insights or risk being left behind. For too long, the world of data has been dominated by complexity, requiring specialized technical skills that keep decision-makers...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

PARTSBADGER

ACCELERATING THE INNOVATION OF OTHERS

When Roy and Jimmy needed an enclosure machined for their small airborne electronics company, it took twelve inquiries over the course of weeks just to get a quote. When they finally did get a quote, it was cheaper to buy a CNC mill and make the machined parts themselves. So...

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™ Flanders

RIVER CLEANUP

From a 10-minute cleanup to 1000 plastic-free rivers

River Cleanup is a Belgium-based organization with one clear goal: making rivers plastic-free. The non-profit started with manual cleanup actions and evolved into a pioneer in the field of river protection, with mentions in Forbes, De Tijd, The Economist and many more. Their recently launched Clean River Model offers a...

INNOVATION Quebec

IVADO

MOTEUR D’UNE IA ROBUSTE, RAISONNANTE ET RESPONSABLE

IVADO est un consortium de recherche et de transfert de connaissances en IA basé à Montréal. Il mobilise une expertise universitaire unique au monde afin de combler le fossé entre l’IA actuelle et l’intelligence humaine et ainsi développer une IA capable de se déployer dans des environnements changeants et complexes....

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CREATING KLEIN JAN

CREATING KLEIN JAN - CREATIVITY IN THE KALAHARI

CREATIVITY IN THE KALAHARI

When Michelin star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen first laid eyes on Boscia House, a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse situated at the beautiful Tswalu Kalahari in the Northern Cape, he saw the vastness of the region as a canvas on which to create something special. Worlds away from the beautiful waters...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Where to Find South African Food in Canada

Howzit Canada logo alongside the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) branding, set against a scenic Canadian landscape, representing a hub for South African expats to find goods, businesses, and community support in Canada.

HowZit Canada Leads the Way

For South African expats in Canada craving a taste of home—think boerewors, biltong, or rooibos tea—knowing where to find South African food in Canada can feel like a treasure hunt. Fortunately, a groundbreaking platform, HowZit Canada (howzitcanada.ca), launched by the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC), is revolutionizing the search....

INNOVATE™ Estonia

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TALLINN

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN ESTONIA

WHERE INNOVATION MEETS EDUCATION At the International School of Tallinn (IST), we do more than teach—we shape globally-minded, tech-savvy changemakers. We are Estonia’s most international and fastest-growing International Baccalaureate (IB) school, located in Ülemiste City—Estonia’s innovation hub. We nurture young minds through future-focused learning, cutting-edge technology, and a community that...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Stateside Brands

An Innovative Leader

Few ready-to-drink beverage brands have captivated the market like Surfside. Since its 2022 launch, Surfside has taken off like a rocket ship, becoming the fastest-growing brand within the entire alcoholic beverage sector. At the close of 2025, Surfside achieved 11.1 million case sales, growing an astounding 6.2 million cases from...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

A CENTURY-OLD BUILDING IS GETTING A WHOLE LOT SMARTER, THANKS TO SOME INNOVATIONS DRIVEN BY AI

A CENTURY-OLD BUILDING IS GETTING A WHOLE LOT SMARTER, THANKS TO SOME INNOVATIONS DRIVEN BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA. The 101-year-old dentistry and pharmacy centre is one of the first buildings you see when you come onto the University of Alberta’s North Campus. Right now, the...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

Bank Zero

A SIMPLE YET ADVANCED DIGITAL BANK, FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS

Bank Zero is a unique and powerful App-based bank with Zero fees and a patented secure card. It caters for both individuals and businesses. Digital, social and financial connectedness is a reality and it’s also a very human trait. Bank Zero supports this directly in its innovative design. By friending...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

NOVA SYSTEMS

Smart people, solving complex problems, making our world safe and secure

About Nova SystemsNova Systems is a 100% Australian owned and controlled engineering services and technology solutions company. Founded by two veterans – Jim Whalley and Peter Nikoloff – in 1999 in Adelaide, South Australia, the company now employs more than 1000 people globally in strategically located offices in Australia, New...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Detroit Venture Partners

Shaping the Future of Tech in Detroit and Beyond

Founded in 2010 by Dan Gilbert, the visionary behind Rocket Companies and Rocket Mortgage, Detroit Venture Partners (DVP) is at the forefront of Detroit’s entrepreneurial renaissance. Gilbert’s leadership in reshaping industries through his companies extends seamlessly into DVP, a venture capital firm committed to investing in bold entrepreneurs and game-changing...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE- NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The third eye represents intuition and insight—an inner vision and enlightenment beyond what the physical eye can see. Modern shoppers are increasingly time-starved and brand-agnostic. It is therefore imperative for brands to understand as much as they can about the people who are buying their products and how they feel...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

BMA GROUP

A GLOBAL WORKFORCE

BMA Group Global is a prominent Human Resources consulting firm with 25 years of experience, serving organizations in 23 countries through innovative business solutions. Founded in Puerto Rico in 1997, the company has evolved with the changing needs of the worldwide marketplace. BMA Group made its entrance into the staffing...

Global Innovation Spotlight

IT Solutions for Industrial Manufacturing: What 8 Systems Are Worth in 2026

From MES to predictive maintenance, a plain-English look at the systems that actually pay off on the plant floor.

Most industrial plants are not short on technology. They are short on technology that gets used. Deloitte's 2025 Smart Manufacturing Survey of 600 senior executives at manufacturers with $500M or more in revenue found that 92 percent see smart manufacturing as the main driver of competitiveness over the next three...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

POPPY FLOWERS

POPPY TRANSFORMS THE PROCESS OF BUYING WEDDING FLOWERS INTO A SEAMLESS DIGITAL EXPERIENCE.

Poppy Flowers, the fastest-growing wedding florist in the country, is revolutionizing the wedding and floral industries with its innovative booking and fulfillment platform for wedding flowers. Poppy’s platform offers a more enjoyable, fun, and transparent experience for couples, florists, and farmers, distinguishing itself in a $5 billion industry. Since its...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

DOTS

TURNING UNCERTAINTY INTO GROWTH FROM EUROPE’S EDGE

On the border city of Narva, Estonia – where Europe literally meets its edge – a bold experiment is reshaping how young people grow. DOTS isn’t another youth program or after-school club. It’s an operating system for life: a commitment-based “gym for personal development” where members train through real responsibilities,...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

Antwerp City

Antwerp is a city in full change, once again, as it has been so many times over the past centuries.

Antwerp is a city in full change, once again, as it has been so many times over the past centuries. Now it is mobility shaping the future of the city, in the form of the Oosterweel works. For about two decades, the plans for the completion of the ring road...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ADEMICON

A SPECIALIST IN CONSORTIUMS WHO LEADS THE SEGMENT AMONG INDEPENDENT MANAGERS

Over the course of its 32-years, Ademicon has become a true benchmark in consortium. It went from a company with regional operations to a brand with a national presence, earning the position of Brazil’s largest independent consortium manager in terms of active credits. Currently, according to data from the Central...

INNOVATION Manitoba

PERIMETER AVIATION

BUILT FOR THE NORTH

Operating in northern Manitoba demands ingenuity. Perimeter Aviation cannot simply adopt solutions designed for major airports or southern markets and assume they will work. Aircraft, facilities, technology, customer experience, and processes all have to account for a different operating reality. When Constraint Drives Innovation For more than six decades, those...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

EL CAMINO TRAVEL

Pioneering the Future of Travel

Pioneering the Future of Travel El Camino Travel is revolutionizing the world of travel for the modern, adventurous woman. With a daring vision and a commitment to responsible tourism, El Camino Travel has redefined what it means to explore the world. Led by the passionate CEO, Katalina Mayorga, the company’s...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Peoplr

Peoplr - Turning HR Headaches Into Great Business Results

Turning HR Headaches Into Great Business Results

ELEVATOR PITCH Peoplr is a team of Human Resources experts who tackle all kinds of headaches and turn them into great business results by providing flexible and cost-effective strategies that address a company’s human resources needs. From start-ups to thriving Fortune 100 companies, Peoplr has each client covered with expert...

INNOVATE® Miami

Papa

Papa - By connecting older adults to college students

By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations

Papa is a platform dedicated to solve the loneliness crisis. By connecting older adults to college students, we bridge the gap between two distinct generations. Our enthusiastic students – known as Papa Pals, are considered “Grandkids On-Demand!” to our members. Companionship, assistance, and transportation provided by our pals can be...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

QUERRI

CHARLESTON-BASED AI SOFTWARE COMPANY DISRUPTING DATA CULTURE

In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, businesses face a crucial dilemma – either harness the power of AI-driven insights or risk being left behind. For too long, the world of data has been dominated by complexity, requiring specialized technical skills that keep decision-makers...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

PARTSBADGER

ACCELERATING THE INNOVATION OF OTHERS

When Roy and Jimmy needed an enclosure machined for their small airborne electronics company, it took twelve inquiries over the course of weeks just to get a quote. When they finally did get a quote, it was cheaper to buy a CNC mill and make the machined parts themselves. So...

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™ Flanders

RIVER CLEANUP

From a 10-minute cleanup to 1000 plastic-free rivers

River Cleanup is a Belgium-based organization with one clear goal: making rivers plastic-free. The non-profit started with manual cleanup actions and evolved into a pioneer in the field of river protection, with mentions in Forbes, De Tijd, The Economist and many more. Their recently launched Clean River Model offers a...

INNOVATION Quebec

IVADO

MOTEUR D’UNE IA ROBUSTE, RAISONNANTE ET RESPONSABLE

IVADO est un consortium de recherche et de transfert de connaissances en IA basé à Montréal. Il mobilise une expertise universitaire unique au monde afin de combler le fossé entre l’IA actuelle et l’intelligence humaine et ainsi développer une IA capable de se déployer dans des environnements changeants et complexes....

INNOVATE™ South Africa

CREATING KLEIN JAN

CREATING KLEIN JAN - CREATIVITY IN THE KALAHARI

CREATIVITY IN THE KALAHARI

When Michelin star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen first laid eyes on Boscia House, a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse situated at the beautiful Tswalu Kalahari in the Northern Cape, he saw the vastness of the region as a canvas on which to create something special. Worlds away from the beautiful waters...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Where to Find South African Food in Canada

Howzit Canada logo alongside the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) branding, set against a scenic Canadian landscape, representing a hub for South African expats to find goods, businesses, and community support in Canada.

HowZit Canada Leads the Way

For South African expats in Canada craving a taste of home—think boerewors, biltong, or rooibos tea—knowing where to find South African food in Canada can feel like a treasure hunt. Fortunately, a groundbreaking platform, HowZit Canada (howzitcanada.ca), launched by the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC), is revolutionizing the search....

INNOVATE™ Estonia

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TALLINN

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN ESTONIA

WHERE INNOVATION MEETS EDUCATION At the International School of Tallinn (IST), we do more than teach—we shape globally-minded, tech-savvy changemakers. We are Estonia’s most international and fastest-growing International Baccalaureate (IB) school, located in Ülemiste City—Estonia’s innovation hub. We nurture young minds through future-focused learning, cutting-edge technology, and a community that...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Stateside Brands

An Innovative Leader

Few ready-to-drink beverage brands have captivated the market like Surfside. Since its 2022 launch, Surfside has taken off like a rocket ship, becoming the fastest-growing brand within the entire alcoholic beverage sector. At the close of 2025, Surfside achieved 11.1 million case sales, growing an astounding 6.2 million cases from...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

A CENTURY-OLD BUILDING IS GETTING A WHOLE LOT SMARTER, THANKS TO SOME INNOVATIONS DRIVEN BY AI

A CENTURY-OLD BUILDING IS GETTING A WHOLE LOT SMARTER, THANKS TO SOME INNOVATIONS DRIVEN BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA. The 101-year-old dentistry and pharmacy centre is one of the first buildings you see when you come onto the University of Alberta’s North Campus. Right now, the...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

Bank Zero

A SIMPLE YET ADVANCED DIGITAL BANK, FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS

Bank Zero is a unique and powerful App-based bank with Zero fees and a patented secure card. It caters for both individuals and businesses. Digital, social and financial connectedness is a reality and it’s also a very human trait. Bank Zero supports this directly in its innovative design. By friending...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

NOVA SYSTEMS

Smart people, solving complex problems, making our world safe and secure

About Nova SystemsNova Systems is a 100% Australian owned and controlled engineering services and technology solutions company. Founded by two veterans – Jim Whalley and Peter Nikoloff – in 1999 in Adelaide, South Australia, the company now employs more than 1000 people globally in strategically located offices in Australia, New...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Detroit Venture Partners

Shaping the Future of Tech in Detroit and Beyond

Founded in 2010 by Dan Gilbert, the visionary behind Rocket Companies and Rocket Mortgage, Detroit Venture Partners (DVP) is at the forefront of Detroit’s entrepreneurial renaissance. Gilbert’s leadership in reshaping industries through his companies extends seamlessly into DVP, a venture capital firm committed to investing in bold entrepreneurs and game-changing...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE- NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The third eye represents intuition and insight—an inner vision and enlightenment beyond what the physical eye can see. Modern shoppers are increasingly time-starved and brand-agnostic. It is therefore imperative for brands to understand as much as they can about the people who are buying their products and how they feel...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

BMA GROUP

A GLOBAL WORKFORCE

BMA Group Global is a prominent Human Resources consulting firm with 25 years of experience, serving organizations in 23 countries through innovative business solutions. Founded in Puerto Rico in 1997, the company has evolved with the changing needs of the worldwide marketplace. BMA Group made its entrance into the staffing...

Global Innovation Spotlight

IT Solutions for Industrial Manufacturing: What 8 Systems Are Worth in 2026

From MES to predictive maintenance, a plain-English look at the systems that actually pay off on the plant floor.

Most industrial plants are not short on technology. They are short on technology that gets used. Deloitte's 2025 Smart Manufacturing Survey of 600 senior executives at manufacturers with $500M or more in revenue found that 92 percent see smart manufacturing as the main driver of competitiveness over the next three...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

POPPY FLOWERS

POPPY TRANSFORMS THE PROCESS OF BUYING WEDDING FLOWERS INTO A SEAMLESS DIGITAL EXPERIENCE.

Poppy Flowers, the fastest-growing wedding florist in the country, is revolutionizing the wedding and floral industries with its innovative booking and fulfillment platform for wedding flowers. Poppy’s platform offers a more enjoyable, fun, and transparent experience for couples, florists, and farmers, distinguishing itself in a $5 billion industry. Since its...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

DOTS

TURNING UNCERTAINTY INTO GROWTH FROM EUROPE’S EDGE

On the border city of Narva, Estonia – where Europe literally meets its edge – a bold experiment is reshaping how young people grow. DOTS isn’t another youth program or after-school club. It’s an operating system for life: a commitment-based “gym for personal development” where members train through real responsibilities,...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

Antwerp City

Antwerp is a city in full change, once again, as it has been so many times over the past centuries.

Antwerp is a city in full change, once again, as it has been so many times over the past centuries. Now it is mobility shaping the future of the city, in the form of the Oosterweel works. For about two decades, the plans for the completion of the ring road...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

ADEMICON

A SPECIALIST IN CONSORTIUMS WHO LEADS THE SEGMENT AMONG INDEPENDENT MANAGERS

Over the course of its 32-years, Ademicon has become a true benchmark in consortium. It went from a company with regional operations to a brand with a national presence, earning the position of Brazil’s largest independent consortium manager in terms of active credits. Currently, according to data from the Central...

INNOVATION Manitoba

PERIMETER AVIATION

BUILT FOR THE NORTH

Operating in northern Manitoba demands ingenuity. Perimeter Aviation cannot simply adopt solutions designed for major airports or southern markets and assume they will work. Aircraft, facilities, technology, customer experience, and processes all have to account for a different operating reality. When Constraint Drives Innovation For more than six decades, those...

Ecosystems