Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE

GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE- The True Definition Of Innovation Can Be Found At GiGi’s Playhouse

The True Definition Of Innovation Can Be Found At GiGi’s Playhouse, Where Changing The World Is In The Palm Of Your Hand

What started in 2003 as a mother’s vision to change the world’s perception of individuals with Down syndrome and create opportunities for her daughter, GiGi, evolved into a global movement of acceptance for all. GiGi’s Playhouse started in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and has catapulted to an entrepreneurial network of 60...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

CareerBeacon

A Human Approach to HR Technology

While the recruitment industry changes faster than ever, CareerBeacon stands apart through a fundamental principle often overlooked in tech innovation: empathy. When Yves Boudreau and co-founder Benoit Bourque acquired CareerBeacon in 2021, they saw more than just a job board – they saw the opportunity to transform how talent connects...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

ZIPPLICITY

FEARLESS FLIGHT

Zipplicity is a New Breed It’s a suitcase in disguise, “un-luggage” if you will. It’s an ingenious innovation for the world of travel. Beginning with Trial and Perseverance Three years of sickness and pain had diminished Amber Waldeier’s existence to very little. Eating and movement caused pain—but responsibilities continued—she struggled...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

IT-oLogy

Promote. Teach. Grow.

USC and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina partnered with IBM in December 2008 to form the Consortium for Enterprise Systems Management. The Consortium was formed in part to encourage young people to learn the skills needed to manage enterprise systems, large-scale computers that process high volume transactions. Since its inception,...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

ICF

Where Mission Meets Technology

“When technology and industry expertise come together, organizations move beyond experimentation to solutions that operate at scale and deliver measurable impact.” For more than five decades, ICF has operated where complexity is highest and outcomes matter most. Across energy, environment, public health, economic development, and beyond, ICF applies advanced analytics,...

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...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TACIT EDGE

Disrupting the ambiguity in Product Management

When Renee Matsalla and Christa Hill first met, they were on the team that would scale a Calgary-based tech startup to global heights. The two women formed an immediate connection through their passion for Product Management and problem-solving, yet in those early days on the team of Benevity — a...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

SSES

ORCHESTRATING A DISCIPLINARY SYMPHONY OF SIX LEADING UNIVERSITIES

The Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES) is an intriguing invention from Sweden’s capital. Much like Stockholm—a city comprised of several islands, each with its distinct character, yet contributing to a cohesive whole—SSES unites six leading universities to create a globally-unique nexus of entrepreneurial education. Established in 1999 with the support...

INNOVATION Quebec

ÉCOFAUNE BORÉALE

CCTT IN ECO-RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION IN THE LEATHER SECTOR, FUR AND RELATED PRODUCTS

Our mission at Écofaune boréale—Cégep de Saint-Félicien’s college centre for the transfer of technology—is to promote the development of innovative social practices through applied research, technological development, technical assistance, knowledge transfer and scientific knowledge dissemination, enabling all socio-economic players in the fur and leather industries to reposition themselves economically in...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

NFT STUDIOS-CHIFIBOTS

NFT STUDIOS-CHIFIBOTS-CREATING A UNIVERSE FOR ENDLESS FUN

CREATING A UNIVERSE FOR ENDLESS FUN

NFT Studios’ primary goal is to build a chain of: games, media, and real life events – based on the colorful characters and universes produced through their debut Play To Earn game “ChiFiBots.” And to also make 100 million players earn 100K USD a year playing our games.   The...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Sticker Builder

Unlocking the Next Frontier

“Mass customization made simple. Creative chaos made scalable.” In today’s experience-driven economy, personalization isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of competitive advantage. Customers expect more than just products; they want creative control, self-expression, and seamless experiences. That’s where Sticker Builder by Antigro Designer, based in Kraków, Poland, comes in. This...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GALAXIS

Reimagining Content Sharing To Make Monetization Better For Everyone

This is the story about a company with such potential, it could become a top 10 startup. A bold claim? Sure! Backed by facts? Stay tuned. It has adventure, love, death, and much, much more. It’s the story about a company with a concept so innovative, its creator accurately predicted...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Maryland Sports Commission

Our focus is ensuring that every event we pursue, leaves a lasting legacy.

When the Maryland Stadium Authority and Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (now the Maryland Department of Commerce) partnered in 2008 to create the Office of Sports Marketing, their goal was bold and unmistakable: position Maryland as an elite destination for sports and a national leader in sports tourism....

INNOVATE® Nashville

IDEMIA

IDEMIA-A twenty-year innovation journey positions Tennessee as the technology backbone of the fingerprinting background check industry

A twenty-year innovation journey positions Tennessee as the technology backbone of the fingerprinting background check industry

In March 1996, Casey Mayfield interviewed with a small biometrics company in Springfield, IL in a stylish business suit she’d purchased for $25 at a secondhand store. She met the owners, was fascinated with the technology, and signed on to be a Fingerprint Technician. She soon met Erik Wolle, who...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC Competes | Palmeto AI Corridor

Advancing AI Excellence Through Research, Collaboration, and Infrastructure

Artificial intelligence is one of SC Competes’ priority “critical technologies” for growing South Carolina’s economy and talent base. With the launch of its Palmetto AI Corridor in 2021, SC Competes acts as a connector and catalyst: we convene industry–academic–government partners, map opportunities and gaps, seed pilot programs, and translate AI...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

NUMIO

IS BUILDING APPLICATIONS TO MAKE CRYPTO FAST, CHEAP, AND SIMPLE. SIMPLE, SECURE, SWIFT AND SEAMLESS

We do this by integrating the latest in cutting edge Layer 2 technologies that allow you to send, swap, and trade your favorite cryptocurrencies instantly and up to 100x cheaper than on Ethereum. You can also show off your BAYC or Crypto Punk NFTs if you want to. By remaining...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAIRE D’EXCELLENCE EN RECHERCHE DU CANADA SUR LES COLLECTIVITÉS ET LES VILLES INTELLIGENTES, DURABLES ET RÉSILIENTES

Nous envisageons les communautés de la prochaine génération comme des environnements à zéro émission, habitables, abordables, équitables et inclusifs

Les communautés à zéro émission nécessitent la décarbonisation des bâtiments, des transports et de l’industrie. L’électrification à grande échelle, la modernisation des bâtiments, l’intégration des énergies renouvelables, le développement de concepts de mobilité durable, la mise en œuvre de solutions industrielles vertes et la transformation des villes dans une optique...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SHORELINK

POWERING THE FUTURE; SHORELINK’S ROLE IN DECARBONIZING GLOBAL PORTS FROM ESTONIA

As the global maritime industry advances toward cleaner, more sustainable operations, Estonia has emerged as a hub of innovation in the decarbonisation of ports. ShoreLink, an Estonian company, has become a trusted provider of advanced shore power and charging solutions for ports and shipping terminals across the world. Shore power...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

NUTRIGMR

NUTRIGMR-TO EQUIP GAMERS WITH “BETTER FOR YOU” PERFORMANCE BACKED BY INNOVATIVE NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE

TO EQUIP GAMERS WITH “BETTER FOR YOU” PERFORMANCE BACKED BY INNOVATIVE NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE

Innovative, science-backed product portfolio with cognitive health ingredients for esport athletes, gamers and streamers to consume before and during games and streams, designed to meet the needs of the gaming community.     Our team started studying esports athletes in 2018 and quickly saw a need to provide a healthy...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Children's Crisis Treatment Center

Creating a sense of hope for children and their families

For more than 50 years, Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC) has played a critical role in supporting the mental and behavioral health of children and families across the Philadelphia region. Each year, the organization serves more than 3,500 children and caregivers, providing care that is grounded in both clinical expertise...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

PRIME CONTROL

REFERENCE FOR INNOVATION IN SOFTWARE TESTING– A VICTORY CELEBRATED AT PARAGON ISG AWARDS BRASIL 2023

Located in the innovative city of Curitiba, Prime Control stands out as a guardian of quality in software testing. With over 15-years of dedicated service, this company has carved out a unique niche, bringing quality and efficiency in to the digital environment. Its team, comprising more than 270 specialists scattered...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

ALTRONIX

ALTRONIX ALTRONIX IS A TECHNOLOGICAL COMPANY SPECIALIZED IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING LABELLING

ALTRONIX IS A TECHNOLOGICAL COMPANY SPECIALIZED IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING LABELLING, BARCODE AND RFID SOLUTIONS IN DIFFERENT MARKETS, SUCH AS HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC SECTOR, LOGISTICS, TRADE AND INDUSTR

Due to our scope of action, we have a key role in the digital transformation of more than 30,000 companies and institutions in Portugal and abroad, and innovation is part of our DNA!   Since the very beginning in 2004, what distinguishes us as a company is undoubtedly the human...

INNOVATION Quebec

OROT

CONNECTED HEALTH INNOVATION HUB

The connected health innovation hub – OROT plays a key role in revolutionizing how health and medical technologies are developed to improve care. Clinicians, researchers, healthcare users and entrepreneurs are challenged to use innovative, human-centred design to create exceptional, lower-cost experiences for healthcare recipients. OROT is part of the Integrated...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE

GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE- The True Definition Of Innovation Can Be Found At GiGi’s Playhouse

The True Definition Of Innovation Can Be Found At GiGi’s Playhouse, Where Changing The World Is In The Palm Of Your Hand

What started in 2003 as a mother’s vision to change the world’s perception of individuals with Down syndrome and create opportunities for her daughter, GiGi, evolved into a global movement of acceptance for all. GiGi’s Playhouse started in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and has catapulted to an entrepreneurial network of 60...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

CareerBeacon

A Human Approach to HR Technology

While the recruitment industry changes faster than ever, CareerBeacon stands apart through a fundamental principle often overlooked in tech innovation: empathy. When Yves Boudreau and co-founder Benoit Bourque acquired CareerBeacon in 2021, they saw more than just a job board – they saw the opportunity to transform how talent connects...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

ZIPPLICITY

FEARLESS FLIGHT

Zipplicity is a New Breed It’s a suitcase in disguise, “un-luggage” if you will. It’s an ingenious innovation for the world of travel. Beginning with Trial and Perseverance Three years of sickness and pain had diminished Amber Waldeier’s existence to very little. Eating and movement caused pain—but responsibilities continued—she struggled...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

IT-oLogy

Promote. Teach. Grow.

USC and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina partnered with IBM in December 2008 to form the Consortium for Enterprise Systems Management. The Consortium was formed in part to encourage young people to learn the skills needed to manage enterprise systems, large-scale computers that process high volume transactions. Since its inception,...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

ICF

Where Mission Meets Technology

“When technology and industry expertise come together, organizations move beyond experimentation to solutions that operate at scale and deliver measurable impact.” For more than five decades, ICF has operated where complexity is highest and outcomes matter most. Across energy, environment, public health, economic development, and beyond, ICF applies advanced analytics,...

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...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

TACIT EDGE

Disrupting the ambiguity in Product Management

When Renee Matsalla and Christa Hill first met, they were on the team that would scale a Calgary-based tech startup to global heights. The two women formed an immediate connection through their passion for Product Management and problem-solving, yet in those early days on the team of Benevity — a...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

SSES

ORCHESTRATING A DISCIPLINARY SYMPHONY OF SIX LEADING UNIVERSITIES

The Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES) is an intriguing invention from Sweden’s capital. Much like Stockholm—a city comprised of several islands, each with its distinct character, yet contributing to a cohesive whole—SSES unites six leading universities to create a globally-unique nexus of entrepreneurial education. Established in 1999 with the support...

INNOVATION Quebec

ÉCOFAUNE BORÉALE

CCTT IN ECO-RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION IN THE LEATHER SECTOR, FUR AND RELATED PRODUCTS

Our mission at Écofaune boréale—Cégep de Saint-Félicien’s college centre for the transfer of technology—is to promote the development of innovative social practices through applied research, technological development, technical assistance, knowledge transfer and scientific knowledge dissemination, enabling all socio-economic players in the fur and leather industries to reposition themselves economically in...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

NFT STUDIOS-CHIFIBOTS

NFT STUDIOS-CHIFIBOTS-CREATING A UNIVERSE FOR ENDLESS FUN

CREATING A UNIVERSE FOR ENDLESS FUN

NFT Studios’ primary goal is to build a chain of: games, media, and real life events – based on the colorful characters and universes produced through their debut Play To Earn game “ChiFiBots.” And to also make 100 million players earn 100K USD a year playing our games.   The...

Global Innovation Spotlight

Sticker Builder

Unlocking the Next Frontier

“Mass customization made simple. Creative chaos made scalable.” In today’s experience-driven economy, personalization isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of competitive advantage. Customers expect more than just products; they want creative control, self-expression, and seamless experiences. That’s where Sticker Builder by Antigro Designer, based in Kraków, Poland, comes in. This...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

GALAXIS

Reimagining Content Sharing To Make Monetization Better For Everyone

This is the story about a company with such potential, it could become a top 10 startup. A bold claim? Sure! Backed by facts? Stay tuned. It has adventure, love, death, and much, much more. It’s the story about a company with a concept so innovative, its creator accurately predicted...

INNOVATE® Maryland

Maryland Sports Commission

Our focus is ensuring that every event we pursue, leaves a lasting legacy.

When the Maryland Stadium Authority and Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (now the Maryland Department of Commerce) partnered in 2008 to create the Office of Sports Marketing, their goal was bold and unmistakable: position Maryland as an elite destination for sports and a national leader in sports tourism....

INNOVATE® Nashville

IDEMIA

IDEMIA-A twenty-year innovation journey positions Tennessee as the technology backbone of the fingerprinting background check industry

A twenty-year innovation journey positions Tennessee as the technology backbone of the fingerprinting background check industry

In March 1996, Casey Mayfield interviewed with a small biometrics company in Springfield, IL in a stylish business suit she’d purchased for $25 at a secondhand store. She met the owners, was fascinated with the technology, and signed on to be a Fingerprint Technician. She soon met Erik Wolle, who...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC Competes | Palmeto AI Corridor

Advancing AI Excellence Through Research, Collaboration, and Infrastructure

Artificial intelligence is one of SC Competes’ priority “critical technologies” for growing South Carolina’s economy and talent base. With the launch of its Palmetto AI Corridor in 2021, SC Competes acts as a connector and catalyst: we convene industry–academic–government partners, map opportunities and gaps, seed pilot programs, and translate AI...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

NUMIO

IS BUILDING APPLICATIONS TO MAKE CRYPTO FAST, CHEAP, AND SIMPLE. SIMPLE, SECURE, SWIFT AND SEAMLESS

We do this by integrating the latest in cutting edge Layer 2 technologies that allow you to send, swap, and trade your favorite cryptocurrencies instantly and up to 100x cheaper than on Ethereum. You can also show off your BAYC or Crypto Punk NFTs if you want to. By remaining...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAIRE D’EXCELLENCE EN RECHERCHE DU CANADA SUR LES COLLECTIVITÉS ET LES VILLES INTELLIGENTES, DURABLES ET RÉSILIENTES

Nous envisageons les communautés de la prochaine génération comme des environnements à zéro émission, habitables, abordables, équitables et inclusifs

Les communautés à zéro émission nécessitent la décarbonisation des bâtiments, des transports et de l’industrie. L’électrification à grande échelle, la modernisation des bâtiments, l’intégration des énergies renouvelables, le développement de concepts de mobilité durable, la mise en œuvre de solutions industrielles vertes et la transformation des villes dans une optique...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

SHORELINK

POWERING THE FUTURE; SHORELINK’S ROLE IN DECARBONIZING GLOBAL PORTS FROM ESTONIA

As the global maritime industry advances toward cleaner, more sustainable operations, Estonia has emerged as a hub of innovation in the decarbonisation of ports. ShoreLink, an Estonian company, has become a trusted provider of advanced shore power and charging solutions for ports and shipping terminals across the world. Shore power...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

NUTRIGMR

NUTRIGMR-TO EQUIP GAMERS WITH “BETTER FOR YOU” PERFORMANCE BACKED BY INNOVATIVE NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE

TO EQUIP GAMERS WITH “BETTER FOR YOU” PERFORMANCE BACKED BY INNOVATIVE NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE

Innovative, science-backed product portfolio with cognitive health ingredients for esport athletes, gamers and streamers to consume before and during games and streams, designed to meet the needs of the gaming community.     Our team started studying esports athletes in 2018 and quickly saw a need to provide a healthy...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

Children's Crisis Treatment Center

Creating a sense of hope for children and their families

For more than 50 years, Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC) has played a critical role in supporting the mental and behavioral health of children and families across the Philadelphia region. Each year, the organization serves more than 3,500 children and caregivers, providing care that is grounded in both clinical expertise...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

PRIME CONTROL

REFERENCE FOR INNOVATION IN SOFTWARE TESTING– A VICTORY CELEBRATED AT PARAGON ISG AWARDS BRASIL 2023

Located in the innovative city of Curitiba, Prime Control stands out as a guardian of quality in software testing. With over 15-years of dedicated service, this company has carved out a unique niche, bringing quality and efficiency in to the digital environment. Its team, comprising more than 270 specialists scattered...

INNOVATE™ Oeiras

ALTRONIX

ALTRONIX ALTRONIX IS A TECHNOLOGICAL COMPANY SPECIALIZED IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING LABELLING

ALTRONIX IS A TECHNOLOGICAL COMPANY SPECIALIZED IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING LABELLING, BARCODE AND RFID SOLUTIONS IN DIFFERENT MARKETS, SUCH AS HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC SECTOR, LOGISTICS, TRADE AND INDUSTR

Due to our scope of action, we have a key role in the digital transformation of more than 30,000 companies and institutions in Portugal and abroad, and innovation is part of our DNA!   Since the very beginning in 2004, what distinguishes us as a company is undoubtedly the human...

INNOVATION Quebec

OROT

CONNECTED HEALTH INNOVATION HUB

The connected health innovation hub – OROT plays a key role in revolutionizing how health and medical technologies are developed to improve care. Clinicians, researchers, healthcare users and entrepreneurs are challenged to use innovative, human-centred design to create exceptional, lower-cost experiences for healthcare recipients. OROT is part of the Integrated...

Ecosystems