Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ South Africa

WESGRO

WESGRO-THE CAPE TRADE PORTAL

THE CAPE TRADE PORTAL

Building Resilience Builds CompetitivenessWesgro is the official tourism, trade, investment and film promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. It serves as the first point of contact for foreign investors and local companies. In addition, this agency attracts and facilitates national and international investment, works to grow the...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

18LOOP

DEPLOYS VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETS TO KIDS WITH CANCER TO HELP FIGHT THE DISEASE

18Loop deploys advanced virtual reality (VR) headsets to kids with cancer to help them tolerate treatment, recover and thrive. 18Loop has distributed over 100 VR headsets to children with cancer in 32 states.18Loop reaches its children through a partnership with the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO). Virtual reality is vital...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

THE MOLECULAR SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTER (MSRC)

“The spark that can restart Puerto Rico’s Economy, through innovation, collaborations and industrial partnerships”

The MSRC is a 154,000 square feet advanced research facility with laboratories conducting basic and translational biomedical research in the areas of protein structure and dynamics, molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, bio-imaging, pharmacogenetics, and neurosciences. The MSRC is a joint project of the Río Piedras Campus and the Medical Sciences Campus,...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM

SOUTH CAROLINA’S TECHNICAL COLLEGES ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE

In a state known for its industrious spirit and manufacturing strength, the South Carolina Technical College System has quietly – and powerfully – become the engine driving economic growth, workforce transformation, and social mobility. With 16 colleges strategically located across the state, this system isn’t just preparing students for jobs...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

TRIPLE S

TRIPLE S-Pushing the boundaries of healthcare

Pushing the boundaries of healthcare

As a leading healthcare company in Puerto Rico, serving 1 in 3 people, Triple-S seeks to connect people to the health solutions they need, when and where they need them. In 2022, Triple-S launched a long-term initiative to address social isolation and loneliness in Puerto Rico. At its first symposium...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Future of Crypto Payments in E-Commerce

Discover how blockchain innovations, stablecoins, and new regulations are driving crypto adoption by merchants and consumers in e-commerce.

Cryptocurrencies are poised to reshape online retail payments by offering near-instant global transfers and lower fees compared to traditional methods. These advantages appeal to both merchants and consumers: a survey found about 46% of crypto users cite transaction speed and efficiency, and 41% value crypto’s borderless reach. Savvy retailers are...

INNOVATION Quebec

CYBERQUÉBEC

A HUB FOR SPECIALIZED EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN CYBERSECURITY

CyberQuébec is one of 59 college centres for technology transfer (CCTT) in the Synchronex CCTT Network. As part of the Cégep de l’Outaouais, we offer a wide range of cybersecurity services to help SMEs meet the technological challenges of digital security and support the development of a skilled technical workforce....

INNOVATION Quebec

L’INSTITUT QUANTIQUE

DE L’UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE

Créé en 2016, l’Institut quantique (IQ) de l’Université de Sherbrooke réunit plus de 300 scientifiques spécialistes reconnus mondialement en matériaux, information et ingénierie quantiques dans le but d’effectuer des travaux en recherche fondamentale et de développer les technologies quantiques. Que ce soit en matière d’architecture d’ordinateur quantique, de supraconductivité ou...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

IRBV

INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE EN BIOLOGIE VÉGÉTALE

Located in the heart of the Montreal Botanical Garden, the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV) is a non-profit organization resulting from a partnership between the Université de Montréal and the Montreal Botanical Garden (Space for life, City of Montreal). For over 100 years, it has been a center...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

THINK BIG LEADERS

THINK BIG, BUILD FOR SCALE: UNLOCKING INNOVATION AND AI’S POTENTIAL

Sweden and Stockholm must leverage innovation and AI to remain relevant and competitive, and to achieve the values that we believe in. But it’s hard to achieve the scale, speed, and direction that we aim for in a sustainable way. Think Big Leaders helps organizations formulate a strategic direction and...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

BALANCE

BALANCE -SECURES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF DIGITAL ASSETS

SECURES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF DIGITAL ASSETS

Balance is Canada’s largest digital asset custodian. Our solution powers financial services companies such as over-the-counter trading desks, exchanges, lenders, and ATM networks. The assets are kept secure on specialized hardware, kept fully offline in geographically distributed bank grade vaults that are access controlled, monitored, and guarded 24/7. Our internal...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

BAIRD

DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND BEYOND

Founded in 1919 in Milwaukee, Baird’s financial advice and expertise has helped guide clients through changing market cycles and unexpected events across generations. Today, Baird is actively investing in many initiatives throughout Wisconsin to position the state as a center for innovation. These activities are part of the firm’s ongoing...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

BOUNCE HEALTH INNOVATION

AT THE FOREFRONT OF BUILDING THE BURGEONING HEALTH TECH SECTOR IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES, NETWORKS, AND SUPPORT TO ENTREPRENEURS AND INNO

The healthtech sector is reflected through Bounce partner companies like: Since its establishment in 2018, Bounce has been working to accelerate the growth of the health innovation sector in Newfoundland and Labrador(NL). Its humble beginnings stem from local “Hacking Health” events that connected frontline healthcare workers with developers, designers, patients,...

INNOVATE® Seattle

MAVERON

BACKING TRANSFORMATIVE CONSUMERBUSINESSES FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

In the 1990s, Howard Schultz built Starbucks into one of the world’s most iconic consumer businesses. In 1998, after taking Starbucks public, Dan Levitan and Howard founded Maveron. They recognized that digital technologies would integrate into people’s lives in unprecedented ways and that great teams attacking consumer-focused problems would require...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

ELCOGEN

HIGHLY EFFICIENT SOLID OXIDE CELLS AND STACKS FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEMS AND ELECTROLYSERS

Elcogen’s roots trace back to Estonia’s post-independence period in the early 1990s. With the country newly liberated from Soviet rule, Estonia faced a major challenge in reorganizing its energy infrastructure. Energy prices soared, and the need for energy independence became critical. Enn Õunpuu, who had helped establish the Estonian Power...

INNOVATION Quebec

MONTÉRÉGIE ÉCONOMIQUE

L’ÉCOSYSTÈME INNOVANT DE LA MONTÉRÉGIE

Mis en place en 2020, l’Espace régional d’accélération et de croissance de la Montérégie est propulsé par Montérégie Économique, qui regroupe les organismes de développement économique issus des MRC et de l’agglomération de Longueuil. L’OBNL soutient les agents économiques, guide les entreprises vers les services d’accompagnement et d’accélération d’affaires et...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

ESPOSURE

THE GOAL FOR ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS IS TO EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN, ENGAGE AND EMPOWER

“Esposure is connecting esports and education to create opportunities. We are committed to doing our part in building the esports talent pipeline through our Education to Entertainment ecosystem.” — Danny R. Martin Danny R. Martin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Esposure, Inc., a global esports technology company with an...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

MORRO VENTURES

MORRO VENTURES-Is Puerto Rico’s leading early-stage technology investment firm that provides the driving capital behind the young companies and founders that are spearheading innovation on the island.

Is Puerto Rico’s leading early-stage technology investment firm that provides the driving capital behind the young companies and founders that are spearheading innovation on the island.

Launched in 2018, Morro Ventures is Puerto Rico’s first early-stage technology-focused VC fund that invests across Latin America and the Caribbean to capitalize on the robust opportunity set while promoting entrepreneurship on the island. Morro Ventures was founded under the auspices of Advent-Morro Equity Partners, the long-standing premier private equity...

INNOVATION Quebec

Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT)

Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT) is part of the Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance

is part of the Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance, implemented by the ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec in 2018

The organization was created in 2018, following a regional consultation and consensus-building process to establish the proper positioning of the organization. The complementarity of the organization’s mission along with all the partners of the development and innovation ecosystem in the region led to the creation of a new entity in...

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAIRE DIAMENT

HUMANIZING DIGITAL INNOVATION IN MENTAL HEALTH

The DIAMENT Chair is the strategic research chair of UQAM (University of Quebec in Montreal) in design for cybermental health. It is led by Professor Stéphane Vial. Mission and VisionEstablished in January 2020, the DIAMENT Chair is hosted by the School of Design at the University of Quebec in Montreal...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

NVNG

ELEVATING WISCONSIN’S VENTURE SCENE: THE POWER OF NETWORKS UNLEASHED

Wisconsin-based NVNG is a boutique investment advisory firm with a unique superpower: curating connections. Founded by Carrie Thome and Grady Buchanan in 2019, NVNG (Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained) is on a mission to make Wisconsin’s venture ecosystem globally competitive by leveraging the power of strategic networks. “We have the right...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

SPARK

WHERE IDEAS IGNITE IN THE HEART OF KANSAS CITY

When the future of work spilled out of traditional offices and into vibrant spaces where community mattered as much as connectivity, Spark Coworking emerged as a beacon for entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators. Launched in 2016 by The Cordish Companies, Spark has grown into a national network of collaborative workspaces –...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

AIRMATRIX

AIRMATRIX- BUILDS THE WORLD'S MOST PRECISE DRONE ROAD SYSTEMS

BUILDS THE WORLD'S MOST PRECISE DRONE ROAD SYSTEMS

Co-founded by University of Toronto graduates, Bashir Khan, Ayaan Haider and Shayaan Haider in 2018, AirMatrix builds the world’s most precise drone road systems. AirMatrix is innovating at the bleeding edge and is affiliated with Communitech, MaRS, IRAP and DMZ. AirMatrix is a member of Transport Canada’s action team on...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

WESGRO

WESGRO-THE CAPE TRADE PORTAL

THE CAPE TRADE PORTAL

Building Resilience Builds CompetitivenessWesgro is the official tourism, trade, investment and film promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. It serves as the first point of contact for foreign investors and local companies. In addition, this agency attracts and facilitates national and international investment, works to grow the...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

18LOOP

DEPLOYS VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETS TO KIDS WITH CANCER TO HELP FIGHT THE DISEASE

18Loop deploys advanced virtual reality (VR) headsets to kids with cancer to help them tolerate treatment, recover and thrive. 18Loop has distributed over 100 VR headsets to children with cancer in 32 states.18Loop reaches its children through a partnership with the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO). Virtual reality is vital...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

THE MOLECULAR SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTER (MSRC)

“The spark that can restart Puerto Rico’s Economy, through innovation, collaborations and industrial partnerships”

The MSRC is a 154,000 square feet advanced research facility with laboratories conducting basic and translational biomedical research in the areas of protein structure and dynamics, molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, bio-imaging, pharmacogenetics, and neurosciences. The MSRC is a joint project of the Río Piedras Campus and the Medical Sciences Campus,...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SC TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM

SOUTH CAROLINA’S TECHNICAL COLLEGES ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE

In a state known for its industrious spirit and manufacturing strength, the South Carolina Technical College System has quietly – and powerfully – become the engine driving economic growth, workforce transformation, and social mobility. With 16 colleges strategically located across the state, this system isn’t just preparing students for jobs...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

TRIPLE S

TRIPLE S-Pushing the boundaries of healthcare

Pushing the boundaries of healthcare

As a leading healthcare company in Puerto Rico, serving 1 in 3 people, Triple-S seeks to connect people to the health solutions they need, when and where they need them. In 2022, Triple-S launched a long-term initiative to address social isolation and loneliness in Puerto Rico. At its first symposium...

Global Innovation Spotlight

The Future of Crypto Payments in E-Commerce

Discover how blockchain innovations, stablecoins, and new regulations are driving crypto adoption by merchants and consumers in e-commerce.

Cryptocurrencies are poised to reshape online retail payments by offering near-instant global transfers and lower fees compared to traditional methods. These advantages appeal to both merchants and consumers: a survey found about 46% of crypto users cite transaction speed and efficiency, and 41% value crypto’s borderless reach. Savvy retailers are...

INNOVATION Quebec

CYBERQUÉBEC

A HUB FOR SPECIALIZED EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN CYBERSECURITY

CyberQuébec is one of 59 college centres for technology transfer (CCTT) in the Synchronex CCTT Network. As part of the Cégep de l’Outaouais, we offer a wide range of cybersecurity services to help SMEs meet the technological challenges of digital security and support the development of a skilled technical workforce....

INNOVATION Quebec

L’INSTITUT QUANTIQUE

DE L’UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE

Créé en 2016, l’Institut quantique (IQ) de l’Université de Sherbrooke réunit plus de 300 scientifiques spécialistes reconnus mondialement en matériaux, information et ingénierie quantiques dans le but d’effectuer des travaux en recherche fondamentale et de développer les technologies quantiques. Que ce soit en matière d’architecture d’ordinateur quantique, de supraconductivité ou...

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...

INNOVATION Quebec

IRBV

INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE EN BIOLOGIE VÉGÉTALE

Located in the heart of the Montreal Botanical Garden, the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV) is a non-profit organization resulting from a partnership between the Université de Montréal and the Montreal Botanical Garden (Space for life, City of Montreal). For over 100 years, it has been a center...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

THINK BIG LEADERS

THINK BIG, BUILD FOR SCALE: UNLOCKING INNOVATION AND AI’S POTENTIAL

Sweden and Stockholm must leverage innovation and AI to remain relevant and competitive, and to achieve the values that we believe in. But it’s hard to achieve the scale, speed, and direction that we aim for in a sustainable way. Think Big Leaders helps organizations formulate a strategic direction and...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

BALANCE

BALANCE -SECURES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF DIGITAL ASSETS

SECURES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF DIGITAL ASSETS

Balance is Canada’s largest digital asset custodian. Our solution powers financial services companies such as over-the-counter trading desks, exchanges, lenders, and ATM networks. The assets are kept secure on specialized hardware, kept fully offline in geographically distributed bank grade vaults that are access controlled, monitored, and guarded 24/7. Our internal...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

BAIRD

DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND BEYOND

Founded in 1919 in Milwaukee, Baird’s financial advice and expertise has helped guide clients through changing market cycles and unexpected events across generations. Today, Baird is actively investing in many initiatives throughout Wisconsin to position the state as a center for innovation. These activities are part of the firm’s ongoing...

INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada

BOUNCE HEALTH INNOVATION

AT THE FOREFRONT OF BUILDING THE BURGEONING HEALTH TECH SECTOR IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES, NETWORKS, AND SUPPORT TO ENTREPRENEURS AND INNO

The healthtech sector is reflected through Bounce partner companies like: Since its establishment in 2018, Bounce has been working to accelerate the growth of the health innovation sector in Newfoundland and Labrador(NL). Its humble beginnings stem from local “Hacking Health” events that connected frontline healthcare workers with developers, designers, patients,...

INNOVATE® Seattle

MAVERON

BACKING TRANSFORMATIVE CONSUMERBUSINESSES FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

In the 1990s, Howard Schultz built Starbucks into one of the world’s most iconic consumer businesses. In 1998, after taking Starbucks public, Dan Levitan and Howard founded Maveron. They recognized that digital technologies would integrate into people’s lives in unprecedented ways and that great teams attacking consumer-focused problems would require...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

ELCOGEN

HIGHLY EFFICIENT SOLID OXIDE CELLS AND STACKS FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEMS AND ELECTROLYSERS

Elcogen’s roots trace back to Estonia’s post-independence period in the early 1990s. With the country newly liberated from Soviet rule, Estonia faced a major challenge in reorganizing its energy infrastructure. Energy prices soared, and the need for energy independence became critical. Enn Õunpuu, who had helped establish the Estonian Power...

INNOVATION Quebec

MONTÉRÉGIE ÉCONOMIQUE

L’ÉCOSYSTÈME INNOVANT DE LA MONTÉRÉGIE

Mis en place en 2020, l’Espace régional d’accélération et de croissance de la Montérégie est propulsé par Montérégie Économique, qui regroupe les organismes de développement économique issus des MRC et de l’agglomération de Longueuil. L’OBNL soutient les agents économiques, guide les entreprises vers les services d’accompagnement et d’accélération d’affaires et...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

ESPOSURE

THE GOAL FOR ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS IS TO EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN, ENGAGE AND EMPOWER

“Esposure is connecting esports and education to create opportunities. We are committed to doing our part in building the esports talent pipeline through our Education to Entertainment ecosystem.” — Danny R. Martin Danny R. Martin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Esposure, Inc., a global esports technology company with an...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

MORRO VENTURES

MORRO VENTURES-Is Puerto Rico’s leading early-stage technology investment firm that provides the driving capital behind the young companies and founders that are spearheading innovation on the island.

Is Puerto Rico’s leading early-stage technology investment firm that provides the driving capital behind the young companies and founders that are spearheading innovation on the island.

Launched in 2018, Morro Ventures is Puerto Rico’s first early-stage technology-focused VC fund that invests across Latin America and the Caribbean to capitalize on the robust opportunity set while promoting entrepreneurship on the island. Morro Ventures was founded under the auspices of Advent-Morro Equity Partners, the long-standing premier private equity...

INNOVATION Quebec

Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT)

Espace d’accélération et de croissance de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (EACAT) is part of the Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance

is part of the Espaces régionaux d’accélération et de croissance, implemented by the ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec in 2018

The organization was created in 2018, following a regional consultation and consensus-building process to establish the proper positioning of the organization. The complementarity of the organization’s mission along with all the partners of the development and innovation ecosystem in the region led to the creation of a new entity in...

INNOVATION Quebec

CHAIRE DIAMENT

HUMANIZING DIGITAL INNOVATION IN MENTAL HEALTH

The DIAMENT Chair is the strategic research chair of UQAM (University of Quebec in Montreal) in design for cybermental health. It is led by Professor Stéphane Vial. Mission and VisionEstablished in January 2020, the DIAMENT Chair is hosted by the School of Design at the University of Quebec in Montreal...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

NVNG

ELEVATING WISCONSIN’S VENTURE SCENE: THE POWER OF NETWORKS UNLEASHED

Wisconsin-based NVNG is a boutique investment advisory firm with a unique superpower: curating connections. Founded by Carrie Thome and Grady Buchanan in 2019, NVNG (Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained) is on a mission to make Wisconsin’s venture ecosystem globally competitive by leveraging the power of strategic networks. “We have the right...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

SPARK

WHERE IDEAS IGNITE IN THE HEART OF KANSAS CITY

When the future of work spilled out of traditional offices and into vibrant spaces where community mattered as much as connectivity, Spark Coworking emerged as a beacon for entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators. Launched in 2016 by The Cordish Companies, Spark has grown into a national network of collaborative workspaces –...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

AIRMATRIX

AIRMATRIX- BUILDS THE WORLD'S MOST PRECISE DRONE ROAD SYSTEMS

BUILDS THE WORLD'S MOST PRECISE DRONE ROAD SYSTEMS

Co-founded by University of Toronto graduates, Bashir Khan, Ayaan Haider and Shayaan Haider in 2018, AirMatrix builds the world’s most precise drone road systems. AirMatrix is innovating at the bleeding edge and is affiliated with Communitech, MaRS, IRAP and DMZ. AirMatrix is a member of Transport Canada’s action team on...

Ecosystems