Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® South Florida

BDB - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

PALM BEACH COUNTY’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION: A NEW ERA OF GROWTH AND INNOVATION

Since 2020, Palm Beach County has undergone a significant economic shift, diversifying beyond its traditional strongholds in agriculture, construction, and tourism. While these sectors remain essential, a recent study highlights the emergence of three key industries: Finance, Life Sciences/Healthcare, and Corporate Headquarters. This shift has been driven by intentional efforts...

INNOVATE® Miami

Startup Safari Miami

Startup Safari Miami - An adventure into one of the fastest-growing startup hotspots in the Americas

An adventure into one of the fastest-growing startup hotspots in the Americas

Multi-day, Unconference that brings together startups and early-stage entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, service providers, accelerator programs, in a multi-venue to experience the city’s local startup ecosystem including a startup competition. DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE SELF AND GET EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE BEST STARTUPS AND TECH COMPANIES IN MIAMI. Startup SAFARI...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

KLABIN IN PARANÁ

ROOTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

The largest producer and exporter of paper for packaging and sustainable solutions in paper packaging in Brazil, Klabin is a protagonist in a history characterized by innovation and a commitment with sustainable development. Founded in 1899, the Company stands out as the only one in Brazil offering solutions in softwood,...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

MILI

LEADS THE BRAZILIAN TISSUE SECTOR WITH INNOVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT AND QUALITY PRODUCTS

With a 40-year legacy, Mili stands out as the leading 100% Brazilian manufacturer in the tissue sector. Headquartered in Curitiba since 1983, a city recognized as the most intelligent in the world by the World Smart City Awards, the synergy between Mili’s innovative mindset and the proactive and favourable environment...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

NORTAL

THE FUTURE DELIVERED. SEAMLESSLY.

THE FUTURE DELIVERED. SEAMLESSLY. Founded in 2000, Nortal has established itself as a global leader in digital transformation, blending local expertise with an international footprint. As an employee-owned company operating across 26 offices worldwide, Nortal partners with some of the world’s most impactful organizations and governments, architecting a future defined...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

TECHSTARS TORONTO ACCELERATOR

TECHSTARS TORONTO ACCELERATOR- Is The Worldwide Network That Helps Entrepreneurs Succeed

Is The Worldwide Network That Helps Entrepreneurs Succeed

For the past 15 years, Techstars has been running 3-month tech accelerators across the world. Names such as SendGrid, Digital Ocean, Latch, Classpass, Remitly and Kepler Aerospace are some of the 3000 alumni companies to have graduated from a Techstars program.   For 5 years Techstars has operated in Toronto....

INNOVATION Quebec

CTS

QUEBEC’S MOST SPECIALIZED HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY GROWTH ACCELERATOR

The Health Technology Catalyst (CTS), founded in 2008 as a not-for-profit organization, is an à la carte growth accelerator which responds to the challenges and needs of each startup. Its mission: catalyze the growth of life sciences startups, particularly in medical technology and digital health, by offering customized acceleration services....

INNOVATION Quebec

FINTECH MONTRÉAL

“THE QUEBEC FINTECH INDUSTRY IS THRIVING. WITH THE LARGEST FINTECH HUB IN CANADA AND THE FINTECH CANADA FORUM, A MAJOR ANNUAL INDUSTRY GATHERING, THE STAGE IS SET FOR INNOVATION TO MEET THE REAL NEEDS OF A TRANSFORMING INDUSTRY.” Sebastian Boisjoly, vice-président, FinTech et Innovations technologiques, Finance Montréal Financial technologies (FinTech)...

INNOVATE® South Florida

LOCALITY BANK

BANKING REINVENTED FOR SOUTH FLORIDA’S ENTREPRENEURS

BANKING REINVENTED FOR SOUTH FLORIDA’S ENTREPRENEURS Empowering Local Businesses to Maximize Their Potential In Fort Lauderdale, a new kind of community bank is reshaping what it means to trust your banker. Locality Bank, founded in 2021 by Keith Costello, Drew Saito, and Corey LeBlanc, is on a mission to serve...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

SERTIFI

Sertifi- Our Mission Is To Help The World Finalize Business Faster By Removing Friction During The Agreement Process

Our Mission Is To Help The World Finalize Business Faster By Removing Friction During The Agreement Process

Our solution offers a platform that accelerates the process of collaborating on agreements, signing contracts utilizing electronic signatures and providing the easiest, most convenient way to pay. We may have finally replaced the fax machine and are swiftly on our way to automating many of the redundant and repetitive tasks...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Sparkle & Sabre

Sparkle & Sabre - Fashion and Jewellery That Boost Wearers’ Sense of Security and Well-Being

Fashion and Jewellery That Boost Wearers’ Sense of Security and Well-Being

ELEVATOR PITCH “Every woman deserves to feel beautiful; every woman deserves to feel safe; every woman deserves to feel happy.” is the motto at Sparkle & Sabre, a small jewelry company specializing in stylish pieces that boost wearers’ sense of security and well-being. With a majority of available self-defense products...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

BLOCKCHAIN CENTER

MIAMI – A CENTRAL PLACE FOR BUILDING THE DECENTRALIZED FUTURE

When the Blockchain Center opened its doors, it marked a defining moment in the history of Miami’s Tech Scene. From the beginning, the vision of the blockchain center was to make Miami the crypto capital of the Americas and educate the masses. It was a physical location that became a...

INNOVATE® South Florida

Miami Dade College

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT There’s a tech revolution happening in the heart of Miami. It’s being fueled by big thinkers, risk-taking entrepreneurs, public and private supporters. And alongside them at the grown-up’s table: Miami Dade College. Long acknowledged as one of the nation’s biggest and most diverse institutions of...

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™ Botswana Vol.1

V.I FITNESS

V.I FITNESS: YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

V.I FITNESS IS A HOLISTIC FITNESS COMPANY FOUNDED BY COUSINS COLO TLHONG & LEBOGANG MOIPOAI, AS TEENS THEY BOTH HAD A STRONG DRIVE TO STAY ACTIVE  CHALLENGE THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ALBEIT IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS. Lebogang was a multi-sport athlete who would try any and every sport; basketball, football, rugby...

INNOVATION Quebec

CÉPROCQ

Since 2000, CÉPROCQ has positioned itself as a technological showcase on a pilot scale for extraction and separation processes in the fields of bio-industrial and environmental technologies

Thus, the CÉPROCQ, early on, based its strategic priorities on green chemistry and sustainable development, which have now become essential to the growth of the industry. The CÉPROCQ is one of the few centers in Quebec, or even in Canada, to offer a research infrastructure on a pilot scale, thereby...

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® Georgia

OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

GREAT THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

Despite being one of the smallest technical colleges in the state, Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) has carved out a significant niche in the educational landscape of Georgia, standing as a beacon of technical education and workforce development. Under the forward-thinking leadership of Lori Durden, the college’s president since 2016, OTC...

INNOVATION Quebec

VECTOR INSTITUTE

VECTOR INSTITUTE-CONNECTING ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY TO ADVANCE RESEARCH AND ACCELERATE RESPONSIBLE ADOPTION OF AI

CONNECTING ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY TO ADVANCE RESEARCH AND ACCELERATE RESPONSIBLE ADOPTION OF AI

As the city where Geoffrey Hinton pioneered deep learning, Toronto has deep roots in artificial intelligence research. The Vector Institute amplifies and leverages this strength in fundamental research for Ontario’s economic benefit by smoothing the path from lab discovery to commercial use.   With marquee facilities for collaboration, Vector hosts...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HKLM

HKLM - BLAZING A TRAIL FOR AFRICAN BRANDING

BLAZING A TRAIL FOR AFRICAN BRANDING

“Nineteen years ago, Gary Harwood and I were assigned to a project in Lagos, Nigeria, by the large multinational for which we were working. On the evening of the first day of the project, we sat in the hotel bar enjoying an ice-cold local beer and wondered, what on Earth...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

THE GIFT PLACE

THE TRUE VALUE OF A GIFT IS THE SENTIMENT BEHIND THE GIFTING

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...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

DMG EVENTS

INNOVATING THE BUSINESS OF FACE-TO-FACE EVENTS , THE GLOBAL EXHIBITIONS INDUSTRY IS OF KEY ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND IS BY NO MEANS AN INSIGNIFICANT BUSINESS

Worldwide there are approximately 32 000 exhibitions each year, featuring 4.5 million exhibiting companies and attracting over 303 million visitors....

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

HEY LISTEN GAMES

HEY LISTEN GAMES-Teaching With Video Games

Teaching With Video Games

Hey Listen Games was born out of my passion for gaming and my desire to find ways to best teach my students. I teach at Ellis Preparatory Academy, a public high school in New York City dedicated to a one hundred percent immigrant and ENL (English as a New Language)...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

BOW VALLEY COLLEGE

TRANSFORMING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Bow Valley College has been an access college since 1965, earning a reputation for fast-paced programs that quickly respond to the practical needs of adult students and our economy. On May 16, 2023, the College launched a new Digital Strategy, which outlines how technology will enhance the student experience, improve...

INNOVATE® South Florida

BDB - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

PALM BEACH COUNTY’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION: A NEW ERA OF GROWTH AND INNOVATION

Since 2020, Palm Beach County has undergone a significant economic shift, diversifying beyond its traditional strongholds in agriculture, construction, and tourism. While these sectors remain essential, a recent study highlights the emergence of three key industries: Finance, Life Sciences/Healthcare, and Corporate Headquarters. This shift has been driven by intentional efforts...

INNOVATE® Miami

Startup Safari Miami

Startup Safari Miami - An adventure into one of the fastest-growing startup hotspots in the Americas

An adventure into one of the fastest-growing startup hotspots in the Americas

Multi-day, Unconference that brings together startups and early-stage entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, service providers, accelerator programs, in a multi-venue to experience the city’s local startup ecosystem including a startup competition. DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE SELF AND GET EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE BEST STARTUPS AND TECH COMPANIES IN MIAMI. Startup SAFARI...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

KLABIN IN PARANÁ

ROOTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

The largest producer and exporter of paper for packaging and sustainable solutions in paper packaging in Brazil, Klabin is a protagonist in a history characterized by innovation and a commitment with sustainable development. Founded in 1899, the Company stands out as the only one in Brazil offering solutions in softwood,...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

MILI

LEADS THE BRAZILIAN TISSUE SECTOR WITH INNOVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT AND QUALITY PRODUCTS

With a 40-year legacy, Mili stands out as the leading 100% Brazilian manufacturer in the tissue sector. Headquartered in Curitiba since 1983, a city recognized as the most intelligent in the world by the World Smart City Awards, the synergy between Mili’s innovative mindset and the proactive and favourable environment...

INNOVATE™ Estonia

NORTAL

THE FUTURE DELIVERED. SEAMLESSLY.

THE FUTURE DELIVERED. SEAMLESSLY. Founded in 2000, Nortal has established itself as a global leader in digital transformation, blending local expertise with an international footprint. As an employee-owned company operating across 26 offices worldwide, Nortal partners with some of the world’s most impactful organizations and governments, architecting a future defined...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

TECHSTARS TORONTO ACCELERATOR

TECHSTARS TORONTO ACCELERATOR- Is The Worldwide Network That Helps Entrepreneurs Succeed

Is The Worldwide Network That Helps Entrepreneurs Succeed

For the past 15 years, Techstars has been running 3-month tech accelerators across the world. Names such as SendGrid, Digital Ocean, Latch, Classpass, Remitly and Kepler Aerospace are some of the 3000 alumni companies to have graduated from a Techstars program.   For 5 years Techstars has operated in Toronto....

INNOVATION Quebec

CTS

QUEBEC’S MOST SPECIALIZED HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY GROWTH ACCELERATOR

The Health Technology Catalyst (CTS), founded in 2008 as a not-for-profit organization, is an à la carte growth accelerator which responds to the challenges and needs of each startup. Its mission: catalyze the growth of life sciences startups, particularly in medical technology and digital health, by offering customized acceleration services....

INNOVATION Quebec

FINTECH MONTRÉAL

“THE QUEBEC FINTECH INDUSTRY IS THRIVING. WITH THE LARGEST FINTECH HUB IN CANADA AND THE FINTECH CANADA FORUM, A MAJOR ANNUAL INDUSTRY GATHERING, THE STAGE IS SET FOR INNOVATION TO MEET THE REAL NEEDS OF A TRANSFORMING INDUSTRY.” Sebastian Boisjoly, vice-président, FinTech et Innovations technologiques, Finance Montréal Financial technologies (FinTech)...

INNOVATE® South Florida

LOCALITY BANK

BANKING REINVENTED FOR SOUTH FLORIDA’S ENTREPRENEURS

BANKING REINVENTED FOR SOUTH FLORIDA’S ENTREPRENEURS Empowering Local Businesses to Maximize Their Potential In Fort Lauderdale, a new kind of community bank is reshaping what it means to trust your banker. Locality Bank, founded in 2021 by Keith Costello, Drew Saito, and Corey LeBlanc, is on a mission to serve...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

SERTIFI

Sertifi- Our Mission Is To Help The World Finalize Business Faster By Removing Friction During The Agreement Process

Our Mission Is To Help The World Finalize Business Faster By Removing Friction During The Agreement Process

Our solution offers a platform that accelerates the process of collaborating on agreements, signing contracts utilizing electronic signatures and providing the easiest, most convenient way to pay. We may have finally replaced the fax machine and are swiftly on our way to automating many of the redundant and repetitive tasks...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Sparkle & Sabre

Sparkle & Sabre - Fashion and Jewellery That Boost Wearers’ Sense of Security and Well-Being

Fashion and Jewellery That Boost Wearers’ Sense of Security and Well-Being

ELEVATOR PITCH “Every woman deserves to feel beautiful; every woman deserves to feel safe; every woman deserves to feel happy.” is the motto at Sparkle & Sabre, a small jewelry company specializing in stylish pieces that boost wearers’ sense of security and well-being. With a majority of available self-defense products...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

BLOCKCHAIN CENTER

MIAMI – A CENTRAL PLACE FOR BUILDING THE DECENTRALIZED FUTURE

When the Blockchain Center opened its doors, it marked a defining moment in the history of Miami’s Tech Scene. From the beginning, the vision of the blockchain center was to make Miami the crypto capital of the Americas and educate the masses. It was a physical location that became a...

INNOVATE® South Florida

Miami Dade College

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

LEADING INNOVATION IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT There’s a tech revolution happening in the heart of Miami. It’s being fueled by big thinkers, risk-taking entrepreneurs, public and private supporters. And alongside them at the grown-up’s table: Miami Dade College. Long acknowledged as one of the nation’s biggest and most diverse institutions of...

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™ Botswana Vol.1

V.I FITNESS

V.I FITNESS: YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

YOUR HEALTH PARTNER

V.I FITNESS IS A HOLISTIC FITNESS COMPANY FOUNDED BY COUSINS COLO TLHONG & LEBOGANG MOIPOAI, AS TEENS THEY BOTH HAD A STRONG DRIVE TO STAY ACTIVE  CHALLENGE THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS ALBEIT IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS. Lebogang was a multi-sport athlete who would try any and every sport; basketball, football, rugby...

INNOVATION Quebec

CÉPROCQ

Since 2000, CÉPROCQ has positioned itself as a technological showcase on a pilot scale for extraction and separation processes in the fields of bio-industrial and environmental technologies

Thus, the CÉPROCQ, early on, based its strategic priorities on green chemistry and sustainable development, which have now become essential to the growth of the industry. The CÉPROCQ is one of the few centers in Quebec, or even in Canada, to offer a research infrastructure on a pilot scale, thereby...

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® Georgia

OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

GREAT THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

Despite being one of the smallest technical colleges in the state, Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) has carved out a significant niche in the educational landscape of Georgia, standing as a beacon of technical education and workforce development. Under the forward-thinking leadership of Lori Durden, the college’s president since 2016, OTC...

INNOVATION Quebec

VECTOR INSTITUTE

VECTOR INSTITUTE-CONNECTING ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY TO ADVANCE RESEARCH AND ACCELERATE RESPONSIBLE ADOPTION OF AI

CONNECTING ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY TO ADVANCE RESEARCH AND ACCELERATE RESPONSIBLE ADOPTION OF AI

As the city where Geoffrey Hinton pioneered deep learning, Toronto has deep roots in artificial intelligence research. The Vector Institute amplifies and leverages this strength in fundamental research for Ontario’s economic benefit by smoothing the path from lab discovery to commercial use.   With marquee facilities for collaboration, Vector hosts...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HKLM

HKLM - BLAZING A TRAIL FOR AFRICAN BRANDING

BLAZING A TRAIL FOR AFRICAN BRANDING

“Nineteen years ago, Gary Harwood and I were assigned to a project in Lagos, Nigeria, by the large multinational for which we were working. On the evening of the first day of the project, we sat in the hotel bar enjoying an ice-cold local beer and wondered, what on Earth...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

THE GIFT PLACE

THE TRUE VALUE OF A GIFT IS THE SENTIMENT BEHIND THE GIFTING

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...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

DMG EVENTS

INNOVATING THE BUSINESS OF FACE-TO-FACE EVENTS , THE GLOBAL EXHIBITIONS INDUSTRY IS OF KEY ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE AND IS BY NO MEANS AN INSIGNIFICANT BUSINESS

Worldwide there are approximately 32 000 exhibitions each year, featuring 4.5 million exhibiting companies and attracting over 303 million visitors....

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

HEY LISTEN GAMES

HEY LISTEN GAMES-Teaching With Video Games

Teaching With Video Games

Hey Listen Games was born out of my passion for gaming and my desire to find ways to best teach my students. I teach at Ellis Preparatory Academy, a public high school in New York City dedicated to a one hundred percent immigrant and ENL (English as a New Language)...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

BOW VALLEY COLLEGE

TRANSFORMING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Bow Valley College has been an access college since 1965, earning a reputation for fast-paced programs that quickly respond to the practical needs of adult students and our economy. On May 16, 2023, the College launched a new Digital Strategy, which outlines how technology will enhance the student experience, improve...

Ecosystems