Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

HUMAN ROBOTICS

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH SMART ROBOTS

In the heart of Brazil’s technological innovation landscape stands Human Robotics, a company that has distinguished itself as a pioneer in the field of autonomous robotics. Founded by Olivier Smadja, in 2017, a French entrepreneur who has made Brazil his home for over 26 years, Human Robotics is a testament...

INNOVATE® Nashville

SwitchPoint Ventures

We build companies around pioneering technologies.

Our journey began a decade ago, here in Nashville – a city known for creativity and reinvention. That same spirit shaped how we approach innovation: with collaboration, grit, and a builder’s mindset. At SwitchPoint Ventures, we build companies around pioneering technologies – particularly in AI, data science, and digital innovation...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

STARTUP PEOPLE

WIDENING THE GATE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOUNDERS

When Stockholm’s startup scene began to thrive in the early 2010s, it was known for producing unicorns – but also for its fragmentation. Founders often worked in isolation, disconnected from the support, partners, and investors that could help them endure the long, difficult middle miles between idea and success. SUP...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

NAKO TIMEPIECES

NAKO TIMEPIECES- A LUXURY WATCH DESIGNER BRAND WITH HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

A LUXURY WATCH DESIGNER BRAND WITH HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Born and designed in Gaborone, Botswana Nako Timepieces are merging innovation and luxury watchmaking that is proudly rooted in Botswana. BRAND PERSONALITYAn embodiment of Afrocentrism, Tswana origins, selfdiscovery, character and endurance. Having stepped over the line of classic iconic style and into the realm of simplicity — Nako Timepieces identifies...

INNOVATION Quebec

L’I2E3

50 ans d’innovations biosourcées

L’Institut d’Innovations en Écomatériaux, Écoproduits et Écoénergies (I2E3) se veut une entité pluridisciplinaire participant à l’avancement de l’économie biosourcée dans une perspective d’économie verte, circulaire et régionale. L’I2E3 est l’évolution stratégique d’un centre de recherche en pâtes et papiers ayant démarré ses activités à l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières en...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Detroit Opera

Setting the Scene for Opera's Future

Over the last half-century, Detroit Opera—formerly Michigan Opera Theatre—has become a deeply rooted cultural force in a city of innovation and diverse perspectives, presenting programs that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds while positively impacting the local economy. Appointed as the company’s second-ever Artistic Director in 2020, Yuval...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

AMPLE

EMPOWERING CREATORS THROUGH THE TOKENIZATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Ample is building a web3 distribution, streaming and financing infrastructure platform that supports films, shows and music. Tokenizing professional level creative IP, building a distribution network and token ecosystem to support future growth of the $2 trillion global media and entertainment market. The legacy entertainment industry is broken and antiquated....

United Nations Lesotho

WFP

THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

In Lesotho for over 50 years and has programmes and a physical presence at district level. INTRODUCTION: Currently WFP has three field offices located in Mohale’s Hoek, Mokhotlong and Thaba-tseka districts. WFP has ongoing programmes in all the 10 districts of Lesotho: 1) the National School Feeding Programme, implemented in...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

HANINI GROUP

INNOVATING NEWARK’S SKYLINE: HANINI GROUP’S TWO DECADES OF TRANSFORMATIVE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT.

It’s been over two decades since Hanini Group began contributing to Newark’s skyline. Our commitment to restoring and upholding Newark’s historic character is reflected in over $750 million worth of projects successfully delivered. We’ve been a part of this community since 2004 and, through careful restoration and rehabilitation projects, have...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

NEW VALMAR BV

INNOVATION BY AUTOMATION

Our core business is big distribution of baby items in- and outside the EU in a multi-channel setting. That means a lot of requirements by country legal systems and specific customer demands. Customers in more the 45 countries have different needs and requests. They must be reached to be successful....

INNOVATION Quebec

LAVAL INNOV

LAVAL INNOV-Founded in 2018 at the instigation of visionary Laval residents and benefiting from the financial support of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI) and the city of Laval

Founded in 2018 at the instigation of visionary Laval residents and benefiting from the financial support of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI) and the city of Laval, Laval Innov aims to make innovation an essential lever for the sustainable development of Laval

As a Regional Space for Acceleration and Growth (ERAC) in Laval, it aims to stimulate and enhance the appropriation and integration of innovation in the territory, whether through its activities with companies or through the implementation of important structuring projects with a regional scope. Innovate in LavalStrategically positioned north of...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

NATURE'S FYND

NATURE'S FYND-TRANSFORMING HOW THE WORLD EATS WITH FY™

TRANSFORMING HOW THE WORLD EATS WITH FY™, A NEW-TO-THE-WORLD, NUTRITIONAL FUNGI PROTEIN

The story of Nature’s Fynd™ begins millions of years ago, in an acidic hot spring located in what is today Yellowstone National Park when a remarkable microbe was born. In 2009, NASA-backed research on extremophiles led our co-founder to the park’s hot springs. He then isolated and discovered a remarkable...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

LUMIRA VENTURES

LUMIRA VENTURES-CANADA’S PREMIER LIFE SCIENCES VENTURE CAPITAL FIRM

CANADA’S PREMIER LIFE SCIENCES VENTURE CAPITAL FIRM

Lumira Ventures is one of the most active and dynamic healthcare venture capital firms in North America. Our mission is to generate the greatest impact in the healthcare ecosystem through investments in transformative biopharmaceutical and medical device companies across North America. By investing in exceptional entrepreneurs and building transformative life...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

RADICAL VENTURES

RADICAL VENTURES - AN AI-FOCUSED VENTURE CAPITAL FUND INVESTING IN PEOPLE WHO ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HOW WE LIVE

AN AI-FOCUSED VENTURE CAPITAL FUND INVESTING IN PEOPLE WHO ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HOW WE LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

Like Benjamin Franklin knotting a key to a kite in a lightning storm, today’s AI researchers are unlocking technology that is reshaping our world. From quantum neural networks and natural language processing, to AI for drug discovery, the path to future innovations and commercialization is charted by a small subset...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Apple Rose

Apple Rose - Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking

Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking

Apple Rose Beauty is a natural skincare company that creates spa-quality organic beauty products with the tangible mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking. Products are sold on Amazon, at boutiques, and through an e-commerce website with ingredients that are natural, certified organic, and wildcrafted, with a focus...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

BlendedDesigns: Empower. Educate. Elevate.

Blended Designs: Empower. Educate. Elevate.

When shopping for back-to-school supplies, more consumers are turning to online shopping instead of going to the mall. One entrepreneur is looking to encourage young students to become first-generation college graduates with an online shop, BlendedDesigns.com. Encouraging students with backpacks that say, “I can do anything,” founder and CEO Casey...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

UNICEF

POSSIBILITY-DRIVEN, PROBLEM-LED, ACCELERATING PROGRESS FOR THIS AND COMING GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Headquartered in Stockholm and backed by the Government of Sweden, the UNICEF Office of Innovation (OOI) brings together communities, public and private sector partners and collaborators across 190 countries to turn frontier technology and innovative approaches into scalable solutions for global social impact. THE PROBLEM WORTH SOLVING Nearly 5 million...

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

OGILVY

OGILVY-HOW FEARLESS PARTNERSHIPS DRIVE BRAND GROWTH

HOW FEARLESS PARTNERSHIPS DRIVE BRAND GROWTH

BRAVE IDEAS ARE WHAT ENABLES A BRAND TO RELENTLESSLY CAPTURE THE ATTENTION AND LOYALTY OF CONSUMERS.   Creating a partnership based on shared responsibility enables clients and their agencies to build brands that become permanent fixtures in the hearts and minds of consumers. It is a philosophy and way of...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

INTRNLS 

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Intrnls is at the forefront of revolutionizing the carbon capture industry. With a clear focus on producing the world’s most efficient carbon capture filters, Intrnls is not just a company; it’s a transformative force dedicated to addressing one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues – reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide....

INNOVATE® Georgia

CGI

Addressing new energy markets with agility and insight

Changing Demands and the Energy Transition Changing demands and the energy transition are driving utilities to reinvent operations. We help clients continually sense and respond to dynamic change to improve organizational resilience. Modernizing Utilities to Support the Health, Safety, and Economic Productivity of Industries and Communities CGI works across a...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

SHARE FOOD PROGRAM

FOOD IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND HUNGER CAN BE SOLVED

Hunger is solvable, and one organization headquartered in North Philadelphia maintains that they know exactly how. Founded 40 years ago, Share Food Program is the leading hunger-relief organization on food bank in the Greater Philadelphia region. Though food distribution, education, and advocacy, Share serves around 500,000 individuals each month, more...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

THE OLDEST INSTITUTION IN SOUTH CAROLINA REMAINS THE BOLDEST IN EMBRACING INNOVATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

The College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770 and rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, the College of Charleston is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. The College of...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Centrepolis Accelerator

Empowering Hardtech Startups & Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing

Centrepolis Accelerator @ LTU is committed to strengthening supply chain resiliency to drive economic growth and innovation in Michigan. It offers hardtech startups and small to medium-sized manufacturers access to product development services and tailored funding solutions, ensuring they have the resources needed to scale and succeed. Centrepolis Accelerator @LTU’s...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

HUMAN ROBOTICS

SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH SMART ROBOTS

In the heart of Brazil’s technological innovation landscape stands Human Robotics, a company that has distinguished itself as a pioneer in the field of autonomous robotics. Founded by Olivier Smadja, in 2017, a French entrepreneur who has made Brazil his home for over 26 years, Human Robotics is a testament...

INNOVATE® Nashville

SwitchPoint Ventures

We build companies around pioneering technologies.

Our journey began a decade ago, here in Nashville – a city known for creativity and reinvention. That same spirit shaped how we approach innovation: with collaboration, grit, and a builder’s mindset. At SwitchPoint Ventures, we build companies around pioneering technologies – particularly in AI, data science, and digital innovation...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

STARTUP PEOPLE

WIDENING THE GATE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOUNDERS

When Stockholm’s startup scene began to thrive in the early 2010s, it was known for producing unicorns – but also for its fragmentation. Founders often worked in isolation, disconnected from the support, partners, and investors that could help them endure the long, difficult middle miles between idea and success. SUP...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

NAKO TIMEPIECES

NAKO TIMEPIECES- A LUXURY WATCH DESIGNER BRAND WITH HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

A LUXURY WATCH DESIGNER BRAND WITH HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Born and designed in Gaborone, Botswana Nako Timepieces are merging innovation and luxury watchmaking that is proudly rooted in Botswana. BRAND PERSONALITYAn embodiment of Afrocentrism, Tswana origins, selfdiscovery, character and endurance. Having stepped over the line of classic iconic style and into the realm of simplicity — Nako Timepieces identifies...

INNOVATION Quebec

L’I2E3

50 ans d’innovations biosourcées

L’Institut d’Innovations en Écomatériaux, Écoproduits et Écoénergies (I2E3) se veut une entité pluridisciplinaire participant à l’avancement de l’économie biosourcée dans une perspective d’économie verte, circulaire et régionale. L’I2E3 est l’évolution stratégique d’un centre de recherche en pâtes et papiers ayant démarré ses activités à l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières en...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Detroit Opera

Setting the Scene for Opera's Future

Over the last half-century, Detroit Opera—formerly Michigan Opera Theatre—has become a deeply rooted cultural force in a city of innovation and diverse perspectives, presenting programs that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds while positively impacting the local economy. Appointed as the company’s second-ever Artistic Director in 2020, Yuval...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

AMPLE

EMPOWERING CREATORS THROUGH THE TOKENIZATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Ample is building a web3 distribution, streaming and financing infrastructure platform that supports films, shows and music. Tokenizing professional level creative IP, building a distribution network and token ecosystem to support future growth of the $2 trillion global media and entertainment market. The legacy entertainment industry is broken and antiquated....

United Nations Lesotho

WFP

THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

In Lesotho for over 50 years and has programmes and a physical presence at district level. INTRODUCTION: Currently WFP has three field offices located in Mohale’s Hoek, Mokhotlong and Thaba-tseka districts. WFP has ongoing programmes in all the 10 districts of Lesotho: 1) the National School Feeding Programme, implemented in...

INNOVATE® New Jersey Vol.2

HANINI GROUP

INNOVATING NEWARK’S SKYLINE: HANINI GROUP’S TWO DECADES OF TRANSFORMATIVE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT.

It’s been over two decades since Hanini Group began contributing to Newark’s skyline. Our commitment to restoring and upholding Newark’s historic character is reflected in over $750 million worth of projects successfully delivered. We’ve been a part of this community since 2004 and, through careful restoration and rehabilitation projects, have...

INNOVATE™ Flanders

NEW VALMAR BV

INNOVATION BY AUTOMATION

Our core business is big distribution of baby items in- and outside the EU in a multi-channel setting. That means a lot of requirements by country legal systems and specific customer demands. Customers in more the 45 countries have different needs and requests. They must be reached to be successful....

INNOVATION Quebec

LAVAL INNOV

LAVAL INNOV-Founded in 2018 at the instigation of visionary Laval residents and benefiting from the financial support of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI) and the city of Laval

Founded in 2018 at the instigation of visionary Laval residents and benefiting from the financial support of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI) and the city of Laval, Laval Innov aims to make innovation an essential lever for the sustainable development of Laval

As a Regional Space for Acceleration and Growth (ERAC) in Laval, it aims to stimulate and enhance the appropriation and integration of innovation in the territory, whether through its activities with companies or through the implementation of important structuring projects with a regional scope. Innovate in LavalStrategically positioned north of...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

NATURE'S FYND

NATURE'S FYND-TRANSFORMING HOW THE WORLD EATS WITH FY™

TRANSFORMING HOW THE WORLD EATS WITH FY™, A NEW-TO-THE-WORLD, NUTRITIONAL FUNGI PROTEIN

The story of Nature’s Fynd™ begins millions of years ago, in an acidic hot spring located in what is today Yellowstone National Park when a remarkable microbe was born. In 2009, NASA-backed research on extremophiles led our co-founder to the park’s hot springs. He then isolated and discovered a remarkable...

INNOVATE™ Vancouver Vol.2

LUMIRA VENTURES

LUMIRA VENTURES-CANADA’S PREMIER LIFE SCIENCES VENTURE CAPITAL FIRM

CANADA’S PREMIER LIFE SCIENCES VENTURE CAPITAL FIRM

Lumira Ventures is one of the most active and dynamic healthcare venture capital firms in North America. Our mission is to generate the greatest impact in the healthcare ecosystem through investments in transformative biopharmaceutical and medical device companies across North America. By investing in exceptional entrepreneurs and building transformative life...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

RADICAL VENTURES

RADICAL VENTURES - AN AI-FOCUSED VENTURE CAPITAL FUND INVESTING IN PEOPLE WHO ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HOW WE LIVE

AN AI-FOCUSED VENTURE CAPITAL FUND INVESTING IN PEOPLE WHO ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HOW WE LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

Like Benjamin Franklin knotting a key to a kite in a lightning storm, today’s AI researchers are unlocking technology that is reshaping our world. From quantum neural networks and natural language processing, to AI for drug discovery, the path to future innovations and commercialization is charted by a small subset...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Apple Rose

Apple Rose - Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking

Spa-quality organic beauty products with the mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking

Apple Rose Beauty is a natural skincare company that creates spa-quality organic beauty products with the tangible mission of supporting the fight to end human trafficking. Products are sold on Amazon, at boutiques, and through an e-commerce website with ingredients that are natural, certified organic, and wildcrafted, with a focus...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

BlendedDesigns: Empower. Educate. Elevate.

Blended Designs: Empower. Educate. Elevate.

When shopping for back-to-school supplies, more consumers are turning to online shopping instead of going to the mall. One entrepreneur is looking to encourage young students to become first-generation college graduates with an online shop, BlendedDesigns.com. Encouraging students with backpacks that say, “I can do anything,” founder and CEO Casey...

INNOVATE™ Stockholm

UNICEF

POSSIBILITY-DRIVEN, PROBLEM-LED, ACCELERATING PROGRESS FOR THIS AND COMING GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Headquartered in Stockholm and backed by the Government of Sweden, the UNICEF Office of Innovation (OOI) brings together communities, public and private sector partners and collaborators across 190 countries to turn frontier technology and innovative approaches into scalable solutions for global social impact. THE PROBLEM WORTH SOLVING Nearly 5 million...

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

OGILVY

OGILVY-HOW FEARLESS PARTNERSHIPS DRIVE BRAND GROWTH

HOW FEARLESS PARTNERSHIPS DRIVE BRAND GROWTH

BRAVE IDEAS ARE WHAT ENABLES A BRAND TO RELENTLESSLY CAPTURE THE ATTENTION AND LOYALTY OF CONSUMERS.   Creating a partnership based on shared responsibility enables clients and their agencies to build brands that become permanent fixtures in the hearts and minds of consumers. It is a philosophy and way of...

INNOVATE® Milwaukee

INTRNLS 

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Intrnls is at the forefront of revolutionizing the carbon capture industry. With a clear focus on producing the world’s most efficient carbon capture filters, Intrnls is not just a company; it’s a transformative force dedicated to addressing one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues – reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide....

INNOVATE® Georgia

CGI

Addressing new energy markets with agility and insight

Changing Demands and the Energy Transition Changing demands and the energy transition are driving utilities to reinvent operations. We help clients continually sense and respond to dynamic change to improve organizational resilience. Modernizing Utilities to Support the Health, Safety, and Economic Productivity of Industries and Communities CGI works across a...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation

SHARE FOOD PROGRAM

FOOD IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND HUNGER CAN BE SOLVED

Hunger is solvable, and one organization headquartered in North Philadelphia maintains that they know exactly how. Founded 40 years ago, Share Food Program is the leading hunger-relief organization on food bank in the Greater Philadelphia region. Though food distribution, education, and advocacy, Share serves around 500,000 individuals each month, more...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

THE OLDEST INSTITUTION IN SOUTH CAROLINA REMAINS THE BOLDEST IN EMBRACING INNOVATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

The College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770 and rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, the College of Charleston is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. The College of...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Centrepolis Accelerator

Empowering Hardtech Startups & Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing

Centrepolis Accelerator @ LTU is committed to strengthening supply chain resiliency to drive economic growth and innovation in Michigan. It offers hardtech startups and small to medium-sized manufacturers access to product development services and tailored funding solutions, ensuring they have the resources needed to scale and succeed. Centrepolis Accelerator @LTU’s...

Ecosystems