Thought Leaders
INNOVATE® Minnesota
Reed Robinson
Founder - BETA
Nearly 150 years ago, General Cadwallader Washburn and Charles Pillsbury set up mills along the Mississippi, introducing scalable food-processing and global food distribution. A short time later, William Worrall Mayo moved to Rochester, and with the help of his two sons and the Sisters of Saint Francis, they would invent...
AI Québec
GILLES SAVARD
DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL -IVADO
Moteur d’innovation, les données sont au cœur de la transformation numérique qui s’impose partout. Liées à plusieurs technologies numériques habilitantes arrivant à maturité dont, l’infonuagique, l’internet des objets, le 5G, le 3D, la réalité augmentée, la robotique, etc., ces données et leur valorisation par l’analytique sont les véritables activateurs de...
VOICES of the Future
DR. MARK ESPOSITO
BEYOND THE HORIZON
Dr. Mark Esposito is a luminary at the intersection of economics, strategy, and the future. In our conversation, he unfolds our future, offering an insightful exploration into the themes of technological transformation, human-centric systems, and the architecture of tomorrow’s global systems. As a distinguished figure in the discourse of the...
INNOVATE® San Diego Vol.1
Adversity Is a Leadership SuperpowerA leader is forged through the trials and tribulations of life. And when faced with negative influences, instead of giving into personal doubt and insecurities, leaders demonstrate the qualities of resiliency, passion, and authenticity enabling them to overcome the challenges of life empowering them to reach...
INNOVATE™ Estonia
INDREK TULP
BOARD MEMBER AND HEAD OF THE COMPANY’S APPLIED RESEARCH CENTER, METROSERT.
If I had to distil my years in science, innovation and entrepreneurship into a single lesson, it would be this: real progress happens at the intersection of curiosity and practical need. My journey — from analysing heavy metals in water samples as a young chemist to establishing Estonia’s Applied Research...
INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1
FRANCISCO PEDRO PRESAS PINTO DE BALSEMÃO
CEO OF IMPRESA
I was born in 1980, I’m married and a proud father of three young children. I joined Impresa in 2009 and became CEO in 2016. My background is in Law (Lisbon and Oxford) and I undertook several international post-grad management courses. I also had a brief spell at the Portuguese...
INNOVATE® Tampa Bay Vol.3
ERIC R. POLINS
MANAGING PARTNER
Businesses have focused on traditional methods of communications and marketing to spread their message to their customers. But those models have shifted and the pace at which communications is now delivered has accelerated to break-neck speeds. It’s easy for a company’s message to get lost amid all the chatter that...
INNOVATE™ Toronto
SUNIL SHARMA
MANAGING DIRECTOR, TECHSTARS TORONTO
The modern entrepreneur is truly global and the desire to move across the world in pursuit of creating the next billion-dollar tech startup has never been more real. With the onset of remote work, global mobility has become more desirable. The onus is on countries to make themselves more attractive...
INNOVATE® Minnesota
Adam Coyle
CEO - Digital River
Growth leaders like to talk about the concept of “hockey-sticking” – when a company’s product really catches fire in the market, and its revenue growth chart suddenly shoots upward, resembling a hockey stick. It’s a great analogy for a company from Minnesota, and it’s something Digital River knows well. From...
INNOVATE™ Stockholm
CAROLINA LAHDO & FARIDEH WALLQVIST
CO-FOUNDERS, WIB CAPITAL
WiB Capital is a Stockholm-based ecosystem and platform designed to strengthen how early-stage founders and investors meet—through community, visibility, and clearer decision-making. It began with a small observation in a coworking office: people shared space, but rarely spoke. So we made a rule, say hi to everyone new who walks...
INNOVATE® Maryland
RICH BENDIS
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT, AND CEO, BIOHEALTH INNOVATION, INC. (BHI)
Conversations about innovation happen constantly, yet execution rarely receives the same attention. Breakthrough research can capture headlines, attract investment, and signal scientific progress, yet discovery alone rarely builds industries or creates lasting economic growth. The hard work continues after the breakthrough, when ideas must leave the laboratory and prove themselves...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
MEAGAN KAY-FOWLOW
CO. INNOVATION CENTRE, PRESIDENT
LEADERS BY DESIGN: The Innovation Mindset of Newfoundland and Labrador Meagan Kay-Fowlow, President, Co. Innovation Centre As a proud Newfoundlander and Labradorian, I’ve always believed that innovation isn’t just something we do— it’s embedded in who we are. Our history and culture have been shaped by the challenges of living...
INNOVATE® Blockchain
TRINIDAD HERMIDA, FOUNDER
THE HERMIDA COMPANY
Parents and guardians, hear me! You play an essential role in developing and guiding our youth/young adults of this generation and the generations to come. I know this is not rocket science or new information, but I wanted to be as blatant as possible with my intentions for the next...
INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition
VICTOR HOSKINS
PRESIDENT & CEO, FAIRFAX COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Embracing the fast-paced technological transformation before us, we know that innovation is not just about having the brightest ideas or the most advanced technology. It is about cultivating an ecosystem where transformative ideas can flourish and where technology meets skilled hands and minds prepared to wield it. Fairfax County is...
Global Innovation Spotlight
VERI OSVALD
CEO OF SMARTHEAD
As CEO of SmartHead, Veri is responsible for fulfilling the vision, strategy, leadership, and sustainable business growth. She has represented SmartHead at the Chivas Venture Competition in Los Angeles and has also attended Accelerator at the University of Oxford. In 2018, Veri was part of the Forbes Top 10 Women...
INNOVATION Quebec
FRANÇOIS GAGNON
DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL ET CHEF DE LA DIRECTION, ÉCOLE DE TECHNOLOGIE SUPÉRIEURE (ÉTS)
J’ai fait mes débuts comme professeur à l’École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) en 1991. Au cours de mon parcours en enseignement, en bâtissant ma carrière en recherche et, depuis 2019, en tant que directeur général de l’ÉTS, j’ai pu apprécier à quel point notre établissement a su s’imposer comme un...
INNOVATE™ Oeiras
Pedro Rodrigues
Director-General, Desafio Global – Events And Activation Experience And Go Live – Digital Events
This “Life of Events” that I chose and am very proud of is in no way a normal life. A professional in this area is not just a service provider. I sincerely believe that most of us view each event as nothing less than a mission that transcends schedules, other...
INNOVATE™ Atlantic Canada
SEAN FAHEY
CEO AT VIDCRUITER
The Future of HR: Embracing Technology Without Losing the Human Touch In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, HR stands at a crossroads. The integration of advanced technologies into our processes is no longer optional—it’s essential for attracting, retaining, and nurturing top talent. As leaders, we have an opportunity to shape...
INNOVATE® Puerto Rico
NERMA ALBERTORIO BARNÉS
CO-FOUNDER CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Puerto Rico, the unincorporated US territory, has been the focus of the public eye due to a very controversial bankruptcy, escalating debt, a category 5 hurricane, and one of the lowest economies in the United States. However, Puerto Rico has a lot to offer, and much work needs to be...
INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath
Ben Shorrock
TechSPARK – Managing Director
TechSPARK Ben Shorrock – Managing Director , At TechSPARK I spend a lot of time speaking to people from across Bristol’s tech cluster. I hear lots of great news stories from people creating companies or products which solve problems and, often, make the world a better place. However, whether speaking...
INNOVATE® San Antonio
CHARLES WOODIN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GEEKDOM
I forgot about my dream of being part of a city and space my children would one day want to call home. When I learned about Graham Weston’s vision for founding Geekdom, those dreams came flooding back to me. Graham’s overall vision for revitalizing downtown San Antonio was to build...
INNOVATE™ Montréal
Catherine Mounier
Vice-Rectrice à la Recherche, à la Création et à la Diffusion | Vice-President Research - UNIVERSITÉ
English: UQAM joined the university landscape in 1969 and quickly distinguished itself through its commitment to serving society. Fostering entrepreneurship and social impact innovation, the University believes in the concerted ability of social actors to bring about change in response to issues as they arise. Building knowledge together Like many...
INNOVATE® Philadelphia: 250 Years of Innovation
CHRIS SCAFARIO
PRESIDENT & CEO, DELAWARE VALLEY INDUSTRIAL RESOURCE CENTERVALLEY INDUSTRIAL RESOURCE CENTER
I believe innovation ignites the flame of progress. It mobilizes change and sparks breakthroughs that travel from sector to sector and nation to nation. In manufacturing, it is the ultimate force multiplier—accelerating advancements in medicine, advanced materials, submarines, and spacecraft. This tradecraft of our best and brightest minds carried America...
INNOVATE® Georgia
RAVI VENKATESAN
CEO, CANTALOUPE, INC.
Ravi Venkatesan was appointed CEO of Cantaloupe in September 2022, previously holding roles as COO and CTO. With 20+ years in the tech world, he also led innovations at Bakkt and Bridge2 Solutions and held leadership positions at Accenture and Cbeyond. He received his B.S. in electronics from Bangalore University...
Reed Robinson
Founder - BETA
Nearly 150 years ago, General Cadwallader Washburn and Charles Pillsbury set up mills along the Mississippi, introducing scalable food-processing and global food distribution. A short time later, William Worrall Mayo moved to Rochester, and with the help of his two sons and the Sisters of Saint Francis, they would invent...
GILLES SAVARD
DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL -IVADO
Moteur d’innovation, les données sont au cœur de la transformation numérique qui s’impose partout. Liées à plusieurs technologies numériques habilitantes arrivant à maturité dont, l’infonuagique, l’internet des objets, le 5G, le 3D, la réalité augmentée, la robotique, etc., ces données et leur valorisation par l’analytique sont les véritables activateurs de...
DR. MARK ESPOSITO
BEYOND THE HORIZON
Dr. Mark Esposito is a luminary at the intersection of economics, strategy, and the future. In our conversation, he unfolds our future, offering an insightful exploration into the themes of technological transformation, human-centric systems, and the architecture of tomorrow’s global systems. As a distinguished figure in the discourse of the...
Adversity Is a Leadership SuperpowerA leader is forged through the trials and tribulations of life. And when faced with negative influences, instead of giving into personal doubt and insecurities, leaders demonstrate the qualities of resiliency, passion, and authenticity enabling them to overcome the challenges of life empowering them to reach...
INDREK TULP
BOARD MEMBER AND HEAD OF THE COMPANY’S APPLIED RESEARCH CENTER, METROSERT.
If I had to distil my years in science, innovation and entrepreneurship into a single lesson, it would be this: real progress happens at the intersection of curiosity and practical need. My journey — from analysing heavy metals in water samples as a young chemist to establishing Estonia’s Applied Research...
FRANCISCO PEDRO PRESAS PINTO DE BALSEMÃO
CEO OF IMPRESA
I was born in 1980, I’m married and a proud father of three young children. I joined Impresa in 2009 and became CEO in 2016. My background is in Law (Lisbon and Oxford) and I undertook several international post-grad management courses. I also had a brief spell at the Portuguese...
ERIC R. POLINS
MANAGING PARTNER
Businesses have focused on traditional methods of communications and marketing to spread their message to their customers. But those models have shifted and the pace at which communications is now delivered has accelerated to break-neck speeds. It’s easy for a company’s message to get lost amid all the chatter that...
SUNIL SHARMA
MANAGING DIRECTOR, TECHSTARS TORONTO
The modern entrepreneur is truly global and the desire to move across the world in pursuit of creating the next billion-dollar tech startup has never been more real. With the onset of remote work, global mobility has become more desirable. The onus is on countries to make themselves more attractive...
Adam Coyle
CEO - Digital River
Growth leaders like to talk about the concept of “hockey-sticking” – when a company’s product really catches fire in the market, and its revenue growth chart suddenly shoots upward, resembling a hockey stick. It’s a great analogy for a company from Minnesota, and it’s something Digital River knows well. From...
CAROLINA LAHDO & FARIDEH WALLQVIST
CO-FOUNDERS, WIB CAPITAL
WiB Capital is a Stockholm-based ecosystem and platform designed to strengthen how early-stage founders and investors meet—through community, visibility, and clearer decision-making. It began with a small observation in a coworking office: people shared space, but rarely spoke. So we made a rule, say hi to everyone new who walks...
RICH BENDIS
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT, AND CEO, BIOHEALTH INNOVATION, INC. (BHI)
Conversations about innovation happen constantly, yet execution rarely receives the same attention. Breakthrough research can capture headlines, attract investment, and signal scientific progress, yet discovery alone rarely builds industries or creates lasting economic growth. The hard work continues after the breakthrough, when ideas must leave the laboratory and prove themselves...
MEAGAN KAY-FOWLOW
CO. INNOVATION CENTRE, PRESIDENT
LEADERS BY DESIGN: The Innovation Mindset of Newfoundland and Labrador Meagan Kay-Fowlow, President, Co. Innovation Centre As a proud Newfoundlander and Labradorian, I’ve always believed that innovation isn’t just something we do— it’s embedded in who we are. Our history and culture have been shaped by the challenges of living...
TRINIDAD HERMIDA, FOUNDER
THE HERMIDA COMPANY
Parents and guardians, hear me! You play an essential role in developing and guiding our youth/young adults of this generation and the generations to come. I know this is not rocket science or new information, but I wanted to be as blatant as possible with my intentions for the next...
VICTOR HOSKINS
PRESIDENT & CEO, FAIRFAX COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Embracing the fast-paced technological transformation before us, we know that innovation is not just about having the brightest ideas or the most advanced technology. It is about cultivating an ecosystem where transformative ideas can flourish and where technology meets skilled hands and minds prepared to wield it. Fairfax County is...
VERI OSVALD
CEO OF SMARTHEAD
As CEO of SmartHead, Veri is responsible for fulfilling the vision, strategy, leadership, and sustainable business growth. She has represented SmartHead at the Chivas Venture Competition in Los Angeles and has also attended Accelerator at the University of Oxford. In 2018, Veri was part of the Forbes Top 10 Women...
FRANÇOIS GAGNON
DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL ET CHEF DE LA DIRECTION, ÉCOLE DE TECHNOLOGIE SUPÉRIEURE (ÉTS)
J’ai fait mes débuts comme professeur à l’École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) en 1991. Au cours de mon parcours en enseignement, en bâtissant ma carrière en recherche et, depuis 2019, en tant que directeur général de l’ÉTS, j’ai pu apprécier à quel point notre établissement a su s’imposer comme un...
Pedro Rodrigues
Director-General, Desafio Global – Events And Activation Experience And Go Live – Digital Events
This “Life of Events” that I chose and am very proud of is in no way a normal life. A professional in this area is not just a service provider. I sincerely believe that most of us view each event as nothing less than a mission that transcends schedules, other...
SEAN FAHEY
CEO AT VIDCRUITER
The Future of HR: Embracing Technology Without Losing the Human Touch In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, HR stands at a crossroads. The integration of advanced technologies into our processes is no longer optional—it’s essential for attracting, retaining, and nurturing top talent. As leaders, we have an opportunity to shape...
NERMA ALBERTORIO BARNÉS
CO-FOUNDER CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Puerto Rico, the unincorporated US territory, has been the focus of the public eye due to a very controversial bankruptcy, escalating debt, a category 5 hurricane, and one of the lowest economies in the United States. However, Puerto Rico has a lot to offer, and much work needs to be...
Ben Shorrock
TechSPARK – Managing Director
TechSPARK Ben Shorrock – Managing Director , At TechSPARK I spend a lot of time speaking to people from across Bristol’s tech cluster. I hear lots of great news stories from people creating companies or products which solve problems and, often, make the world a better place. However, whether speaking...
CHARLES WOODIN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GEEKDOM
I forgot about my dream of being part of a city and space my children would one day want to call home. When I learned about Graham Weston’s vision for founding Geekdom, those dreams came flooding back to me. Graham’s overall vision for revitalizing downtown San Antonio was to build...
Catherine Mounier
Vice-Rectrice à la Recherche, à la Création et à la Diffusion | Vice-President Research - UNIVERSITÉ
English: UQAM joined the university landscape in 1969 and quickly distinguished itself through its commitment to serving society. Fostering entrepreneurship and social impact innovation, the University believes in the concerted ability of social actors to bring about change in response to issues as they arise. Building knowledge together Like many...
CHRIS SCAFARIO
PRESIDENT & CEO, DELAWARE VALLEY INDUSTRIAL RESOURCE CENTERVALLEY INDUSTRIAL RESOURCE CENTER
I believe innovation ignites the flame of progress. It mobilizes change and sparks breakthroughs that travel from sector to sector and nation to nation. In manufacturing, it is the ultimate force multiplier—accelerating advancements in medicine, advanced materials, submarines, and spacecraft. This tradecraft of our best and brightest minds carried America...
RAVI VENKATESAN
CEO, CANTALOUPE, INC.
Ravi Venkatesan was appointed CEO of Cantaloupe in September 2022, previously holding roles as COO and CTO. With 20+ years in the tech world, he also led innovations at Bakkt and Bridge2 Solutions and held leadership positions at Accenture and Cbeyond. He received his B.S. in electronics from Bangalore University...