Stories of Innovation

The Rise of Digital Third Places in Innovation Ecosystems

Innovation ecosystems have always grown around shared physical places, from university labs and coworking spaces to startup districts, demo days, accelerators, and global conferences. These places still matter because people build trust faster when they can meet, listen, and exchange ideas in the same room.  Yet they are no longer...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

302 INTERACTIVE

302 INTERACTIVE- IS A STUDIO OF GAME DESIGNERS ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE WORLD BY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY AND REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

IS A STUDIO OF GAME DESIGNERS ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE WORLD BY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY AND REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

Over the last seven years, their mission has been to provide an environment that brings game developers together to build the games of today and the metaverse of tomorrow. As digital experience developers, 302 Interactive has adopted the best practices of modern game development, product design, lean, and agile methodologies...

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....

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

JABIAN CONSULTING

REDEFINING MANAGEMENT CONSULTING FOR THE RESULTS-FOCUSED COMPANY

Jabian Consulting’s journey began in 2006 when its three founders decided clients needed more personalized attention and bespoke solutions than they were getting from the large, multi-national firms. At the same time, burnout in the industry was high, with consultants working extremely long hours traveling around the country every week....

INNOVATE™ South Africa

SHOUT-IT-NOW

SHOUT-IT-NOW - TACKLING HIV THROUGH INNOVATIVE

TACKLING HIV THROUGH INNOVATIVE, TECH-ENABLED, COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING

Shout-It-Now (Shout) is an innovative social enterprise, empowering youth to own their sexuality. We concentrate on hard to reach communities; we go to the places where they are, provide services they want, in such a way that they choose to keep coming back. We are a local South African organisation...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CROWN MONEY

BEST IN CLASS IN MORTGAGE BROKING & MONEY MANAGEMENT

OUR STORYCrown Money was founded with one simple objective – to help hardworking Australian families realise their home ownership dreams and pay off their home loans in the shortest time possible. Crown Money was established in 2004 by brothers Scott and Craig Parry who grew up with a father in...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

LATAM STARTUPS

LATAM STARTUPS-HELPING INTERNATIONAL STARTUPS SCALE

HELPING INTERNATIONAL STARTUPS SCALE

In the heart of Canada’s technology and innovation ecosystem, you’ll find LatAm Startups helping grow innovative entrepreneurs and their international technology companies in Canada.   As an accelerator that works exclusively with international companies and as a designated organization for Canada’s Start-up Visa Program, LatAm Startups has developed a special...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

ENLIGHTEN MILLIONAIRE™ PODCAST

ENLIGHTEN MILLIONAIRE™ PODCAST-

Meditation and Wealth, Why One Leads to the Other

Are you working hard, but not getting the results you want or expect? You’re probably wondering how some people make it look so easy. The answer might surprise you – they’ve found a way to tap into their inner power and potential.   When thinking about ways to grow your...

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™ Vancouver Vol.2

Thrive Health

Making Healthcare Work Better for Everyone

Thrive Health is a digital healthcare platform company, founded in 2016 with a mission to make healthcare work better for everyone. The company provides an interactive patient engagement solution that enables healthcare providers to build custom clinical workflows, and offers patients enhanced access to their health data. Thrive Health’s innovative...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

FBBA

FBBA-THE FLORIDA BLOCKCHAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

THE FLORIDA BLOCKCHAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Founded in 2018, the FBBA is a dedicated and diverse network of business leaders who work together to represent and unite the blockchain community in the state of Florida. We bring together regulators, representatives, and industry leaders to create an innovation and technology focused environment, which benefits all Floridians. The...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Wilson Dutra Innovation Law

Fernando Dutra & Camille A. Wilson - Wilson Dutra Innovation Law

The Backbone of Many New Ventures Is Intellectual Property

The backbone of many new ventures is intellectual property – a swirl of ideas that can include inventions, branding, product designs, and a variety of intangibles that make an undertaking worth pursuing. Most ventures begin with curious minds asking questions, identifying a gap in a market, or challenging the status...

AI Québec

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB- AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT

AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT, MCGILL UNIVERSITY

The Bensadoun School of Retail Management (BSRM) at McGill University recently launched a retail innovation lab. This initiative is a collaboration between McGill University and Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT). The lab is a convenience store as well as a living lab that operates on the McGill University campus and houses...

INNOVATION Quebec

CMC MICROSYSTEMS

ACCELERATING INNOVATION AND RESEARCH

“CMC provides access to leading-edge platforms for innovators to design, prototype, and test their ideas. From early-stage researchers to emerging entrepreneurs, CMC has tools and expertise to accelerate your R&D.” – Gordon Harling, President and CEO, CMC Microsystems CMC Microsystems is a not-for-profit organization accelerating research and innovation in advanced...

INNOVATE® Seattle

SEATTLEU

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER AT SEATTLE UNIVERSITY

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER AT SEATTLE UNIVERSITY. ACCELERATING ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERS FOR THE COMMON GOOD As uncertainty across environmental and social changes becomes the norm, we need innovative leaders who are prepared to take on those challenges. That is why Seattle University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) is where innovation meets...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

Enployable

Redefining How Talent is Discovered

The future of hiring won’t be decided by résumés, but by who can see potential others miss. For decades, employers have relied on job titles, keywords, and pedigree as proxies for capability. Those filters were built for scale, not for insight. In doing so, they’ve excluded qualified people every day....

INNOVATE® Nashville

QUORE

QUORE

Is a hospitality technology company dedicated to revolutionizing how hotels operate worldwide

During your last hotel stay, if your room was clean, the in-room appliances were fully functioning and your request for extra towels was addressed quickly then that hotel was probably using Quore. Our cloud-based operations app supports hotel staff in their day-to-day for better guest experiences, which means smarter teams...

INNOVATE® Detroit

M1 Concourse

The Heart of Automotive Passion

Along the legendary Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, Michigan, M1 Concourse is a world-class motorsports and automotive event destination. Spanning an impressive 87 acres, it is a hub for high-speed excitement and unmatched automotive culture. Whether you’re a dedicated car enthusiast, an adrenaline junkie looking for high-speed track adventures, or someone...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SCRA

A Unique and Pivotal Player in SC’s Innovation Ecosystem

The South Carolina Research Authority has the distinct honor and responsibility to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy. In 2024, it contributed over $1.33 billion to the state’s economy and supported 6624 South Carolina-based jobs. The average annual salary of these jobs was almost $92,000, 71% higher than the statewide average....

United Nations Lesotho

FAO

THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION

A specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945, leading international efforts to defeat hunger. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its Latin motto, fiat...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Denmark Technical College

Reimagining the Rural College Landscape

Since 1947, Denmark Technical College has been a lifeline for education and economic mobility in South Carolina’s rural corridor. Established as a training center for African American veterans returning from World War II, Denmark Tech has grown into a proud HBCU with a legacy of service, resilience and transformation. For...

INNOVATE® Georgia

GEORGIA ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MANUFACTURING (GEORGIA AIM)

BUILDING A RESILIENT MANUFACTURING

Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) represents a bold vision for the future of manufacturing in Georgia and serves as a blueprint for the nation. This future is inclusive, innovative, and impactful, propelling the state of Georgia into the forefront of AI-driven manufacturing. STATEWIDE REACH AND FOCUS At its...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIRADD

CCTT FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Founded in 2006, CIRADD has been a CCTT in innovative social practices since 2010, specializing in sustainable territorial development. The centre is located in Gaspésie and is a member of the Synchronex CCTT Network. Our mission is to help organizations, businesses and communities sustainably develop their environment through applied research...

The Rise of Digital Third Places in Innovation Ecosystems

Innovation ecosystems have always grown around shared physical places, from university labs and coworking spaces to startup districts, demo days, accelerators, and global conferences. These places still matter because people build trust faster when they can meet, listen, and exchange ideas in the same room.  Yet they are no longer...

INNOVATE® Gaming & Esports

302 INTERACTIVE

302 INTERACTIVE- IS A STUDIO OF GAME DESIGNERS ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE WORLD BY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY AND REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

IS A STUDIO OF GAME DESIGNERS ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE WORLD BY BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY AND REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS

Over the last seven years, their mission has been to provide an environment that brings game developers together to build the games of today and the metaverse of tomorrow. As digital experience developers, 302 Interactive has adopted the best practices of modern game development, product design, lean, and agile methodologies...

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....

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

JABIAN CONSULTING

REDEFINING MANAGEMENT CONSULTING FOR THE RESULTS-FOCUSED COMPANY

Jabian Consulting’s journey began in 2006 when its three founders decided clients needed more personalized attention and bespoke solutions than they were getting from the large, multi-national firms. At the same time, burnout in the industry was high, with consultants working extremely long hours traveling around the country every week....

INNOVATE™ South Africa

SHOUT-IT-NOW

SHOUT-IT-NOW - TACKLING HIV THROUGH INNOVATIVE

TACKLING HIV THROUGH INNOVATIVE, TECH-ENABLED, COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING

Shout-It-Now (Shout) is an innovative social enterprise, empowering youth to own their sexuality. We concentrate on hard to reach communities; we go to the places where they are, provide services they want, in such a way that they choose to keep coming back. We are a local South African organisation...

INNOVATE™ Adelaide

CROWN MONEY

BEST IN CLASS IN MORTGAGE BROKING & MONEY MANAGEMENT

OUR STORYCrown Money was founded with one simple objective – to help hardworking Australian families realise their home ownership dreams and pay off their home loans in the shortest time possible. Crown Money was established in 2004 by brothers Scott and Craig Parry who grew up with a father in...

INNOVATE™ Toronto

LATAM STARTUPS

LATAM STARTUPS-HELPING INTERNATIONAL STARTUPS SCALE

HELPING INTERNATIONAL STARTUPS SCALE

In the heart of Canada’s technology and innovation ecosystem, you’ll find LatAm Startups helping grow innovative entrepreneurs and their international technology companies in Canada.   As an accelerator that works exclusively with international companies and as a designated organization for Canada’s Start-up Visa Program, LatAm Startups has developed a special...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

ENLIGHTEN MILLIONAIRE™ PODCAST

ENLIGHTEN MILLIONAIRE™ PODCAST-

Meditation and Wealth, Why One Leads to the Other

Are you working hard, but not getting the results you want or expect? You’re probably wondering how some people make it look so easy. The answer might surprise you – they’ve found a way to tap into their inner power and potential.   When thinking about ways to grow your...

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™ Vancouver Vol.2

Thrive Health

Making Healthcare Work Better for Everyone

Thrive Health is a digital healthcare platform company, founded in 2016 with a mission to make healthcare work better for everyone. The company provides an interactive patient engagement solution that enables healthcare providers to build custom clinical workflows, and offers patients enhanced access to their health data. Thrive Health’s innovative...

INNOVATE® Blockchain

FBBA

FBBA-THE FLORIDA BLOCKCHAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

THE FLORIDA BLOCKCHAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Founded in 2018, the FBBA is a dedicated and diverse network of business leaders who work together to represent and unite the blockchain community in the state of Florida. We bring together regulators, representatives, and industry leaders to create an innovation and technology focused environment, which benefits all Floridians. The...

INNOVATE® Jacksonville

Wilson Dutra Innovation Law

Fernando Dutra & Camille A. Wilson - Wilson Dutra Innovation Law

The Backbone of Many New Ventures Is Intellectual Property

The backbone of many new ventures is intellectual property – a swirl of ideas that can include inventions, branding, product designs, and a variety of intangibles that make an undertaking worth pursuing. Most ventures begin with curious minds asking questions, identifying a gap in a market, or challenging the status...

AI Québec

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB

RETAIL INNOVATION LAB- AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT

AT THE BENSADOUN SCHOOL OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT, MCGILL UNIVERSITY

The Bensadoun School of Retail Management (BSRM) at McGill University recently launched a retail innovation lab. This initiative is a collaboration between McGill University and Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT). The lab is a convenience store as well as a living lab that operates on the McGill University campus and houses...

INNOVATION Quebec

CMC MICROSYSTEMS

ACCELERATING INNOVATION AND RESEARCH

“CMC provides access to leading-edge platforms for innovators to design, prototype, and test their ideas. From early-stage researchers to emerging entrepreneurs, CMC has tools and expertise to accelerate your R&D.” – Gordon Harling, President and CEO, CMC Microsystems CMC Microsystems is a not-for-profit organization accelerating research and innovation in advanced...

INNOVATE® Seattle

SEATTLEU

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER AT SEATTLE UNIVERSITY

INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER AT SEATTLE UNIVERSITY. ACCELERATING ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERS FOR THE COMMON GOOD As uncertainty across environmental and social changes becomes the norm, we need innovative leaders who are prepared to take on those challenges. That is why Seattle University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) is where innovation meets...

INNOVATE® Northern Virginia

Enployable

Redefining How Talent is Discovered

The future of hiring won’t be decided by résumés, but by who can see potential others miss. For decades, employers have relied on job titles, keywords, and pedigree as proxies for capability. Those filters were built for scale, not for insight. In doing so, they’ve excluded qualified people every day....

INNOVATE® Nashville

QUORE

QUORE

Is a hospitality technology company dedicated to revolutionizing how hotels operate worldwide

During your last hotel stay, if your room was clean, the in-room appliances were fully functioning and your request for extra towels was addressed quickly then that hotel was probably using Quore. Our cloud-based operations app supports hotel staff in their day-to-day for better guest experiences, which means smarter teams...

INNOVATE® Detroit

M1 Concourse

The Heart of Automotive Passion

Along the legendary Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, Michigan, M1 Concourse is a world-class motorsports and automotive event destination. Spanning an impressive 87 acres, it is a hub for high-speed excitement and unmatched automotive culture. Whether you’re a dedicated car enthusiast, an adrenaline junkie looking for high-speed track adventures, or someone...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

SCRA

A Unique and Pivotal Player in SC’s Innovation Ecosystem

The South Carolina Research Authority has the distinct honor and responsibility to fuel South Carolina’s innovation economy. In 2024, it contributed over $1.33 billion to the state’s economy and supported 6624 South Carolina-based jobs. The average annual salary of these jobs was almost $92,000, 71% higher than the statewide average....

United Nations Lesotho

FAO

THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION

A specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945, leading international efforts to defeat hunger. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its Latin motto, fiat...

INNOVATE® South Carolina

Denmark Technical College

Reimagining the Rural College Landscape

Since 1947, Denmark Technical College has been a lifeline for education and economic mobility in South Carolina’s rural corridor. Established as a training center for African American veterans returning from World War II, Denmark Tech has grown into a proud HBCU with a legacy of service, resilience and transformation. For...

INNOVATE® Georgia

GEORGIA ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MANUFACTURING (GEORGIA AIM)

BUILDING A RESILIENT MANUFACTURING

Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) represents a bold vision for the future of manufacturing in Georgia and serves as a blueprint for the nation. This future is inclusive, innovative, and impactful, propelling the state of Georgia into the forefront of AI-driven manufacturing. STATEWIDE REACH AND FOCUS At its...

INNOVATION Quebec

CIRADD

CCTT FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Founded in 2006, CIRADD has been a CCTT in innovative social practices since 2010, specializing in sustainable territorial development. The centre is located in Gaspésie and is a member of the Synchronex CCTT Network. Our mission is to help organizations, businesses and communities sustainably develop their environment through applied research...

Ecosystems