Stories of Innovation

BUILDING COMMUNITIES AND CAREERS Waterloo Region is a catalyst for innovation. Its thriving ecosystem of startups, global tech giants and research institutions is driving collaboration to shape the future. Within this dynamic landscape is Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, a leader in polytechnic education that has become...

DETROIT’S ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE-The Detroit Development Fund’s 25-Year Journey Towards Inclusive Prosperity In the heart of Detroit’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape, the Detroit Development Fund (DDF) has emerged as a devoted ally for local businesses, catalyzing economic growth and fostering lasting community development. Over the past 25 years, this organization, originally known...

As American forces crossed the English Channel to liberate France in June 1944, Milwaukee native Lloyd A. Sauer was thinking forward to a post-war era. Sauer purchased a small company called ColorPrint Products Printing and began producing window signage for shoe stores. But it was Cadillac and Harley-Davidson that propelled...

On Northern Europe’s digital frontier, Icosagen stands out in the biotechnology landscape. Based in Tartu, Estonia’s second‑largest city, it is not only the country’s largest biotech company but also one of the most agile Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CRDMOs) operating globally. What truly sets Icosagen apart is its...

INSIGHT. INNOVATE. IMPROVE. August Brown has established itself as a trailblazer in Milwaukee’s innovation ecosystem, bridging the often-daunting gap between research and market execution. Founded by Dr. Gordon Nameni and Erik Vickstrom, this boutique agency has become synonymous with strategic excellence and groundbreaking impact. “It all really started in 2018,”...

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...

Born just outside Stockholm in 2000, Samantha Esfandiari has quickly emerged as a powerful new voice in the Swedish fashion industry. One that merges skilled craftsmanship with a deep commitment to sustainability and circular design. As a designer, entrepreneur, and educator, she is shaping a bold vision of what fashion...

When Einride was founded in Stockholm in 2016, few imagined that a small team of technologists and transport visionaries would one day stand at the center of a global shift in how goods move. Yet within less than a decade, the company had become synonymous with the future of freight...

The Miami DDA is committed to fulfilling its mission collaboratively, ethically and professionally, consistent with the Authority’s public purpose. The Miami Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA) is an independent agency of the City of Miami funded by a special tax levy on properties within its district boundaries. The agency is...

Since 2016, we have firmly embraced the notion that by promoting collaboration and the mutual exchange of practices and resources (movement) among all those involved in accelerating startup growth (accelerators), we can amplify the impact of startups (innovation) from all regions of Quebec. Our goal is to ensure that every...

Innovating is transforming an idea into value, it is transposing this idea into the company’s environment, with its realities and constraints, it is allowing the company to become more competitive. CRIM, the Innovation PartnerCRIM’s clients have in common the desire to innovate and stay ahead of the competition. They come...

With our multidisciplinary team and unique infrastructure, we bring together both scientific and hands-on expertise to carry out research and development, training and support activities. Our multidisciplinary experimental site—a real open-air laboratory—allows for realistic simulations of the response to the main hazards as well as the emergency situations experienced by...

How can we ensure that the healthcare technologies we develop are robust enough to break into different markets? How can we support, and coach Quebec entrepreneurs as well as help stimulate the innovation ecosystem? This is the mission of MEDTEQ+ , a panCanadian consortium for industrial research and innovation in...

ELEVATOR PITCH At Civilized Coffee it is not just about sourcing and roasting great coffee—it is about creating a culture around the brand. Northeast Florida has a very strong environment and support system for Coffee and Tea. Their reason to take this small business global was to bring awareness to...

There must be more MDs and PhDs per capita in a 10-mile radius of Rockville, Maryland, than anywhere else in the country. Montgomery County is the foundation of the Biotech Corridor, a dynamic hub for life science research, innovation, and commercialization, with 13,000 private sector employees and 400 life sciences...

The Foundation awards the annual Canada Gairdner Awards to leading scientists from around the world whose discoveries have had a major impact on scientific progress and human health. The awards are Canada’s only globally recognized international scientific prize. Since 1959, more than 400 scientists from 40 countries have received a...

“In the past decade, retailers have been forced to innovate, and in some cases transform themselves in response to several external factors. Changing consumer behavior and employee expectations, the advent of AI, and the need to meet sustainability targets are just some of the factors driving big changes in the...

Xn Québec est l’association des producteur. rice.s d’expériences numériques du Québec. L’association regroupe les principaux acteurs de l’industrie de la créativité numérique, soit plus de 165 studios membres – producteur.rice.s de contenu, original ou de commande, pour différentes plateformes, lieux et espaces. Elle représente les intérêts de l’industrie auprès des...

For over a century, the former Filton Airfield has been Bristol’s home for innovators and inventors, designers and disruptors. As the birthplace of Concorde, it is recognised worldwide for ingenuity, timeless design, and the collective spirit of a community that stretched the limits of what was possible. Now, YTL Developments...

OnTraccr is on a mission to automate the way construction work is managed. This company provides next-generation automation software that helps any construction contractor automate their documentation, eliminate manual data entry, and gain real-time visibility into every aspect of its operations. OnTraccr was founded by a group of experienced construction...

In the heart of South Carolina, a tech company named Credo Software has been quietly making its mark for over two decades. Founded by Sarah and Kevin Curnow on principles of trust, adaptability, and community, Credo’s story is one of innovation, perseverance, and a commitment to helping clients do what...

Not every founder is a product person. Fewer still are patient. But Uri Poliavich built Soft2Bet by being both. From the start, he wasn’t chasing headlines or hype—he was building an engine for growth. Not the flashy kind. The kind that lasts. He understood something early on that many in...

“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)...

The global gaming market is forecast to worth $257 billion by 2025 and of the 2.7 billion gamers worldwide, 46% of them are women. The majority of these women experience hate and toxicity while gaming, simply for being women. In fact, in an effort to avoid harassment, 75% of women...