Stories of Innovation

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

upace™

Revolutionizing How Members Engage with Recreation Centers

Revolutionizing How Members Engage with Recreation Centers In 2014, Rachel Koretsky founded Upace, which has since skyrocketed to become the top mobile app engagement and reservation platform, supporting over one million members of community recreation centers across the US and Canada. Her journey started at American University, driven by a...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

THE PUERTO RICO 5G ZONE

THE PUERTO RICO 5G ZONE-IS ADVANCING THE TRANSFORMATION OF PHYSICAL INDUSTRIES BY POWERING SMART CITIES

IS ADVANCING THE TRANSFORMATION OF PHYSICAL INDUSTRIES BY POWERING SMART CITIES, SMART LOGISTICS , AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

The only ZTA enabled research lab for development, testing, training, and research on next gen communications applications in the U.S. that is open source, publicly owned, and has resident interface of foreign/domestic, terrestrial/non-terrestrial, and cooperative non-cooperative networks. Dedicated to providing cost-effective access to government, industry and academia to better understand...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BRESHNA.IO

Lightning Strikes in Game Creation

Breshna.io is a barrier-breaking platform. It is a game maker platform that empowers a non-tech, non-gamer audience to create, share, and monetize their own video games with no code and at lightning speed. With Breshna, everyone can create snackable games for entertainment, educational, marketing, and training purposes, like Canva for...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

ABARTYS HEALTH

Healthcare Data, Simplified

What we do: AbartysHealth focuses on improving healthcare by creating patient centric solutions that streamline data, communication, and services for the healthcare industry. The healthcare industry confronts several difficulties in developing interoperable solutions that reliably and accurately collect and communicate data in a complex, dispersed, and unconnected healthcare environment. Founded...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Consumers Energy

Powering Michigan’s Future with Reliability, Sustainability, and Community

For over a century, Consumers Energy has been the backbone of Michigan’s energy infrastructure, powering homes, businesses, and industries across the Lower Peninsula. Serving 6.8 million residents with electricity and natural gas, the company is more than an energy provider—it is an innovator driving sustainability and community-focused initiatives that ensure...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

QFLO CREATIVE INSIGHTS

QFLO CREATIVE INSIGHTS -ENABLING BETTER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IN BOTSWANA BY BATSWANA

ENABLING BETTER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IN BOTSWANA BY BATSWANA

Creative Insights is a citizen-owned technology and software development company that was created to address poor customer experiences in Botswana. Backed by a board of local and established business leaders, the team of young digital innovators was able to create an upgraded version of the queue management service, WorldQueues, which...

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...

INNOVATION Manitoba

GreenO2

LIGHTING THE FUTURE: HOW INNOVATIVE GLOBAL IDEAS ARE TRANSFORMING INNOVATION INTO GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY

“From global manufacturing expertise to Canadian innovation, our mission has always been to transform ideas into solutions that make a measurable difference.” Every successful company begins with an idea. The ones that leave a lasting impact begin with a purpose. For Innovative Global Ideas (IGI), that purpose has remained unchanged...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE- NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The third eye represents intuition and insight—an inner vision and enlightenment beyond what the physical eye can see. Modern shoppers are increasingly time-starved and brand-agnostic. It is therefore imperative for brands to understand as much as they can about the people who are buying their products and how they feel...

INNOVATION Manitoba

Manitoba Association of Professionals

From Spark to Ecosystem: Building Manitoba's AI Future, Together

When the artificial intelligence revolution accelerated, Manitoba was home to exceptional AI talent, but there was no unified voice to connect professionals, engage industry, or help shape public policy. That gap inspired the creation of the Manitoba Association of AI Professionals (MAAIP), a volunteer-led and partnership-powered organization dedicated to ensuring...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

INVEST BRISTOL + BATH

INVEST BRISTOL + BATH- How Invest Bristol & Bath Can Help You

How Invest Bristol & Bath Can Help You

Invest Bristol & Bath (IBB) is the inward investment agency for the West of England Combined Authority. Our team is here to support businesses interested in growing, innovating and collaborating in the West of England through a range of tailored services to help your business thrive. Our team is experienced,...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

INSTASHIELD

INSTASHIELD-Invention and Entrepreneurship Run in the Family

Invention and Entrepreneurship Run in the Family

INSTASHIELD FILLS PPE SHORTAGE, DONATES 1 MILLION SHIELDS TO PEOPLE IN NEED InstaShield™ is a new kind of face shield that ships flat and is folded to fit over a cap or visor. The company was founded in March 2020 by Dan Brown Jr. to help fill the nation’s PPE...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

VOLVO

ALWAYS LEADING EDGE IN INNOVATION FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Subsidiary of one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle OEMs, Volvo do Brasil has a track record marked by the development of innovative solutions in the passenger and cargo transportation sector in the country. Curitiba, the city chosen by OEM to be the location of its operations on the continent...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

KNEAD

UNLEASHING THE POWER OF FOOD RESCUE: KNEAD TECHNOLOGIES LEADS THE CHARGE TOWARDS ZERO WASTE

In a world where nearly 40% of produced food goes to waste, Knead Technologies has emerged as a trailblazer, revolutionizing the fight against food waste (Parfitt et al., 2021, p. 6). With their innovative logistics solutions, this software development company is redefining how food rescue organizations operate worldwide. By seamlessly...

INNOVATION Quebec

Génome Québec

le joyau caché des sciences de la vie La génomique- Facteur d’attraction d’investissements et de talents

GÉNOME QUÉBEC a été fondé en 2000, dans la foulée du premier séquençage entier du génome humain. Membre du réseau pancanadien chapeauté par Génome Canada, notre mission consiste à soutenir le développement stratégique et scientifique de la génomique au Québec. En collaboration avec ses partenaires, Génome Québec a investi plus...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL)

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL)- IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SECTOR

IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL) WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL 1998 BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT, AS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY COMPANY OPERATING ALONG COMMERCIAL LINES AND AT ARM’S LENGTH FROM GOVERNMENT

WITH A MANDATE TO FINANCE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN THE NATIONAL ROAD NETWORK OF OVER 22 000 KM, SANRAL LEADS THE WAY ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN A POST-COVID SOUTH AFRICA.   Innovation is at the forefront of SANRAL’s agenda in the infrastructure development space. In recent years the Agency has increasingly...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HIRSCH’S

HIRSCH’S - FOUNDED ON TRUST AND SERVICE

FOUNDED ON TRUST AND SERVICE

Hirsch’s has become a name synonymous with service and brand excellence over the years. They have grown into one of the most well-respected and trusted appliance and electronics retailers in the industry in South Africa, and it’s interesting to see how they got there. Allan and Margaret set up their first...

INNOVATION Quebec

2 DEGRÉS

EST UN INCUBATEUR SPÉCIALISÉ EN TECHNOLOGIES PROPRES AU QUÉBEC

2 Degrés accompagne des startups au stade de pré-démarrage, jusqu’au démarrage, qui proposent une solution innovante démontrant un fort potentiel de croissance et d’impact dans les secteurs des énergies, des matières résiduelles et de l’eau. Basé dans la Ville de Québec, 2 Degrés est né d’un rassemblement de jeunes gens...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

URBITAL

URBITAL-PROVIDES A “FIRST OF ITS KIND” APP TO SERVE THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN PUERTO RICO

PROVIDES A “FIRST OF ITS KIND” APP TO SERVE THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN PUERTO RICO

We deliver a digital tool that enables a better experience for homeowners, potential buyers, and real estate brokers. Homeowners can know a price estimate based on comparable and listing market data. Potential buyers can look at a neighborhood and stay up to date on prices and listing .Real estate agents...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

PONTOMAIS

MESHED STORIES OF INNOVATION AND SOCIAL IMPACT

Founded in 2016 in the city of Curitiba, State of Paraná, Southern Brazil, Pontomais was created to solve the challenges of Human Resource units by means of digitalization and automation of processes. Until then, many of the routines were performed manually, and, with the arrival of Pontomais, HR professionals were...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN TECH: THE LEGACY OF KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH

In 2013, against the backdrop of a male-dominated tech landscape, Jennifer Wadalla, a passionate advocate for gender equality, founded Kansas City Women in Tech (KCWiT). Her vision was to create a supportive ecosystem that would empower women to thrive in the technology industry. Under Jennifer’s visionary leadership, KCWiT quickly became...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC)

Driving Growth to Every Corner of Philadelphia

PIDC is Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation founded by the City of Philadelphia and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia in 1958. Its mission is to create quality jobs and grow a global economy through economic development that ultimately achieves a high quality of life for all who live...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

TEMBICI

INNOVATIVE BIKE SHARING SYSTEM REVOLUTIONIZES THE CITY’S MOBILITY

Tembici is the leading company in micromobility technology in Latin America, responsible for over 250 million bike journeys. Recognized as one of Brazil’s most promising and innovative startups, the company has, in recent years, contributed to a potential saving of 46,000 tons of CO2. In 2022, the company conducted the...

INNOVATION Quebec

UQAT

INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE EN MINES ET EN ENVIRONNEMENT (IRME)

L’IRME, des solutions pour un développement minier durableLocalisé au cœur d’un centre minier de calibre international, l’Institut de recherche en mines et en environnement (IRME-UQAT) a été créé en 2012, une décision stratégique démontrant l’engagement de l’institution envers le développement durable du secteur minier. Avec une croissance continue et forte...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

upace™

Revolutionizing How Members Engage with Recreation Centers

Revolutionizing How Members Engage with Recreation Centers In 2014, Rachel Koretsky founded Upace, which has since skyrocketed to become the top mobile app engagement and reservation platform, supporting over one million members of community recreation centers across the US and Canada. Her journey started at American University, driven by a...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

THE PUERTO RICO 5G ZONE

THE PUERTO RICO 5G ZONE-IS ADVANCING THE TRANSFORMATION OF PHYSICAL INDUSTRIES BY POWERING SMART CITIES

IS ADVANCING THE TRANSFORMATION OF PHYSICAL INDUSTRIES BY POWERING SMART CITIES, SMART LOGISTICS , AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

The only ZTA enabled research lab for development, testing, training, and research on next gen communications applications in the U.S. that is open source, publicly owned, and has resident interface of foreign/domestic, terrestrial/non-terrestrial, and cooperative non-cooperative networks. Dedicated to providing cost-effective access to government, industry and academia to better understand...

INNOVATE® Washington DMV Edition

BRESHNA.IO

Lightning Strikes in Game Creation

Breshna.io is a barrier-breaking platform. It is a game maker platform that empowers a non-tech, non-gamer audience to create, share, and monetize their own video games with no code and at lightning speed. With Breshna, everyone can create snackable games for entertainment, educational, marketing, and training purposes, like Canva for...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

ABARTYS HEALTH

Healthcare Data, Simplified

What we do: AbartysHealth focuses on improving healthcare by creating patient centric solutions that streamline data, communication, and services for the healthcare industry. The healthcare industry confronts several difficulties in developing interoperable solutions that reliably and accurately collect and communicate data in a complex, dispersed, and unconnected healthcare environment. Founded...

INNOVATE® Detroit

Consumers Energy

Powering Michigan’s Future with Reliability, Sustainability, and Community

For over a century, Consumers Energy has been the backbone of Michigan’s energy infrastructure, powering homes, businesses, and industries across the Lower Peninsula. Serving 6.8 million residents with electricity and natural gas, the company is more than an energy provider—it is an innovator driving sustainability and community-focused initiatives that ensure...

INNOVATE™ Botswana Vol.1

QFLO CREATIVE INSIGHTS

QFLO CREATIVE INSIGHTS -ENABLING BETTER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IN BOTSWANA BY BATSWANA

ENABLING BETTER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IN BOTSWANA BY BATSWANA

Creative Insights is a citizen-owned technology and software development company that was created to address poor customer experiences in Botswana. Backed by a board of local and established business leaders, the team of young digital innovators was able to create an upgraded version of the queue management service, WorldQueues, which...

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...

INNOVATION Manitoba

GreenO2

LIGHTING THE FUTURE: HOW INNOVATIVE GLOBAL IDEAS ARE TRANSFORMING INNOVATION INTO GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY

“From global manufacturing expertise to Canadian innovation, our mission has always been to transform ideas into solutions that make a measurable difference.” Every successful company begins with an idea. The ones that leave a lasting impact begin with a purpose. For Innovative Global Ideas (IGI), that purpose has remained unchanged...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE

THIRD-i MARKETING INTELLIGENCE- NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

NO MORE MYSTERY SHOPPERS – THIRD-i SMART POINT OF SALE DISPLAYS – A RETAIL INNOVATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The third eye represents intuition and insight—an inner vision and enlightenment beyond what the physical eye can see. Modern shoppers are increasingly time-starved and brand-agnostic. It is therefore imperative for brands to understand as much as they can about the people who are buying their products and how they feel...

INNOVATION Manitoba

Manitoba Association of Professionals

From Spark to Ecosystem: Building Manitoba's AI Future, Together

When the artificial intelligence revolution accelerated, Manitoba was home to exceptional AI talent, but there was no unified voice to connect professionals, engage industry, or help shape public policy. That gap inspired the creation of the Manitoba Association of AI Professionals (MAAIP), a volunteer-led and partnership-powered organization dedicated to ensuring...

INNOVATE™ Bristol & Bath

INVEST BRISTOL + BATH

INVEST BRISTOL + BATH- How Invest Bristol & Bath Can Help You

How Invest Bristol & Bath Can Help You

Invest Bristol & Bath (IBB) is the inward investment agency for the West of England Combined Authority. Our team is here to support businesses interested in growing, innovating and collaborating in the West of England through a range of tailored services to help your business thrive. Our team is experienced,...

INNOVATE® Chicago Vol.1

INSTASHIELD

INSTASHIELD-Invention and Entrepreneurship Run in the Family

Invention and Entrepreneurship Run in the Family

INSTASHIELD FILLS PPE SHORTAGE, DONATES 1 MILLION SHIELDS TO PEOPLE IN NEED InstaShield™ is a new kind of face shield that ships flat and is folded to fit over a cap or visor. The company was founded in March 2020 by Dan Brown Jr. to help fill the nation’s PPE...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

VOLVO

ALWAYS LEADING EDGE IN INNOVATION FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Subsidiary of one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle OEMs, Volvo do Brasil has a track record marked by the development of innovative solutions in the passenger and cargo transportation sector in the country. Curitiba, the city chosen by OEM to be the location of its operations on the continent...

INNOVATE™ Alberta

KNEAD

UNLEASHING THE POWER OF FOOD RESCUE: KNEAD TECHNOLOGIES LEADS THE CHARGE TOWARDS ZERO WASTE

In a world where nearly 40% of produced food goes to waste, Knead Technologies has emerged as a trailblazer, revolutionizing the fight against food waste (Parfitt et al., 2021, p. 6). With their innovative logistics solutions, this software development company is redefining how food rescue organizations operate worldwide. By seamlessly...

INNOVATION Quebec

Génome Québec

le joyau caché des sciences de la vie La génomique- Facteur d’attraction d’investissements et de talents

GÉNOME QUÉBEC a été fondé en 2000, dans la foulée du premier séquençage entier du génome humain. Membre du réseau pancanadien chapeauté par Génome Canada, notre mission consiste à soutenir le développement stratégique et scientifique de la génomique au Québec. En collaboration avec ses partenaires, Génome Québec a investi plus...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL)

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL)- IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SECTOR

IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY SOC LTD (SANRAL) WAS ESTABLISHED IN APRIL 1998 BY AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT, AS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY COMPANY OPERATING ALONG COMMERCIAL LINES AND AT ARM’S LENGTH FROM GOVERNMENT

WITH A MANDATE TO FINANCE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN THE NATIONAL ROAD NETWORK OF OVER 22 000 KM, SANRAL LEADS THE WAY ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN A POST-COVID SOUTH AFRICA.   Innovation is at the forefront of SANRAL’s agenda in the infrastructure development space. In recent years the Agency has increasingly...

INNOVATE™ South Africa

HIRSCH’S

HIRSCH’S - FOUNDED ON TRUST AND SERVICE

FOUNDED ON TRUST AND SERVICE

Hirsch’s has become a name synonymous with service and brand excellence over the years. They have grown into one of the most well-respected and trusted appliance and electronics retailers in the industry in South Africa, and it’s interesting to see how they got there. Allan and Margaret set up their first...

INNOVATION Quebec

2 DEGRÉS

EST UN INCUBATEUR SPÉCIALISÉ EN TECHNOLOGIES PROPRES AU QUÉBEC

2 Degrés accompagne des startups au stade de pré-démarrage, jusqu’au démarrage, qui proposent une solution innovante démontrant un fort potentiel de croissance et d’impact dans les secteurs des énergies, des matières résiduelles et de l’eau. Basé dans la Ville de Québec, 2 Degrés est né d’un rassemblement de jeunes gens...

INNOVATE® Puerto Rico

URBITAL

URBITAL-PROVIDES A “FIRST OF ITS KIND” APP TO SERVE THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN PUERTO RICO

PROVIDES A “FIRST OF ITS KIND” APP TO SERVE THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN PUERTO RICO

We deliver a digital tool that enables a better experience for homeowners, potential buyers, and real estate brokers. Homeowners can know a price estimate based on comparable and listing market data. Potential buyers can look at a neighborhood and stay up to date on prices and listing .Real estate agents...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

PONTOMAIS

MESHED STORIES OF INNOVATION AND SOCIAL IMPACT

Founded in 2016 in the city of Curitiba, State of Paraná, Southern Brazil, Pontomais was created to solve the challenges of Human Resource units by means of digitalization and automation of processes. Until then, many of the routines were performed manually, and, with the arrival of Pontomais, HR professionals were...

INNOVATE® Kansas City

KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN TECH: THE LEGACY OF KANSAS CITY WOMEN IN TECH

In 2013, against the backdrop of a male-dominated tech landscape, Jennifer Wadalla, a passionate advocate for gender equality, founded Kansas City Women in Tech (KCWiT). Her vision was to create a supportive ecosystem that would empower women to thrive in the technology industry. Under Jennifer’s visionary leadership, KCWiT quickly became...

INNOVATE® Philadelphia

Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC)

Driving Growth to Every Corner of Philadelphia

PIDC is Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation founded by the City of Philadelphia and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia in 1958. Its mission is to create quality jobs and grow a global economy through economic development that ultimately achieves a high quality of life for all who live...

INNOVATE™ Curitiba

TEMBICI

INNOVATIVE BIKE SHARING SYSTEM REVOLUTIONIZES THE CITY’S MOBILITY

Tembici is the leading company in micromobility technology in Latin America, responsible for over 250 million bike journeys. Recognized as one of Brazil’s most promising and innovative startups, the company has, in recent years, contributed to a potential saving of 46,000 tons of CO2. In 2022, the company conducted the...

INNOVATION Quebec

UQAT

INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE EN MINES ET EN ENVIRONNEMENT (IRME)

L’IRME, des solutions pour un développement minier durableLocalisé au cœur d’un centre minier de calibre international, l’Institut de recherche en mines et en environnement (IRME-UQAT) a été créé en 2012, une décision stratégique démontrant l’engagement de l’institution envers le développement durable du secteur minier. Avec une croissance continue et forte...

Ecosystems