INNOVATE North America 2025

INNOVATE NORTH AMERICA 2025

Elevate Your Innovation Impact

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April 2-3, 2025
Chicago, Illinois

INNOVATE

About INNOVATE North America

INNOVATE North America 2025 is the premier event for innovation leaders and professionals who are passionate about driving impactful change within their organizations. Over two transformative days in Chicago, this flagship conference by HYPE Innovation brings together a diverse community of global experts, practitioners, and thought leaders. Immerse yourself in an environment designed to inspire new ideas, foster collaboration, and equip you with actionable strategies in innovation management.

Why Attend?

Learn practical innovation methods and industry best practices to implement in your organization.

Cutting-Edge Insights & Knowledge

Stay ahead of the curve with exclusive access to the latest trends, tools, and best practices in innovation management. Gain actionable insights from world-class experts that will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to lead impactful innovation and remain competitive in a fast-evolving landscape.

Collaborative Problem-Solving & Creative Growth

Join a dynamic group of professionals to tackle shared challenges, exchange ideas, and brainstorm solutions. Immerse yourself in an inspiring atmosphere designed to ignite creativity, uncover growth opportunities, and empower you to overcome barriers with innovative strategies.

icon Build Lasting Relationships & Community

Build Lasting Relationships & Expand your Network

Forge meaningful connections with peers, industry experts, and thought leaders. INNOVATE North America creates a collaborative environment where you can build lasting relationships to support your innovation journey and expand your professional network with valuable insights.

Speakers

William A. Singleton III Executive Director, Global Packaging - Innovation & Sustainability @Mars Bio

Gavin McClafferty Innovation Lead @ Subsea 7 Bio

Vlora Muslimi Senior Manager, iD8 Program and Colleague Innovation @ TD Bank Bio

Frank Henningsen CEO and Founder @ HYPE Innovation

Michelle Cohen Senior Director - Innovation and Acceleration Lab @ CME Group Bio

Joanne Hyland President of rInnovation Group and ISPIM ISO Liaison Chair Bio

Panu Kause CEO @ FIBRES Bio

Jenny Xu Senior Technology Consultant @ Southwest Airlines Bio

Scott Kirsner CEO @ InnoLead Bio

Tyler Drenth Director, Strategy & Business Development @ SGS North America Bio

Jesse Nieminen VP Product @ HYPE Innovation Bio

Ludwig Melik President of Operations North America and Chief Revenue Officer @ HYPE Innovation

Ninetta Kosswig Director Professional Services @ HYPE Innovation

Leah Grateraux Solution Consultant @ HYPE Innovation

Innovation Strategy Building

Craft Effective Strategies for Sustainable Growth

Delve into methodologies for developing robust innovation strategies that align with your organization's goals. Learn how to create a roadmap that drives long-term success and positions your company at the forefront of your industry.

AI in Innovation Management

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Create Business Value

Discover how to harness the power of AI to enhance your innovation processes. From idea generation to implementation, learn how AI can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and generate greater ROI.

Employee Engagement for Innovation

Fostering a Culture of Creativity and Collaboration

Explore techniques to boost employee participation in innovation initiatives. Understand how to cultivate an environment where creativity thrives, and every team member feels empowered to contribute ideas.

Innovation KPIs and Reporting

Measuring and Communicating Impact

Gain insights into selecting the right key performance indicators (KPIs) for your innovation projects. Learn how to measure performance effectively and communicate the impact of your initiatives to stakeholders.

Trends & Technologies Management

Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape

Stay informed about the latest trends and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of innovation. Learn how to adapt and integrate these advancements to maintain a competitive edge.

Open Innovation Ecosystem

Building Partnerships for Expanded Capabilities

Understand the value of engaging with startups, universities, and external partners. Learn how to create an open innovation ecosystem that enhances your organization's ability to innovate and adapt.

INNOVATE Agenda 2025

Pre-Event - April 1st
Day 1 - April 2nd
Day 2 - April 3rd

April 1st

7:00 PM

Ice-breaker Cocktails at Chateau Carbide - Rooftop Lounge

The night before the official start of the forum, we invite you to an informal get-together dinner. This is a fantastic opportunity to break the ice, meet other participants, and feel at ease with your fellow attendees before the forum kicks off.

Address: PENDRY CHICAGO, 230 N Michigan Ave, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601.
Please take the elevator to the 24th floor.

icebreaker-cocktail-innovate-north-america-2023 (3)

April 2nd

08:30 AM

Check-In

Pick up your name badge, grab a coffee, and open the event app to start making connections. The excitement begins as we dive into a day of unforgettable sessions and learnings.

09:00 AM

INNOVATE North America 2025 Opening

Welcome to INNOVATE North America 2025! Our MC will kick off this incredible day filled with transformative sessions and invaluable insights. Let’s get started!

Join us as our MC kicks off this incredible day, packed full of unforgettable sessions and learnings.

09:10 AM

Morning Energizer: Let’s Play - Scott Kirsner, CEO at InnoLead

If driving innovation inside an established organization is a game, it’s one set to “Advanced.” We’ll use a large-format discussion document created by InnoLead and HYPE to discuss, in small groups, some of the challenges you’ve encountered - or ways you’ve jumped ahead.

09:30 AM

HYPE Unbound: The Future of Innovation—Unified, Intelligent, Autonomous - Frank Henningsen, CEO & Founder and Ludwig Melik, CRO at HYPE Innovation

Get ready for the boldest session at Innovate HYPE 2025. Our executive team, including our CEO, will reveal how HYPE is rewriting the rules of innovation—empowering organizations to break free from outdated systems and thrive in the Age of Autonomous Innovation. Be the first to discover The Platform of the Future – an end-to-end innovation solution that unites AI, strategic intelligence, and execution in one powerful offering.

Here’s what to expect:

Game-Changing Partnerships: Build a dynamic trend radar, integrate R&D insights, and strengthen IP intelligence—all in one place.
ISO 56001 Blueprint: Adopt a systematic approach to innovation, connecting strategy, execution, and measurable ROI.
Future-Fit Manifesto: Embrace agility to leapfrog the competition and build resilient innovation systems that last.

This is more than a session—it’s a wake-up call for leaders who refuse to be left behind. The future is unbound. Will you be part of it?

10:00 AM

HYPE Product Portfolio Update: The Smart Innovation Platform - Jesse Nieminen, Vice President Product at HYPE Innovation

Discover the latest updates on HYPE products and explore the future of innovation with us! We'll take a look at some of the recent changes to the HYPE Platform, and you'll also get a glimpse into our upcoming roadmap, preparing you for the age of agile and automated, AI-driven innovation management.

10:35 AM

Networking Coffee Break

Take the opportunity to talk to the speakers and network with your peers.

11:05 AM

HYPE Product Workshops – Exclusive 90-Minute Deep Dives

Dive deep into HYPE’s innovation tools through interactive workshops. Choose from four expert-led sessions, designed to enhance your idea management, portfolio strategy, AI adoption, and startup collaboration. Limited to 15-20 participants per session, these workshops are an exclusive opportunity—reserve your spot early!

Mastering Your Innovation Portfolio: Balancing Short-Term Wins with Long-Term Growth
A Hands-On Dive into HYPE’s AI Innovation Tools
Partner Quest: The Ultimate Tech & Startup Scouting Adventure Game
From Structure to Strategy: Crafting a Resilient Innovation Culture

12:45 PM

Networking Lunch Break

Enjoy a delicious lunch buffet and network with fellow attendees. Take this time to share insights, challenges, and lessons learned with your peers.

2:00 PM

Panel Discussion: From Launch to Legacy - Creating Innovation Programs that Last - Scott Kirsner, CEO at InnoLead, Michelle Cohen, Senior Director Innovation & Acceleration at CME Group and William A. Singleton III, Executive Director at Mars

Innovation drives success and sets organizations apart from competitors. However, sustaining innovation over time can be a challenge. To ensure long-term value, businesses need the right strategies, leadership commitment, and an understanding of what makes innovation programs endure.

Join us for an engaging live panel discussion featuring industry leaders and Scott Kirnser, CEO and Founder of InnoLead, as they share their perspectives and insights on creating innovation programs that continue to deliver results in an ever-evolving business landscape.

This session is your chance to hear firsthand experiences and learn from experts on how to build innovation programs that stand the test of time.

2:40 PM

Hackathons That Deliver: How to Drive Real Innovation & Impact - Jenny Xu, Senior Technology Consultant at Southwest Airlines

Hackathons are a powerful way to drive creativity, accelerate problem-solving, and engage employees in innovation. In this session, Jenny Xu, Senior Technology Consultant at Southwest Airlines, will share insights from her experience leading the Technology Hackathon event.

She will discuss best practices for planning and executing impactful hackathons, the role of rapid prototyping, and how the HYPE platform can be leveraged to maximize engagement and outcomes. Whether you're looking to launch your first hackathon or refine an existing program, this session will provide practical strategies to spark innovation within your organization.

3:20 PM

Networking Coffee Break

Take the opportunity to continue the conversation with the speakers and network with fellow attendees.

3:45 PM

AI Innovation: From Vision to Value - Gavin McClafferty, Innovation Lead at Subsea7

AI holds immense potential for transforming industries—but how do you move from isolated pilots to meaningful business impact? Gavin McClafferty, Innovation Lead at Subsea7, will share the evolution of their AI journey, highlighting key lessons learned, success factors, and challenges in scaling AI initiatives.

He will provide practical insights for innovation managers at different stages of AI adoption, from early exploration to enterprise-wide integration. Discover how HYPE supports AI-driven innovation, enabling teams to move from promising proof-of-concept projects to tangible business value.

4:25 PM

The 3 building blocks and the 5 ground rules of foresight - Panu Kause, CEO at FIBRES

Panu’s keynote focuses on the best practices of a truly valuable foresight and futures intelligence practice in a corporate setting.

The presentation builds on years of practical experience from a wide variety of corporate environments, and on the results from three focused foresight practitioner surveys.

Essentially you may expect to learn about the following:
- What are the main building blocks of a successful futures intelligence practice?

- What do the organizations happy with their foresight and futures intelligence do differently?

- What are the common denominators of successful foresight practice rampups?

- How to avoid the typical pitfalls when trying to establish a more systematic approach for your horizon scanning and trend management?

5:05 PM

Reflections and Insights: Wrapping up Day 1

Let’s wrap up day one of INNOVATE America 2025 with reflections, insights, and a look ahead to tomorrow’s exciting sessions.

7:00 PM

Evening Event at Five Iron Golf: Networking & Fun in River North

Join us for an unforgettable evening at Five Iron Golf in Chicago's vibrant River North! Enjoy exclusive access to golf simulators, Duckpin Bowling, shuffleboard, and more as you unwind and network with fellow attendees.

Enjoy unlimited gameplay, delicious food and drinks from our exclusive menu, and a lively atmosphere perfect for networking and relaxation. Unwind after a day of sessions with great company and friendly competition!

Address:

Five Iron Golf, River North, 609 North Dearborn Sreet, Chicago

April 3rd

09:30 AM

The State of Innovation - insights into the critical trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping corporate innovation - Colin Nelson, Chief Innovation Consultant at HYPE Innovation

10:10 AM

Panel Discussion: Leveraging ISO 56000 to improve innovation performance - Joanne Hyland, rInnovation Group and Tyler Drenth, SGS North America

Gain insights into how ISO 56000 is transforming innovation practices, helping organizations improve performance and drive lasting impact.

10:50 AM

Networking Coffee Break

Another chance to connect with your peers and speakers.

11:20 AM

HYPE Product Workshops – Exclusive 90-Minute Deep Dives

Choose from four interactive workshops, led by experts in the field. These hands-on sessions will empower you to optimize your innovation tools and strategies.

The AI Innovation Exchange: Shaping the Future of Enterprise Innovation
Uncover Your Innovation Potential: Interactive Self-Assessment Using ISO 56000 & 56004
Experience HYPE in Action: The Smart Innovation Platform
Anticipate & Shape the Future: Strategic Foresight in Action with HYPE & FIBRES

12:50 PM

Networking Lunch Break

Enjoy lunch and connect with other attendees, sharing insights and challenges.

2:00

Building a Challenge-Based Innovation Program for the Entire Enterprise - Vlora Muslimi, Senior Manager, iD8 Program and Colleague Innovation, TD Bank

Join Vlora Muslimi as she shares insights from TD Bank's innovation journey in supporting 100,000 employees worldwide.

Vlora will discuss the successes and challenges of their global iD8 program, the pivotal role of highly engaged leadership in fostering an innovation culture, the highs and lows of overcoming obstacles, and what the future holds for innovation at TD Bank.

5:00 PM

Reflections and Insights: Wrapping up Day 2

Let’s wrap up day two of INNOVATE America 2025 with reflections and insights from our impactful sessions.

Why Is INNOVATE So Unique?

Press play to watch the full interviews and hear what past attendees say about the event.

Super Early Bird

$399

Registration Closed

Valid: Until December 31, 2024

Access to all sessions

Access to lunches and coffee breaks during the 2 days

Access to icebreaker cocktail on April 1st

Access to networking dinner on April 2nd

Access to the slides of the event

Early Bird

$499

Valid: January 1st until February 28th, 2025

Access to all sessions

Access to lunches and coffee breaks during the 2 days

Access to icebreaker cocktail on April 1st

Access to networking dinner on April 2nd

Access to the slides of the event

Regular

$599

Valid: March 1st until April 1st, 2025

Access to all sessions

Access to lunches and coffee breaks during the 2 days

Access to icebreaker cocktail on April 1st

Access to networking dinner on April 2nd

Access to the slides of the event

Speaker

Free

Share Your Expertise & Attend for Free!

Access to all sessions

Access to lunches and coffee breaks during the 2 days

Access to icebreaker cocktail on April 1st

Access to networking dinner on April 2nd

Access to the slides of the event

If you're used to attending conferences in generic hotel ballrooms or sterile meeting rooms, Catalyst Ranch will feel like a breath of fresh air. For INNOVATE North America 2025, we chose this space because it’s anything but ordinary—just like the ideas we hope to spark here.

From the moment you step inside, you’ll notice the difference. The bright, colorful decor and cozy seating arrangements create an environment that feels warm and welcoming, not formal or rigid. It’s the kind of place where conversations flow naturally, ideas feel a little bolder, and collaboration seems to happen almost effortlessly.

We wanted a venue that inspires the same creativity and forward thinking that innovation demands—and Catalyst Ranch fits perfectly. Every detail, from the playful furniture to the relaxed layout, is designed to help people connect and think differently. It’s not just a space to meet; it’s a space to reimagine, collaborate, and innovate together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions? We are Here to Help!

Is there a charge for the event?

We have special offers running for a limited time so don't wait to book your seat to get the best rate!

Super Early Bird Pass valid until December 31st: $399
Early Bird Pass valid until February 28th: $499
Regular Pass from March 1st: $599
Group Pass: 2 for 1: If you have three people in your company that would like to attend, we will only charge two tickets.

* Taxes for companies outside of Germany are due according to your local tax laws

What is HYPE's cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel your participation, you can do so for free until March 3rd. Your registration fee will be fully refunded. We will not refund your registration fee past this date.

Is there an app and online platform for the event?

To help you get the most out of the event, we're using the online platform and the event app from CVENT.

The platform will open two weeks before the event and stay open up to 90 days after to give you the opportunity to:

View the agenda & your personal schedule, which will already include the roundtables you selected in your registration form
View the lists of participants & find people with similar interests to connect with before and during the event
Post questions to the entire event community or pictures in the event feed
Keep the discussion going after the event through the chat
Download the presentations

The event app will offer you extra useful features during the event, such as:

The Q&A panel to ask questions to the speakers during the sessions
The venue map to find your way to the different meeting rooms
And much more!

How do I sign into the event platform and dowload the app?

Two weeks before the event, we will send you an invitation to join the CVENT platform and download the event app. Take 5 minutes to update your profile, and don't hesitate to explore the menus to get familiar with the platform's different features. Start posting messages, questions, and even pictures to engage with the other participants before the event!

What is the dress code for the event?

The dress code is business casual. Feel free to dress comfortably for networking and workshops.

Will there be food and beverages provided?

Yes, we will provide refreshments throughout the day, including lunch and snacks. Dietary preferences can be submitted during registration.

Can I transfer my ticket to someone else?

Yes, you can transfer your ticket to a colleague or another individual by contacting our support team at least 48 hours in advance.

What is the venue address and how do I get there?

The event will take place at Catalyst Ranch, 656 W Randolph St Ste 4E, Chicago, IL 60661, USA. You can find detailed directions and parking information on our event website.

How do I get to the event by car and what are my parking options?

Catalyst Ranch is conveniently accessible via major highways, including I-55, I-90/94, and I-290. Randolph Street is a one-way street going west, and the venue is on the north side in the Haymarket Building.

There are four parking lots nearby. We validate parking at the lot located at 180 N. Jefferson (entrance on Lake St.), costing $12 for up to 12 hours. You can also find affordable parking with apps like Spot Hero or Park Whiz.

What public transportation options are available?

Catalyst Ranch is accessible by several CTA lines:

Green & Pink Lines: Clinton Stop
Blue Line: Grand Stop
Brown Line: Washington Stop

For full transit options, visit the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) System Map or use the CTA Trip Planner.

Will presentation slides be shared after the event?

Yes, registered attendees will receive access to presentation slides and other materials after the event via the event platform.