We started with a great idea and kept innovating.
BrainBank's mission is to help firms motivate and facilitate innovation. We deliver the state of the art in idea and innovation management, combining a powerful technological platform with implementation assistance tailored to the unique needs of client organizations.
BrainBank began in 1999 as an online suggestion box, morphed into an idea management system, and from there rapidly evolved into a full-scale innovation management platform. BrainBank has a flexible, enterprise-scale open innovation workflow, that uses distributed tasking and on-demand expertise to grow great ideas from fuzzy inceptions to solid, actionable projects. Our IdealinkTM technology is in use by companies on a global scale.
BrainBank has been self-financed, profitable and privately-held since day one. Our team is comprised of highly knowledgeable management consultants and technologists, all of whom have the benefit of extensive, hands-on innovation process experience.
Management
Andre Laurin, Founder and CEO
Prior to founding BrainBank Inc., Andre was the Canadian Marketing Manager for Computer Associates. He went on to join Saint Louis-based Maritz Inc., whose Performance Improvement Division specialized in suggestion programs. He helped implement suggestion programs for global companies involved in consumer products, financial services, retailing, transportation, manufacturing, steel production, and healthcare.
Karell Ste-Marie, Co-Founder and CIO
Before co-founding BrainBank Inc., Karell was Lead Developer at System V, a leading software application provider. He went on to become a Director of MIS and CTO at CTI DataCom, an international Technology Infrastructure Provider. Karell earned his designation as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and a Certified Professional + Internet.
Joanne Cuddeback, PMP, Director of Implementation & Research
Joanne has directed the implementation of idea and innovation programs for major organizations in the US, Canada and Latin America, working in a variety of sectors; Joanne guides clients with best practices, training and planning for Idealink implementations.
Prior to joining BrainBank Inc., Joanne was most recently Vice-President of Implementations with Maritz Holdings.
Jacob Shriar, VP of Marketing
Jacob heads-up BrainBank's social engagement and marketing initiatives.
Prior to joining BrainBank Inc., Jacob was the CEO and Founder of Smart Guy Media, a social media marketing and application development company which built several successful Facebook applications. Before that, Jacob was in Finance at CIBC World Markets.
Beth Coleman, Implementation Partner
Beth leads implementation of innovation strategy, processes and tools. Corporate and SME experience including Texas Instruments, ComputerLand, Telecom, Auckland City Council and IAG New Zealand. She provides assistance with the design and uptake of innovation processes, including idea capture, evaluation, management, product/service commercialization and monitoring.
Beth works out of Auckland, NZ
Chris Smith, VP of Strategic Initiatives
Chris brings more than twelve years of experience in marketing, advertising, and business development to BrainBank Inc. Chris has held various National business development and consulting roles at Monster Worldwide, US Motivation and Maritz Inc., where he led teams to deliver employee engagement, sales incentive and innovation programs. Most recently Chris held a SME and channel leadership position with Staples Performance Solutions practice. Chris holds a B.A. in Business Organizational Communications and Marketing and Sales Technology from The University of Akron in Akron, OH.