Meet Alysha: Alysha L. Ellis, MBA is a serial entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, author, and creator. An award-winning business leader and innovator. In 2016, she launched her first company since then she has invested in community, equity, and inclusion. In 2017, she launched a consulting firm where she aims to partner with diverse field experts to provide innovative solutions with a strong focus in strategic planning. In 2020, she developed Mas LaRae, a multimedia platform aiming to share, connect and inspire through storytelling, uplifting underrepresented voices, and intentional relationship building. Since then she has helped share over 200 stories. Alysha is the lead visionary of IGNITE With Light, a social venture network collaborating with entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators to build equitable opportunities and sustainability. She is also an award-winning business leader and innovator. Current projects consist of Co-Founder FutureLAND amongst other engagements to transform Cleveland’s innovation and tech ecosystem to be more inclusive and supportive of diverse founders.

Meet Lucas King: As the Startup Experience Specialist at BRITE, Lucas is responsible for ensuring early-stage energy technology companies are prepared to move forward with creating long-term sustainable businesses. Lucas is a recent graduate of Washington and Lee University, where he studied Business Administration and Chinese. During his collegiate experience, he also engaged in multiple opportunities to help prepare himself for a career in entrepreneurship.

Meet Ethan Holmes: In 2008, At the age of 15, Shaker Heights native Ethan Holmes launched "Holmes Mouthwatering Applesauce" with his grandfather’s applesauce recipe and ambitious dreams of entrepreneurial success. From humble origins in his family’s kitchen – acquiring raw materials as Christmas gifts – Holmes built his brand of all-natural applesauce through sweat, equity, and persistence. Over the past 10+ years, Holmes has diligently grown his operations and distribution by leveraging his personal network, pitching his product at every opportunity, and listening to the advice of business mentors. Along the way, Holmes and his company have won a number of entrepreneur pitch competitions, earning capital infusions to fuel business growth, including an investment from The Cleveland Foundation, and being chosen for The Chobani Incubator and SKU Coca-Cola Accelerator. Today, Holmes Mouthwatering Applesauce has its sights set on national and international markets for its products and creating opportunities for students in the community.

Meet Nathan Minns: Nathan Minns is a professional speaker and trainer, and the founder of Green Light Improv, where he uses the principles of improv comedy to help people embrace new ideas, experiences, and connections. University student programs & corporate teams turn to Green Light Improv to develop their group’s innovation, communication, and collaboration skills. The company doesn’t teach improv comedy, but rather uses improv as a tool for change. Reach out at GreenLightImprov.com.