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Step into the world of innovation and entrepreneurship! Hear first-hand from Hall of Fame athletes, Artists, and visionary Business Leaders who are redefining success through collaboration and innovation.
During these talks, you'll hear powerful, firsthand stories of resilience, growth, and breakthrough moments from industry leaders across sectors, as well as companies who have participated in our Accelerator.
Featured Non-Profit: Project Genesis.
About: Project Genesis is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Guatemala by empowering children and young adults through comprehensive education and vocational training. Their mission is to provide the tools and opportunities necessary for their participants to lift themselves out of poverty, fostering long-term economic independence and resilience.
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MMA Legend
Fremont, OH
Mark Coleman is an American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, and former collegiate wrestler, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of MMA. Born on December 20, 1964, in Fremont, Ohio, Coleman earned the nickname “The Hammer” for his powerful wrestling and relentless ground-and-pound style.
A former NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Ohio State University, he transitioned to MMA in the 1990s, becoming the first UFC Heavyweight Champion and later winning the 2000 PRIDE Grand Prix in Japan. Coleman’s aggressive approach and dominance on the mat helped define early MMA and earned him a place in the UFC Hall of Fame.
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Music Executive
Cleveland, OH
Quincy “Big Heff” Taylor is a veteran music executive known for elevating artists and brands across the Midwest and beyond. Starting in promotions in 2001, he went on to work with Shady Records, launch ITW Marketing, and support global campaigns for artists like Jim Jones, Slim Thug, Obie Trice, and DJ Khaled.
He later became VP of Nerve DJs, co-founded the Ohio Hip Hop Awards, and created the Big Heff Industry Tour to develop emerging talent. Quincy has built media platforms including the Big Heff Radio Show and Midwest Connext TV, authored two industry books, and launched Capital Structure Ent., signing rising artists through partnerships with Equity Distribution, RCA Records, and more.
Beyond entertainment, Quincy leads community programs focused on youth empowerment, STEAM education, and anti-violence initiatives. A proven connector, strategist, and culture builder, he continues to drive growth and opportunity throughout the music industry.
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Founder and CEO of Butter Be Kind
New York City Metropolitan Area
Teja Urankar is the founder and CEO of Butter Be Kind, a biotech-powered natural skincare brand. Starting in Europe, she has scaled the company into the U.S. market, launching in SoHo, New York and securing partnerships with some major retailers. Her journey reflects the challenges and wins of building a global brand from scratch, combining vision, resilience, and innovation. Teja is passionate about inspiring other entrepreneurs to take bold steps and turn ideas into thriving businesses.
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Design Thinking Consultant
Columbus, OH
Sarah Wilkes began her professional journey as a graphic designer, honing her skills in creating visually compelling and user-friendly designs. Her career evolved as she transitioned into a business consultant role, where she applied her design thinking principles to help companies develop effective strategies and improve their operations. This blend of creativity and business acumen naturally led her to tech entrepreneurship.
A graduate of The Ohio State University and the PerScholas Women in Software Engineering program, Sarah now leverages her diverse background to assist small businesses in harnessing the power of technology as the founder of Goal X. This AI-interactive roadmap platform is at the forefront of the Future of Work ecosystem, turning entrepreneurs into successful CEOs who, in turn, create opportunities for job seekers and students. In addition to her professional pursuits, Sarah dedicates her time to connecting people with local resources, teaching high school students how to build no-code mobile applications, and volunteering with Treats 4 The Streets, a non-profit organization that feeds the homeless population of Columbus, Ohio.
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Founder and CEO of Think Make Live Youth
Columbus, OH
Terry Green is the Founder and CEO of Think Make Live Youth non-profit,
Lead Consultant of Breaking Statistics LLC, a social justice consulting firm and the
Founder of the Social Justice Awards, a celebration event dedicated to honoring
outstanding professional and community leadership.
Terry has over 13 years of experience in public speaking, 9 years of nonprofit executive leadership and provided over 200+ presentations in more than 14 cities throughout the United States.
Terry is a founding member of the National YouthCreate Pilot Site Implementation Council. He serves with six other leaders of local non-profits from around the country who are collaborating to empower low-income youth from urban, rural, and tribal communities to create significant community improvement projects of their own design.
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Visual Artist & Muralist
Columbus, Ohio
Felicia Dunson, known as FDZ Graffiti, is a self-made visual artist and graffiti specialist whose bold murals and mixed-media works blend street art, fashion, and spoken word to tell stories of culture and resilience. Born in Columbus, Ohio, she rose to prominence as the official graffiti artist for the Hip-Hop Expo, using her craft to bridge community and creativity. During the 2020 pandemic and social justice movements, her art became a force for activism, amplifying messages of unity and empowerment through large-scale public murals. Now an internationally recognized artist, educator, and environmental advocate, Felicia continues to redefine contemporary street art through her eco-conscious “DEADCANZ” series and global outreach, proving that graffiti is not a crime—it’s the music you can see.
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Co-Founder & CEO of RightHear
Rockville, Maryland
Idan Meir is a visionary entrepreneur and Co-Founder & CEO of RightHear, the category leader in audio format signage and orientation solutions. Based in Rockville, Maryland, he has been recognized by Forbes, FastCompany, and HackerNews for driving innovation that empowers people with visual and orientation challenges to move independently.
A Techstars founder and member of the MindShare CEO Forum, Idan previously built Hubanana, one of Israel’s most successful startup hubs. A former commander in the IDF’s elite Sayeret Nahal unit, he blends discipline, creativity, and impact-driven leadership to scale companies that change lives.
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CRO Nichefire Inc
Cincinnati, Ohio
Khalil El-Amin is one of the visionary entrepreneurs behind Nichefire, a Predictive Cultural Insights Technology company dedicated to revolutionizing the business landscape through the prism of consumer and competitive brand insights. At the helm of this groundbreaking AI-powered media intelligence company, he is leading a dynamic team in harnessing the vast expanse of online data, unraveling millions of data points, and utilizing advanced algorithms to unveil previously undiscovered insights that inform strategic decision-making.
His proficiency extends to leveraging social metrics for uncovering concealed truths, executing Brand Tactics Analysis, gauging Consumer Sentiment, delivering comprehensive Reporting, and seamlessly integrating with diverse platforms through APIs. The bedrock of Khalil’s approach lies in the deployment of Customized AI solutions, meticulously crafted to address the unique needs of each client. In his role as the Chief Revenue Officer, he cultivates meaningful relationships with key personnel at major brands like Walmart, Kraft Heinz, Nestlè, and others. Guiding his dedicated team, he harnesses the intelligence derived from these partnerships and cutting-edge AI technology to achieve extraordinary results for Nichefire’s clients.
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Founder of Beyond Normal Media
Charlotte, NC
Kenneth “Kenny” Groom is a revenue leader and media entrepreneur who connects technology, storytelling, and community impact. As the Founder of Beyond Normal Media, a Charlotte-based creative agency, Kenny helps organizations and founders turn their stories into measurable business growth through podcasts, branded content, and digital strategy.
With experience across Fintech, Edtech, and SaaS, Kenny has guided enterprise and public sector clients in using data to improve retention, product adoption, and customer value. He has also implemented data-driven financing strategies for major brands including Walmart, Lowe’s, and Chevron, aligning customer engagement with measurable revenue outcomes.
Through Beyond Normal Media, Kenny partners with founders, nonprofits, and creative organizations to amplify underrepresented voices and build scalable storytelling systems. His work blends strategy and creativity to help brands communicate authentically and drive results.
Kenny continues to shape how technology and creativity work together to empower communities and the next generation of entrepreneurs.
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Columbus, OH
Kyle Overmyer is a nationally recognized advocate for addiction recovery and mental health awareness. Once one of Ohio’s youngest sheriff-elects, his life took a transformative turn following his personal battle with opioid addiction. His journey through law enforcement, legal challenges, and recovery has become the foundation of his mission to empower others facing similar struggles.
As co-founder of KO Addiction, LLC, Overmyer works to break down stigma and inspire change through speaking engagements across the country. His presentations emphasize resilience, recovery, and mental wellness, drawing deeply from his own lived experiences.
Overmyer holds an Associate Degree in Police Science from Terra State Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Tiffin University. He is also a Certified Event Interventionist (CEI). In addition, he serves as Director of Business Development at Complete Healthcare, one of Ohio’s leading centers for addiction treatment and rehabilitation.
His leadership extends beyond his professional role. Overmyer is an active advisory board member for One Brother One Sister, and he contributes his expertise to the Ex-Offender Reentry Coalition as well as the Mental Health Committee of the African American Male Wellness Agency.
Kyle Overmyer’s story of redemption and advocacy stands as a powerful testament to the hope of recovery and the impact of dedicated service in the fields of addiction treatment and mental health.
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Artist
Columbus, OH
Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Jayswifa is the ultimate wildcard. As the creative force behind Fly Union and Mnkeywrench, he’s carved out a lane all his own with boundary-pushing production and an unapologetic flow. With over 16 projects under his belt, Jayswifa has earned the respect of hip-hop heavyweights like Big Sean, Curren$y, and Pusha T. Always evolving, always authentic — keep your eyes on Jayswifa.
Founder of TeachRN
Cleveland, OH
Jenny Finnell, MSN, CRNA, is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and self-made entrepreneur who bootstrapped her first company to seven figures in under four years. Over the past five years, she has mentored and coached more than 8,000 ICU nurses, guiding them through career transitions and professional growth. Passionate about solving workforce challenges in nursing, Jenny develops innovative solutions such as open marketplaces and enterprise tools for health systems. Her work focuses on improving nurse retention, fostering leadership development, and building scalable support systems for the future of the nursing profession.
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Founder and CEO of Safewave
Cincinnati, OH
Trevon Bruch is the Founder and CEO of Safewave, a wearable technology company creating an open-network haptic ecosystem that connects people to the world through touch. By transforming alerts from everyday devices into powerful vibrations, Trevon’s vision extends beyond accessibility—toward building a global platform where homes, hospitals, and workplaces all communicate seamlessly through the language of vibration.
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Tech Startup Executive & Venture Partner
Atlanta, GA
Chris is a seasoned tech startup operator, founder, and executive with a proven track record of driving innovation and growth across diverse industries. With over 13 years
of experience in the startup ecosystem, he has become a valuable asset to early-stage
companies navigating critical phases of development.
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Founder of Anarco Labs
Columbus, OH
Anthony Regalado is the founder of Anarco Labs, where he builds AI systems that amplify human expertise rather than replace it. He leads the development of PATH, an AI-enhanced intelligence engine that transforms messy operations into clear strategy, scalable workflows, and expert-level guidance for SMBs and consultants. After a decade in Bogotá leading international teams, raising capital, and building products across blue-collar services and tech, Anthony has seen one truth: small businesses don’t need dashboards—they need real direction. His work focuses on giving them the intelligence to act, adapt, and grow.
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Founder of Avocado Bets
Los Angeles, CA
I’m 29 and originally from Hudson, Ohio. I studied Marketing and Entrepreneurship at the University of Akron before joining Block (Square/Cash App) in 2019. I love building new things, and Avocado Bets is the venture I’m most passionate about—because the betting world is overdue for massive disruption, and we’re leading that shift.
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