Powering the future of entrepreneurship.

We are an innovation-first ecosystem advancing the transition to a clean energy economy. BRITE believes anyone, anywhere can be a catalyst for change, that empowering energy tech startups will create opportunity, good jobs and a resilient economy.

Our Mission

An Innovation-first ecosystem

We provide signature start-up programs, a holistic ecosystem, and strategic presence to unleash the energy revolution across Ohio, Appalachia, and the Midwest. BRITE serves a variety of clients providing solutions to today’s challenges and defining tomorrow’s opportunities in energy storage, grid resilience, and mobility.

Programs

Signature start-up programs focused on innovation in mobility, energy storage, and grid resiliency

Ecosystem

A holistic ecosystem connecting industry, business, start-ups, academia, community, government, and philanthropy.

Presence

Strategic presence in key markets to empower local clean energy ecosystems.

Our Key Pillars

Energy Storage

Energy storage is the cornerstone of the shift towards a more sustainable, reliable, and efficient energy system. BRITE’s members are catalyzing innovation in battery technologies, thermal storage, and beyond — working towards leveling out energy supply, shaving peak demands, and integrating more renewable sources into the grid.

Mobility

With a zero-emissions future in sight, we’ve focused on groundbreaking solutions for electric vehicle infrastructure, alternative fuel technologies, and transformative transportation systems. We’re collaborating with entrepreneurs and innovators, helping them navigate the open terrain of e-mobility – energy-efficient engineering solutions that propel us towards a carbon-neutral horizon.

Grid Resilience

At BRITE, we understand that a resilient power grid is the foundation of a sustainable energy future. We support startups who are pioneering the initiatives to modernize electrical infrastructure, integrating renewable sources, and enhancing technology that can withstand disruptions from unstable weather patterns or cyber threats.

Our History

The Journey of BRITE

Headquartered in the heart of industrious Warren, Ohio, BRITE has a hand in shaping the lives of over 600 companies, creating approximately 2,100 jobs, and channeling investment worth $250 million.

Momentum was building for nearly a decade for a place-based incubator to accelerate energy technologies in Northeast Ohio by the economic development community. Leadership from the City of Warren and the Mahoning Valley embraced the concept and incorporated a non-profit in late 2010.

Our Values

BOLD

We do what is necessary, not just what is expected, for the success of our founders and community.

RESILIENT

We have grit and seize every opportunity to grow from our wins and losses.

What Makes Us BRITE

INCLUSIVE

We actively promote an environment where people of all backgrounds thrive.

TRANSPARENT

We are clear about our expectations, abilities, and impact.

EMPATHETIC

We acknowledge where people are by listening first, cultivating our curiosity and acting without judgement.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to BRITE’s mission and values. As a nonprofit economic development organization, we recognize our unique position as an entity, service provider and physical space located in an under-resourced city for creating dynamic relationships across a diverse community. We intentionally curate a culture and environment that fosters diversity and inclusion for everyone – our employees, clients, partners, suppliers, funders, neighbors, and tenants.

The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our stakeholders invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture but our reputation and achievement as well. We embrace and encourage founders’, entrepreneurs’ and the public’s differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make everyone unique.