Community is opportunity.
Our vision is to unite independent businesses in one app, and level the tech playing field so local entrepreneurs everywhere can thrive.
Our vision is to unite independent businesses in one app, and level the tech playing field so local entrepreneurs everywhere can thrive.
We are technologists and entrepreneurs — a group of community-centered advocates for small business owners, aligned around one common purpose: to strengthen the local economy by creating the largest network of independent merchants, united on one platform.
20 years in digital commerce. Advocate for independent businesses and inclusive growth in local economies. Prior to Localight DW built applications for national brands and retail giants including Mall of America. Appointed by Mayor of Long Beach as Commissioner of Tech & Innovation. Father of five and proud resident of Long Beach, CA.
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Brenda Wunsch serves as Chair for Localight’s Board of Advisors, and brings a wealth of contacts and high-level guidance to the company. As a CEO and board member she has guided SaaS startup companies ranging from analytics and machine learning to blockchain and health-tech. She is focused on improving top line revenue. Brenda is a Long Beach Commissioner for Economic Development and Board Member for the Long Beach Accelerator.
Julien is a business development professional with over a decade of experience in business growth and entrepreneurial coaching. Solutions oriented, Julien strives to build sustainable systems that promote inclusion. He is passionate about training youth and designed an educational platform to help prepare students for exams. Julien is also a certified trainer in work readiness and soft skills, and has trained over 300 disadvantaged youth. Julien plans to pursue an MBA at the Eller College of Management, University of Arizona.
Ian Bentley was the Cofounder of Cyber Ventures & Autotropolis.com, one of the nation's largest privately held Lead Providers in the Auto industry. Acquired by Autobytel (Autoweb Inc, NASDAQ: AUTO) for 8-figures, proudly posting $10M annually in revenue at the time of the sale, and accomplished this with no VC or Angel Investing. Ian is currently a mentor for the Long Beach Accelerator.
Maryam Mahdaviani was VP Head of Product at Honey when they were acquired by PayPal in 2020 for $4B. She is an entrepreneur, technologist, strategist and investor. Maryam advises startup and growth stage tech companies. She was Localight’s mentor during the Long Beach Accelerator, serves as a mentor for Mucker Capital, and an advisor to Plug and Play companies.
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Sue helped draft the first COVID Relief Bill approved by Congress. She is #1 in the Nation (by number of loans) for the SBA Community Express and Patriot Express Loan Programs. An inspirational speaker, she has been highlighted in countless speaking engagements, as well as in newspaper articles, magazines, television, radio, conventions, and CNN. Sue is currently a Mentor for the Long Beach Accelerator.
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Kevin Matossian is a seasoned startup entrepreneur, successful TV and Film producer, CEO of SkySilk Cloud Services, Managing Partner of Silvercrest Entertainment, and founder of Film Solutions, LLC. Matossian has been a partner in several startup ventures including Ventura Marketing, Inc., Netlinks Co, and SearchFast, Inc. A strategist, Kevin is highly connected and works to expedite growth.
Adrian is currently the VP of engineering at Airtm, an app for cross-border payments with over 1MM active users. He was the cofounder and CTO of Radius which was valued at $1B when they exited in 2020. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science/Mechanical Engineering from UC, Berkeley - was a Phd candidate at UC Irvine in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Adrian lives in Arizona with his wife and children.
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