Empowering
tomorrow’s changemakers,
one mighty idea at a time.
CASE STUDY: EKSTERA
Changing sustainable energy for the planet.
Meet Brendan MacDonald
Brendan MacDonald - the founder of Ekstera and a Professor at Ontario Tech University - has developed a groundbreaking new design for a Stirling engine, which can convert heat into power at the highest efficiency.
Apart from having the potential to be three times as efficient as past Stirling engines, Brendan’s design represents a massive opportunity to rethink energy generation and heat recapture, making it more carbon-free, reliable, and inexpensive.
The challenge: going from the lab to the market
Having stacked up some peer-reviewed scientific papers and patented tech (pending in Canada), Brendan found himself at a crossroads. He needed to figure out which market to dive into and how to secure the funds to move from a prototype to a full-blown demo project, gearing up for the big leap to a fully commercialized product.
Finding the hum
Working closely with Brendan, we developed a strategic plan to secure funding, validating market interest across diverse industries and applications. This comprehensive approach was designed to navigate various sectors systematically, garnering the kind of support and interest that transforms innovation into real opportunities.
"We’re engineers and we didn’t know the best approach for getting our product to market and finding funding. Russ and Mighty Hum were instrumental in moving our business forward and helped us to develop a powerful strategy and build partnerships that will put us in a very competitive position.”
Brandan MacDonald, Founder, Ekstera
CASE STUDY:FRONT LOBBY
Improving renting for everyone.
Meet FrontLobby
FrontLobby is on a mission to improve the rental industry for everyone involved in it, striving towards a win-win scenario where both Housing Providers and Renters can prosper. FrontLobby’s platform makes reporting and screening both accessible and affordable for everyone.
The challenge: building the foundations to support growth
With a robust team of 15+ and backed by solid funding, FrontLobby was well-positioned for growth. With 35,000+ housing providers and 1,000,000 rental units already under their wing, FrontLobby needed to find a way to be efficient and minimize organizational chaos while navigating expansion.
Finding the hum
To kick things off, we worked with FrontLobby to find their organizational heartbeat. We did this by establishing systems and rituals to get (and keep) everyone on the same page, bringing employees together with a shared vision and increasing leadership accountability.
“Mighty Hum leaned into challenging areas of our business and helped us lay the foundation for the future. We gained more accountability with our leadership team and honestly, it was incredible how much it focused us on the most important work.”
Zac Killiam, CEO FrontLobby
CASE STUDY:BREEDLOVE
Empowering a more equitable tomorrow.
Meet Breedlove
The Breedlove Entrepreneurship Center is a YWCA Metropolitan accelerator program. Launched in 2021, Breedlove is dedicated to empowering black businesses, closing the resource and wealth gap, and creating a powerful impact on the communities they serve.
The challenge: creating access for, educating, and inspiring a community
Breedlove’s accelerator program is 10 weeks long and is designed to empower later-stage women of color entrepreneurs who are the majority owners of their businesses. One week before launching their second cohort, Breedlove’s accelerator partner pulled out of the program - leaving the YWCA without a curriculum, facilitators, or any speakers.
Finding the hum
We partner with Below the Line to define the vision for the Breedlove accelerator program. Together, we crafted a powerhouse strategy, designed a dynamic 10-week curriculum featuring impactful speakers, and orchestrated the entire program.
“Russ has been a fantastic facilitator, advisor and business partner. He has enhanced our Breedlove cohort immeasurably and delivered real business value to our entrepreneurs.”
Cheryl Hudson Jackson, Director, Breedlove Accellerator
CASE STUDY:LUNUM
Expand DEI measurements to create workforce impact.
Meet Lunum
Lunum's products and services are a great fit for organizations dealing with intricate supply chains and looking to make a positive impact through transformation. Using the Harvard Business School's Impact-Weighted Accounting Initiative, Lunum gauges the overall value of your business activities with 12 new key performance indicators (KPIs) specifically centered around diversity, equity, and inclusion impact for all the workforces on your profit and loss statement.
The challenge: mechanizing the building blocks that drive revenue
The journey from ideation to generating initial revenue can be intimidating, and at times, overwhelming: there are so many moving parts that need to come together like puzzle pieces in order to kickstart momentum. Lunum needed expert guidance and support to transform what was still just a vision into a fully operational, successful, revenue-driving business.
Finding the hum
We teamed up with Lunum to transform concepts into actionable strategies and plans, honing in on essential business functions like partner management, operational cadence, pitch development, product development, customer outreach, and resourcing key functions.
“I was able to lean on and trust Russ as much as I would have a cofounder. The dedication to the business from the Mighty Hum team has been incredible–they go above and beyond.”
Jill Miller, CEO, Lunum
