Winners Justin Bernard and Prentice Howard with Education category sponsor representatives Sandee Reid of The Davey Tree Expert Company and Matt Dierker of Centric Consulting.
Innovative Ideas Set to Transform Cleveland’s Future
CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Leadership Center proudly announced the winners of the 2026 Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Nearly 500 people attended the event, which highlighted 37 innovative initiatives from diverse individuals across northeast Ohio, all aiming to make Cleveland a better place to live, work, play, and visit. The event, presented by the Cleveland Leadership Center, was made possible through the partnership of Citizens and numerous other corporate, foundation, and individual supporters.
The finalists, who competed in categories for the grand prize, showcased projects that offer creative solutions to pressing social, environmental, and educational challenges. In addition to cash prizes, all five finalists will receive a spot in the 2026 NEO SEA Change cohort for social entrepreneurs and a one-year membership in ECDI, which provides support, resources, and connections for entrepreneurs.
Accelerate 2026 Winners:
- Grand Prize – $5,000
Justin Bernard and Prentice Howard – LanguageBridge
LanguageBridge is a Chrome extension that provides audio-first language translation for students, breaking down barriers to education by offering instant translation of online text.
- Finalists – $2,000 each
- Dr. Ken Schneck and Dr. Erin Benay – Cleveland’s Concrete Quilt
This public art project memorializes individuals lost to HIV/AIDS while raising awareness of current public health issues related to HIV prevention and testing - Isaiah Jackson – SPAAP
A bioreactor system that cultivates cyanobacteria and processes it into dried bricks, reducing carbon emissions and creating an environmentally sustainable solution. - Lori Lynn and Dina Rock – Aging Empowered: A Journey for Individuals, Families & Caregivers
This program empowers families to navigate aging through practical workshops on medical, financial, and caregiving support. - Danie White – Neighbors Community Farms
An initiative that turns underused spaces in Central Cleveland into mini-farms, offering workforce development and community engagement while promoting local food production.
- Dr. Ken Schneck and Dr. Erin Benay – Cleveland’s Concrete Quilt
The Technovation Category, sponsored by the Cleveland Foundation, is an additional optional opportunity for tech-driven ideas for social good in Cuyahoga County to win $3,500. Accelerate applicants whose idea includes a technology component can opt in to be considered for Technovation. Technovation submissions are reviewed by a separate panel, and as such, applicants may be selected for Technovation alone, the Core Accelerate category alone, or both. If selected for both, presenters will pitch twice prior to the final round at the event.
Cambron Jones with Leon Wilson of the Cleveland Foundation.
Technovation Winner – $3,500
Cambron Jones – SayItBuddy: Giving Every Child a Voice
SayItBuddy is a mobile app that allows nonverbal and speech-delayed children to communicate through images and voice, offering an affordable, customizable platform for expression.
Teen Accelerate: Students Make Change, sponsored by YEI, marked its third year as part of Accelerate and featured 17 pitches from student teams in grades 9-12 across Cuyahoga and neighboring counties. Runners up each received $250.
Teens also had a visible Accelerate presence at the Teen Entrepreneur Showcase and Pop-Up Shop sponsored by Burton D. Morgan Foundation. The shop was developed from the winning Accelerate 2018 pitch by Tory Coats to support the endeavors of young businesspeople and has been featured at Accelerate each year since.
Benjamin Scott Petrus, Anthony Anghilante, Anthony Coale, Hayden Koelliker with Ilene Frankel of the Young Entrepreneur Institute
Teen Accelerate
$1,000 Winners – Benjamin Scott Petrus, Anthony Anghilante, Anthony Coale, Hayden Koelliker: Teen Hustle
$500 Runner up – Isaiah Bady: Sensory Safe Cuts
In addition to the cash prizes, all finalists will gain access to a range of resources, including mentorship and training that will help them scale their initiatives and further their impact. The networking reception, which allowed finalists to connect with past presenters, investors, and community leaders, was sponsored by The NRP Group.
Event Background:
The Cleveland Leadership Center launched Accelerate in 2015 as its signature annual fundraising event to promote social innovation and provide a platform for local entrepreneurs and community leaders to turn their ideas into reality. Over the past decade, more than 300 initiatives have been pitched at Accelerate, with many continuing to have a lasting impact on the Cleveland community as LLCs, nonprofits, and ongoing programs.
“This year’s Accelerate competition was a testament to the incredible talent and ingenuity within our community,” said Becky Ruppert McMahon, President and CEO of the Cleveland Leadership Center. “These social entrepreneurs are driving meaningful change, and we are proud to support them in creating a lasting impact on Greater Cleveland.”
“Citizens is proud to support a competition that aligns so closely with our commitment to strengthening communities and expanding opportunity,” said Matt Kuchta, Ohio Commercial Market Executive at Citizens and Co-Chair of Accelerate. “Accelerate spotlights the ingenuity and resolve of our neighbors, and the ideas we see, ranging from youth employment to inclusive education technology, demonstrate what is possible when community voices are elevated and meaningfully supported.”
Thank you to our Category Sponsors for Accelerate 2026:
- Climate & Energy Innovation – NOPEC
- Education – Davey Tree and Centric Consulting
- Health & Well-being – MetroHealth
- Social Change – Thompson Hine LLP
- Teen Accelerate – Young Entrepreneur Institute at University School
For more information about the winners and their projects, please visit cleveleads.org/Accelerate.
Media Contact:
Joan M. Palumbo
Chief Advancement Officer
(440) 315-1037
jpalumbo@cleveleads.org