About Us

We Bring Ideas To Life

Nobellum is a non-profit global accelerator focused on economic development in the Black community. We drive economic empowerment in Black communities by helping Black-led STEMM businesses launch, scale and access capital in Canada and globally. We operate across Canada, Jamaica and Nigeria.

Nobellum is not just an accelerator—we are a transformative force driving innovation, empowerment, and systemic change.

Having surpassed our 5-year mandate of launching 100 Black-owned STEM businesses, we are now scaling ventures into sustainable, high-impact enterprises. With a proven track record, the Nobellum Accelerator delivers a best-in-class framework, equipping underrepresented founders with cutting-edge tools, funding access, strategic partnerships, and a community-driven ecosystem.

Startups have been accelerated

121

18,080+

Innovators supported through Initiatives, coaching and mentorship

200,000+

Funding Distributed through award prizes and grants

Made Possible by sponsorship and donations from our partners and sponsors:

Royal Bank of Canada logo featuring a stylized lion holding a globe with the bank's name in blue text.
CIBC logo with the red letters 'CIBC' and a stylized red and purple diamond-shaped symbol to the right.
Logo for The Bridge, focusing on business research and innovation.
Pixelated logo featuring a colorful robot head above the text 'TheHub' on a black background.
Logo of the University of Toronto Scarborough with a blue crest featuring a tree and a shield.
Logo of BMO Bank with a red circle emblem featuring a white mountain and water design.
Logo depicting three stylized skyscrapers and the word 'Toronto' in blue letters.
Colorful pixelated robot icon with the text 'TheHub' below it.
CIBC logo with red letters and a stylized diamond shape to the right.
RBC Royal Bank of Canada logo with a lion holding a globe, and the bank's name in blue text.
Logo with the text "The BRIDGE" and the subtitle "Business | Research | Innovation".
Logo of the University of Toronto Scarborough, featuring a blue shield with a tree and a book, and the university name in blue text
Logo of BMO financial group featuring the text 'BMO' in blue and a red circle with a white mountain-like symbol.
Logo for Toronto featuring a stylized skyline with tall buildings and the word 'TORONTO' in bold blue letters.
A woman speaking into a microphone at a conference, with an audience wearing headsets in a dimly lit room.

Our Mandate

Nobellum set out with a mandate to support 100 Black-owned businesses in STEM by 2025. We exceeded that mandate, supporting 121 Black-owned STEM businesses.

Get Involved

Meet the Leaders

  • Melisa Ellis

    Melisa Ellis

    FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Read Bio
  • Malcolm Wright

    Malcolm Wright

    CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER

    Read Bio
  • Kathryn Lawrence

    Kathryn Lawrence

    CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

    Read Bio
  • A professional man wearing glasses, a dark blue suit, and a blue tie with white polka dots, smiling in front of a collage of black and white photos of people.

    Abdul-Aziz Garuba

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Click Here
  • Portrait of a man with short hair, wearing a patterned vest over a gray shirt, standing in front of a dark background with smaller, faded images.

    Calvin Pascall

    CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

    Click Here

Meet the Team

Senior Program Advisors

Volunteer With Us

We are continually seeking enthusiastic students and community members to volunteer with us! Get involved and be a part of the positive change in our community!

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People participating in an event at a conference or fair, sitting at a table with informational pamphlets and QR code sign, with vendor booths in the background.
People sitting at a table with promotional materials, in an indoor event space with display banners in the background.
Volunteer With Us