Howard Makler is the Co-Founder and CEO of Innovation Refunds, an organization championing small-business who, along with a network of tax attorneys, have helped thousands of eligible companies receive billions of dollars in government-issued refunds so their businesses can thrive. Through his leadership, Innovation Refunds is helping small and medium-sized businesses across America gain access to the capital needed to reach their maximum potential. A career-long entrepreneur for 30 years, Howard was a trailblazer in the eSports sector in the early 2000’s by giving gamers the ultimate in-person gaming experience to making it possible for everyday investors to invest in real estate through public non-listed REITs, Howard seeks out opportunities to create access where it doesn’t exist for those who form the backbone of the American economy. Howard has served on the Board of Directors for The Skyhook Foundation, a charity founded by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Vice Chairperson for Athletes & Entertainers for Kids, and helped create Shaqtacular for Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal).

Lara serves as President & CEO of NOW Corp, a company she co-founded to free small businesses from the burden of being a free bank to their customers. Now® Corp is the first payment system that enables B2B businesses to get paid immediately in a way that feels like taking a credit card for payment (not a loan or factoring) even when terms are offered. Now Corp is the subject of a Harvard Business School case study and Lara serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Harvard Business School. Lara received an MBA from the Harvard Business School, and a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Lara currently serves as a Trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation and as President of the Board of Atlanta Heights Charter School, which she co-founded. She also serves on the boards of CTE (formerly known as Carolina Tractor & Equipment Company), Patterson Real Estate Group, and Georgia Tech’s Alexander Tharpe Fund. Amongst many other accolades, Lara was a 2018 Southeast US Finalist for E&Y’s Entrepreneur of the Year and was named one of twelve 2019 E&Y Entrepreneurial Winning Women.