Tyler Ellis, Ph.D., M.B.A., is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and scientific advisor with a vision to transform the energy industry. He is the founder and principal at Black Hills Partners, where he advises venture-backed energy startups, energy-focused private equity firms, government organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. With over 300 founder mentees at MIT and Harvard, Tyler is a true supporter of entrepreneurs. Prior to Black Hills Partners, he was the VP of Business Development at Nucleus Scientific, an electrical energy and transportation company founded by MIT faculty and alumni. Tyler's passion for energy innovation led him to TerraPower, a nuclear energy company backed by Bill Gates, where he joined as employee #9 and raised ~$500M. He authored 22 academic papers and created 4 U.S. and 6 international patents, which makes him a sought-after scientific speaker and contributor to top-tier publications like TechCrunch.