We’re passionate about helping you grow and make an impact at lightspeed
Meet the dynamic minds behind Lightspeed Innovation Lab — a team of visionary designers, engineers, and strategists driven to turn bold ideas into impactful, market-ready products.
Heidi Carrion
With deep supply-side and client-side experience, Heidi specializes in consumer product design and development, from idea generation to retail merchandising. Her expertise spans CPG, industrial, and medical products, with a focus on food & beverage, adhesives, and building materials.
Over a decade in innovation, she has built insights departments, led competitive Brainstorming workshops, and conducted Point of Difference research to refine brand advantages. A named inventor on 13 patents, Heidi blends qualitative and quantitative research to drive product success and innovation.
Dave Lupyan
Dave brings a unique blend of science and business expertise, with a track record as a senior R&D leader at Pennzoil, BASF, and a Berkshire Hathaway division (Scot Labs). Specializing in new product development and commercialization across B2C and B2B markets, he holds multiple patents and innovation awards.
A past president of the Northeast Ohio PDMA, Dave received the PDMA Excellence Award (2005) for his contributions to product innovation. Today, he advises startups and midmarket companies, helping them accelerate growth and breakthrough innovation.
Carlo Russo
Carlo Russo, co-founder of Cardboard Helicopter Product Design, drives the company’s success alongside Tim Hayes. With a marketing degree from Kent State University, he specializes in client success and product management, ensuring precision in every project.
Carlo’s strong communication skills bridge the gap between clients and the design team, contributing to hundreds of products, including the viral Tricerataco dinosaur taco holder. Over the years, he has expanded his expertise in drawing and industrial design, enhancing his creative impact. Passionate about innovation, he leads a boutique team dedicated to excellence.
Tim Hayes
Tim Hayes is an expert in industrial design with over 20 years of experience developing innovative, market-ready products. He is the co-founder and CEO of Cardboard Helicopter Product Design, where he has led the creation of award-winning products, licensed inventions, and holds dozens of patents.
Tim’s expertise spans consumer goods, toys, medical devices, and military equipment. He is also a leader in AI-driven design tools and trends, accelerating concept development through his platform, Lightspeed Lab. He currently serves as vice chair of IDSA Cleveland.
