Today we’d like to introduce you to Miral Kotb CEO of iLuminate.
Miral Kotb, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember. Dance is an emotional outlet that comes from my heart. Yet I’ve always held an interested in technology. I wrote my first piece of code when I was nine years old and enjoy exploring tech out of intellectual curiosity.
Upon graduating from Columbia University with a degree in Computer Science, I accepted a job as a software engineer at Bloomberg. Simultaneously, I was pursuing a career as a professional dancer. A week before I was about to leave the corporate world, I was diagnosed with my first bout of cancer, and my dream of becoming a professional dancer did not seem as attainable.
But life’s experiences teach you to look for the silver lining in everything. Little did I realize when my world turned completely upside down that my experiences would lead me to a whole different career path. This path ended up being more rewarding and fulfilling than I could have ever imagined.
Has it been a smooth road?
The most challenging obstacle I’ve faced in my life has been overcoming cancer. Twice. The first time was when I just graduated from college and started a professional career. I had two surgeries and several radiation treatments and was in remission. Then, two years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer for a second time with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I had several rounds of chemotherapy, then needed a Stem Cell Transplant followed by many more rounds of chemo.
There were times when my journey was overwhelmingly challenging and I was ready to surrender. But, my family and extended iLuminate family lifted me up and showed me that it was possible to rise above any challenge.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the iLuminate story. Tell us more about the business.
In 2009, I combined my passion for dance and technology to create iLuminate, the world’s first light dance technology company. Early on we worked with award-winning artists such as Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera, The Black Eyed Peas, and Death Cab For Cutie. We then competed on America’s Got Talent in 2011, where we placed 3rd and were dubbed “The Best New Act in America.” Since then, iLuminate has positively impacted millions of audience members by performing across the globe in arenas, theaters, and incorporate and classroom settings.
In its inception, I helped develop and write much of the software we used as part of the control system that we still use today. Now, my primary role is as CEO of the company. I also design and code the lighting cues and effects for the majority of our shows and work on creative concepts from inception to fruition. Whenever possible, I sneak into a suit and perform with the dancers. It helps keep me sane!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iluminate.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iluminatedance/ | https://www.instagram.com/miralkotb/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealMiralKotb
- Other: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ru2tqfufnefggp/Miral.mp4?dl=0
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