About Memory Bright
Memory Bright helps care organizations, caregivers, and families use familiar photos, voices, videos, and stories to create more personal moments of connection.
Where the idea began
As John Velis’s father journeyed through Alzheimer’s, he used family photos organized on his computer to revisit familiar people and moments. John’s brother also created a family website that brought many of those pictures together.
That experience revealed something simple and powerful: familiar media can help bring a person’s life, relationships, and identity into the present moment. It also raised a practical question—how could families and caregivers make those personal stories easier to gather, share, and use?
Memory Bright grew from that question. The result is a platform that helps families preserve meaningful content and gives caregivers accessible ways to use it for conversation, engagement, and connection.
What guides our work
Memory Bright brings an evidence-based foundation into an experience designed for everyday care.
Keep identity, relationships, preferences, accomplishments, and meaningful memories visible—not just needs and diagnoses.
Make personal knowledge and ready-to-use activities accessible within real care routines, visits, and shifts.
Give families practical ways to contribute stories, stay connected, and see positive moments of engagement.
Build on Reminiscence Therapy research while clearly acknowledging that results vary and Memory Bright does not promise clinical outcomes.
Northern Michigan roots
Founded in 2023, Memory Bright has grown through product development, pilot conversations, and feedback from the people who support older adults every day. Along the way, 20Fathoms provided innovation support and recognized Memory Bright with its Audience Choice award.
That work continues with a practical focus: make implementation manageable, learn from real care settings, and improve the platform before asking organizations to scale.
The team
The Memory Bright leadership team brings complementary experience in business, market development, education, and technology.
Guides company strategy, partnerships, and the growth of Memory Bright’s care-organization programs.
Leads market development and helps translate the Memory Bright mission into practical value for care providers and families.
Leads product and technology development, informed by his family’s experience with Alzheimer’s and the power of familiar photos.
A more personal starting point
We’ll show the platform, discuss your organization’s goals, and explore whether a structured pilot makes sense.
