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Jacqueline Williams tapped to lead minority business division at Ohio Development Services Agency

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Jacqueline Williams is taking her years of private and public sector experience to the helm of the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Minority Business Division. Williams will leave the position of Executive Director at the Ohio Liquor Control Commission and begin her new role with hopes of reaching out and connecting with various departments that can offer different insights on how to best do her job. “As I look in Ohio, the diversity and range of people who live in the state are clearly a strong asset,” says Williams. “I think we start with more of a foundation than many other places, and I think the goal here is that we can capitalize on all the value our differences bring to the table.” Williams believes utilizing our differences will be a strong force in the continued growth of Ohio’s economic vitality. Williams’ previous work at the Ohio Tuition Trust and the New America Foundation dealt largely in financial preparation and affordability for college. “I worked on issues of college savings to make it more accessible for low-income families,” she explains. Now, she’s looking forward to this new opportunity to serve the public. “I think what I like about working in the public sector is that there is the opportunity to get involved in things that have the ability to be transformative in nature,” says Williams. “If done right and if the proper stake holders put together their collective energy and wisdom, then you have an ability to make a real impact.” Source: Jacqueline Williams Writer: Joe Baur

Cleveland developer teams with non-profits to flip vacant homes on a dime

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

One creative Cleveland developer has partnered with local nonprofits to turn urban blight into fallow, flipping dilapidated vacant homes for as much as it would cost to demolish them. The frugal concept works courtesy of a keen focus on minimalism, material reuse and upcycling.

Cincy students learn biz basics in Market Madness program

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

For the past seven years, Cincinnati area elementary students have been learning about personal finance and the ways a market functions. “A lot of adults don’t understand how a market works, and these kids can tell you exactly how a market works,” says Julia Heath, director of the Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati. “A lot of people think the government controls prices or the sellers control prices and nobody else controls it, but that’s not true—it’s a market that determines the prices—and these kids know that.” The students know the principles of a market because each year, they get to participate in the Student Enterprise Program’s Market Madness, where they’re given the opportunity to create and sell products. This year’s theme was based on recyclable materials and re-use, so students created things like bookmarks, bracelets, stress balls, notebooks and magnets. “Some have their products laid out and are walking around with sandwich boards marketing their products, while others are buyers," Heath says. "Then halfway through the round, an air horn sounds, and the sellers then have an opportunity to change their price. So they see a market at work, and they know that if they’re selling things like crazy off their table, then they need to raise their price. If nobody’s coming by, they need to lower their price or increase their marketing.” Students also have the opportunity to take a college tour at UC, which Heath says is important because it allows them to envision themselves on a college campus and see if it’s the right fit for their own futures. Market Madness is an annual event, but throughout the year, StEP’s director, Erin Harris, is busy with the program’s student-run businesses within their own classrooms. “They can earn money through their business by good behavior, good attendance and good grades,” Heath says. “And then four times a year, we go to the school with a truck that’s got a bunch of stuff in it, and students then make a decision about whether they want to spend their money, save their money or donate their money.” For Heath, it’s wonderful that students are learning economics principles, but the most gratifying aspect of StEP, she says, is students’ willingness to donate rather than save their money for a big purchase like an mp3 player or digital camera at the end of the year. “Our most economically challenged schools are often our highest donators,” Heath says. “The class suggests the organization that will get their donations, and often it’s something they’ve had direct contact with—like they’ll choose the Alzheimer’s Association because one or two of the kids has had a grandparent that’s been stricken, or they choose Children’s Hospital because they had a classmate who spent a lot of time there, or they’ll choose the March of Dimes because their sibling has been affected. It’s really quite remarkable.”

By Brittany York Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a teacher at the Regional Institute of Torah and Secular Studies.

'Father-Daughter Hackday' encourages girls to become makers of technology

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

If it's up to Rachel Wilkins Patel, fathers and daughters will create something cool together this Father's Day. Patel is founder HER Ideas in Motion, Northeast Ohio’s first technology and media program for girls. On June 15, the nonprofit will host a Father-Daughter HackDay featuring hands-on activities and career role-modeling for girls ages 11-14 interested in STEM-focused studies. Participants will create their own projects under the tutelage of female technology professionals. The workshop "is about fathers encouraging daughters to try new things and become makers of technology, not just users," says Patel, a developer at Progressive Insurance. Being the only woman in the room is not uncommon in high-tech professions, something that HER Ideas in Motion aims to change. "The number of women in programming is flat and even decreasing in some areas," Patel says. "We're trying to address social and industry issues." Launched in 2011, the program has graduated 130 students. Interacting with successful women from Rosetta, LeanDog Software, NetApp and Keybank during the Father's Day program will only motivate teen girls to pursue their high-tech aspirations, believes the nonprofit founder. Gender should not be an obstacle for creative types hoping to program their own video game or dissect the inner workings of a computer, Patel notes. Middle school is the perfect time to introduce girls to the ever-growing digital space. "We want to reach them before they know what they're capable of," she says. "They should be comfortable taking technical classes later in their school careers." Source: Rachel Wilkins Patel Writer: Douglas J. Guth

Oberlin College and FlashStarts partner on entrepreneurship fellowship

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Oberlin College and Cleveland-based FlashStarts are partnering on an entrepreneurship fellowship, providing a team of Oberlin graduates from the Oberlin Entrepreneurship Fellowship program with a slot in FlashStarts’ business accelerator program this summer. “In this partnership, FlashStarts will be acting as a capstone for recent graduates of Oberlin College,” explains Charles Stack, CEO of FlashStarts. One team from Oberlin has already been slotted to join a class of 11 startups in the inaugural class. Startups range from a cloud-based marketplace that matches students with editors to a web application that coordinates clinical trials. Stack has been involved with Oberlin since 2009 when he invested in the winner of that year’s fellowship program, Skritter – a Chinese and Japanese writing educational application. “The Oberlin Entrepreneur Fellowship Program is one of the best programs around,” boasts Stack. “The school is full of students who think outside of the box and have the drive to create enterprises that can change the world.” FlashStarts’ business accelerator follows a model of “rapid iterations and continuous market validation,” Stack explains. “Each team in our program is receiving an investment of up to $20,000, access to a network of brilliant and experienced mentors, the assistance of interns, and guidance and resources customized to meet specific needs.” The first summer program began on June 3 with the 11 teams that were picked from a pool of 85 applicants from across the globe. Though all the companies are software-based, Stack says there’s plenty of diversity in the program. “Two of the companies will revolutionize the healthcare industry, while another is reinventing the online graphic novel,” says Stack. “One of the companies offers a hardware and software solution for processing big data that I only totally understand on a good day with a full night’s sleep.” Ultimately, Stack is holding FlashStarts and his supported startups to a high standard. “You can expect nothing less than the creation of 11 successful businesses that will change the world.” Source: Charles Stack Writer: Joe Baur

Entrepreneurial boom expected in Ohio as a result of health care reform, study finds

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Vallourec will dedicate new state-of-the-art mill in Youngstown

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Urban CLE entrepreneur set to break ground on first-ever biocellar

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Mansfield Frazier, the entrepreneurial mastermind behind the improbable Chateau Hough vineyard at E. 66th and Hough, says he will break ground on the world's first biocellar this year. He's raised more than half of the $100,000 needed to complete the experimental, innovative project. "This is about growing crops in the wintertime," says Frazier. The biocellar, which has been described as a passive solar greenhouse, will consist of a glass structure built on top of the basement of a demolished home. "We plan to grow mushrooms because they're $12 a pound, an acre yield higher than anything else. This is about renewing neighborhoods, reusing buildings and creating wealth in the inner city." "The biocellar is based on two concepts," Frazier explains of the glass-topped structure developed by permaculture designer Jean Loria. "One is a root cellar, which has been around thousands of years, and the other is a greenhouse. It's basically taking a greenhouse structure and putting it on top of a root cellar." Frazier says that he hopes to break ground in July so that the biocellar will be completed by fall. The two- to three-month build-out will be handled by Don Lasker of ALL Construction, and Frazier will also employ a lot of neighborhood residents and guys from a local halfway house. The biocellar was designed by Arkinetics. Funding sources include local council people, storm water management funding from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and a local angel investor. "We're budgeting $100,000 for the first one, but hopefully the cost will go down once we know what we're doing," says Frazier. "We know the science is there." Source: Mansfield Frazier Writer: Lee Chilcote

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber hosts design competition

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

In partnership with tech entrepreneur Tarek Kamil, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s C-Change program is requesting proposals from designers from across the region to help craft an unforgettable brand experience for users of the newly launched website, Cerkl. “This is an ideal opportunity to participate in a high-profile project for one of the largest non-profit organizations in the Greater Cincinnati region,” says Kamil, Cerkl’s creator. Launched in February, the website expedites serendipitous connections between talented individuals and local organizations that are working to improve Greater Cincinnati and the surrounding area. Its online platform serves as a catalyst for offline community engagement by empowering organizations and individuals to cut through the "noise" from existing networks to easily find organizations and opportunities to give back using time and talent. Intuitive tools and search functions allow organizations to find the right people with specific skills - and help individuals leverage their unique talents and engage meaningfully with organizations they care about. Best of all, the site’s tools and platform are completely free. Cerkl is a gift to Cincinnati from Kamil, who while serving in his own community of Madeira saw the need for an online intervention to help non-profits make meaningful connections with their supporters. But still in its infancy, the website is ready for its brand to be polished. In step with Cerkl’s mission, Kamil and C-Change are looking to tap engaged design professionals who want to share their talents with their community in a meaningful way. “No other city has a higher caliber or concentration of branding and design talent than ours,” Kamil says. “We want to leverage those assets to bring Cerkl to its full potential. When we’re successful, Cincinnati will be home to the go-to tool created to empower non-profits, inspire individuals and improve communities.” Designers participating in the request for proposals are asked to develop a refreshed visual look for the nonprofit, specifically a new brandmark and homepage redesign. Responses are due by June 21, and finalists will be notified in the beginning of July. The chosen designer or team will have the opportunity to establish a working relationship with one of the region’s most successful startup entrepreneurs. The involved parties will actively promote the contracting designer or firm through the website, social media, at events, marketing campaigns, etc. The winner of the competition will receive special recognition from C-Change and Cincinnati USA Chamber of Commerce, as well as a year’s subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud service or a $600 DCI (Downtown Cincinnati Inc.) Gift Card. The digital version of the RFP and brand guidelines can be found here. To receive a copy of request for proposal, email your submissions or for questions, email virtual.submission@gmail.com by June 21. Writer: Jenny Kessler

LOC Enterprises to launch Loyalty One Card

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Today, it seems that every retailer has a loyalty card leading to wallets stuffed with plastic and the potential for confusion. Cincinnati startup LOC Enterprises hopes to replace all those cards with the launch of its Loyalty One Card. The LOC Card is the first truly universal loyalty card that will not only allow consumers to stop carrying around handfuls of cards, but it will also allow them to manage all of their loyalty programs on one website. While holiday shopping for his now 12-year-old son in 2011, LOC’s CEO and founder Jack Kennamer realized the problems of loyalty cards. “I was standing in line at a sporting goods store, and I heard the cashier ask customer after customer if they had the store’s loyalty card,” Kennamer says. “Most people didn’t want one, but one lady decided to sign up for it, and I could see the guy behind her huffing and puffing while she filled out the registration form. And when the guy in front of me was asked if he had the store’s card, he held up his keychain and said ‘No room for you.’ I figured there had to be a better way.” After that experience, Kennamer spent hours researching loyalty cards and programs, and found that there wasn’t a “universal” loyalty card. “Consumers love to feel special and get free stuff and discounts, but it’s getting to the point where they have to work so hard to participate in loyalty programs,” he says. Kennamer’s company developed a 100-percent consumer-centric card that allows consumers to tailor how they want to engage with each retailer. For example, a consumer may want to interact with Kroger one way and Best Buy another, so they can pick and choose which retailers with which to share their email address. When a consumer signs up for the LOC Card, they’ll set up an account online, and anytime they go to a retailer that accepts the card, they swipe it once and they’re enrolled in that loyalty program. LOC’s website manages all of the loyalty programs for the consumer, so there’s only one email address and password instead of 100. LOC is working with the companies that handle the analytic side of loyalty programs to better service consumers. The company is also building relationships with individual merchants and getting great feedback about the LOC Card. The LOC Card isn’t just tailored to large businesses, though. “The problem small businesses have is they don’t stand a chance because they’re so far down the totem pole when it comes to loyalty,” says Kennamer. “With the LOC Card, you swipe your card at the retailer once and you’re signed up for their loyalty program. After that, it’s up to the consumer to come back, and the retailer can reach out and give the consumer personalized offers to start repeat behaviors.” The LOC Card isn’t available to consumers yet, but you can pre-register on LOC’s website. Writer: Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter

TechPint: A mini-tech conference for Cleveland. In a bar. With pints.

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

North Coast students compete for 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' title

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

During the past school year, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) brought entrepreneurship education to five area high schools. Certified entrepreneur teachers helped more than 200 students come up with business ideas, create the businesses and execute the plans. On May 23, 11 semi-finalists gathered at Ernst and Young’s education center in Cleveland to present their final business pitches in hopes of winning the E City (Entrepreneurship: Connecting, Inspiring and Teaching Youth) Northeast Ohio Young Entrepreneur of the Year title. The semi-finalists gave eight-minute presentations, describing their businesses, marketing plans and business strategies. The audience voted to determine the three finalists and a three-judge panel selected the winners. “They had fun, but it’s competitive,” says Carol Rivchun, president of Y.O.U. “They have to stand and make their PowerPoint presentations to the judges. The presentations included cash flows, Return on Investment, and budgets. And the judges really grilled them.” Vanessa Galvan of T.W. Harvey High School in Painesville won the top honor of Young Entrepreneur of the Year, as well as $1,000 for her business, Piñata Time. Galvan's company makes kits that include everything needed to create a piñata. The judges felt Galvan has a strong business and marketing sense of what it would take to make Piñata Time a success. Julianna Pierson of Shaw High School took home second place and $500 for Cat Sit, a cat sitting business that includes all toys and supplies. Both Galvan and Pierson will travel to New York in October to compete for $10,000 in the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship’s national business plan completion. Maria Moreno, also of T.W. Harvey High School, took third place and won $250 for her customized floral accessories business, Bright Pickins. Source: Carol Rivchun Writer: Karin Connelly

Avon’s Jenne Distributors Inc. looks to expand with 24 jobs

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Ohio to showcase aerospace products and services at Paris Air Show

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Ohio's R & D frontier spawns jobs, innovation and visibility

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Providing funds to explore a cutting edge food processing technique, establish a national 3D printing innovation hub and attract a Global Technical Center are just some of the ways Ohio Third Frontier’s Industrial Research Development Center Program supports public-private collaboration in order to spawn innovation and create jobs.

Ten Cincinnati startups to watch

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Dayton ranks 10th for STEM job share

2013-06-13T04:00:00Z

Dublin-based Acceptd partners with the National YoungArts Foundation

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Acceptd has developed a new strategic partnership with the Miami, Florida-based National YoungArts Foundation to better streamline the nationally renowned arts organization’s application process. “YoungArts Foundation is a great organization,” says Don Hunter, co-founder of the Dublin-based company that assists students around the world with applications to performing arts schools. Representatives from the two organizations met last year at a National Dance Education Organization conference in Los Angeles. Hunter says YoungArts was already familiar with their work and eager to find ways to collaborate. Discussing YoungArts’ HBO2-televised MasterClass program where applicants have the opportunity to work with experts in their respective field for scholarship opportunities, Hunter says getting Acceptd involved was the proverbial no-brainer. “They get about 10,000 applicants,” he says. “So it seemed like a natural fit to work with them on the application process.” Ultimately, it’s about creating new opportunities for students. “If we can create opportunities for young artists to pursue their passion and get opportunities they might not otherwise had, I think we’ve fulfilled our mission,” Hunter explains. “If we can create a better market and awareness for these guys, all the better.” To date, YoungArts has awarded 17,000 artists with more than $6 million in monetary awards. Moving forward, Acceptd will play a key role in evaluating the digital applications and portfolios for YoungArts. And Hunter says he’ll be sure to look out for his home crowd. “It’s a great opportunity for artistic students in Ohio,” says Hunter. “We have great relationships with faculty around the state, so we’ll be sure to market this opportunity to them.” Acceptd participated in OSU's 10Xelerator program in 2011 and has since recieved grants from TechColumbus and NCT Ventures. The YoungArts application will open on Acceptd this week. Source: Don Hunter Writer: Joe Baur

OSU staff members develop lightning fast pitches at Startup Snapshot event

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Ten Ohio State University faculty members got their speed-dating chops on earlier this spring, but not the sort that should worry their significant others. First came the warm-up: each gave three-minute presentations on their start-up ideas to more than 60 Columbus-area CEOs and entrepreneurs from a range of fields. The occasion was the first Startup Snapshot event, sponsored by the university’s Technology Commercialization and Knowledge Transfer Office (TCO). “The purpose of the event was to showcase our potential startups to CEOs and entrepreneurs, with the intention of procuring business leads and CEOs for them,” explains Brian Cummings, TCO vice president. In addition to the faculty members, one senior economics student also pitched his idea. “We selected a diverse set of technologies at various stages of development to convey the extensive breadth of research, innovation and technology we have,” Cummings says. “Many people are surprised to find that we’re doing work in a specific area. This enabled them to really get a feel for all of the exciting things we have happening right now.” Ten-minute round-robin “speed dating” sessions followed the lightning-fast pitches. “Presenting at Startup Snapshot forced me to distill my idea down into its basic elements, yet allowed for in-depth conversation, too,” says faculty member Jane Wright, curriculum manager for Ohio State Extension. “It was the whole elevator approach but with the added luxury of immediate follow up.” Wright pitched her idea for Total Animal, a technology platform and interactive learning system that teaches and tests users on knowledge of livestock and companion animals in a fun and engaging software application. According to Cummings, the event was a great success. “The engagement from our researchers and the community was more than we could have hoped for,” he notes. “The event resulted in the scheduling of 25 follow-up meetings, 15 new mentors agreed to become a part of TCO’s expanding mentor network and multiple companies are projected to launch.” Another Startup Snapshot event is slated for this fall. Source: Brian Cummings, OSU Writer: Lynne Meyer

Greener Portions Aquaponics now open for business in Cincy

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Greener Portions Aquaponics, Cincinnati’s newest source of locally grown produce using aquaponics, is now open for business in Covedale. Aquaponics is a growing method that utilizes, in Greener Portions’ case, channel catfish to produce nutrient-rich byproducts that are circulated through the plant’s root systems to be filtered out and pumped back into the fishtank. The circular cycle has been used longer than any of us have been around. Started by Mary Ann Brinkmeyer and her fiancé Casey Miller, Greener Portions not only has the capability to provide fresh, locally grown produce on a regular basis, but will occasionally have fish on the menu once they need to change the ranks, so to speak. Produce will be available for purchase on both individual and wholesale scales. At this time, Greener Portions has a 2,000-square-foot growing operation, where they are currently growing heirloom tomatoes, coastal star romaine lettuce, bell peppers, wheat grass, cilantro, Genovese basil, parsley and more. Future plans are to harvest strawberries, cucumbers, kale and heirloom orange tomatoes. The business started as a hobby for the couple, but they quickly realized it had potential far beyond feeding themselves. With a grand opening now under their belts, Greener Portions is confident business will grow as steadily as their produce. Find out more about Greener Portions Aquaponics here.

FlashStarts partners with Oberlin College

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Building up STEAM: Adding the arts into STEM education efforts

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Right brain versus left brain? The age-old myth has some modern day challengers. New STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) advocates are calling for arts integration -- and the movement is building as schools across Ohio use the arts to enhance creativity and problem-solving.

Cleveland-based Biotech CEO profiled in Industry Week

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Blue Ash's BCM Ink turns waste product into award-winning packaging ink

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Two companies on opposite sides of the Ohio River collaborated to create an award-winning ink product that's made from recycled materials. BCM Inks of Blue Ash and Close the Loop of Hebron, Kentucky, created a process that turns leftover ink from consumer printer cartridges into an ink that can be printed on cardboard packaging—in industry terms, corrugated printing. The ink is called Post Consumer Recycled Black, and was introduced to the market last fall. The new product won a gold award at the 25th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation in the Innovation and Sustainability category. Other gold-winning brands in the same category were Campbell’s Soup Company, Heinz, Pepperidge Farm, Unilever and Gillette. The prestigious international award recognizes industry innovation and collaboration. BCM Inks is a 25-year-old company that provides inks, services and products to the corrugated printing industry. Close the Loop USA recycles toner and ink jet cartridges. The Hebron facility opened in 2007. "When people bring their ink cartridges to be recycled, up to 13 percent of the ink is still in the cartridge," says BCM Inks' Vice President Rob Callif. "Close the Loop was recycling the cartridge but extracting and collecting the ink. They didn't know what to do with it. So we took the leftover ink and developed a way to turn it into a water-based black ink that can be used in corrugated printing." PCR Black saves over 200,000 ink jet cartridges from the landfill for every 450-pound drum of ink made, Callif says. The entry was reviewed, judged and selected by a 10-member panel of independent packaging industry experts. The award was announced May 16 at the DuPont Awards Banquet in Wilmington, Delaware. By Feoshia H. Davis Follow Feoshia on Twitter

Cincy's Chill Shaved Ice expands

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Alia Ali’s business venture, Chill Shaved Ice Bar, began in June 2011 at Findlay Market. Her shaved ice stands out among the rest because the syrups are all natural. “I’ve always been in business,” says Ali. “I flipped cars in undergrad and imported jewelry after I graduated. I’m interested in health and wellness, and decided to marry business and healthy with Chill.” In order to expand her business, Ali looked at local organizations that offer business support to entrepreneurs. She was one of 10 finalists in Bad Girl Ventures last fall. And in November, she participated in business classes at Xavier, and then applied to Xavier X-Lab, which pairs businesses with MBA students. That session just wrapped up, but Ali plans to participate in the summer session as well. Last month, Chill expanded its location options with a Smart car that scoots to area venues such as Kenwood Towne Center and Krohn Conservatory. “I hope Chill continues to show people that natural and delicious can be in the same sentence,” says Ali. By Caitlin Koenig Follow Caitlin on Twitter

Entrepreneurs riding the road to success thanks to growing bike-based economy

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Cleveland is joining cool cities across the nation as they embrace a bicycling culture that provides alternative transportation while encouraging healthy living -- and a healthy $6 billion industry across the U. S. alone.

This North Coast incubator welcomes entrepreneurs of the foodie sort

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

The Cleveland Culinary Launch and Kitchen and the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) will be hosting a business incubator for food and beverage entrepreneurs this summer. The nine-week program will focus on the specifics of opening a food-related business -- from food safety and nutrition to marketing and product development. “We’ll really touch on everything to get a business off the ground,” says Emily Sullivan, ECDI Cleveland operations coordinator. “We’re creating a food incubator program. This is a hands-on look at getting a food business started.” Participants also will develop business plans and have opportunities to meet with ECDI managers about securing a loan. This will be a hands-on program, says Carolyn Priemer, general manager of the Culinary Launch. “It’s not going to be a classroom setting,” she explains. “We’re going to be out in the community and in restaurants.” Incubator participants do not need to be Culinary Launch tenants to enroll in the program. However, there is a $200 fee once applicants are accepted. Scholarships will be available. Ten companies will be accepted. Applications will be taken through mid-June, with the program beginning in July. Open for six weeks now, the Culinary Launch has six tenants, ranging from an ice cream maker to caterers to a custard frosting maker. The Launch is a partnership between ECDI, Carolyn and Gordon Priemer of J&M Real Estate, and Tim and Bill Skaryd of Hospitality Marketing and Sales. Sources: Emily Sullivan and Carolyn Priemer Writer: Karin Connelly

German manufacturer chooses Mason for $50M center

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Biz accelerator looks beyond Ohio for promising companies

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Bizdom Cleveland has invested in 16 young companies since it set up shop in January 2012, and the organization is targeting 18 more companies this year. While many are local startups, Bizdom also scours the country in search of promising businesses to recruit to Cleveland. So far Bizdom has brought four companies to Ohio: Queryly from New York, MascotSecret from San Francisco, Firmly Planted from Los Angeles and CourseBuffet from Seattle. “The bottom line is we’re looking for the best and the brightest wherever we can find them,” says Paul Allen, leader of Bizdom Cleveland. “We find them, and then we do our best to sell them on the benefits of doing business in Cleveland.” It’s not difficult to recruit companies to the area, given Cleveland’s support of small startups. “There’s a very large and organized infrastructure here,” Allen explains. “Cleveland has a bunch of organizations that provide support, expertise, resources, investment, equity and debt funding. The continuum of organizations that support small business is unlike other parts of the country.” And the assistance is accessible. “Cleveland has a tight-knit startup community that doesn’t take long to identify the key players,” Allen says. “They exist here and you can access them.” Allen points out that the Dan Gilbert and Quicken Loans name also attracts businesses. One of Bizdom’s requirements is that its portfolio businesses locate in Cleveland. All four relocated companies have chosen downtown for their headquarters. Bizdom companies have created 36 full-time and 10 part-time jobs. Allen hopes more out-of-town companies will come to Cleveland for Bizdom’s fall accelerator program in August. “We have lots of applicants from out of state for August,” says Allen. Source: Paul Allen Writer: Karin Connelly

Cleveland-based Agrarian Collective goes on the road with mobile cooking school

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Kelli Hanley sees the big picture in cooking -- and she wants to teach people the whole concept of it, from sourcing the produce, to understanding what’s in your pantry, to putting a meal on the table. So she started The Agrarian Collective, a mobile cooking school that does just that. “When I started The Agrarian Collective, I envisioned an Earth-to-table lifestyle school,” she explains. “My approach is around understanding the relationships between your pantry and kitchen table. My classes are not designed to just watch someone cook.” Hanley recently won a $5,000 loan from a private giving circle after participating in the Bad Girl Ventures spring 2013 business plan competition. She’ll use the loan to build her mobile kitchen, with six two-burner cooking stations. Hanley will take the mobile kitchen to farms and farmers markets and other locations around Northeast Ohio. Hanley’s first class will teach people how to make strawberry jam. The class will meet at a Hiram farm. “We’ll have scones and coffee in the morning and then we’ll go out and show how to pick the best berries for making jam,” she says. “We’re really focusing on hands-on technique.” Most of the classes will collaborate with farmers, chefs or tradespeople to teach specific skills. “When you go home you’ll really feel confident that you can put what you learned to use in the kitchen,” says Hanley. She is working with the Cleveland Culinary Launch, chef Karen Small of the Flying Fig and urban farmers to design the classes. “There has been amazing interest,” says Hanley. “People are telling me they can’t wait for my classes. I feel like it’s something that’s really taking off.” Source: Kelli Hanley Writer: Karin Connelly

JumpStart and others boost Brecksville-based MOVABLE to $1.9 million

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

CincyTech's Mike Venerable: "Why I Like My Entrepreneurs Scared"

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z

Compressed natural gas fueling station coming to Mahoning Valley

2013-06-06T04:00:00Z