07.06.2008

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Akron Urban League - The Akron Urban League is a non-profit social service agency that seeks to improve the economic, cultural, social, educational, and recreational conditions affecting all citizens of Summit County, particularly African Americans, other minorities, and those most in need. Their Business Management Program provides a series of workshops designed for minority entrepreneurs to gain knowledge about how to reduce real and perceived barriers that could possibly hinder their potential growth in today’s business environment.
Ashland Area Council for Economic Development - The Council assists in three major areas of economic development: business retention and expansion; business recruitment; and contributions to quality planning and quality of life. They offer resources such as The Small Business Development Center at Ashland University, which provides individual, confidential counseling and training programs for both potential and existing businesses.
Carroll County Economic Development - The Carroll County Economic Development center offers a complete list of business and services in Carroll County, as well as news pertaining to property and office space available in the area.
City of Cleveland Department of Economic Development - The department offers areas of development and assistance such as the Small Business Revolving Loan Program, which provides low-cost loans for the acquisition of fixed assets, renovation of existing facilities; the Division of Workforce Development; and the Empowerment Zone, which helps businesses expand or relocate within the zone.
City of Youngstown Economic Development - The Office of Economic Development offers several resources to growing businesses, such as the Small Business Mini-Loan Fund and the Ohio Enterprise Zone Program, which permits local municipalities, townships, and/ or counties to encourage new business investment projects by providing direct tax incentives.
Cuyahoga County Department of Development - The Department of Development promotes economically sound communities through programs that address issues vital to local business growth and enhanced employment opportunities within Cuyahoga County. They post several events and send out quarterly newsletters involving their development progress and resource available in the area.
Geauga County Community and Economic Development - The Community Development office administers funds including formula program funds and economic development program grants. The Economic Development sector offers low interest loan funds to county businesses, as well as a database of available industrial building sites and the CRA tax incentive program.
Greater Erie County Marketing Group, Inc. - The Greater Erie County Marketing Group Inc. (GEM) offers assistance and consultation to those looking to start-up or relocate their business to Erie County. GEM’s services include a database of available properties, tax maps, and financial incentives.
Growth Partnership of Ashtabula County - An economic development organization in Ashtabula County that focuses on assisting businesses and boosting economic The County also offers an incentive package for businesses looking to locate or expand within the county, such as local tax incentives, low interest loans and training dollars.
Holmes County Planning Commission Office of Economic Development - The Holmes County Economic Development Council offers many financial tools to business owners, such as the Enterprise Zone Program, which offers tax incentives on real estate in the county, as well as several loan programs.
Huron County Development Council - The primary focus of the HCDC is the retention and expansion of existing business and industry and the attraction of new business and industry to Huron County. They offer site selection assistance and business resource connections.
Lake County Economic Development Center - The Economic Development Center promotes business retention, expansion, and new industries. There are several departments within the LCEDC, including the Small Business Development Center, which provides a wide range of free management counseling to existing and start-up businesses in Lake County and the Micro Loan Program, which provides small businesses with an alternative source of capital.
Lorain County Community Development Department - The Lorain County Community Development Department is the community and economic development representative for the Lorain County Board of Commissioners, and offers several resources, including the Lorain County Revolving Loan Fund, tax abatement in Enterprise zones, and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds.
Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation - The MVEDC is a non-profit program that assists local small businesses in identifying and securing federal, state and local government contacts and sub-contracting opportunities. They offer technical expertise, resources, specialized assistance, guidance, and counseling to entrepreneurs.
Medina County Economic Development - The MCEDC provides professional assistance and a wide array of services to employers, such as business relocation assistance, workforce and training development guidance, and marketing information.
NorTech - NorTech is a technology-based organization focused on the continuous improvement of Northeast Ohio’s technology environment and economy. The organization is leading an effort to develop and communicate a comprehensive technology strategy that will drive innovation in the region.
Northeast Ohio Trade and Economic Consortium - An economic development partnership including counties such as Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne. NEOTEC promotes trade, business growth and economic opportunities through strategies such the Foreign Trade Zone 181 and improving the logistics of Northeast Ohio.
Northern Ohio Minority Business Council - The NOMBC is a nonprofit organization working to retain, grow, and enhance the profitability of its ethnic minority-owned businesses. They promotes supplier diversity, facilitates corporate and minority business enterprises relationships, assists minority businesses in meeting challenges and seizing opportunities, and provides access to educational, managerial and technical assistance.
Ohio Department of Development - The Ohio Department of Development works with businesses to promote economic opportunities. They offer business information and guidance in several areas, such as starting a business, managing a minority business, and expanding a company. The 1st Stop Business Connection provides free state-level information needed by entrepreneurs to get started and continue their entrepreneurial journey, including the business information kit.
Ohio Economic Development Association - The OEDA represents over 425 economic development professionals across Ohio and offers its members on-going professional development training and materials, networking opportunities, and significant discounts for attending their state-wide events and workshops.
Portage County Office of Economic Development - The Portage County Office of Development offers several services to entrepreneurs, including confidential assistance in locating industrial sites and buildings, financing, property tax incentives, and Ohio incentive programs for those needing a new location for their business or are considering expanding. They also offer many informational items at their Download Center, such as community profiles, an industrial directory, wage surveys, and industrial growth patterns.
Richland Economic Development Corporation - The REDeC supports and enhances the economic vitality of Richland County, offering the comprehensive data needed to make informed decisions regarding expanding and growing businesses in North Central Ohio.
Stark Development Board, Inc. - The SDB offers assistance to local companies in growth, expansion, and attraction of new business investments. Financial assistance, incentives and a business network are available.
Summit Business Partnership - The Summit Business Partnership intends to satisfy, retain and grow the businesses located in Summit County through face-to-face meetings with business owners. They utilize trained professional Outreach Personnel, a team of government and economic development service providers, and hands-on program management.
Summit County Department of Development - The Summit County Department of Department has developed a technology-training grant to help companies obtain skills for their employees to better compete in today’s economy. The department also focuses on increasing the quality of life within the Summit area through tax incentives offered to businesses, which have resulted in retaining and creating thousands of jobs in Summit County.
Team NEO - Team NEO markets Northeast Ohio to attract business investment in targeted industry clusters. They offer services to the region including marketing, accelerating industry clusters, serving as a central point, and championing new approaches that leverage regional strength.
Trumbull County Planning Commission Economic Development - The Trumbull County Economic Development Program primarily assists businesses in making new investments in fixed assets to create and retain jobs. The county offers a Revolving Loan Fund and offers several types of business assistance, each geared to meet a specific economic development need.
Tuscarawas County Office of Community Economic Development - The Tuscarawas County OCED provides several programs and incentives for businesses located in the county, including the Economic Development Grant & Revolving Loan Fund Programs and the Enterprise Zone Program.
Wayne Economic Development Council, Inc. - Wayne County provides economic development assistance through three major outlets: providing information and assistance to companies that are interested relocation, retention or expansion; marketing the community to targeted business industries; and working with elected officials and community partners to ensure a positive business environment.

Entrepreneurial Resources

Baldwin-Wallace College Business Plan Clinic - The Baldwin-Wallace Business Clinic is a community outreach program for small business owners and new business entrepreneurs. Their goal is to coach clients through the development of their business plan, they also offer other services for clients, which include an in depth review of their existing business plan or a feasibility study for a start-up business idea.
Business Plan Archive - In partnership with the Library of Congress, the Center for History and New Media, and the University of Maryland Libraries, the Archive collects and preserves business plans and related planning documents from the Birth of the Dot Com Era so that future generations will be able to learn from this episode in the history of technology and entrepreneurship.
CAAO - Consortium of African American Organizations (CAAO) is a consulting organization for the black professional organizations of Northeast Ohio. They service as a conduit and referral source to existing resources for entrepreneurial and professional development, as well as leadership empowerment for its member organization and its members.
Entrepreneurs EDGE - EDGE helps existing middle market companies in Northeast Ohio grow their value by building a culture that is supportive of entrepreneurial ventures. Their market-driven programs and services encourage growth, innovation and community engagement. EDGE also works to establish meaningful benchmarks and track results for the region in a format that can be easily replicated to establish a more thorough indication of the region's economic health.
Entrepreneurs for Sustainability - E4S is a diverse network of over 4,000 leaders who are putting the principles of sustainability into action. Their core principles include Connect, which includes E4S Third Tuesday Network Events to bring together communities; Learn, which provides valuable entrepreneurial resources; and Do, which implements services around the region.
IdeaCrossing - IdeaCrossing is a free online community portal designed to help entrepreneurs find both the intellectual assistance and funding they need to launch and grow new business ventures. IdeaCrossing also serves the Angel and Venture Capital community by identifying and screening new investment opportunities. The site also provides greater visibility to the valuable assets located throughout any region, including universities, economic development organizations, service providers, and chambers of commerce.
John Carroll University Entrepreneurs Association - The Entrepreneurs Association is comprised of over 200 private companies. Its members are seeking to grow their businesses and act as a force for positive change in the Cleveland area. Several resources are available to the Entrepreneurs Association members, such as mentoring opportunities, career services, and numerous partner organizations.
Nano-Network - A Northeast Ohio based organization, Nano-Network aims to improve and expand nanotechnology research and commercialization efforts in Ohio. Their objective is to act as a hub for the awareness, development and commercialization of nanotechnology while playing a vital role in making the region a recognized center in nanotechnology activity. Their activities include major conferences such as Nano Week™, a nanotechnology business idea contest, advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and at the Ohio Statehouse, as well as regular meetings and networking events.
National Association of Women Business Owners - NAWBO works to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development, create innovative and effective changes in the business culture, build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations, and transform public policy and influence opinion makers. They offer many resources including educational activities, business referrals and leadership training.
NEO411.BIZ - A source of information for entrepreneurs starting or growing their business in Northeast Ohio. NEO411.biz, a service of Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), assists in locating and accessing the most beneficial resources in terms of management, funding, and other specialized areas such as intellectual property and I.T. workforce information. NAWBO offers many resources for women business owners in Northeast Ohio through the Cleveland chapter as well as through the national NAWBO connection. Through the alliances with other business organizations, women's organizations, national and local corporate partners and, most importantly, the NAWBO members throughout the country, members can take advantage of educational activities, business referrals, leadership training, and many other opportunities.
NEOinc - The Northeast Ohio Incubator Collaborative (NEOinc) provides coordinated services to entrepreneurs desiring to start or grow technology-oriented businesses in the 21 counties of Northeast Ohio. Formed by the Edison funded incubators in Northeast Ohio (Akron Global Business Accelerator, Braintree, GLIDE, MAGNET, and the Youngstown Business Incubator), NEOinc is an entry point into the entrepreneurial support network that exists across Northeast Ohio.
NEOSA - NEOSA membership-based organization that promotes the advancement of the Technology Community and I.T. Industry of Northeast Ohio. The organization is intended to provide a forum for sharing business and technical experience among industry professionals, promote attractiveness of the Northeast Ohio area, and support its members in marketing their products and services worldwide.
Northern Ohio Minority Business Council - NOMBC helps minority businesses of all sizes in Northeast Ohio meet challenges and seize opportunities. They facilitate minority business enterprises (MBE) relationships, coordinate MBE development efforts, and provide access to educational, managerial, and technical assistance.
Ohio Aerospace Institute - OAI’s mission is to help build Ohio’s aerospace economy through research and technology development, education and training, and networking and information exchange. OAI is focused on bringing together the best companies, universities and governmental entities and providing educational and training programs that fill gaps in today’s aerospace workforce.
PolymerOhio - PolymerOhio is an industry connecting and networking group focused on enhancing the global competitiveness and growth of Ohio’s plastics, rubber and advanced materials industry. They provide a broad range of value-added programs and services to their members and Ohio’s polymer industry. PolymerOhio resources have a deep understanding of the polymer materials and processes and the products derived from these materials.
SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business - With its 10,500 volunteer counselors, SCORE offers free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs. Together, their volunteers have more than 600 business skills and are working or retired business owners, executives, and corporate leaders who are interested in sharing their wisdom and lessons learned in the business.
TechLift - TechLift, a NorTech initiative, is dedicated to enhancing Northeast Ohio’s technology entrepreneurial companies by providing unique services, entrepreneurial mentorship and access to resources. TechLift was created through Northeast Ohio’s successful proposal to Ohio’s Third Frontier Program Entrepreneurial Signature Program and is focused on Northeast Ohio’s Technology Signature: Advanced Materials, BioScience, Information Technology, Electronics, and Advanced Energy.
WECO Fund, Inc. - WECO is a provider of financial services and programs to low and moderate-income individuals and families and the companies, organizations, and institutions in which they are involved. Their work supports the ambitions of people who want to save money, reduce debt and build wealth. It also supports the ambitions of companies and organizations that want their employees, members, constituents, customers, clients or congregants to be financially stable.
Young Entrepreneurs @ Ashland - YEA offers a comprehensive, interactive program that immerses students in many facets of the business world. The program engages its participants by having them form companies, design and fabricate new products, develop a sales and marketing campaign, maintain a company financial record, and participate in a new product business trade show.

Incubators

Akron Global Business Accelerator - The Akron Global Business Accelerator (AGBA) offers upscale office, lab and manufacturing space with state of the art conferencing facilities and IT services. The Accelerator offers support and counseling services including: cash flow management, financing, marketing and sales, business plan development and much more. Attention is given to assisting new companies commercializing advanced materials, electronics and instrumentation, and information technologies.
BioEnterprise - BioEnterprise is a business formation, recruitment, and acceleration initiative designed to grow health care companies and commercialize bioscience technologies. They offer a full range of services to support the development and growth of healthcare businesses, such as management support, clinical collaborations, investment capital and other start-up funding, business development, and a network of regional resources.
Braintree Center for Business Innovation - Braintree is a non-profit business incubator that assists business start-ups and emerging companies in North Central Ohio. They offer counseling, customer referral, access to capital, and training opportunities. Tenants are offered a series of services including a support system of successful entrepreneurs, flexible space, links to accounting, financial and legal professionals, one-on-one business consulting, and networking opportunities with other small businesses. Braintree is part of the Northeast Ohio Incubator Collaborative (NEOinc).
Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise - GLIDE is a comprehensive regional innovation center, resource hub, and business incubator that assists entrepreneurs in growing their business at all stages. Their services include business and idea assessments, technology and staffing support, access to legal counsel, educational resources, business management mentoring, access to capital, and strategic business guidance. GLIDE is part of the Northeast Ohio Incubator Collaborative (NEOinc).
MAGNET - The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network acts as the voice for and to the region’s manufacturers, as well as the “one stop shop” for public and private resources needed by those companies in order to compete around the world. MAGNET’s consulting services consist of industry experts who assist manufacturers of all sizes and segments to become more productive, profitable, and innovative every day. MAGNET is part of the Northeast Ohio Incubator Collaborative (NEOinc).
Sherwin-Williams CRADLE - The Creative Research And Development Laboratory Environment Technology Incubator Laboratories offers 12,000 square feet of state-of-the-art chemistry laboratory, office, and meeting space in Valley View, Ohio. The facility is set up for eight to 12 small technology companies and features 24-hour access to a secured building, furnished private offices, on-site parking, and high-speed Internet access.
Youngstown Business Incubator - The Youngstown Business Incubator is a non-profit corporation that accelerates the start-up and growth rates of scalable technology-based businesses in the greater Mahoning Valley. The YBI’s current focus is on developing business to business software application companies, although they will work with firms possessing a broad range of proprietary technologies. YBI is part of the Northeast Ohio Incubator Collaborative (NEOinc).

Angel Funds

BlueTree Allied Angels - Allied Angels is a regional group of accredited investors who invest in regional early-stage companies. The group offers several entrepreneur benefits, including a large capital source, a broad pool of knowledge and contacts, an efficient process and structure, and additional capital connections.
Ohio TechAngels Fund - The Ohio TechAngels Fund is a contributed capital and “sidecar” angel fund with over 100 members and partners from throughout Ohio. The Fund is interested in engaging qualified entrepreneurs who are developing promising, high-growth Ohio businesses, predominantly in the life sciences, information technology, and physical sciences market sectors.
North Coast Angel Fund - The North Coast Angel Fund is a contributed capital and “sidecar” pre-seed investment fund with a focus on early-stage technology investments. Targeted industries include biosciences, advanced materials, electronics and controls, information technology, and energy and power/propulsion. NCAF is interested in investments where there is an opportunity and a willingness to leverage the members’ significant experience and expertise.

Angel Networks

ARCHAngels - The Akron Regional Change Angel Network is a regional forum that has introduced investors to market-driven, technology-based investment opportunities within Northeast Ohio. The network invests in promising technology companies that can leverage the region’s strengths in health care, information technologies, polymers and other advanced materials.

Chambers of Commerce

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07.11.08 Tuscarawas County Port Authority Trade Forum
07.15.08 MIT Enterprise Forum: Innovation to Commercialization - Using Government Funding to Kick Start Your Start-Up
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