Local NEO Entrepreneurship Resources

Northeast Ohio offers a growing, lively entrepreneurship ecosystem full of diverse organizations that offer support to entrepreneurs. A few organizations we work with and would recommend:

JUMPSTART

Based in Cleveland, OH, JumpStart Inc. is a venture development organization providing capital, services and connections to help entrepreneurs grow, researchers commercialize and corporations innovate. Their mission is to unlock the full potential of entrepreneurship to transform entire communities. 

What they offer:

• Events
• Funding Opportunities
• Workshops
• Programs for Entrepreneurs

Contact Info: info@jumpstartinc.org, (216) 363-3400

BOUNCE INNOVATION HUB

Located in Akron, OH, Bounce Innovation Hub serves northeast Ohio entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses. Their facility comprises more than 300,000 square feet of coworking, event, meeting and professional office space. With more than 50 organizations in the building, Bounce accounts for more than 250 people working and creating.

What they offer:

• Technology incubator  
• Software accelerator  
• Co-Working and Office Space
• Events

Contact Info: info@bouncehub.org, www.bouncehub.org/apply

UNIVERSITY OF AKRON RESEARCH FOUNDATION (UARF)

University of Akron Research Foundation's mission is to transform and expand the region's innovation economy through entrepreneurship education, technology commercialization, application of UA research, and creation of new entrepreneurial ventures.  

What they offer:

• Starting Line - UARF's pre-accelerator program guides beginner entrepreneurs through a step-by-step process of turning an idea into a business concept by introducing them to customer discovery and the Business Model Canvas)
• I-Corps - More than 150 entrepreneurial teams and 630 individual participants have completed UARF's 7-week I-Corps program, which focuses on using direct customer interactions to validate a business idea

NORTHEAST OHIO STUDENT VENTURE FUND (NEOSVF)

 The goal of Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund is to show students, entrepreneurs, and startups that Northeast Ohio is a viable geographic location to start their business. We want to showcase the resources this region provides in an attempt to attract and retain talent in Northeast Ohio. 

To learn more about joining the Kent State chapter of NEOSVF, contact Kayla Starta, kstarta@kent.edu

YOUNGSTOWN BUSINESS ACCELERATOR (YBI)

Located in Youngstown, OH, The Youngstown Business Accelerator  maintains a focus on developing successful digital businesses, advancing women’s and minority entrepreneurship, and furthering advanced manufacturing technologies.

What they offer:

• Programs for Entrepreneurs 
• Minority Business Assistance Center
• Women in Entrepreneurship Program
• Advanced Manufacturing Programs
• Events

​​​​​​​Contact Info: (330) 746-5003, info@ybi.org