JumpStart Blog

Sociagram is developing a cloud-based social video messaging platform that enables users to create and send unique video greetings to mark milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries or holidays.

Casentric has developed a cloud-based, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application, CaseXpert™, that helps evaluate and resolve property and injury cases faster and more accurately.

Last week, the Cleveland Indians routed the Philadelphia Phillies, 14-2. During the eighth inning, grizzled veteran Jason Giambi hit a ground ball down the first base line. Although the Indians were up by a whopping 12 runs at the time, the 42-year-old still hustled like the game was on the line and slid headfirst into first base—safely.

JumpStart is committed to inclusion across all of its programs. We recognize the single best hope for the nation’s ongoing competitiveness is to create inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems, and we understand there are both unique challenges and opportunities facing minority entrepreneurs.

BOLD Guidance CEO Nichelle McCall was born and raised in the city of Cleveland. From a very early age, her family instilled in her the value of a quality education; in fact, McCall’s mother worked three jobs to send her daughter to Laurel School, in order to ensure she received a solid school experience.

Minority entrepreneurs are a growing influence on all aspects of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This infographic examines some of the opportunities and disparities that exist around minority entrepreneurship.

On Thursday, April 25, nine Northeast Ohio entrepreneurial companies were recognized as new members of the Charter One Launch100 Leadership Circle.

Trust in a mentor/mentee relationship plays a key role in the success of the mentorship experience, and can also have an impact on the long term success of the business.

On Wednesday, April 17, Northeast Ohio business leaders, investors, college students, faculty and families gathered at the University of Akron’s Martin Center for the 7th annual LaunchTown Entrepreneurship Awards.

JumpStart had the opportunity to discuss the importance of and the barriers to creating inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems with Carmen Ortiz-McGhee, Claude Kennard and our own Darrin Redus.

When then-Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPad 2 in March 2011, the device and its characteristics weren't the only things dominating the news cycle. In fact, one particular quote from Jobs' speech proved to be somewhat controversial. "It's in Apple's DNA that technology alone is not enough," he said.

Amplified Wind Solutions CEO Niki Zmij has had quite a successful few months. After taking second place in the student business idea competition at the 2012 Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur Expo, her cleantech company—whose technology was developed out of Cleveland State University—won the Ohio Clean Energy Challenge and competed in the regional competition in Chicago.

On Tuesday, March 12, the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network, with help from BioEnterprise, hosted a presentation led by Liz Powell, Principal and Founder of G2G consulting, about the Rapid Innovation Fund and related funding opportunities from the Department of Defense for biosciences, IT, aerospace and other high-tech innovations that can assist the military.

On Tuesday, March 19th, JumpStart hosted a lively discussion about what mentoring is, how it can help businesses grow and why it’s more important than ever—to both mentors and mentees.

The MAGNET (Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network) Product Acceleration & Technical Assistance Grant program (MPAcT) is currently accepting applications for grants of up to $30,000.