[VIDEO] Portfolio Company Spotlight: Inphlu

JumpStart’s Focus Fund recently led Inphlu’s $500K funding round, along with participation from angel investors. Inphlu is a Dayton-based social media management platform that helps marketers automate content creation and posting as well as view real-time analytics. The company was founded by Josh Reid, who ran his own digital marketing agency and knew there was

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Impact Program Spotlight: Nicholas Harper of Eden Couture

Eden Couture is the Toledo area’s premier bespoke clothier. Specializing in a personalized shopping experience, owner Nicholas Harper and his team of skilled tailors work with high-quality materials to ensure every customer has the sharpest look and the perfect fit. COVID-19 made it impossible for us to connect in person with Nicholas and the rest

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Impact Program Spotlight: Na Tasha Shabazz of The Taste Wine Bar

The Taste Wine Bar is Toledo’s first self-serve wine bar, with 20 wines on tap every day is a wine tasting. Established as a place where customers can feel comfortable (and not intimidated) when ordering and buying wine, Taste’s casual atmosphere allows you to sample and learn about wines at your own pace. COVID-19 made

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Impact Program Spotlight: Quintin Riley of Legendary Carpet Care

Legendary Carpet Care’s mission is simple: to provide the highest quality service to each and every customer. Led by entrepreneur Quintin Riley, the company utilizes innovative technology, green cleaning and professionally trained technicians to provide both clean and healthy living and working atmospheres. COVID-19 made it impossible for us to connect in person with Quintin

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Toledo’s Center of Hope Family Services Finds New Ways to Serve During a Pandemic

Toledo nonprofit Center of Hope Family Services is built on face-to-face interactions, as they help support vulnerable families and children in the city’s urban core. When COVID-19 forced this Northwest Ohio Impact Program participant to shut down their physical location, they knew they needed to reinvent their methods to serve their clients, who need their

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SurgiHealth Solutions Helps Hospitals Access Critical Protective Equipment

Cincinnati-based SurgiHealth Solutions supplies sterile ​processing​ products to hospitals and surgery centers. The bulk of their business comes from ​supplies needed to clean and reprocess​ surgical instruments for surgeries. Demand for these ​supplies has fallen off in the wake of COVID-19 due to the national ban on​ elective surgeries. However, demand for personal protective equipment ​(PPE)​

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Colleges Turning to Wisr to Stay Connected with Students During COVID-19

Cleveland software company Wisr help schools build a digital network around students. The company’s software has always been popular with earlier adopters and universities looking to differentiate themselves with a strong digital presence. But the current wave of shelter-in-place orders and cancelled college visits has created a new surge demand amongst enrollment and admissions teams.

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Yellowcake Shop & Eden Couture Make Fashion Functional During COVID-19

Most retail operations are struggling right now, but fashion businesses find themselves in a unique position to turn challenge into opportunity. Foot traffic and event-based sales have all but disappeared, while demand for basic protective equipment such as masks and gowns has skyrocketed. Here are two fashion companies finding new ways to do business during

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Mezu Supports Coronavirus Prevention Efforts Across The U.S.

Cleveland’s own Mezu is a growing software startup known for their popular payment app, which enables people to use their money with efficiency, ease and total privacy.  Now, the JumpStart portfolio company is also spearheading a national donation campaign to support the CDC during the COVID-19 crisis. Mezu will be foregoing any fees and allowing

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BoxCast sees massive spike in demand during COVID-19

Cleveland-based BoxCast is one of the rare companies experiencing a massive uptick in business during the COVID-19  pandemic. The company specializes in live-streaming technology, which has made them very popular with organizations who are canceling in-person events and gatherings all around the world in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19. Here’s an

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