KeyBank Business Boost & Build Program: Frequently Asked Questions
We are extremely excited to announce a new partnership with KeyBank Foundation. The “KeyBank Business Boost & Build Program, Powered by JumpStart” initiative is designed to stimulate economic growth and workforce development by fostering small business success in communities throughout Ohio and upstate New York. Below we have answered some of the questions you’re likely
Five Questions With Original Cleveland Watch Company Founder Amparo Vega
After hanging up her badge five years ago, former Cleveland police officer Amparo Vega knew a relaxing retirement wasn’t for her. Instead, she decided it was time to launch a new career—as a founder and owner of her very own company. In 2015, the Collinwood native founded Original Cleveland Watch Company, a designer of creative,
Five Questions With Image Voice Productions Founder Dana Simmons
Dana Simmons knows how to freeze time. For nearly two decades, the Cleveland native has preserved the memories of families and told the stories of brands through his work at Image Voice Productions, a multi-media company he founded after recognizing that he could turn his passion for photography and video into something more. Image Voice
Five Questions With GrooveRyde’s Founder Anjua Maximo
For Anjua Maximo, health and wellness are her passion—and her career. The certified life coach also maintains an enthusiasm for enriching the lives of others—a key factor that drove the 2015 opening of her own boutique fitness studio GrooveRyde. Inspired by studios in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City, GrooveRyde is a group fitness
Core City: Cleveland Impact Program Spring Showcase In Pictures
On May 16, our third cohort of Core City: Cleveland Impact Program participants took the stage to present their fine-tuned, demo day-style pitches to an audience of friends, family, community members and a panel of judges. We would like to congratulate each of the Core City Impact Program participants on their completion of the 12-week business assistance
Why Diversity And Inclusion Are Not The Same Thing
“For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate.” — Margaret Heffernan, entrepreneur, author and speaker Diversity and inclusion are key drivers of organizational innovation and positive financial performance. Both terms have become well-known, so much so that they are often used interchangeably — but they are actually two very different
Meet The Winners Of Our Core City Pitch Competition
On April 19, ten entrepreneurs took the stage to present their business ideas to a packed house of friends, family, community members and a panel of judges at our second-annual Core City Pitch Competition. For nearly all the entrepreneurs involved, this was their first experience pitching to a large audience, and for some, their very
Video: CLE 43 Focus Profiles JumpStart
CLE 43 Focus’s Harry Boomer interviews JumpStart Senior Advisor Lamont Mackley about how JumpStart’s work helps to unlock the full potential of diverse entrepreneurs and positively impacts Northeast Ohio communities. Watch the two-part interview below.
BLK Hack Launches New Chapter To Inspire, Educate And Connect Cleveland’s Minority Entrepreneurs
In March of 2016, twin brothers Branden and Bruce Jones launched Blk hack, an educational and inspirational monthly event series designed to better connect African-Americans with the tech industry and startup space. As co-founders of streaming service FLIQs, the brothers are familiar with the tech startup community, and equally as familiar with the lack of
A More Diverse Venture Capital Industry Is Better For All Of Us
Recently, Case Foundation CEO Jean Case published a very insightful blog post as part of Medium’s “You Tell Me” conversation series. Her piece addressed the venture capital industry’s lack of diversity and also announced the launch of the #FacesofFounders initiative — which is designed to give voice to entrepreneurs of different races, places and gender. Jean’s
Meet Our Core City: Cleveland Impact Program’s Spring 2017 Cohort
We are excited to welcome the third cohort to our Core City: Cleveland Impact Program! As the name implies, the 12-week business assistance program is designed to drive economic impact in the city of Cleveland by helping individuals overcome obstacles to entrepreneurship through hands-on advising and industry-specific mentoring. The free program accepted five aspiring entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur Insight: Angela Flowers, Making A Difference Consulting
While interacting daily with children in the school system, Angela Flowers became painfully aware of the insufficient and inconsistent mental health care available to students. With experience as a licensed social worker and therapist, Angela knew she had the knowledge and skills needed to tackle this problem. In 2007, Angela co-founded Making A Difference Consulting,