CLEVELAND, Ohio — JumpStart Inc., a Cleveland-based venture development organization, has announced the first eight investments from its recently closed NEXT Fund.

Collectively, these Ohio companies received $5 million from the $20 million fund through a combination of equity and convertible debt.

“This roster of portfolio companies represents some of the most exciting high-potential startups in Ohio,” said JumpStart CEO Ray Leach. “The companies also range across a variety of sectors, from software and healthcare IT to medical device manufacturing and business services.”

JumpStart’s for-profit NEXT Fund is designed to make Series A investments of anywhere between $500k and $1.5 million.

Read the full story at Cleveland.com.