In a recent article for The Huffington Post, Ray Leach, CEO of Cleveland-based Jumpstart Inc., examines the growth of entrepreneurship in the Midwest. He states, "Ohio is one of several states in the Midwest where successful entrepreneurial companies are charting the way for a new economy and demonstrating that high-growth entrepreneurship can happen anywhere when a region plays on its existing strengths."

Venture capital investing, which is a good indicator of high-growth entrepreneurship, grew 52 percent in the Midwest since 2009. The Midwest, being historically based on manufacturing, is home to a highly skilled manufacturing workforce. Low cost of living as well as geographic proximity to over 60 percent of the U.S. population also makes the Midwest an attractive place to start a business.

Leach gives three other main reasons for this transformation occurring throughout the Midwest:

First, policy makers and civic officials are creating programs to help entrepreneurs access capital. Ohio's Third Frontier, one such program, has created more than 66,000 jobs.

Second, the Midwest is creating the ecosystems that entrepreneurs need to succeed, as incubator growth as well as pre-seed and seed funds are increasing. Jumpstart is working with the White House's Startup America Partnership to create more of these programs throughout the United States.

Finally, Midwestern cities are utilizing their unique strengths to develop entrepreneurship. Cleveland benefits from its world-class healthcare industry, Toledo is using its expertise in glass applications to become a center for solar innovation, and a consumer marketing hub is developing around Procter and Gamble headquarters in Cincinnati.

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