"For investors looking to go off the beaten track to find quality deals, Ohio might be the answer," Mitchell Rosich, partner at Athenian Venture Partners, writes in VentureBeat.

"According to the most recent Ohio Venture Capital Report, venture capital activity in Ohio was up more than 80 percent in 2010, surpassing the national average, which was up only 20 percent."

An increase in pre- and seed-stage investments amounting to $183.8 million is paid to angel groups and state programs.

What makes Ohio so ripe for investment?

1. Untapped investment opportunities: Ohio has significant deal flow in two of the most dynamic market segments — healthcare and information technology.

2. Attractive deals for the right price: Ohio is full of quality investment opportunities that are not typical “club” deals, allowing venture firms to avoid overpaying.

3. Long-term vision: Midwestern investors are more likely to back companies that actually create something tangible – such as a new medical device or electronics products due to the region’s supply chain assets and sophisticated manufacturing workforce.

4. Supporting its entrepreneurs: Ohio has an abundance of resources for entrepreneurs across the state to help them along the way and to get their ideas out. A select few include TechColoumbus, TechGrowth, CincyTech, and JumpStart.

"Investing in Ohio will continue to reap impressive returns over the next 10 years."

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