Entrepreneurs + Innovators
Both Bizdom and LaunchHouse received hundreds of entrepreneurs applying for their respective accelerator programs this year. LaunchHouse received a record 115 applications for 10 spots in its 2013 LHX accelerator program, while Bizdom already has seen more than 100 applications this year from all over the country.
Both organizations each received $200,000 from Ohio’s New Entrepreneurs (ONE) Fund earlier this year. So, Bizdom and LaunchHouse decided to collaborate in investing in 20 technology startups this year.
"We feel it is important to collaborate with every organization that is helping to revitalize the region and LaunchHouse is certainly one of these organizations,” says Bizdom leader Paul Allen. “When we found out that Shaker LaunchHouse had also received ONE Fund support for its accelerator we reached out to see how we could closely collaborate to optimize the experience for all founders and to show the startup community that we are coordinated in our efforts.”
The organizations plan to share mentoring sessions, jointly host classes and open up their office spaces to each other’s entrepreneurs. “We have a strong network, and so does Bizdom,” says LaunchHouse CEO Todd Goldstein. “So why not collaborate to build a successful business community in Northeast Ohio?”
The whole idea is to foster the growth of Northeast Ohio as a hotbed for startups and a place that supports entrepreneurs. “Really, we are about the accelerator and the entrepreneurs working together to build a great community,” says Goldstein. “We’re not on an island by ourselves. We’re all out to build successful entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio.”
Allen agrees that the collaboration will help the entrepreneurs as well as continue to attract startups from outside the region. “Participants will be able to socialize with a greater number of peers and hopefully they will be able to learn from one another,” he says. “Collaboration strengthens the Northeast Ohio entrepreneurial community because it gives us an opportunity to articulate a consistent and more powerful message within and outside the region about the opportunities and resources that exist here."
Sources: Paul Allen, Todd Goldstein
Writer: Karin Connelly
Both organizations each received $200,000 from Ohio’s New Entrepreneurs (ONE) Fund earlier this year. So, Bizdom and LaunchHouse decided to collaborate in investing in 20 technology startups this year.
"We feel it is important to collaborate with every organization that is helping to revitalize the region and LaunchHouse is certainly one of these organizations,” says Bizdom leader Paul Allen. “When we found out that Shaker LaunchHouse had also received ONE Fund support for its accelerator we reached out to see how we could closely collaborate to optimize the experience for all founders and to show the startup community that we are coordinated in our efforts.”
The organizations plan to share mentoring sessions, jointly host classes and open up their office spaces to each other’s entrepreneurs. “We have a strong network, and so does Bizdom,” says LaunchHouse CEO Todd Goldstein. “So why not collaborate to build a successful business community in Northeast Ohio?”
The whole idea is to foster the growth of Northeast Ohio as a hotbed for startups and a place that supports entrepreneurs. “Really, we are about the accelerator and the entrepreneurs working together to build a great community,” says Goldstein. “We’re not on an island by ourselves. We’re all out to build successful entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio.”
Allen agrees that the collaboration will help the entrepreneurs as well as continue to attract startups from outside the region. “Participants will be able to socialize with a greater number of peers and hopefully they will be able to learn from one another,” he says. “Collaboration strengthens the Northeast Ohio entrepreneurial community because it gives us an opportunity to articulate a consistent and more powerful message within and outside the region about the opportunities and resources that exist here."
Sources: Paul Allen, Todd Goldstein
Writer: Karin Connelly
The developers behind a new 62-unit apartment building in Ohio City say they'll start demolition of existing buildings this week. Construction will begin later this summer, and moving trucks should start pulling up to the newly minted units by fall 2014.
"It's the right time to do something," says Brian Koch as to why he chose to pursue the long-stalled project on Detroit Avenue between W. 30th and 32nd streets, which originally was planned as condos before the recession. "With the explosive growth of Ohio City, there's increased demand for new apartments."
Koch is developing the project with his father, Charles "Bud" Koch, former Charter One Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Construction financing will be provided by First Merit Bank, and the Kochs will invest more than $5 million in the project. The units, which will have balconies, patios and decks with lake views, will start at $900 for a one-bedroom and $1,100 for a two-bedroom, or $1.42 per square foot.
The design of the four-story building provides every unit with both outdoor space facing Lake Erie as well as a two-level glass atrium. Two side lots will offer views of the lake from Church Avenue (currently, residents there have nearly unimpeded views). Koch says that the development team designed it to be sensitive to the scale of the surrounding neighborhood while creating a structure that he describes as an anchor in Cleveland's version of the "Gold Coast."
Other features include top-floor units with extravagant private rooftop decks and large common area with a "community skylounge and gym," says Koch. "The fourth floor will have a wonderful vista for watching fireworks or air shows, laying out or using the home theatre or the demonstration kitchen."
Parking will be housed in a 62-space underground parking garage that will be located off of W. 32nd. There will be a smaller eight-space visitor's lot.
The apartments borrow some of the vernacular from the micro-unit trend of coastal cities while maintaining the luxury of space available in Cleveland. They are efficiently laid out but have traditional bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms.
"We hope this will be a springboard for the next generation [of development] in Cleveland," says Koch. "It's a nice area people will gravitate to for apartments."
Source: Brian Koch
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"It's the right time to do something," says Brian Koch as to why he chose to pursue the long-stalled project on Detroit Avenue between W. 30th and 32nd streets, which originally was planned as condos before the recession. "With the explosive growth of Ohio City, there's increased demand for new apartments."
Koch is developing the project with his father, Charles "Bud" Koch, former Charter One Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Construction financing will be provided by First Merit Bank, and the Kochs will invest more than $5 million in the project. The units, which will have balconies, patios and decks with lake views, will start at $900 for a one-bedroom and $1,100 for a two-bedroom, or $1.42 per square foot.
The design of the four-story building provides every unit with both outdoor space facing Lake Erie as well as a two-level glass atrium. Two side lots will offer views of the lake from Church Avenue (currently, residents there have nearly unimpeded views). Koch says that the development team designed it to be sensitive to the scale of the surrounding neighborhood while creating a structure that he describes as an anchor in Cleveland's version of the "Gold Coast."
Other features include top-floor units with extravagant private rooftop decks and large common area with a "community skylounge and gym," says Koch. "The fourth floor will have a wonderful vista for watching fireworks or air shows, laying out or using the home theatre or the demonstration kitchen."
Parking will be housed in a 62-space underground parking garage that will be located off of W. 32nd. There will be a smaller eight-space visitor's lot.
The apartments borrow some of the vernacular from the micro-unit trend of coastal cities while maintaining the luxury of space available in Cleveland. They are efficiently laid out but have traditional bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms.
"We hope this will be a springboard for the next generation [of development] in Cleveland," says Koch. "It's a nice area people will gravitate to for apartments."
Source: Brian Koch
Writer: Lee Chilcote
As an entrepreneurship/business management senior at Ohio University, and the president of the school’s Entrepreneurship Club, Richard Rodman has started two successful companies during his studies. Most recently, he noticed the need for some guidance in the crowdfunding trend.
So Rodman first started 530Funds in November 2012, a search engine and news site for the crowdfunding industry. “It was really hard to sift through Google to find the right platform,” he says.
But Rodman quickly realized the real need was in helping users navigate the forthcoming SEC regulations on equity crowdfunding and make sure they are compliant while raising money for their cause. Individuals, investors and crowdfunding platforms must comply with these regulations.
That’s when Rodman came up with Crowdentials. “Crowdentials is regulatory software for the rules SEC has created,” he explains. “It’s a simple web form -- kind of like TurboTax -- where you can cross-reference to see if you comply.”
Crowdentials helps take the legwork out of fundraising. Through the site and one form, investors, businesses and crowdfunding platforms ensure they are in compliance while raising money or investing in a new company. “We take care of compliance; you take care of business,” says Rodman says. “Businesses shouldn’t have to waste their time researching all the regulations.”
Crowdentials was accepted into the inaugural FlashStarts program, run by Charles Stack and Jennifer Neundorfer, this summer. Rodman says there was an “instant connection” in the interview process. “I think it’s going to do a lot,” he says of the program, adding that he enjoys working with the mentors and interns on hand and bouncing ideas off the other entrepreneurial teams.
Rodman has two partners.
Source: Richard Rodman
Writer: Karin Connelly
So Rodman first started 530Funds in November 2012, a search engine and news site for the crowdfunding industry. “It was really hard to sift through Google to find the right platform,” he says.
But Rodman quickly realized the real need was in helping users navigate the forthcoming SEC regulations on equity crowdfunding and make sure they are compliant while raising money for their cause. Individuals, investors and crowdfunding platforms must comply with these regulations.
That’s when Rodman came up with Crowdentials. “Crowdentials is regulatory software for the rules SEC has created,” he explains. “It’s a simple web form -- kind of like TurboTax -- where you can cross-reference to see if you comply.”
Crowdentials helps take the legwork out of fundraising. Through the site and one form, investors, businesses and crowdfunding platforms ensure they are in compliance while raising money or investing in a new company. “We take care of compliance; you take care of business,” says Rodman says. “Businesses shouldn’t have to waste their time researching all the regulations.”
Crowdentials was accepted into the inaugural FlashStarts program, run by Charles Stack and Jennifer Neundorfer, this summer. Rodman says there was an “instant connection” in the interview process. “I think it’s going to do a lot,” he says of the program, adding that he enjoys working with the mentors and interns on hand and bouncing ideas off the other entrepreneurial teams.
Rodman has two partners.
Source: Richard Rodman
Writer: Karin Connelly
A determined group of Heights parents who have long sought a creative educational experience for their kids are opening Cleveland's first-ever Waldorf school. It is expected to open this fall in the former Coventry Elementary School in Cleveland Heights.
"This is a great thing for Cleveland Heights," says Amy Marquit-Renwald, a Shaker Heights resident who grew up in Cleveland Heights and helped to create the new Urban Oak School. "We're going to see families move here for the Waldorf school, and families stay because of this."
Urban Oak will initially offer preschool, kindergarten and a combined first and second grade class. After the first year, the school will offer additional grades.
"We had people lining up to support the school," says Marquit-Renwald of the process to seek approval from the city and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school board. "People are dying to have Coventry be a school again."
The school will be private because Ohio's charter laws were deemed too difficult to navigate for an alternative, Waldorf-style school. It will seek accreditation as a Waldorf school, a rigorous process, over the course of its first seven years.
"The model is really about helping kids develop all aspects of themselves," says Marquit-Renwald of the 100-year-old Waldorf model, a contemporary of Montessori education. "It offers more free time to develop creativity, deeper foundational work -- including delayed introduction of purely academic work -- in the early years to better prepare for critical thinking and complex thought in later years, and use of personal interaction as the main vehicle for learning and fostering empathy, as opposed to interacting with technology."
Urban Oak School is hosting information sessions in the coming weeks for interested parents.
Source: Amy Marquit-Renwald
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"This is a great thing for Cleveland Heights," says Amy Marquit-Renwald, a Shaker Heights resident who grew up in Cleveland Heights and helped to create the new Urban Oak School. "We're going to see families move here for the Waldorf school, and families stay because of this."
Urban Oak will initially offer preschool, kindergarten and a combined first and second grade class. After the first year, the school will offer additional grades.
"We had people lining up to support the school," says Marquit-Renwald of the process to seek approval from the city and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school board. "People are dying to have Coventry be a school again."
The school will be private because Ohio's charter laws were deemed too difficult to navigate for an alternative, Waldorf-style school. It will seek accreditation as a Waldorf school, a rigorous process, over the course of its first seven years.
"The model is really about helping kids develop all aspects of themselves," says Marquit-Renwald of the 100-year-old Waldorf model, a contemporary of Montessori education. "It offers more free time to develop creativity, deeper foundational work -- including delayed introduction of purely academic work -- in the early years to better prepare for critical thinking and complex thought in later years, and use of personal interaction as the main vehicle for learning and fostering empathy, as opposed to interacting with technology."
Urban Oak School is hosting information sessions in the coming weeks for interested parents.
Source: Amy Marquit-Renwald
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Zuga Medical, a medical device company, recently received a $250,000 investment from JumpStart to launch its dental implant system. In April Zuga received FDA approval for its system, which allows a general dentist to perform implants using a screw, a procedure previously done only by oral surgeons.
“Our patent-pending technology makes it simpler, easier and more cost-effective for both the dentist and the patient,” says Zuga CEO Steve Cornelius, who met the company’s founder and CSO, Chan Wang, a year-and-a-half ago through BioEnterprise and joined the board of directors. He then became CEO. With 15 years of experience in the dental industry, Cornelius was intrigued with Wang’s product. “Chan had a vision of making things simple for general dentistry.”
Zuga will use the JumpStart investment to conduct a soft launch with eight to nine local dentists. Those dentists will take a training course on placing the implants next month. “We’re using the local soft launch in Cleveland to prove out our business model and raise the next round of investments,” Cornelius says. “Our vision is to create a dental company right here in Cleveland.”
As Zuga grows, Cornelius hopes to hire three to four sales reps, a marketing person and a customer service rep by the end of the year.
Zuga Medical has also received investments from the Cuyahoga County North Coast Opportunities Fund and the Innovation Fund.
Source: Steve Cornelius
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Our patent-pending technology makes it simpler, easier and more cost-effective for both the dentist and the patient,” says Zuga CEO Steve Cornelius, who met the company’s founder and CSO, Chan Wang, a year-and-a-half ago through BioEnterprise and joined the board of directors. He then became CEO. With 15 years of experience in the dental industry, Cornelius was intrigued with Wang’s product. “Chan had a vision of making things simple for general dentistry.”
Zuga will use the JumpStart investment to conduct a soft launch with eight to nine local dentists. Those dentists will take a training course on placing the implants next month. “We’re using the local soft launch in Cleveland to prove out our business model and raise the next round of investments,” Cornelius says. “Our vision is to create a dental company right here in Cleveland.”
As Zuga grows, Cornelius hopes to hire three to four sales reps, a marketing person and a customer service rep by the end of the year.
Zuga Medical has also received investments from the Cuyahoga County North Coast Opportunities Fund and the Innovation Fund.
Source: Steve Cornelius
Writer: Karin Connelly
Meet Helen Qin and Jesse Mason, a couple whose love for each other is rivaled only by their love of ice cream. After swapping the West Coast for the North Coast, the two launched Mason's Creamery, an ice cream start-up. Since moving to town, they have found Cleveland to be a city that not only loves ice cream, but that supports small business.
Rafeeq Washington and Lyz Bly opened Guide to Kulchur in the Gordon Square Arts District with a distinctly anachronistic mission: The store is an homage to print, from stapled zines to books.
Somewhat improbably, the new store flourishes next to an independent record store and the three-screen independent Capitol Theater. But don't call it a throwback. The couple intends to not only sell hard-to-find books and older zines, but also to serve as a center for independent bookmaking culture.
"We want to be a place for things that are happening right now," says Washington. "We'll collect zines and let young scholars know before they get into the archives."
A zine is a self-published work of original or appropriated text and images. Usually reproduced by a photocopier and stapled together, they have a circulation under 1,000. Some zines even rose to national prominence in the 1990s. Although the Internet has changed zine culture, Washington says that it's still going strong.
"We view the bookstore as a way to provide texts we don't always see," he says. "People are throwing out zines because of the Internet, but it's not true that no one reads them anymore. One of our main thrusts is to have them all together."
In addition to everything from Foucalt to trashy mystery novels, Guide to Kulchur will offer a zine archive and co-op for makers. Beginning July 1st, anyone can schedule a time to use the desktop letterpress, copier or mimeograph.
"They can make them here, get them printed, bring them back and put them in the archive," Washington says, who collects zines as far back as 1981.
Washington and Bly saw the storefront while driving one day and knew it had to be theirs. "It was a no-brainer. We knew this was it -- right next to the theater."
Source: Rafeeq Washington
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Somewhat improbably, the new store flourishes next to an independent record store and the three-screen independent Capitol Theater. But don't call it a throwback. The couple intends to not only sell hard-to-find books and older zines, but also to serve as a center for independent bookmaking culture.
"We want to be a place for things that are happening right now," says Washington. "We'll collect zines and let young scholars know before they get into the archives."
A zine is a self-published work of original or appropriated text and images. Usually reproduced by a photocopier and stapled together, they have a circulation under 1,000. Some zines even rose to national prominence in the 1990s. Although the Internet has changed zine culture, Washington says that it's still going strong.
"We view the bookstore as a way to provide texts we don't always see," he says. "People are throwing out zines because of the Internet, but it's not true that no one reads them anymore. One of our main thrusts is to have them all together."
In addition to everything from Foucalt to trashy mystery novels, Guide to Kulchur will offer a zine archive and co-op for makers. Beginning July 1st, anyone can schedule a time to use the desktop letterpress, copier or mimeograph.
"They can make them here, get them printed, bring them back and put them in the archive," Washington says, who collects zines as far back as 1981.
Washington and Bly saw the storefront while driving one day and knew it had to be theirs. "It was a no-brainer. We knew this was it -- right next to the theater."
Source: Rafeeq Washington
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Young urbanist leaders who were in Cleveland this week for Next City's annual Vanguard conference were asked a provocative question about this city's future. With new development activity happening in neighborhoods across a city that still is devastatingly poor, how can we do a better job of ensuring that these projects will benefit our poorest residents?
"I'm a little concerned that as we build projects, we're creating a city for yuppies and a city for everyone else," commented Ari Maron of MRN Ltd. in a presentation to 40 leaders from across the U.S. and Canada engaged in fields such as urban planning, entrepreneurship and sustainability. "How many cupcake and yogurt shops can a city sustain?"
Heads nodded and attendees laughed as Maron admitted the challenge was as much to himself as others, since MRN owns three of the city's most prominent new developments, E. Fourth Street in downtown Cleveland, Uptown in University Circle and property along W. 25th in Ohio City.
Several attendees noted that they were surprised by how few of the city's larger developments have translated into prosperity for surrounding neighborhoods. Sitting in the newly-built Museum of Contemporary Art at University Circle, leaders asked how that area's success could benefit its low-income neighbors.
Maron cited the Greater University Circle Initiative and local hiring and procuring efforts by University Hospitals and others. MRN has committed to hiring local residents for its projects, and the company now employs 285 city residents.
"When people from the neighborhood work here, they take ownership of the project because it's their neighborhood," he said, citing DoubleTree Hotel as one example of a University Circle project that employees many local residents.
An attendee from Chicago noted that Cleveland appears to be behind in adding bike-friendly infrastructure. He cited the recent addition of separated bicycle lanes to Surmac Avenue in Chicago as a game-changing project for his city. "Cleveland needs to do one really good pilot project," said the attendee.
Next City is a national nonprofit media organization that organizes the Vanguard conference to highlight best urban practices and develop young urban leaders. Updates from the conference are being posted on Next City's daily blog.
Source: Next City, Ari Maron
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"I'm a little concerned that as we build projects, we're creating a city for yuppies and a city for everyone else," commented Ari Maron of MRN Ltd. in a presentation to 40 leaders from across the U.S. and Canada engaged in fields such as urban planning, entrepreneurship and sustainability. "How many cupcake and yogurt shops can a city sustain?"
Heads nodded and attendees laughed as Maron admitted the challenge was as much to himself as others, since MRN owns three of the city's most prominent new developments, E. Fourth Street in downtown Cleveland, Uptown in University Circle and property along W. 25th in Ohio City.
Several attendees noted that they were surprised by how few of the city's larger developments have translated into prosperity for surrounding neighborhoods. Sitting in the newly-built Museum of Contemporary Art at University Circle, leaders asked how that area's success could benefit its low-income neighbors.
Maron cited the Greater University Circle Initiative and local hiring and procuring efforts by University Hospitals and others. MRN has committed to hiring local residents for its projects, and the company now employs 285 city residents.
"When people from the neighborhood work here, they take ownership of the project because it's their neighborhood," he said, citing DoubleTree Hotel as one example of a University Circle project that employees many local residents.
An attendee from Chicago noted that Cleveland appears to be behind in adding bike-friendly infrastructure. He cited the recent addition of separated bicycle lanes to Surmac Avenue in Chicago as a game-changing project for his city. "Cleveland needs to do one really good pilot project," said the attendee.
Next City is a national nonprofit media organization that organizes the Vanguard conference to highlight best urban practices and develop young urban leaders. Updates from the conference are being posted on Next City's daily blog.
Source: Next City, Ari Maron
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Bar 145, a popular gastropub with locations in Toledo, Kent and soon Columbus, will open its fourth location in the former Grind space on W. 25th Street south of Lorain in Ohio City. The tagline "burgers, bands and bourbon" sums up the pub's concept.
Owner Jeremy Fitzgerald has signed a letter of intent with owner MRN Ltd. and intends to execute a lease and start construction this summer. Bar 145, specializing in chef-driven, foodie fare accented by regular live music, could open sometime early next year.
"Ohio City is so into the food end, but there's not much on the entertainment end," says Fitzgerald. "We make everything from scratch and knew the food concept was perfect. We knew that this would add another dimension to Ohio City."
The 4,100-square-foot venue will feature a full stage with lighting and a professional sound system. The bands will be local as well as regional.
Bar 145 also will have a 2,000-square-foot rooftop patio facing the downtown skyline and another 1,000-square-foot patio on the main level along the side of the building.
Live bands will be featured Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but Fitzgerald promises five days of entertainment that will include jazz nights and acoustic talent.
Bar 145's menu promises to be in keeping with the neighborhood's local food ethos. "We don't even have a freezer in the restaurant," Fitzgerald says. "All our sauces are from scratch and the mac and cheese and truffle fries are all made to order."
Source: Jeremy Fitzgerald
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Owner Jeremy Fitzgerald has signed a letter of intent with owner MRN Ltd. and intends to execute a lease and start construction this summer. Bar 145, specializing in chef-driven, foodie fare accented by regular live music, could open sometime early next year.
"Ohio City is so into the food end, but there's not much on the entertainment end," says Fitzgerald. "We make everything from scratch and knew the food concept was perfect. We knew that this would add another dimension to Ohio City."
The 4,100-square-foot venue will feature a full stage with lighting and a professional sound system. The bands will be local as well as regional.
Bar 145 also will have a 2,000-square-foot rooftop patio facing the downtown skyline and another 1,000-square-foot patio on the main level along the side of the building.
Live bands will be featured Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but Fitzgerald promises five days of entertainment that will include jazz nights and acoustic talent.
Bar 145's menu promises to be in keeping with the neighborhood's local food ethos. "We don't even have a freezer in the restaurant," Fitzgerald says. "All our sauces are from scratch and the mac and cheese and truffle fries are all made to order."
Source: Jeremy Fitzgerald
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Jillian Davis’ Toast wine bar opened in the Gordon Square Arts District April 15 and her unique take on food, wine and cocktails fits right into the neighborhood. The restaurant/wine bar specializes in doing things a little differently.
“We serve revitalized farm fare, and most of what we serve is locally sourced,” says Davis. “We have wines that are off the beaten path and craft cocktails.” In fact, Toast makes their own tonics for their cocktails, grows some food ingredients on-site and all dinners are served up in small plate fashion. “People like to graze a little more these days,” Davis says.
While it took Davis a little while to open Toast’s doors, things are thriving now that she went through the Bad Girl Ventures business plan program and, thanks to the BGV program, won an ECDI loan. “The BGV program was great, I learned a lot,” says Davis. “ECDI was someone BGV put forth as an alternative to the banks. It worked out really well for me. I got money for inventory and equipment. No one will give you money for that stuff.”
Davis has hired 10 employees, including chefs, servers and bartenders and hopes to add more staff as Toast grows. “Our chefs are really slaves to the kitchen at this point,” she says. “As we start spreading the word and getting people in the door, we’ll be getting more staff.”
Toast has fit right into the neighborhood culture as well. Davis calls Toast’s wine list a bit more “geeky” than other area places, and they are the only restaurant in the area serving small plates.
“We all really complement each other; there’s a great synergy in the area,” says Davis. “Our wine selection sets us apart. We’re different than everybody, but we fit in."
Source: Jillian Davis
Writer: Karin Connelly
“We serve revitalized farm fare, and most of what we serve is locally sourced,” says Davis. “We have wines that are off the beaten path and craft cocktails.” In fact, Toast makes their own tonics for their cocktails, grows some food ingredients on-site and all dinners are served up in small plate fashion. “People like to graze a little more these days,” Davis says.
While it took Davis a little while to open Toast’s doors, things are thriving now that she went through the Bad Girl Ventures business plan program and, thanks to the BGV program, won an ECDI loan. “The BGV program was great, I learned a lot,” says Davis. “ECDI was someone BGV put forth as an alternative to the banks. It worked out really well for me. I got money for inventory and equipment. No one will give you money for that stuff.”
Davis has hired 10 employees, including chefs, servers and bartenders and hopes to add more staff as Toast grows. “Our chefs are really slaves to the kitchen at this point,” she says. “As we start spreading the word and getting people in the door, we’ll be getting more staff.”
Toast has fit right into the neighborhood culture as well. Davis calls Toast’s wine list a bit more “geeky” than other area places, and they are the only restaurant in the area serving small plates.
“We all really complement each other; there’s a great synergy in the area,” says Davis. “Our wine selection sets us apart. We’re different than everybody, but we fit in."
Source: Jillian Davis
Writer: Karin Connelly
Fifteen early stage business owners will have a chance to pitch their companies on the Cavs’ practice court tonight, Thursday, June 13, at Open Pitch Night. The free event, sponsored by Bizdom, The Incubator at MAGNET, Herman Miller and APG Office Furnishings, is designed to let owners of young companies perfect their pitches in front of a live audience.
“It’s an opportunity for them to get up in front of a group and practice their pitches, get some quick feedback from a bunch of folks and improve their delivery,” says Bizdom leader Paul Allen.
The 15 entrepreneurs were selected out of a group of 20 applicants. “We were looking for a diverse range of ideas and markets,” says Allen. “It’s a nice mix of people at different levels of maturity or evolution. Some businesses are little more than an idea; some are built out a little bit. They represent the continuum of startups.”
Organizers are expecting about 100 people to attend and provide feedback and insight to the pitchers. If all goes well, Bizdom plans to host similar pitch events three times a year in the future.
Heavy appetizers and a cash bar will be available. The event is from 6 pm-9 pm at Quicken Loans Arena. Two companies may get a chance to fill the last two slots in Bizdom’s August incubator program.
Source: Paul Allen
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It’s an opportunity for them to get up in front of a group and practice their pitches, get some quick feedback from a bunch of folks and improve their delivery,” says Bizdom leader Paul Allen.
The 15 entrepreneurs were selected out of a group of 20 applicants. “We were looking for a diverse range of ideas and markets,” says Allen. “It’s a nice mix of people at different levels of maturity or evolution. Some businesses are little more than an idea; some are built out a little bit. They represent the continuum of startups.”
Organizers are expecting about 100 people to attend and provide feedback and insight to the pitchers. If all goes well, Bizdom plans to host similar pitch events three times a year in the future.
Heavy appetizers and a cash bar will be available. The event is from 6 pm-9 pm at Quicken Loans Arena. Two companies may get a chance to fill the last two slots in Bizdom’s August incubator program.
Source: Paul Allen
Writer: Karin Connelly
techpint lets entrepreneurs and investors share ideas over beers
When Paul McAvinchey moved to Cleveland in April 2012 with his wife Rebecca to lead product innovation for MedCity Media, the seasoned entrepreneur was impressed with the entrepreneurial community here.
“When I got here, I was really excited to see all the startup activity going on,” McAvinchey says. But the native of County Tipperary, Ireland, who also lived in Chicago, Munich and Dublin, was surprised that there were no informal events bringing all the startup organizations together. “I was used to having events where all the disparate groups came together to share their thoughts and ideas.”
So McAvinchey set out to start TechPint, a casual gathering for entrepreneurs and investors in internet technology. He made hundreds of phone calls and brought the area’s startup organizations together to plan the first TechPint event on Thursday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Market Garden Brewery.
McAvinchey calls TechPint a “mini-tech conference in a bar with pints.” But that doesn’t mean TechPint isn’t a valuable resource. “It’s a really casual setting with drinks,” he says. “But we’re focused on a value-driven event where you are likely to go home with new ideas to work on or new things to think about.”
Many of the major startup organizations are on board, including JumpStart, Bizdom, LaunchHouse and MedCity Media. Speakers will be Mike Belsito, founder of eFuneral, John Knific, founder of DecisionDesk, Josh Walsh, founder of Designing Interactive, and Bizdom’s Paul Allen.
McAvinchey plans to hold TechPint every three months. Space is limited to 150 people, and it’s already nearly sold out. Tickets are $12 each.
Source: Paul McAvinchey
Writer: Karin Connelly
“When I got here, I was really excited to see all the startup activity going on,” McAvinchey says. But the native of County Tipperary, Ireland, who also lived in Chicago, Munich and Dublin, was surprised that there were no informal events bringing all the startup organizations together. “I was used to having events where all the disparate groups came together to share their thoughts and ideas.”
So McAvinchey set out to start TechPint, a casual gathering for entrepreneurs and investors in internet technology. He made hundreds of phone calls and brought the area’s startup organizations together to plan the first TechPint event on Thursday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Market Garden Brewery.
McAvinchey calls TechPint a “mini-tech conference in a bar with pints.” But that doesn’t mean TechPint isn’t a valuable resource. “It’s a really casual setting with drinks,” he says. “But we’re focused on a value-driven event where you are likely to go home with new ideas to work on or new things to think about.”
Many of the major startup organizations are on board, including JumpStart, Bizdom, LaunchHouse and MedCity Media. Speakers will be Mike Belsito, founder of eFuneral, John Knific, founder of DecisionDesk, Josh Walsh, founder of Designing Interactive, and Bizdom’s Paul Allen.
McAvinchey plans to hold TechPint every three months. Space is limited to 150 people, and it’s already nearly sold out. Tickets are $12 each.
Source: Paul McAvinchey
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Cuyahoga County Next Generation Council (NGC) will host Spark Plug, an event to celebrate small business growth and the region’s many opportunities for funding and growth, June 6 at Negative Space Gallery. The event kicks off Small Business Incubator Month.
“Spark Plug is focused on small business accelerators and incubators,” says Tammy Oliver, program organizer and a member of NGC. “It brings together all of the amazing resources we have in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio for young and innovative people.”
More than 20 incubators, accelerators and funding organizations will have tables set up to explain what they do and how they can assist a young business. “There hasn’t been an event before this where all of the incubators and accelerators come together in the same room,” says Oliver. “By supporting each other these organizations are supporting the region and all of the businesses. It’s not a secret that small business drives the economy.”
Successful businesses that have benefitted from some of the area’s resources will make presentations. Oliver hopes their stories will encourage other aspiring entrepreneurs. “There are so many people out there with amazing ideas and they don’t know where to start,” she says. “Hopefully, they will walk away with more knowledge and know they can take smart risks and there are a lot of people here to help them.”
Spark Plug runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration is preferred, but Oliver says walk-ins are welcome. Admission is free.
Source: Tammy Oliver
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Spark Plug is focused on small business accelerators and incubators,” says Tammy Oliver, program organizer and a member of NGC. “It brings together all of the amazing resources we have in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio for young and innovative people.”
More than 20 incubators, accelerators and funding organizations will have tables set up to explain what they do and how they can assist a young business. “There hasn’t been an event before this where all of the incubators and accelerators come together in the same room,” says Oliver. “By supporting each other these organizations are supporting the region and all of the businesses. It’s not a secret that small business drives the economy.”
Successful businesses that have benefitted from some of the area’s resources will make presentations. Oliver hopes their stories will encourage other aspiring entrepreneurs. “There are so many people out there with amazing ideas and they don’t know where to start,” she says. “Hopefully, they will walk away with more knowledge and know they can take smart risks and there are a lot of people here to help them.”
Spark Plug runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration is preferred, but Oliver says walk-ins are welcome. Admission is free.
Source: Tammy Oliver
Writer: Karin Connelly
Mansfield Frazier, the entrepreneurial mastermind behind the improbable Chateau Hough vineyard at E. 66th and Hough, says he will break ground on the world's first biocellar this year. He's raised more than half of the $100,000 needed to complete the experimental, innovative project.
"This is about growing crops in the wintertime," says Frazier. The biocellar, which has been described as a passive solar greenhouse, will consist of a glass structure built on top of the basement of a demolished home. "We plan to grow mushrooms because they're $12 a pound, an acre yield higher than anything else. This is about renewing neighborhoods, reusing buildings and creating wealth in the inner city."
"The biocellar is based on two concepts," Frazier explains of the glass-topped structure developed by permaculture designer Jean Loria. "One is a root cellar, which has been around thousands of years, and the other is a greenhouse. It's basically taking a greenhouse structure and putting it on top of a root cellar."
Frazier says that he hopes to break ground in July so that the biocellar will be completed by fall. The two- to three-month build-out will be handled by Don Lasker of ALL Construction, and Frazier will also employ a lot of neighborhood residents and guys from a local halfway house. The biocellar was designed by Arkinetics.
Funding sources include local councilpeople, stormwater management funding from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and a local angel investor.
"We're budgeting $100,000 for the first one, but hopefully the cost will go down once we know what we're doing," says Frazier. "We know the science is there."
Source: Mansfield Frazier
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"This is about growing crops in the wintertime," says Frazier. The biocellar, which has been described as a passive solar greenhouse, will consist of a glass structure built on top of the basement of a demolished home. "We plan to grow mushrooms because they're $12 a pound, an acre yield higher than anything else. This is about renewing neighborhoods, reusing buildings and creating wealth in the inner city."
"The biocellar is based on two concepts," Frazier explains of the glass-topped structure developed by permaculture designer Jean Loria. "One is a root cellar, which has been around thousands of years, and the other is a greenhouse. It's basically taking a greenhouse structure and putting it on top of a root cellar."
Frazier says that he hopes to break ground in July so that the biocellar will be completed by fall. The two- to three-month build-out will be handled by Don Lasker of ALL Construction, and Frazier will also employ a lot of neighborhood residents and guys from a local halfway house. The biocellar was designed by Arkinetics.
Funding sources include local councilpeople, stormwater management funding from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and a local angel investor.
"We're budgeting $100,000 for the first one, but hopefully the cost will go down once we know what we're doing," says Frazier. "We know the science is there."
Source: Mansfield Frazier
Writer: Lee Chilcote
As cities continue to become more bike-friendly, new bike-based businesses are springing up to support the movement. These bike-centric businesses are both banking on and promoting a growing interest in riding, and in the process they are boosting their cities' economies.
The latest wave of downtown apartments is hitting the market this summer as the K&D Group, currently the largest developer of downtown housing, gradually converts the former Embassy Suites at Reserve Square into new market-rate apartments.
K&D is releasing units floor by floor, with the first set having come online in May. The renovations include granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. There will eventually be 218 suites released; 120 of these will be corporate housing and 98 will be market-rate apartments. The corporate suites include furnishings, high-speed Internet, cable with HBO and light housekeeping with the rent.
K&D is calling the new apartments Reserve Square West (Reserve Square has over 900 units). Lease rates for market-rate apartments range from $785 to $1,800 per month; corporate housing rates range from $1,350 to $2,350.
"There are panoramic views from the building," says Cheri Ashcraft of K&D, who notes that one upper floor suite is called "The Laker" because of its lake views. "My phone is ringing off the hook; the first corporate housing units were pre-leased. People are coming into town for projects or they're being transferred here."
Downtown apartment occupancy rates continue to hover around 96 percent. Ashcraft says the new Reserve Square West units appeal to a discerning buyer who wants the amenities of new construction in a rental product. "It's like moving into a brand new house," she says. "You are the first one to be in that suite."
Source: Cheri Ashcraft
Writer: Lee Chilcote
K&D is releasing units floor by floor, with the first set having come online in May. The renovations include granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. There will eventually be 218 suites released; 120 of these will be corporate housing and 98 will be market-rate apartments. The corporate suites include furnishings, high-speed Internet, cable with HBO and light housekeeping with the rent.
K&D is calling the new apartments Reserve Square West (Reserve Square has over 900 units). Lease rates for market-rate apartments range from $785 to $1,800 per month; corporate housing rates range from $1,350 to $2,350.
"There are panoramic views from the building," says Cheri Ashcraft of K&D, who notes that one upper floor suite is called "The Laker" because of its lake views. "My phone is ringing off the hook; the first corporate housing units were pre-leased. People are coming into town for projects or they're being transferred here."
Downtown apartment occupancy rates continue to hover around 96 percent. Ashcraft says the new Reserve Square West units appeal to a discerning buyer who wants the amenities of new construction in a rental product. "It's like moving into a brand new house," she says. "You are the first one to be in that suite."
Source: Cheri Ashcraft
Writer: Lee Chilcote
forbes takes a sip of cleveland whiskey's novel methods
In a Forbes feature titled “Cleveland Whiskey Ages Bourbon In One Week,” science, technology, and culture writer Alex Knapp explores the unique process Tom Lix developed to bring his product to market.
“After making the spirit, a distillery places it into charred, American oak barrels to age. Usually for several years, with premium bourbons often aging for nine years or more,” Knapp writes. “But in Cleveland, Ohio, Tom Lix aims to disrupt the traditional aging process of bourbon. He’s developed a process to accelerate the aging process of whiskey from years into about a week.”
While the story does not go into details of the proprietary aging process for obvious reasons, a bare-bones explanation of how it works is revealed.
“It definitely does not taste like a young whiskey, a common snark you’ll see at some whiskey tasting websites, where Cleveland Whiskey is seeing plenty of detractors,” Knapp continues.
Enjoy the complete feature here.
“After making the spirit, a distillery places it into charred, American oak barrels to age. Usually for several years, with premium bourbons often aging for nine years or more,” Knapp writes. “But in Cleveland, Ohio, Tom Lix aims to disrupt the traditional aging process of bourbon. He’s developed a process to accelerate the aging process of whiskey from years into about a week.”
While the story does not go into details of the proprietary aging process for obvious reasons, a bare-bones explanation of how it works is revealed.
“It definitely does not taste like a young whiskey, a common snark you’ll see at some whiskey tasting websites, where Cleveland Whiskey is seeing plenty of detractors,” Knapp continues.
Enjoy the complete feature here.
Elisabeth Sapell admits that she has a sweet tooth. But she also grew up in her family’s grocery store, Sapell’s Bi-Rite in Lakewood. So she paired her love for candy with her knowledge of the grocery store industry and will soon open the supermarket of candy stores, Candytropolis on Richmond Road across from Richmond Mall.
“It’s a large candy superstore,” Sapell explains. “It’s 6,000 square feet of pretty much every candy you can think of. You name it, it will be there. It’s a city with the streets lined with colorful candy fun.”
Sapell wanted to start her own business for a while before she came up with the idea for Candytropolis and joined Bad Girl Ventures' spring 2013 class. While she acknowledges the candy market is saturated, Sapell’s vision of a superstore that carries variety, specialty items and gift baskets, paired with a prominent online presence, will set her apart from the rest.
And Sapell has candy. “Candy makes everyone happy,” she gushes, pointing out that different candies conjure up nostalgic memories to any age. “It’s recession proof. Everyone wants a treat when times are tough.”
But Sapell also has a solid business plan in place. In fact, she was a finalist in the BGV business plan competition, and the experience helped solidify her vision.
“It was the opportunity to go to the classes, meet a lot of people and make connections,” she says. “And I wanted to be around like-minded people who wanted to do something on their own terms. It gets lonely when you’re trying to plan.” She also received an SBA loan after learning about the option through the BGV program.
Sapell recently hired an assistant manager and has candidates lined up for stock people, cashiers, a team leader and a social media specialist. Candytropolis is scheduled to open in September.
Source: Elisabeth Sapell
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It’s a large candy superstore,” Sapell explains. “It’s 6,000 square feet of pretty much every candy you can think of. You name it, it will be there. It’s a city with the streets lined with colorful candy fun.”
Sapell wanted to start her own business for a while before she came up with the idea for Candytropolis and joined Bad Girl Ventures' spring 2013 class. While she acknowledges the candy market is saturated, Sapell’s vision of a superstore that carries variety, specialty items and gift baskets, paired with a prominent online presence, will set her apart from the rest.
And Sapell has candy. “Candy makes everyone happy,” she gushes, pointing out that different candies conjure up nostalgic memories to any age. “It’s recession proof. Everyone wants a treat when times are tough.”
But Sapell also has a solid business plan in place. In fact, she was a finalist in the BGV business plan competition, and the experience helped solidify her vision.
“It was the opportunity to go to the classes, meet a lot of people and make connections,” she says. “And I wanted to be around like-minded people who wanted to do something on their own terms. It gets lonely when you’re trying to plan.” She also received an SBA loan after learning about the option through the BGV program.
Sapell recently hired an assistant manager and has candidates lined up for stock people, cashiers, a team leader and a social media specialist. Candytropolis is scheduled to open in September.
Source: Elisabeth Sapell
Writer: Karin Connelly
During the past school year, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) brought entrepreneurship education to five area high schools. Certified entrepreneur teachers helped more than 200 students come up with business ideas, create the businesses and execute the plans.
On May 23, 11 semi-finalists gathered at Ernst and Young’s education center in Cleveland to present their final business pitches in hopes of winning the E City (Entrepreneurship: Connecting, Inspiring and Teaching Youth) Northeast Ohio Young Entrepreneur of the Year title.
The semi-finalists gave eight-minute presentations, describing their businesses, marketing plans and business strategies. The audience voted to determine the three finalists and a three-judge panel selected the winners.
“They had fun, but it’s competitive,” says Carol Rivchun, president of Y.O.U. “They have to stand and make their PowerPoint presentations to the judges. The presentations included cash flows, Return on Investment, and budgets. And the judges really grilled them.”
Vanessa Galvan of T.W. Harvey High School in Painesville won the top honor of Young Entrepreneur of the Year, as well as $1,000 for her business, Piñata Time. Galvan's company makes kits that include everything needed to create a piñata. The judges felt Galvan has a strong business and marketing sense of what it would take to make Piñata Time a success.
Julianna Pierson of Shaw High School took home second place and $500 for Cat Sit, a cat sitting business that includes all toys and supplies.
Both Galvan and Pierson will travel to New York in October to compete for $10,000 in the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship’s national business plan completion.
Maria Moreno, also of T.W. Harvey High School, took third place and won $250 for her customized floral accessories business, Bright Pickins.
Source: Carol Rivchun
Writer: Karin Connelly
On May 23, 11 semi-finalists gathered at Ernst and Young’s education center in Cleveland to present their final business pitches in hopes of winning the E City (Entrepreneurship: Connecting, Inspiring and Teaching Youth) Northeast Ohio Young Entrepreneur of the Year title.
The semi-finalists gave eight-minute presentations, describing their businesses, marketing plans and business strategies. The audience voted to determine the three finalists and a three-judge panel selected the winners.
“They had fun, but it’s competitive,” says Carol Rivchun, president of Y.O.U. “They have to stand and make their PowerPoint presentations to the judges. The presentations included cash flows, Return on Investment, and budgets. And the judges really grilled them.”
Vanessa Galvan of T.W. Harvey High School in Painesville won the top honor of Young Entrepreneur of the Year, as well as $1,000 for her business, Piñata Time. Galvan's company makes kits that include everything needed to create a piñata. The judges felt Galvan has a strong business and marketing sense of what it would take to make Piñata Time a success.
Julianna Pierson of Shaw High School took home second place and $500 for Cat Sit, a cat sitting business that includes all toys and supplies.
Both Galvan and Pierson will travel to New York in October to compete for $10,000 in the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship’s national business plan completion.
Maria Moreno, also of T.W. Harvey High School, took third place and won $250 for her customized floral accessories business, Bright Pickins.
Source: Carol Rivchun
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Cleveland Culinary Launch and Kitchen and the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) will be hosting a business incubator for food and beverage entrepreneurs this summer. The nine-week program will focus on the specifics of opening a food-related business -- from food safety and nutrition to marketing and product development.
“We’ll really touch on everything to get a business off the ground,” says Emily Sullivan, ECDI Cleveland operations coordinator. “We’re creating a food incubator program. This is a hands-on look at getting a food business started.” Participants also will develop business plans and have opportunities to meet with ECDI managers about securing a loan.
This will be a hands-on program, says Carolyn Priemer, general manager of the Culinary Launch. “It’s not going to be a classroom setting,” she explains. “We’re going to be out in the community and in restaurants.”
Incubator participants do not need to be Culinary Launch tenants to enroll in the program. However, there is a $200 fee once applicants are accepted. Scholarships will be available. Ten companies will be accepted. Applications will be taken through mid-June, with the program beginning in July.
Open for six weeks now, the Culinary Launch has six tenants, ranging from an ice cream maker to caterers to a custard frosting maker. The Launch is a partnership between ECDI, Carolyn and Gordon Priemer of J&M Real Estate, and Tim and Bill Skaryd of Hospitality Marketing and Sales.
Sources: Emily Sullivan and Carolyn Priemer
Writer: Karin Connelly
“We’ll really touch on everything to get a business off the ground,” says Emily Sullivan, ECDI Cleveland operations coordinator. “We’re creating a food incubator program. This is a hands-on look at getting a food business started.” Participants also will develop business plans and have opportunities to meet with ECDI managers about securing a loan.
This will be a hands-on program, says Carolyn Priemer, general manager of the Culinary Launch. “It’s not going to be a classroom setting,” she explains. “We’re going to be out in the community and in restaurants.”
Incubator participants do not need to be Culinary Launch tenants to enroll in the program. However, there is a $200 fee once applicants are accepted. Scholarships will be available. Ten companies will be accepted. Applications will be taken through mid-June, with the program beginning in July.
Open for six weeks now, the Culinary Launch has six tenants, ranging from an ice cream maker to caterers to a custard frosting maker. The Launch is a partnership between ECDI, Carolyn and Gordon Priemer of J&M Real Estate, and Tim and Bill Skaryd of Hospitality Marketing and Sales.
Sources: Emily Sullivan and Carolyn Priemer
Writer: Karin Connelly