Entrepreneurs + Innovators
Nine square dice adds up to 54 sides, making them ideal for displaying a full deck of cards: 52 regular cards plus two jokers. Lakewood's Heartland Consumer Products is betting that its unique new dice/card game, Square Shooters, will be a hit when it is finally unveiled before this year's holiday season.
The award-winning Square Shooters uses the dice as a twist on traditional card games, including poker, rummy and a bevy of original and challenging games. Heartland Consumer Products, which markets playing cards and games, has designed Square Shooters as a family game for ages seven through adult. Square Shooters earned the coveted "Dr. Toy's Best Picks Children's Products" seal of approval.
Heartland Consumer Products set a modest goal of selling Square Shooters to 20 retail stores around the country, explains Tom Donelan, CEO. "Instead, we sold to 180 stores," including Discount Drug Mart, Okay Let's Play, Pat Catan's and Recess.
This is precisely the type of game launch that Donelan had hoped for two years ago when he led a group of investors to acquire the game marketer Harbro LLC. A little over a year ago, he moved the company headquarters from Brighton, Michigan to Lakewood, bringing nearly a dozen jobs with him. Donelan says that number will increase in the near future.
"This is going to be a catalyst for our company," Donelan says. "We're in business to grow."
Look for additional dice-based games from Heartland Consumer Products in the future.
SOURCE: Heartland Consumer Products
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
The award-winning Square Shooters uses the dice as a twist on traditional card games, including poker, rummy and a bevy of original and challenging games. Heartland Consumer Products, which markets playing cards and games, has designed Square Shooters as a family game for ages seven through adult. Square Shooters earned the coveted "Dr. Toy's Best Picks Children's Products" seal of approval.
Heartland Consumer Products set a modest goal of selling Square Shooters to 20 retail stores around the country, explains Tom Donelan, CEO. "Instead, we sold to 180 stores," including Discount Drug Mart, Okay Let's Play, Pat Catan's and Recess.
This is precisely the type of game launch that Donelan had hoped for two years ago when he led a group of investors to acquire the game marketer Harbro LLC. A little over a year ago, he moved the company headquarters from Brighton, Michigan to Lakewood, bringing nearly a dozen jobs with him. Donelan says that number will increase in the near future.
"This is going to be a catalyst for our company," Donelan says. "We're in business to grow."
Look for additional dice-based games from Heartland Consumer Products in the future.
SOURCE: Heartland Consumer Products
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Mike Graley, a wine buyer for Heinen's for 20 years, is applying his expertise to a new venture, Battery Park Wine Bar,
a.k.a. YOLO Wine Bar in Battery Park. YOLO stands for "You Only Live
Once," which Graley says is the theme of his unpretentious,
contemporary joint, in the former Eveready plant in Detroit Shoreway's
Battery Park neighborhood.
This "not-so-typical wine bar," as Graley describes it, will carry well over 100 varieties, all sold at just $12 above retail -- unlike the more typical double retail. The same price structure will be used in the adjacent retail shop. Graley is talking to some Ohio wineries about carrying their labels.
The menu will feature "medium plates" of beef and lamb sliders, truffle mac and cheese, pork and veal meatballs, Ohio City Pasta and a variety of fries, plus cheese, meat and olive boards and salads.
The wine bar will be the first business to open in the Powerhouse, as the old Eveready plant is now known. The Powerhouse is in the heart of the Battery Park residential community, developed by Vintage Development Group. "It shows that redevelopment of the lakefront is a huge asset," says Jeff Ramsey, executive director of the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organzation. The Waterfront District Plan will greatly increase pedestrian and bicycle access to the lake by 2014.
YOLO Wine Bar is scheduled to open November 15. For updates send an e-mail to info@batteryparkwinebar.com.
Source: Mike Graley
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
This "not-so-typical wine bar," as Graley describes it, will carry well over 100 varieties, all sold at just $12 above retail -- unlike the more typical double retail. The same price structure will be used in the adjacent retail shop. Graley is talking to some Ohio wineries about carrying their labels.
The menu will feature "medium plates" of beef and lamb sliders, truffle mac and cheese, pork and veal meatballs, Ohio City Pasta and a variety of fries, plus cheese, meat and olive boards and salads.
The wine bar will be the first business to open in the Powerhouse, as the old Eveready plant is now known. The Powerhouse is in the heart of the Battery Park residential community, developed by Vintage Development Group. "It shows that redevelopment of the lakefront is a huge asset," says Jeff Ramsey, executive director of the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organzation. The Waterfront District Plan will greatly increase pedestrian and bicycle access to the lake by 2014.
YOLO Wine Bar is scheduled to open November 15. For updates send an e-mail to info@batteryparkwinebar.com.
Source: Mike Graley
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Cleveland's slow but steady transformation from national leader in job
loss and foreclosures to national model for urban farming took another
major step forward last week in the Kinsman neighborhood. That's where
federal, state and city officials introduced the Cleveland Urban
Agriculture Incubator Pilot Project.
Six acres of land at East 83rd and Gill, donated from the City Land Bank, will be turned into a farm, thanks to $100,000 grants from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the City of Cleveland, and $740,000 from the Ohio State University Extension, via the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It's the first urban farm to receive funding through the USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, now in its second year.
The goals of the incubator are to promote entrepreneurship and access to fresh produce in an area that sorely needs both. If successful, the model will be replicated in other neighborhoods.
The OSU Extension will use half an acre of the land to train aspiring farmers. The remaining land will be leased in quarter-acre plots, beginning next spring.
The project grew in part out of the Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone established by Burten, Bell, Carter Development, Inc., which serves the area, according to BBC programs manager Sherita Mullins. BBC will recruit farmers from the community.
The state funds come from Gov. Strickland's Ohio Neighborhood Harvest initiative, which seeks to bring produce to the "food deserts" found in many low-income urban communities, and to boost local economies. Currently only about 3 percent of the estimated $43 billion that Ohioans spend on food annually goes to Ohio farms.
Source: Burten Bell Carter Development
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Six acres of land at East 83rd and Gill, donated from the City Land Bank, will be turned into a farm, thanks to $100,000 grants from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the City of Cleveland, and $740,000 from the Ohio State University Extension, via the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It's the first urban farm to receive funding through the USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, now in its second year.
The goals of the incubator are to promote entrepreneurship and access to fresh produce in an area that sorely needs both. If successful, the model will be replicated in other neighborhoods.
The OSU Extension will use half an acre of the land to train aspiring farmers. The remaining land will be leased in quarter-acre plots, beginning next spring.
The project grew in part out of the Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone established by Burten, Bell, Carter Development, Inc., which serves the area, according to BBC programs manager Sherita Mullins. BBC will recruit farmers from the community.
The state funds come from Gov. Strickland's Ohio Neighborhood Harvest initiative, which seeks to bring produce to the "food deserts" found in many low-income urban communities, and to boost local economies. Currently only about 3 percent of the estimated $43 billion that Ohioans spend on food annually goes to Ohio farms.
Source: Burten Bell Carter Development
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Since being founded in 2001, EverStaff
has developed a national presence that touches 22 states. Still, the
Cleveland-based firm has not forgotten its roots, as it continues to
expand operations in Northeast Ohio. Within the past three months, the
staffing and recruiting firm has added offices in Ashtabula and Cuyahoga
Falls.
In addition to its Independence headquarters and the two new facilities, EverStaff has local offices in Brooklyn, Mentor and Solon. The goal is to continue to expand nationally while maintaining the local partnership of a smaller boutique agency.
EverStaff has grown its number of employees by 27 percent since this time last year, with the biggest surge occurring in its sales and marketing force.
EverStaff's local offices handle temporary staffing, temporary-to-hire, direct hire, payroll services and vendor management. The company focuses on staffing for office and administration, light industrial/general labor, accounting/finance, sales, legal, IT and engineering.
"EverStaff's strategic plan has enabled us... to maximize the resources we provide to our clients," says Danny Spitz, president of the company.
Inc. Magazine this year placed EverStaff on its fourth annual Inc. 5000, ranking the nation's fastest-growing private companies.
SOURCE: EverStaff
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
In addition to its Independence headquarters and the two new facilities, EverStaff has local offices in Brooklyn, Mentor and Solon. The goal is to continue to expand nationally while maintaining the local partnership of a smaller boutique agency.
EverStaff has grown its number of employees by 27 percent since this time last year, with the biggest surge occurring in its sales and marketing force.
EverStaff's local offices handle temporary staffing, temporary-to-hire, direct hire, payroll services and vendor management. The company focuses on staffing for office and administration, light industrial/general labor, accounting/finance, sales, legal, IT and engineering.
"EverStaff's strategic plan has enabled us... to maximize the resources we provide to our clients," says Danny Spitz, president of the company.
Inc. Magazine this year placed EverStaff on its fourth annual Inc. 5000, ranking the nation's fastest-growing private companies.
SOURCE: EverStaff
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Despite the unstoppable march of progress from analogue to digital, vinyl records are making an undeniable comeback. And catering to that expanding market is Cleveland's own Gotta Groove Records, one of only a handful of existing vinyl pressing plants in the United States. Make that, the world.
‘last place’ is best place for fledgling clothing company
Cleveland has long been a struggling kind of place -- even when the
steel mills were smoking or the Browns were winning, and especially when
the river was burning or LeBron was bolting. It's that constant
struggle to keep going even when failure looms that gives the city its
edge.
That's the gritty, hip, survivor-type message thrust on the front of T-shirts and hoodies created by fledgling clothing company Last Place. The bold designs and short, witty sayings graphically depict the impressions of young people who call this fair city home.
"Last Place represents the creative individuals everywhere that are making things happen by challenging mediocre," says Irwan Awalludin, who came up with the brand as a project for his senior BFA. The idea took off, and Awalludin joined forces with three other Cleveland Institute of Art students to take Last Place from senior project to legitimate clothing line.
Last Place has an online catalog; the clothing is also on sale at Heart and Sole in Cleveland Heights. Prices range from $24 for a pre-shrunk, heavy-weight cotton tee to $64 for a sweatshirt. The fall lineup officially launched in October, and there's more planned.
"Regardless of where you stand, the garments serve as a symbol that you're on your way, or as a badge worn with pride showing that you were able to overcome your circumstances," according to the Last Place website. Awalludin and his cohorts hope that Last Place represents the beginning of a bright future amid the ongoing struggles.
SOURCE: Irwan Awalludin
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
That's the gritty, hip, survivor-type message thrust on the front of T-shirts and hoodies created by fledgling clothing company Last Place. The bold designs and short, witty sayings graphically depict the impressions of young people who call this fair city home.
"Last Place represents the creative individuals everywhere that are making things happen by challenging mediocre," says Irwan Awalludin, who came up with the brand as a project for his senior BFA. The idea took off, and Awalludin joined forces with three other Cleveland Institute of Art students to take Last Place from senior project to legitimate clothing line.
Last Place has an online catalog; the clothing is also on sale at Heart and Sole in Cleveland Heights. Prices range from $24 for a pre-shrunk, heavy-weight cotton tee to $64 for a sweatshirt. The fall lineup officially launched in October, and there's more planned.
"Regardless of where you stand, the garments serve as a symbol that you're on your way, or as a badge worn with pride showing that you were able to overcome your circumstances," according to the Last Place website. Awalludin and his cohorts hope that Last Place represents the beginning of a bright future amid the ongoing struggles.
SOURCE: Irwan Awalludin
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Imagine being an entrepreneur and having at your fingertips resources
for everything from pre-seed funding to regional incubators. Questions
about how to turn an idea into a business, how to request funding and
how to place your innovative idea in the proper hands could be answered
by simply clicking a button or linking to a respected adviser.
That's the idea behind the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network's newly launched website, which aims to make access to the appropriate connections simpler and more effective for entrepreneurs within a 21-county radius.
"By having this website serve as a single entry point to a continuum of resources, we're making access to those resources quicker and easier," says John Dearborn, president of JumpStart Inc. Interested parties fill out a form detailing their idea or startup business, and are then put in touch with the appropriate local resources.
Several area entrepreneurial support organizations, all of which have received funding from Ohio's Third Frontier, comprise the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network: GLIDE, MAGNET, Braintree Business Development Center, Youngstown Business Incubator, Akron Global Business Accelerator, BioEnterprise, Glengary, LLC, North Coast Angel Fund, North Coast Opportunities Technology Fund of Cuyahoga County, Innovation Fund founded by Lorain County Community College Foundation, Ohio Aerospace Institute, NorTech, IdeaCrossing and JumpStart. The region's higher-education institutions are also members.
According to Ray Leach, CEO of JumpStart, this influential group has together received $69 million in federal and state grants, reached annualized revenues of $100 million and created and supported 850 direct jobs at an average salary of $67,200.
SOURCE: Jumpstart, Inc.
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
That's the idea behind the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network's newly launched website, which aims to make access to the appropriate connections simpler and more effective for entrepreneurs within a 21-county radius.
"By having this website serve as a single entry point to a continuum of resources, we're making access to those resources quicker and easier," says John Dearborn, president of JumpStart Inc. Interested parties fill out a form detailing their idea or startup business, and are then put in touch with the appropriate local resources.
Several area entrepreneurial support organizations, all of which have received funding from Ohio's Third Frontier, comprise the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network: GLIDE, MAGNET, Braintree Business Development Center, Youngstown Business Incubator, Akron Global Business Accelerator, BioEnterprise, Glengary, LLC, North Coast Angel Fund, North Coast Opportunities Technology Fund of Cuyahoga County, Innovation Fund founded by Lorain County Community College Foundation, Ohio Aerospace Institute, NorTech, IdeaCrossing and JumpStart. The region's higher-education institutions are also members.
According to Ray Leach, CEO of JumpStart, this influential group has together received $69 million in federal and state grants, reached annualized revenues of $100 million and created and supported 850 direct jobs at an average salary of $67,200.
SOURCE: Jumpstart, Inc.
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Northeast Ohio could reap more than half the benefit of newly announced
state tax credits intended to spark development. Key Community
Development New Markets and Northeast Ohio Development Fund, both based
in Cuyahoga County, were awarded $3 million and $2 million,
respectively, in credits through the Ohio New Markets Tax Credits. All
told, $10 million in credits were distributed to four funds in this
first round of grants.
The credits are modeled after and supplement a federal program and are administered by the Ohio Department of Development. "By encouraging investments in areas of Ohio that need it most, we are ensuring future economic development opportunities and increased potential for new jobs," Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel said in a statement. "The Ohio New Markets Tax Credit program is one of the first of its kind in the country, and we are eager to see the new developments that come from this program."
Northeast Ohio Development Fund -- a joint venture between the Port of Cleveland, Ariel Ventures and Cohen & Co. accountants -- has identified several potential beneficiaries of the credits, according to the state, including the proposed Cleveland Aquarium, the Midtown Tech Park and the planned University Circle hotel.
Among the entities that Key may support are the Allen Theatre, which needs renovations, and Cleveland-based Ohio Solar Cooperative, an innovative, employee-owned company that leases and installs solar panels. Clients to date include the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, the City of Cleveland, and the Cleveland Housing Network.
Ohio Solar is part of the Evergreen Cooperatives network, which may benefit in other ways from the credits. Another recipient of the credits, Finance Fund, based in Franklin County, has listed the Green City Growers Cooperative, Evergreen Medical Recycling and Evergreen Record Retention Cooperative and companies it may support.
Source: Ohio Department of Development
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
The credits are modeled after and supplement a federal program and are administered by the Ohio Department of Development. "By encouraging investments in areas of Ohio that need it most, we are ensuring future economic development opportunities and increased potential for new jobs," Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel said in a statement. "The Ohio New Markets Tax Credit program is one of the first of its kind in the country, and we are eager to see the new developments that come from this program."
Northeast Ohio Development Fund -- a joint venture between the Port of Cleveland, Ariel Ventures and Cohen & Co. accountants -- has identified several potential beneficiaries of the credits, according to the state, including the proposed Cleveland Aquarium, the Midtown Tech Park and the planned University Circle hotel.
Among the entities that Key may support are the Allen Theatre, which needs renovations, and Cleveland-based Ohio Solar Cooperative, an innovative, employee-owned company that leases and installs solar panels. Clients to date include the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, the City of Cleveland, and the Cleveland Housing Network.
Ohio Solar is part of the Evergreen Cooperatives network, which may benefit in other ways from the credits. Another recipient of the credits, Finance Fund, based in Franklin County, has listed the Green City Growers Cooperative, Evergreen Medical Recycling and Evergreen Record Retention Cooperative and companies it may support.
Source: Ohio Department of Development
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Scott Colosimo had a dream to produce a stripped-down '60s-inspired motorcycle that looks like a million bucks but costs less than $5,000. Guess what? He pulled it off, launching a growing company called Cleveland CycleWerks.
recent college grads-turned-entrepreneurs make a 'CnXn' with student athletes
Brian Verne and Mike Eppich graduated from Oberlin and Rollins colleges,
respectively, in 2009, and found themselves without job prospects. The
two Shaker Heights High School alum decided to take matters into their
own hands: They founded CnXn (short for Connection), an apparel company that seeks to unite people through athletics.
This year, CnXn has produced athletic wear for Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights and Cleveland Central Catholic high schools, as well as youth football and cheerleading teams.
"The branding strategy involves using an area code logo, beginning with 216, to create a shared element for individuals who reside in the same city or geographic region," explains Verne, who was a starter on the Oberlin baseball team. (Eppich was a pitcher at Rollins.)
The idea comes from a trend of professional athletes to display their area code somewhere on their equipment or body. (Professional football player Reggie Bush can often be seen with the numbers 619 written into his eye black.)
Verne and Eppich have made giving back a major part of the CnXn business plan. "We take 15 percent of the profit from each sale and donate it back to student-athletes who reside in the area code that is on the apparel," Verne says. "The consumer will constantly be reminded that his purchase can have a positive impact on a young student athlete in his hometown."
Right now, Verne and Eppich are actively looking for additional seed money to produce all of the performance wear in the CnXn collection.
Source: Brian Verne
Writer: Diane DiPiero
This year, CnXn has produced athletic wear for Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights and Cleveland Central Catholic high schools, as well as youth football and cheerleading teams.
"The branding strategy involves using an area code logo, beginning with 216, to create a shared element for individuals who reside in the same city or geographic region," explains Verne, who was a starter on the Oberlin baseball team. (Eppich was a pitcher at Rollins.)
The idea comes from a trend of professional athletes to display their area code somewhere on their equipment or body. (Professional football player Reggie Bush can often be seen with the numbers 619 written into his eye black.)
Verne and Eppich have made giving back a major part of the CnXn business plan. "We take 15 percent of the profit from each sale and donate it back to student-athletes who reside in the area code that is on the apparel," Verne says. "The consumer will constantly be reminded that his purchase can have a positive impact on a young student athlete in his hometown."
Right now, Verne and Eppich are actively looking for additional seed money to produce all of the performance wear in the CnXn collection.
Source: Brian Verne
Writer: Diane DiPiero
Danielle DeBoe does not object to the descriptor "retail pioneer," but
notes that her business decisions are guided less by simple dollars and
cents than by a desire to help Cleveland realize its potential. That's
why she's preparing to relocate her jewelry/art/accessories/lifestyle
shop Room Service
from West 65th and Detroit, in the popular Gordon Square Arts District,
to the up-and-coming Ohio City Market District, around West 25th and
Lorain.
"I'm motivated by a challenge," says DeBoe, an Ohio City resident who set up shop in Gordon Square "before anyone knew what it was."
"It isn't just the retail end that drives me," she adds. "I like feeling that I'm helping to move along progress in Cleveland in general."
Few approach that effort as imaginatively as DeBoe does. Her side projects include the Made in the 216 shopping event and Dinner with Strangers, which is like networking only cooler.
Her relocation is part of an ongoing development push led by Ohio City Near West CDC and private developer MRN Ltd. The goal is to build on and expand the growth that's occurred on West 25th north of Lorain Avenue.
"Businesses are meant to serve the community in some way," DeBoe says. "If Room Service can help encourage people to cross over Lorain and shop, I'm willing to give it a go.
Source: Danielle DeBoe
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
"I'm motivated by a challenge," says DeBoe, an Ohio City resident who set up shop in Gordon Square "before anyone knew what it was."
"It isn't just the retail end that drives me," she adds. "I like feeling that I'm helping to move along progress in Cleveland in general."
Few approach that effort as imaginatively as DeBoe does. Her side projects include the Made in the 216 shopping event and Dinner with Strangers, which is like networking only cooler.
Her relocation is part of an ongoing development push led by Ohio City Near West CDC and private developer MRN Ltd. The goal is to build on and expand the growth that's occurred on West 25th north of Lorain Avenue.
"Businesses are meant to serve the community in some way," DeBoe says. "If Room Service can help encourage people to cross over Lorain and shop, I'm willing to give it a go.
Source: Danielle DeBoe
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
growing 20-person marketing firm insivia to relocate to 5K-sq-ft facility in the flats
The Cleveland marketing solutions firm Insivia
has solved its most recent challenge: how to accommodate record growth
and provide optimum space for creativity and interaction. The result:
Insivia's new 5,000-square-foot office on Center Street in The Flats.
The rambling, open interiors and plethora of natural light sold the firm
on the move from its previous location downtown.
"The ability to be in an exciting and creative space like this provides more value to our clients," says Andy Halko, CEO of Insivia. "We have more room to collaborate, create and envision."
Founded in 2002, Insivia's clients include Cleveland Clinic, Positively Cleveland and Rohrer Corporation. Insivia has experienced steady financial growth and has added several new positions in recent months to bring its total employees to around 20.
Insivia's new location in The Flats will accommodate planned future growth.
Source: Andy Halko
Writer: Diane DiPiero
"The ability to be in an exciting and creative space like this provides more value to our clients," says Andy Halko, CEO of Insivia. "We have more room to collaborate, create and envision."
Founded in 2002, Insivia's clients include Cleveland Clinic, Positively Cleveland and Rohrer Corporation. Insivia has experienced steady financial growth and has added several new positions in recent months to bring its total employees to around 20.
Insivia's new location in The Flats will accommodate planned future growth.
Source: Andy Halko
Writer: Diane DiPiero
City governments often get a bad rap. Cleveland's government is
especially vulnerable to dismissal, what with that lingering "mistake
on the lake" thing. But some informed government watchers — at Harvard,
no less — like what they see, at least in terms of the city's
willingness to cooperate with communities in building a better future.
The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, recently recognized the Strategic Investment Initiative (SSI) — a partnership between the non-profit Neighborhood Progress Inc. and the City of Cleveland — as a "Bright Idea." The newly created Bright Ideas program "is designed to recognize and share creative government initiatives around the country with interested public sector, nonprofit, and academic communities."
"My understanding is that this [honor] is fairly unusual," says Walter Wright, Neighborhood Progress's senior program officer. SSI involves the city, but grew out of Neighborhood Progress's work with community development corporations. Today it includes the CDCs in Buckeye, Detroit Shoreway, Ohio City, Slavic Village and five other communities. Neighborhood Progress describes SSI as "a market-driven approach that incorporates a deeper investment in neighborhood planning, a concentration of resources on larger-scale project investments and the introduction of more comprehensive strategies to improving quality of life through green spaces, public art, and neighborhood stabilization strategies."
The Bright Idea designation is "basically an honorific," Wright says. But he welcomes the opportunity to discuss the SSI model with like-minded folks from around the country who will learn of it thanks to the nod from Harvard.
Source: Neighborhood Progress Inc.
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, recently recognized the Strategic Investment Initiative (SSI) — a partnership between the non-profit Neighborhood Progress Inc. and the City of Cleveland — as a "Bright Idea." The newly created Bright Ideas program "is designed to recognize and share creative government initiatives around the country with interested public sector, nonprofit, and academic communities."
"My understanding is that this [honor] is fairly unusual," says Walter Wright, Neighborhood Progress's senior program officer. SSI involves the city, but grew out of Neighborhood Progress's work with community development corporations. Today it includes the CDCs in Buckeye, Detroit Shoreway, Ohio City, Slavic Village and five other communities. Neighborhood Progress describes SSI as "a market-driven approach that incorporates a deeper investment in neighborhood planning, a concentration of resources on larger-scale project investments and the introduction of more comprehensive strategies to improving quality of life through green spaces, public art, and neighborhood stabilization strategies."
The Bright Idea designation is "basically an honorific," Wright says. But he welcomes the opportunity to discuss the SSI model with like-minded folks from around the country who will learn of it thanks to the nod from Harvard.
Source: Neighborhood Progress Inc.
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Domokur Architects, based in Akron since 1979, has expanded into Cleveland via a merger with Tremont-based Michael Augoustidis.
"We like the neighborhood," says Linsey Domokur, who handles business development, "and we like having a Cleveland presence." The new office, at Starkweather and Professor, will house three new hires, including a specialist in the healthcare industry.
The firm's healthcare portfolio includes the Geneva Medical Center addition at University Hospitals, Akron City Hospital's Palliative Care Pavillion and Chardon Surgery Center. The firm has also designed several buildings for the J.M. Smucker Company in Orrville , the Cleveland Metroparks' Canal Way Visitors' Center and the Conneaut Public Library.
Domokur also opened a Chicago office in September.
Source: Domokur
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
"We like the neighborhood," says Linsey Domokur, who handles business development, "and we like having a Cleveland presence." The new office, at Starkweather and Professor, will house three new hires, including a specialist in the healthcare industry.
The firm's healthcare portfolio includes the Geneva Medical Center addition at University Hospitals, Akron City Hospital's Palliative Care Pavillion and Chardon Surgery Center. The firm has also designed several buildings for the J.M. Smucker Company in Orrville , the Cleveland Metroparks' Canal Way Visitors' Center and the Conneaut Public Library.
Domokur also opened a Chicago office in September.
Source: Domokur
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
pittsburgh's pop city spreads the word about fresh water
In last week's issue of Pop City (yes, it's a sister IMG publication), writer Deb Smit reported on our dear publication.
"Fresh Water launches this month with the goods on Cleveland, news as it pertains to innovation, jobs, healthcare, lifestyle, design and arts and culture," she writes." The bubbly, blue homepage comes to life each Thursday with a fresh issue featuring vibrant photography and stories on the people shaking things up and the great places to visit."
Smit even encourages smitten Pittsburghers to subscribe. Thanks, Pop City!
Read all the news that's fit to pop here.
"Fresh Water launches this month with the goods on Cleveland, news as it pertains to innovation, jobs, healthcare, lifestyle, design and arts and culture," she writes." The bubbly, blue homepage comes to life each Thursday with a fresh issue featuring vibrant photography and stories on the people shaking things up and the great places to visit."
Smit even encourages smitten Pittsburghers to subscribe. Thanks, Pop City!
Read all the news that's fit to pop here.
MAGNET and NorTech create positive attraction with $285k federal contract
The Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) has partnered with the Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition (NorTech)
to receive a $285,000 federal contract for a pilot project focusing on
the advanced energy value chain. The contract comes from the National
Institutes of Standards and Technology's Manufacturing Extension Program
(MEP).
MAGNET and NorTech will work together to coach and train a group of regional manufacturing companies to stimulate and support manufacturing innovation, technology acceleration, supply chain development and continuous improvement and efficiency. Specifically, the one-year pilot project will target small-to-mid-sized manufacturers in the areas of biomass/waste-to-energy and electric vehicles.
Ohio currently ranks third in the country in terms of manufacturing production output and manufacturing employment. The MEP project is a chance for this region of Ohio to further assist manufacturers in meeting the demands of an ever-evolving marketplace, according to Rebecca O. Bagley, president and CEO of NorTech.
"Our goal is to establish Northeast Ohio as a regional model for helping manufacturers transition from slow-growth markets to new, high-demand markets with stronger growth potential in emerging technology sectors, such as advanced energy," she says. "Working with MAGNET, we can help our region's manufacturers leverage their existing strengths and diversify their business to capture more global market opportunities."
Should the initial year of the MEP project be successful, there is an opportunity of funding for a second year.
SOURCE: NorTech
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
MAGNET and NorTech will work together to coach and train a group of regional manufacturing companies to stimulate and support manufacturing innovation, technology acceleration, supply chain development and continuous improvement and efficiency. Specifically, the one-year pilot project will target small-to-mid-sized manufacturers in the areas of biomass/waste-to-energy and electric vehicles.
Ohio currently ranks third in the country in terms of manufacturing production output and manufacturing employment. The MEP project is a chance for this region of Ohio to further assist manufacturers in meeting the demands of an ever-evolving marketplace, according to Rebecca O. Bagley, president and CEO of NorTech.
"Our goal is to establish Northeast Ohio as a regional model for helping manufacturers transition from slow-growth markets to new, high-demand markets with stronger growth potential in emerging technology sectors, such as advanced energy," she says. "Working with MAGNET, we can help our region's manufacturers leverage their existing strengths and diversify their business to capture more global market opportunities."
Should the initial year of the MEP project be successful, there is an opportunity of funding for a second year.
SOURCE: NorTech
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
Neither the departure of LeBron James nor the specter of another losing
Browns season has dampened enthusiasm among restaurateurs to join the
downtown sports-bar scene. The newest member is City Tap, which opens
Friday at 748 Prospect, on the grave of the former Boneyard and Forti's.
Owner Eric Pelham grew up near Norwalk but frequently visited Cleveland for games, and continued to after graduating from Bowling Green State University. His like-named bar in Bowling Green celebrated its first birthday in September, and he plans to replicate that formula here: a sports-bar feel (17 televisions) with restaurant-quality food (fresh-cut fries, handmade burgers, plus the usual wraps, salads and appetizers) and 40 beers.
Located away from "the hubbub of West Sixth," City Tap is the kind of pre-game stop "where you could bring your wife or girlfriend," Pelham explains. The two-and-a-half-month renovation included restoring the original floor and recreating the back-lit bottle display found behind the bar at his first location, but with three times as many bottles.
City Tap will also be open for lunch seven days week.
Source: Eric Pelham
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
Owner Eric Pelham grew up near Norwalk but frequently visited Cleveland for games, and continued to after graduating from Bowling Green State University. His like-named bar in Bowling Green celebrated its first birthday in September, and he plans to replicate that formula here: a sports-bar feel (17 televisions) with restaurant-quality food (fresh-cut fries, handmade burgers, plus the usual wraps, salads and appetizers) and 40 beers.
Located away from "the hubbub of West Sixth," City Tap is the kind of pre-game stop "where you could bring your wife or girlfriend," Pelham explains. The two-and-a-half-month renovation included restoring the original floor and recreating the back-lit bottle display found behind the bar at his first location, but with three times as many bottles.
City Tap will also be open for lunch seven days week.
Source: Eric Pelham
Writer: Frank W. Lewis
greater cleveland's mesocoat teams up with nasa on breakthrough nanotechnology
Greater Cleveland-based MesoCoat, an advanced materials company, has teamed up with NASA Glenn to produce a breakthrough nanotechnology that protects metal parts from wear and corrosion in extreme environments. Potential uses for the high-tech coating includes protecting the nation's water, transportation and energy infrastructures.
MesoCoat is working to incorporate a new reflector design on NASA's 200 kW arc lamp system to produce an extremely hot light that melts stainless steel and other metallic coatings and bonds them to the surface of steel in a fraction of a second. CEO Andrew Sherman says the system is capable of cladding nickel-based alloys to steel substrates, which are often used for highly corrosive applications. MesoCoat recently fired up the plasma arc lamp, marking a significant milestone in the project.
Founded in 2007, MesoCoat develops advanced nanocomposite coating products for hydraulic cylinders, storage tanks, pipelines and other sliding or exposed parts.
The U.S. Army recently recognized MesoCoat as one of the most successful companies in its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The company was lauded for its progress in attracting funding and customers from the private sector and non-SBIR government sources to transition its nanocomposite cermet coating technology into viable commercial products and savings for the U.S. Department of Defense.
MesoCoat is working to incorporate a new reflector design on NASA's 200 kW arc lamp system to produce an extremely hot light that melts stainless steel and other metallic coatings and bonds them to the surface of steel in a fraction of a second. CEO Andrew Sherman says the system is capable of cladding nickel-based alloys to steel substrates, which are often used for highly corrosive applications. MesoCoat recently fired up the plasma arc lamp, marking a significant milestone in the project.
Founded in 2007, MesoCoat develops advanced nanocomposite coating products for hydraulic cylinders, storage tanks, pipelines and other sliding or exposed parts.
The U.S. Army recently recognized MesoCoat as one of the most successful companies in its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The company was lauded for its progress in attracting funding and customers from the private sector and non-SBIR government sources to transition its nanocomposite cermet coating technology into viable commercial products and savings for the U.S. Department of Defense.
SOURCE: MesoCoat, Inc.
WRITER: Diane DiPiero
dynamic duo chosen as finalist in bloomberg's 'america's best young entrepreneurs'
Bloomberg Businessweek really, really likes what local medical device whiz kids Rick Arlow and Zach Bloom are up to. First came inclusion for Arlow in the pub's "25 most impressive young entrepreneurs under the age of 25." Next up for the dynamic duo was a slot as dual finalist in "America's Best Young Entrepreneurs."
Arlow and Bloom are recent grads of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., and Arlow currently is a medical student at Case Western Reserve University. The pair's medical device company LifeServe Innovations developed a tool that provides emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with a better, faster way to establish emergency airway access than the conventional cut-and-tube method.
The pair's Bloomberg entry reads: "Their device, based on the design of a viper's fang, is intended to open airways via minimally invasive procedures that can be performed in 60 seconds or less, compared to 10 to 15 minutes for a comparably effective surgical procedure."
Read the rest right here.
Arlow and Bloom are recent grads of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., and Arlow currently is a medical student at Case Western Reserve University. The pair's medical device company LifeServe Innovations developed a tool that provides emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with a better, faster way to establish emergency airway access than the conventional cut-and-tube method.
The pair's Bloomberg entry reads: "Their device, based on the design of a viper's fang, is intended to open airways via minimally invasive procedures that can be performed in 60 seconds or less, compared to 10 to 15 minutes for a comparably effective surgical procedure."
Read the rest right here.
wall street journal praises jumpstart biz accelerator
Described by the Wall Street Journal as the centerpiece of an "ecosystem to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship," Cleveland's JumpStart Inc. is praised for its ability to help early-stage start-ups attract crucial venture funding.
With economic assistance from Ohio's Third Frontier program, JumpStart provides entrepreneurs in the fields of technology, health-care and clean-technology with much-needed financing and professional mentoring.
In the WSJ article, JumpStart Ventures president Rebecca Braun explains the organization's metrics for success. Unlike most conventional VC firms, JumpStart does not invest for financial returns, she says. "Follow-on funding is our key metric that we look at."
Proof of success is in the numbers: Since launching in 2004 JumpStart has invested $16.5 million into nearly 50 companies. Those companies in turn have raised about $120 million in follow-on funding.
Read the entire article here.
With economic assistance from Ohio's Third Frontier program, JumpStart provides entrepreneurs in the fields of technology, health-care and clean-technology with much-needed financing and professional mentoring.
In the WSJ article, JumpStart Ventures president Rebecca Braun explains the organization's metrics for success. Unlike most conventional VC firms, JumpStart does not invest for financial returns, she says. "Follow-on funding is our key metric that we look at."
Proof of success is in the numbers: Since launching in 2004 JumpStart has invested $16.5 million into nearly 50 companies. Those companies in turn have raised about $120 million in follow-on funding.
Read the entire article here.