Stories
huffpo story touts ecdi commitment to green city growers
In a Huffington Post blog post titled “Cleveland Start-Up Seeing Green,” Emily Sullivan explains how the Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) is assisting Evergreen Cooperative’s latest venture, Green City Growers Cooperative, in operating a 3.25-acre hydroponic greenhouse and packing facility on Cleveland’s east side.
“The Greenhouse, and its employee-owners, will produce over 6,000,000 heads of lettuce and other leafy vegetables a year, all intended for local consumption,” Sullivan explains.
The choice for ECDI to support the cooperative was simple due to the fact its business model stood out.
“The opportunity to work with Green City Growers' cooperative provided the perfect starting point for ECDI to get involved in healthy food initiatives across the Northeast Ohio region.”
Read the full story here.
“The Greenhouse, and its employee-owners, will produce over 6,000,000 heads of lettuce and other leafy vegetables a year, all intended for local consumption,” Sullivan explains.
The choice for ECDI to support the cooperative was simple due to the fact its business model stood out.
“The opportunity to work with Green City Growers' cooperative provided the perfect starting point for ECDI to get involved in healthy food initiatives across the Northeast Ohio region.”
Read the full story here.
Bizdom and the Shaker LaunchHouse Accelerator (LHX) program each received $200,000 from the Third Frontier Ohio’s New Entrepreneurs (ONE) Fund to invest in a total of 20 startups. The two are the only business accelerators in Ohio to receive the funding.
While Bizdom’s program focuses on software and web opportunities in healthcare, consumer finance, real estate, entertainment, sports, online marketing and gaming, the LHX program centers on technology, internet, mobile and hardware/robotics industries.
However, Bizdom leader Paul Allen says they welcome all types of businesses to apply for their accelerator. “Every company today uses technology in some way, so the definition of technology companies is evolving,” he says. “We do like software, web and apps companies because they are less capital intensive, but we want to see everything. We’ll look at any technology business.”
LaunchHouse will accept applications for the August 12-week accelerator program starting tomorrow. Bizdom's application deadline for the summer program is March 17 and July 7 for the fall program.
The two organizations are looking forward to running their fall programs simultaneously. “We’re looking to collaborate and build jobs and the best businesses in Northeast Ohio,” says LaunchHouse CEO Todd Goldstein.
Allen says the two programs will be of historical importance in the region. “As far as I know, we’ve never had 20 companies at the same time,” he says. “We collaborate whenever we can, wherever it makes sense. The goal is to create lots of successful new businesses, create jobs and replace jobs that have been lost.”
Since January 2012, Bizdom has launched 18 new tech businesses in Cleveland, nine of which received follow-on funding and are profitable. LaunchHouse, which was recently named one of the best incubators in the North and Midwest by Elite Daily, has launched 10 companies in its inaugural accelerator program last summer, and has invested in 40 companies and raised $9 million in follow-on funding since 2008.
Sources: Paul Allen, Todd Goldstein
Writer: Karin Connelly
While Bizdom’s program focuses on software and web opportunities in healthcare, consumer finance, real estate, entertainment, sports, online marketing and gaming, the LHX program centers on technology, internet, mobile and hardware/robotics industries.
However, Bizdom leader Paul Allen says they welcome all types of businesses to apply for their accelerator. “Every company today uses technology in some way, so the definition of technology companies is evolving,” he says. “We do like software, web and apps companies because they are less capital intensive, but we want to see everything. We’ll look at any technology business.”
LaunchHouse will accept applications for the August 12-week accelerator program starting tomorrow. Bizdom's application deadline for the summer program is March 17 and July 7 for the fall program.
The two organizations are looking forward to running their fall programs simultaneously. “We’re looking to collaborate and build jobs and the best businesses in Northeast Ohio,” says LaunchHouse CEO Todd Goldstein.
Allen says the two programs will be of historical importance in the region. “As far as I know, we’ve never had 20 companies at the same time,” he says. “We collaborate whenever we can, wherever it makes sense. The goal is to create lots of successful new businesses, create jobs and replace jobs that have been lost.”
Since January 2012, Bizdom has launched 18 new tech businesses in Cleveland, nine of which received follow-on funding and are profitable. LaunchHouse, which was recently named one of the best incubators in the North and Midwest by Elite Daily, has launched 10 companies in its inaugural accelerator program last summer, and has invested in 40 companies and raised $9 million in follow-on funding since 2008.
Sources: Paul Allen, Todd Goldstein
Writer: Karin Connelly
mpr acknowledges med mart as top competitor for mayo
In a Minnesota Public Radio feature titled “How does Mayo stack up against its competitors?” Elizabeth Baier explores how Cleveland’s own Cleveland Clinic and Global Center for Health Innovation (formerly known as the Medical Mart) is hindering Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic’s aspirations to be the leader in the healthcare industry.
Baier states that while the Mayo Clinic is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top medical facilities, its competitors are growing by leaps and bounds as well.
“The center, officially the Global Center for Health Innovation and Cleveland Convention Center, is publically financed through a quarter-cent local sales tax passed in 2007. The one-million-square-foot campus will house big-name health manufacturers and service providers like GE Healthcare and the Cleveland Clinic.”
The project alone is expected to draw an additional tens of thousands of visitors to Northeast Ohio each year.
Explore the full story here.
Baier states that while the Mayo Clinic is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top medical facilities, its competitors are growing by leaps and bounds as well.
“The center, officially the Global Center for Health Innovation and Cleveland Convention Center, is publically financed through a quarter-cent local sales tax passed in 2007. The one-million-square-foot campus will house big-name health manufacturers and service providers like GE Healthcare and the Cleveland Clinic.”
The project alone is expected to draw an additional tens of thousands of visitors to Northeast Ohio each year.
Explore the full story here.
Imagine having an online resource with the information needed to custom design your own career path. That’s what the UNCOMN.TV does. This project identifies what employers need in employees, what educators need to be teaching students, and what students need to be doing to snag jobs -- thus helping to turn brain drain into brain gain.
ny times writer gives props to cleveland network affiliate
In a New York Times story titled “Cleveland TV Station Celebrates Andy Griffith After Oscars Snub,” James C. McKinley Jr. applauds Cleveland’s NBC affiliate WKYC for canceling its prime-time lineup on Thursday, Feb. 28, instead airing a two-hour episode of “Matlock” after the Oscars failed to honor Andy Griffith in the yearly obituary reel.
“The Academy did snub Andy Griffith,” said Brooke Spectorsky, the president and general manager of the station, WKYC. “We thought it would be a nice tribute.”
While the entire obituary piece is slated to take three minutes, there is traditionally tough competition. Griffith is known mainly for his television work but did appear in feature films.
“Mr. Griffith lost out to Ernest Borgnine, Charles Durning, Nora Ephron, Tony Scott and Marvin Hamlisch, among others,” McKinley concludes.
Check out the full piece here.
“The Academy did snub Andy Griffith,” said Brooke Spectorsky, the president and general manager of the station, WKYC. “We thought it would be a nice tribute.”
While the entire obituary piece is slated to take three minutes, there is traditionally tough competition. Griffith is known mainly for his television work but did appear in feature films.
“Mr. Griffith lost out to Ernest Borgnine, Charles Durning, Nora Ephron, Tony Scott and Marvin Hamlisch, among others,” McKinley concludes.
Check out the full piece here.
Last week at the 2013 Movers and Shakers Awards, the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club honored 25 area professionals under the age of 35 who are active in their communities. The event was held at Ariel International Center.
The up-and-coming leaders were honored for their work as volunteers or board members in the communities and businesses they are involved in. The keynote speaker was Jonathon Sawyer, chef-owner of Greenhouse Tavern and Noodlecat.
Sawyer spoke about moving back to Cleveland and how he and his wife wanted to make a difference in the city. He set out to open Cleveland’s first green certified restaurant, eventually succeeding and opening the Greenhouse Tavern. He spoke about his excitement that Cleveland is becoming recognized for its restaurant scene.
Honorees included Ryan Anderson, Chijioke Asomugha, Andrew Bennett, Emily Campbell, Michael Christoff, Rachel Ciomcia, Samantha Schartman-Cycyk, Katie Davis, Dave Diffendal, James Gasparatos, Donté Gibbs, John Hagerty, John Hausman, Julie L. Hill, Dominique LaRochelle, Amanda Leffler, Amanda Maggiotto, Timothy McCue, Kelly McGlumphy, Bryan Schauer, Lori Scott, Brent Shelley, Jeff Sobieraj, Jessica Wallis and Jonathan Wehner.
Gautam Pai, president of the 20/30 Club, stressed the importance of honoring young professionals.
“We hear constantly that young professionals are the future,” says Pai. “However, the future is the result of those things we're doing right now, in the present. Movers and Shakers is the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club's opportunity to showcase those young professionals that are doing just that: Making positive contributions right now and serving as leading examples for all to follow.”
Sources: Gautam Pai
Writer: Karin Connelly
The up-and-coming leaders were honored for their work as volunteers or board members in the communities and businesses they are involved in. The keynote speaker was Jonathon Sawyer, chef-owner of Greenhouse Tavern and Noodlecat.
Sawyer spoke about moving back to Cleveland and how he and his wife wanted to make a difference in the city. He set out to open Cleveland’s first green certified restaurant, eventually succeeding and opening the Greenhouse Tavern. He spoke about his excitement that Cleveland is becoming recognized for its restaurant scene.
Honorees included Ryan Anderson, Chijioke Asomugha, Andrew Bennett, Emily Campbell, Michael Christoff, Rachel Ciomcia, Samantha Schartman-Cycyk, Katie Davis, Dave Diffendal, James Gasparatos, Donté Gibbs, John Hagerty, John Hausman, Julie L. Hill, Dominique LaRochelle, Amanda Leffler, Amanda Maggiotto, Timothy McCue, Kelly McGlumphy, Bryan Schauer, Lori Scott, Brent Shelley, Jeff Sobieraj, Jessica Wallis and Jonathan Wehner.
Gautam Pai, president of the 20/30 Club, stressed the importance of honoring young professionals.
“We hear constantly that young professionals are the future,” says Pai. “However, the future is the result of those things we're doing right now, in the present. Movers and Shakers is the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club's opportunity to showcase those young professionals that are doing just that: Making positive contributions right now and serving as leading examples for all to follow.”
Sources: Gautam Pai
Writer: Karin Connelly
columbus writer enjoys slice of cleveland history
In a Columbus Dispatch piece titled “Host with the Most,” writer Steve Stephens highlights the Brownstone Inn, innkeeper Robin Yates, and the amazing transformation the area has made in the past few decades.
While Yates has been through his share of rough times, he sincerely believes Cleveland is making a comeback.
Stephens writes, “During my tour, we drove by or stopped at many attractions I knew only vaguely at best: the historic Dunham Tavern, the oldest building in Cleveland and now a museum; the fanciful and exclusive Hermit Club, the haunt of performers at PlayhouseSquare; and the Cleveland Arcade, one of the earliest indoor shopping malls, restored to its Victorian-era splendor.”
Stephens goes on to discuss the transformation of the area on Prospect where the Brownstone is located. Yates adds, “In 16 years, I called the police over 10,000 times. Now my guests can walk to PlayhouseSquare; it’s completely safe.”
Check out the full story here.
While Yates has been through his share of rough times, he sincerely believes Cleveland is making a comeback.
Stephens writes, “During my tour, we drove by or stopped at many attractions I knew only vaguely at best: the historic Dunham Tavern, the oldest building in Cleveland and now a museum; the fanciful and exclusive Hermit Club, the haunt of performers at PlayhouseSquare; and the Cleveland Arcade, one of the earliest indoor shopping malls, restored to its Victorian-era splendor.”
Stephens goes on to discuss the transformation of the area on Prospect where the Brownstone is located. Yates adds, “In 16 years, I called the police over 10,000 times. Now my guests can walk to PlayhouseSquare; it’s completely safe.”
Check out the full story here.
As part of the city's 10-year initiative Sustainable Cleveland 2019, 2013 is being called the Year of Advanced and Renewable Energy. Evidenced by measures big and small -- both civic and private -- Cleveland continues to inch toward becoming a "Green City on a Blue Lake."
This week, Ohio City Incorporated and Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization launched an unprecedented joint process to develop a streetscape plan for long-suffering Lorain Avenue.
The street, which runs through the heart of Cleveland's west side, was historically a bustling neighborhood retail corridor. Although it fell on hard times beginning in the 70s, it has recently drawn investment by entrepreneurs like Ian P.E. of Palookaville Chili and David Ellison of D.H. Ellison Architects.
The street's classic, character-filled architecture as well as investment by major players like St. Ignatius High School and Urban Community School have made it an attractive breeding ground for up-and-coming members of the creative class.
If this week's public meeting was any indication, neighborhood residents, businesses and stakeholders will have plenty of passionate opinions about the future of this main street. They won't hold back in sharing them, either.
A capacity crowd that showed up to the meeting at Urban Community School voiced concerns about on-street parking, bike lanes, retaining the mixed-use character of the street and ensuring that low-income residents are engaged.
Behnke Associates and Michael Baker Jr. Inc. have been hired to help develop a plan that will include "traffic analysis, utility and signage recommendations as well as cycling analysis, green infrastructure and complete streetscape treatments," according to a handout provided by OCI, DSCDO and the City of Cleveland.
Early signs indicate that the plan will be quite different from those developed for Detroit Avenue and West 25th Street. For one thing, Lorain Avenue is narrower than those streets, which will make it tougher to widen sidewalks and create dedicated bike lanes. Secondly, the street's tenants range from antique shops to manufacturing businesses, making it a distinct challenge to serve all of them.
Nonetheless, representatives of the city and both CDC's pledged to create an inclusive plan that could serve as a model for "complete and green streets" that incorporate all modes of transportation and minimize environmental impacts.
Want to voice your vision for Lorain? A survey will be available beginning March 11th on the OCI and DSCDO websites, and a workshop is scheduled for May 28th.
Source: OCI, DSCDO, City of Cleveland
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The street, which runs through the heart of Cleveland's west side, was historically a bustling neighborhood retail corridor. Although it fell on hard times beginning in the 70s, it has recently drawn investment by entrepreneurs like Ian P.E. of Palookaville Chili and David Ellison of D.H. Ellison Architects.
The street's classic, character-filled architecture as well as investment by major players like St. Ignatius High School and Urban Community School have made it an attractive breeding ground for up-and-coming members of the creative class.
If this week's public meeting was any indication, neighborhood residents, businesses and stakeholders will have plenty of passionate opinions about the future of this main street. They won't hold back in sharing them, either.
A capacity crowd that showed up to the meeting at Urban Community School voiced concerns about on-street parking, bike lanes, retaining the mixed-use character of the street and ensuring that low-income residents are engaged.
Behnke Associates and Michael Baker Jr. Inc. have been hired to help develop a plan that will include "traffic analysis, utility and signage recommendations as well as cycling analysis, green infrastructure and complete streetscape treatments," according to a handout provided by OCI, DSCDO and the City of Cleveland.
Early signs indicate that the plan will be quite different from those developed for Detroit Avenue and West 25th Street. For one thing, Lorain Avenue is narrower than those streets, which will make it tougher to widen sidewalks and create dedicated bike lanes. Secondly, the street's tenants range from antique shops to manufacturing businesses, making it a distinct challenge to serve all of them.
Nonetheless, representatives of the city and both CDC's pledged to create an inclusive plan that could serve as a model for "complete and green streets" that incorporate all modes of transportation and minimize environmental impacts.
Want to voice your vision for Lorain? A survey will be available beginning March 11th on the OCI and DSCDO websites, and a workshop is scheduled for May 28th.
Source: OCI, DSCDO, City of Cleveland
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Burton D. Morgan Foundation, which supports entrepreneurship education and programming in Northeast Ohio, awarded a $1 million grant to JumpStart last week for an entrepreneurial mentoring program over the next three years.
“Our goal is to reach aspiring entrepreneurs by using the talent and time of the mentors to help these businesses move along with their plans,” explains Deborah D. Hoover, Burton D. Morgan Foundation CEO and president.
The mentoring program has been operating as a pilot program for about a year at JumpStart, with 24 mentor teams participating. The goal is to provide mentoring and support services to 1,500 early stage businesses in the region through 2015.
“This is an amazing investment the Burton D. Morgan Foundation made in JumpStart and the work we’re doing in the region,” says JumpStart COO Cathy Belk. “This is an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs to access the wisdom and insight of people who have been through the same things they’re going through, people who know how to grow a business in tough positions.”
The grant will allow for the creation of a mentorship council, which will help form the most effective mentoring program. “The council will learn about best practices, understand other programs in the region and the differences between them,” says Belk.
Mentoring was one of Morgan’s core values as an entrepreneur himself. This program fits exactly with the foundation’s mission. “Mr. Morgan helped mentor hundreds of businesses,” says Hoover. “He loved to talk to people and had an open door policy.” Belk adds that JumpStart CEO Ray Leach once received mentoring from Morgan.
Source: Deborah Hoover and Cathy Belk
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Our goal is to reach aspiring entrepreneurs by using the talent and time of the mentors to help these businesses move along with their plans,” explains Deborah D. Hoover, Burton D. Morgan Foundation CEO and president.
The mentoring program has been operating as a pilot program for about a year at JumpStart, with 24 mentor teams participating. The goal is to provide mentoring and support services to 1,500 early stage businesses in the region through 2015.
“This is an amazing investment the Burton D. Morgan Foundation made in JumpStart and the work we’re doing in the region,” says JumpStart COO Cathy Belk. “This is an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs to access the wisdom and insight of people who have been through the same things they’re going through, people who know how to grow a business in tough positions.”
The grant will allow for the creation of a mentorship council, which will help form the most effective mentoring program. “The council will learn about best practices, understand other programs in the region and the differences between them,” says Belk.
Mentoring was one of Morgan’s core values as an entrepreneur himself. This program fits exactly with the foundation’s mission. “Mr. Morgan helped mentor hundreds of businesses,” says Hoover. “He loved to talk to people and had an open door policy.” Belk adds that JumpStart CEO Ray Leach once received mentoring from Morgan.
Source: Deborah Hoover and Cathy Belk
Writer: Karin Connelly
Startup Weekend is returning to Cleveland March 8-10 at the 5th Street Arcades. An event that originated in Seattle, Startup Weekends occur all over the world and are designed to get people with the entrepreneurial bug together to pitch ideas, form teams to hash the ideas out and potentially form companies.
The event has not been held in Cleveland since 2009, but thanks to the efforts of Hyland Software employees Ryan Marimon and Brian Adams, it’s back and promises to be a jam-packed weekend of ideas. Anyone with a business idea, or just the desire to help build on an idea, is welcome to attend.
“There are no restrictions,” says Marimon. “The interesting thing about Startup Weekend is that many people have the notion, ‘I’m not ready to pack up and quite my job to start a new business.’ The reality is this is about community building, networking with people who have like-minded skills. You can really learn so much, no matter what you are doing.”
Participants give their pitches and the audience votes on the best ideas. Teams are then formed around the best ideas. The rest of the weekend is spent flushing out the businesses before final presentations are made to judges Kendall Wouters, CEO of Reach Ventures; Morris Wheeler of Drummond Road Capital; and Jeff Hoffman, co-founder of ColorJar.
Teams will have access to coaches from successful local businesses for advice. Teams can work around the clock throughout the weekend if they choose.
“Come prepared to not get a lot of sleep,” says Marimon. “It’s an awesome, exciting and intense weekend.” The event begins at 5:30pm Friday and run through 9pm Sunday.
Marimon says 2013 seemed like the perfect time to bring Startup Weekend back to Cleveland. “When you look at what’s happening downtown, it’s definitely a renaissance,” explains Marimon. “We wanted to use this as a springboard for that.”
Registration is $99 for the weekend and includes meals and coffee – all locally sourced. Fresh Water readers however can receive a $25 discount using the code “freshwater” in the promotional code section during registration.
Source: Ryan Marimon
Writer: Karin Connelly
The event has not been held in Cleveland since 2009, but thanks to the efforts of Hyland Software employees Ryan Marimon and Brian Adams, it’s back and promises to be a jam-packed weekend of ideas. Anyone with a business idea, or just the desire to help build on an idea, is welcome to attend.
“There are no restrictions,” says Marimon. “The interesting thing about Startup Weekend is that many people have the notion, ‘I’m not ready to pack up and quite my job to start a new business.’ The reality is this is about community building, networking with people who have like-minded skills. You can really learn so much, no matter what you are doing.”
Participants give their pitches and the audience votes on the best ideas. Teams are then formed around the best ideas. The rest of the weekend is spent flushing out the businesses before final presentations are made to judges Kendall Wouters, CEO of Reach Ventures; Morris Wheeler of Drummond Road Capital; and Jeff Hoffman, co-founder of ColorJar.
Teams will have access to coaches from successful local businesses for advice. Teams can work around the clock throughout the weekend if they choose.
“Come prepared to not get a lot of sleep,” says Marimon. “It’s an awesome, exciting and intense weekend.” The event begins at 5:30pm Friday and run through 9pm Sunday.
Marimon says 2013 seemed like the perfect time to bring Startup Weekend back to Cleveland. “When you look at what’s happening downtown, it’s definitely a renaissance,” explains Marimon. “We wanted to use this as a springboard for that.”
Registration is $99 for the weekend and includes meals and coffee – all locally sourced. Fresh Water readers however can receive a $25 discount using the code “freshwater” in the promotional code section during registration.
Source: Ryan Marimon
Writer: Karin Connelly
zillow calls cleveland a 'hotspot for singles'
In a Zillow Blog article titled “Single No More! Where to Move for Love in 2013,” Alison Paoli lists Cleveland as #4 on the list of Top 10 cities for men seeking women age 35 and under.
Cleveland also ranks #8 for the top 10 cities for men seeking men age 35 and under and #3 for the top 10 cities for women seeking women age 35 and under.
“Zillow ranked the 150 largest U.S. cities based on the Zillow Rent Index versus the median income, walkability and the ratio and abundance of single males to single females aged 35 and under. The resulting cities are geographically diverse, with median rents ranging from $800 to $2,500 per month.”
Check out the full list here.
Cleveland also ranks #8 for the top 10 cities for men seeking men age 35 and under and #3 for the top 10 cities for women seeking women age 35 and under.
“Zillow ranked the 150 largest U.S. cities based on the Zillow Rent Index versus the median income, walkability and the ratio and abundance of single males to single females aged 35 and under. The resulting cities are geographically diverse, with median rents ranging from $800 to $2,500 per month.”
Check out the full list here.
agnes gund professes love for cle museum of art
In a Huffington Post piece titled “About a Museum,” Agnes Gund, President Emerita and Chairman, International Council of The Museum of Modern Art, writes of her childhood growing up learning to appreciate the arts at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
“That museum -- inspired by a band of prominent citizens, designed by local architects on donated land -- opened in 1916 as an achievement and adornment of its city. It was Cleveland through and through, not least in the motto it proclaimed for itself: "For the benefit of all people, forever."
The post continues into warm tribute to a place that has become a part of Gund herself. It is a very intimate account of the importance the museum has played throughout her life.
“That museum -- inspired by a band of prominent citizens, designed by local architects on donated land -- opened in 1916 as an achievement and adornment of its city. It was Cleveland through and through, not least in the motto it proclaimed for itself: "For the benefit of all people, forever."
The post continues into warm tribute to a place that has become a part of Gund herself. It is a very intimate account of the importance the museum has played throughout her life.
Enjoy her full account here.
Expedient and Fast Switch are bringing their Tech Strategy event to Northeast Ohio. Started in 2007 in Columbus by Fast Switch, the Tech Strategy events are relaxed invitation-only networking events between senior level IT executives and promising technology startup companies.
Expedient got on board as a co-sponsor soon after the group’s inception, and now the two companies brought the concept to 70 attendees at Lockkeepers in Independence on Tuesday, Feb. 26 for its inaugural Tech Strategy NEO. “I think it’s a great, unique concept for this area,” says Michael DeAloia, Expedient’s regional vice president. “It’s invitation-only to senior IT executives so they can meet with their peers while at the same time meeting with a select group of startups.”
The goal is to help the startups generate local customers, find advisory board candidates, access capital, gather employee referrals and receive business plan and strategy critiques. While the structure is casual, startup founders are given a short time to give their elevator pitches to the executives.
Eight startups pitched their companies, including Widdle, DragonID and J-Lynn Entertainment. Additionally, Fast Switch New Ventures and North Coast Angel Fund pitched to the group. “When was the last time a venture group pitched a room full of entrepreneurs,” asked DeAloia.
“It was a fascinating mix of people, creeds and generations in the room and I am always jazzed to be in the company of entrepreneurs and the energy and enthusiasm they possess,” says DeAloia. “I dig hanging out with the experienced executive and enjoy the opportunity to explore their experiences.”
No selling is a firm rule at these meetings, which will occur every two months, although DeAloia admits that occasionally the meetings have led to client relationships. The objective is to provide a casual yet controlled forum for executives to learn about technology start-ups in the region and explore ways to help them succeed.
For information about future Tech Strategy events, contact DeAloia.
Source: Michael DeAloia
Writer: Karin Connelly
Expedient got on board as a co-sponsor soon after the group’s inception, and now the two companies brought the concept to 70 attendees at Lockkeepers in Independence on Tuesday, Feb. 26 for its inaugural Tech Strategy NEO. “I think it’s a great, unique concept for this area,” says Michael DeAloia, Expedient’s regional vice president. “It’s invitation-only to senior IT executives so they can meet with their peers while at the same time meeting with a select group of startups.”
The goal is to help the startups generate local customers, find advisory board candidates, access capital, gather employee referrals and receive business plan and strategy critiques. While the structure is casual, startup founders are given a short time to give their elevator pitches to the executives.
Eight startups pitched their companies, including Widdle, DragonID and J-Lynn Entertainment. Additionally, Fast Switch New Ventures and North Coast Angel Fund pitched to the group. “When was the last time a venture group pitched a room full of entrepreneurs,” asked DeAloia.
“It was a fascinating mix of people, creeds and generations in the room and I am always jazzed to be in the company of entrepreneurs and the energy and enthusiasm they possess,” says DeAloia. “I dig hanging out with the experienced executive and enjoy the opportunity to explore their experiences.”
No selling is a firm rule at these meetings, which will occur every two months, although DeAloia admits that occasionally the meetings have led to client relationships. The objective is to provide a casual yet controlled forum for executives to learn about technology start-ups in the region and explore ways to help them succeed.
For information about future Tech Strategy events, contact DeAloia.
Source: Michael DeAloia
Writer: Karin Connelly
clinic doc chimes in on robot-assisted surgery debate
In a Wall Street Journal articled titled “Study Raises Doubts over Robotic Surgery,” writer Melinda Beck explores the use of robotic surgery for hysterectomies and its growth in popularity in recent years and it’s cost/benefit ratio.
"Robotic surgery does help me when I have to go really deep in the pelvis or use a lot of sutures," Cleveland Clinic gynecological surgeon Marie Paraiso, who uses both procedures, is quoted in the article. "But we haven't really defined which patients it helps most and it's never been shown to be cost-effective."
Paraiso goes on to explain that she has found no significant differences in blood loss or pain between the robotic method and the laparoscopic method, but the robotic method does take longer on average, which can bring added cost.
View the detailed story here.
"Robotic surgery does help me when I have to go really deep in the pelvis or use a lot of sutures," Cleveland Clinic gynecological surgeon Marie Paraiso, who uses both procedures, is quoted in the article. "But we haven't really defined which patients it helps most and it's never been shown to be cost-effective."
Paraiso goes on to explain that she has found no significant differences in blood loss or pain between the robotic method and the laparoscopic method, but the robotic method does take longer on average, which can bring added cost.
View the detailed story here.
yahoo calls tremont, ohio city 'hot places to live'
In a Yahoo! News feature titled “Hottest Cleveland Neighborhoods for 2013,” writer Paul Rados describes the improving real estate environment in Cleveland, while highlighting the Tremont and Ohio City neighborhoods as an area ripe with potential.
Both are popular, trendy neighborhoods that are a major draw due to their walkability and proximity to downtown, dining and entertainment.
“There is a friendly attitude everywhere you go," Sarah Urbancic of Howard Hanna explains. "People like being in the thick of things and also appreciate the fact that if your city is strong, the neighborhoods will be stronger. Everyone supports the effort to make each building [and] each block stronger and more welcoming."
Both are popular, trendy neighborhoods that are a major draw due to their walkability and proximity to downtown, dining and entertainment.
“There is a friendly attitude everywhere you go," Sarah Urbancic of Howard Hanna explains. "People like being in the thick of things and also appreciate the fact that if your city is strong, the neighborhoods will be stronger. Everyone supports the effort to make each building [and] each block stronger and more welcoming."
Check out the full piece here.
As new VP of operations for the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp (LEEDCo), Dave Karpinski will guide the organization through the next phase in the process of building the nation’s first freshwater offshore wind project. With its first round of financing in tow, LEEDCo must now compete for a critical second infusion of funds against six other projects across the country.
When we last checked in with real estate developer Howard Grandon, he was kicking off renovations of a 9,000-square-foot Detroit Shoreway building into four apartments and five retail spaces. The structure, which had housed an illicit nightclub called "Cheerios," sat vacant for seven-plus years before he bought it.
That was then, this is now. Although it's taken him longer than he anticipated, two and a half years later the results are plain. Grandon's building offers some of the most creatively-designed small apartments in Cleveland, a trend that's catching on in major cities.
"Because we were working with green, repurposed materials, we had to fabricate everything. It was more expensive than we anticipated," he says. "That happens in real estate."
It was worth the wait. Grandon himself moved into the building, occupying one of the light-filled apartments overlooking the Gordon Square streetscape. His suite includes a clever nook for his bed, spacious walk-in closet, huge kitchen with a countertop built for entertaining, and exposed spiral ductwork that hugs the ceiling. He has a bathroom straight out of Dwell magazine, including a European-style toilet with hidden plumbing and a glass-walled shower with subway tile.
The apartments, which are all similarly designed, rent for about $850 per month. The rates are about 25 percent cheaper than downtown, and two of the four are occupied. Grandon has completed a third, and the fourth will be ready this year.
Grandon's project also features many green, sustainable features. The wood floors in the units are built from an old parquet floor reclaimed from a gym. Come spring, he'll create unique planters out of old chemistry lab sinks he bought on Lorain Ave.
Grandon says that he's tapping into a small-is-beautiful movement that's popular in our post-recession world. "People are interested in having less possessions and living more efficiently," he says, pointing to huge kitchen counters that make dining room tables redundant and murphy beds that drop from the walls.
Perhaps the most radical feature of Grandon's units is that there are no walls except for the closets and bathrooms. It makes 800 square feet feel entirely liveable.
Grandon's next step is to begin renovating the storefronts. To do that, however, he needs to find willing entrepreneurs who are also bankable. Stay tuned for the next installment in our series covering this creative entrepreneur's endeavors.
Source: Howard Grandon
Writer: Lee Chilcote
That was then, this is now. Although it's taken him longer than he anticipated, two and a half years later the results are plain. Grandon's building offers some of the most creatively-designed small apartments in Cleveland, a trend that's catching on in major cities.
"Because we were working with green, repurposed materials, we had to fabricate everything. It was more expensive than we anticipated," he says. "That happens in real estate."
It was worth the wait. Grandon himself moved into the building, occupying one of the light-filled apartments overlooking the Gordon Square streetscape. His suite includes a clever nook for his bed, spacious walk-in closet, huge kitchen with a countertop built for entertaining, and exposed spiral ductwork that hugs the ceiling. He has a bathroom straight out of Dwell magazine, including a European-style toilet with hidden plumbing and a glass-walled shower with subway tile.
The apartments, which are all similarly designed, rent for about $850 per month. The rates are about 25 percent cheaper than downtown, and two of the four are occupied. Grandon has completed a third, and the fourth will be ready this year.
Grandon's project also features many green, sustainable features. The wood floors in the units are built from an old parquet floor reclaimed from a gym. Come spring, he'll create unique planters out of old chemistry lab sinks he bought on Lorain Ave.
Grandon says that he's tapping into a small-is-beautiful movement that's popular in our post-recession world. "People are interested in having less possessions and living more efficiently," he says, pointing to huge kitchen counters that make dining room tables redundant and murphy beds that drop from the walls.
Perhaps the most radical feature of Grandon's units is that there are no walls except for the closets and bathrooms. It makes 800 square feet feel entirely liveable.
Grandon's next step is to begin renovating the storefronts. To do that, however, he needs to find willing entrepreneurs who are also bankable. Stay tuned for the next installment in our series covering this creative entrepreneur's endeavors.
Source: Howard Grandon
Writer: Lee Chilcote