LaunchHouse announced in April that they were moving away from their accelerator programs and returning to their roots in entrepreneurial education, investment and community involvement. On Tuesday, June 30, the Shaker Heights organization will show off its planned new office space with a community open house.

Community members, entrepreneurs and small business owners are invited to learn more about this vibrant entrepreneurial community and how LaunchHouse can help grow their business. The event is also meant to show how LaunchHouse is trying to attract more startups and small businesses to Shaker Heights.

“It will show people this is really what happens at LaunchHouse,” says CEO Todd Goldstein. “We’re going back to our foundation of what works best.”

Between tenants and companies in the new coworking space, LaunchHouse is home to almost 100 entrepreneurs, with room for more. Two 1,000 square foot modified shipping containers, which will be located in the garage behind the main LaunchHouse facility, will offer additional office space for growing companies. Goldstain says additional containers can be added. Plans for the  containers are in the process of being completed.

Membership at Launchhouse ranges from $125 a month for flex space to $500 for a dedicated office. Student memberships are also available.

Goldstein’s vision is to create a thriving entrepreneurial community along Lee Road, rich with startups, restaurants and other businesses. “Those businesses are more likely to grow and have a larger impact; it’s not unreasonable for people to look at Lee Road as a place to grow a business community like Tremont,” he says.

Economic development organizations and the city of Shaker Heights are behind Goldstein’s vision. “The Shaker Heights Development Corporation (SHDC) is committed to enhancing the commercial districts in the community,” says Nick Fedor, SHDC executive director. “The Chagrin-Lee commercial corridor, where Shaker LaunchHouse is located, is a strategic area for our revitalization efforts.  Building on assets such as the Shaker LaunchHouse, and the companies that are located there, is critically important to enhancing the commercial activity in the corridor and in Shaker. The SHDC is proud to partner with the City of Shaker Heights and businesses like LaunchHouse to turn this vision into a reality.”

Part of the new look includes a strong educational component, says Goldstein. The organization hosts regular Meetups on topics ranging from hackerspace and bookkeeping help to coding for game developers. Lunch and Learn is a free quarterly event with speakers from various Cleveland companies.

“It’s for small to mid-sized companies that are growing,” says Goldstein. “You’re going to see a lot more educational programs.”

Tuesday’s event will include a pitch event, sponsored by the Small Business Development Center at Cleveland Heights Library, and Cleveland State University will host a crowdfunding pitch competition. Four winners will receive all-inclusive assistance to help create their crowdfunding campaign.

Special guest Gina Prodan Kelly, founder and brand storyteller at Unmiserable, will talk about successfully launching and running a crowdfunding campaign. Registration for the pitch competition is over, but last minute entries can be obtained by calling LaunchHouse at 216/255-3070.

The open house runs from 3pm to 7pm tomorrow. Registration for the open house is not required, but encouraged.