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