Street Level
Bizdom Cleveland, a business accelerator that mentors and funds up-and-coming entrepreneurs, launched its first six businesses from the fall program. The six businesses were selected from 350 applicants, who were then narrowed down to 32 participants in a 12-week mentoring program.
The six businesses participated in “Demo Day” on Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena, where they showcased their companies to potential investors.
“Thirty-five investors from throughout the region came to meet the inaugural Bizdom class and take a look at all the hard work they’ve done,” says Paul Allen, team leader for Bizdom Cleveland. “This is just the start of fundraising activities for these six new businesses. They will continue to meet with investors in the region and outside the region.”
The businesses received up to a $25,000 investment in exchange for an eight percent equity share in the new company. The startups will remain in Bizdom’s offices for three months. The companies must remain in Cleveland once they branch out on their own.
The six companies are: BigRiver; BOOM; InStoreFinance; Urban Matrix; SafeCare; and On Demand Interpretation.
“They’re all operating in technology, web and software space and all are performing at a really high level,” says Allen. “Our strategy is on product design and we have high expectations on sales and they are all doing really well.”
Bizdom accepts applications quarterly for sessions. Seventy entrepreneurs applied for the April session, of which four will be selected. The next session begins in July.
Source: Paul Allen
Writer: Karin Connelly
The six businesses participated in “Demo Day” on Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena, where they showcased their companies to potential investors.
“Thirty-five investors from throughout the region came to meet the inaugural Bizdom class and take a look at all the hard work they’ve done,” says Paul Allen, team leader for Bizdom Cleveland. “This is just the start of fundraising activities for these six new businesses. They will continue to meet with investors in the region and outside the region.”
The businesses received up to a $25,000 investment in exchange for an eight percent equity share in the new company. The startups will remain in Bizdom’s offices for three months. The companies must remain in Cleveland once they branch out on their own.
The six companies are: BigRiver; BOOM; InStoreFinance; Urban Matrix; SafeCare; and On Demand Interpretation.
“They’re all operating in technology, web and software space and all are performing at a really high level,” says Allen. “Our strategy is on product design and we have high expectations on sales and they are all doing really well.”
Bizdom accepts applications quarterly for sessions. Seventy entrepreneurs applied for the April session, of which four will be selected. The next session begins in July.
Source: Paul Allen
Writer: Karin Connelly
When Jeremy Amos and Matt Benton were working together at a bank a few years back, they constantly heard from potential investors about how difficult the college admissions process was for their children. They found that finding the right college was often confusing, complicated and even expensive.
So, in 2011, Amos and Benton came up with Upclique -- a free forum to connect students with the information they need to find the college that fits their needs, and allowing colleges to attract quality students. “We offer students a very detailed search tool that helps them narrow down their number of potential schools to a list that is manageable,” says Amos. “Once they have narrowed their list we provide them with all the necessary info they will need regarding the school to make a quality decision.”
Amos describes Upclique as the FaceBook of academia. “Our main goal was to create a site where students, parents, college counselors and college personnel come together,” says Amos. “They can come to our site not knowing a thing about what to do or where to go and we can immediately help them from this point."
Since its official launch at the end of February, Upclique has recruited 180 colleges, 35 high schools and 150 students and parents. “We’ve had really great growth,” says Amos.
Upclique’s revenue comes from third party sponsors in academics. They recently received an investment from Ancora Advisors in Beachwood, and they are endorsed by the National Catholic College Admission Association, which represents more than 200 colleges across the country.
Amos and Benton recently hired a CTO, who contracts with four outside developers.
Source: Jeremy Amos
Writer: Karin Connelly
So, in 2011, Amos and Benton came up with Upclique -- a free forum to connect students with the information they need to find the college that fits their needs, and allowing colleges to attract quality students. “We offer students a very detailed search tool that helps them narrow down their number of potential schools to a list that is manageable,” says Amos. “Once they have narrowed their list we provide them with all the necessary info they will need regarding the school to make a quality decision.”
Amos describes Upclique as the FaceBook of academia. “Our main goal was to create a site where students, parents, college counselors and college personnel come together,” says Amos. “They can come to our site not knowing a thing about what to do or where to go and we can immediately help them from this point."
Since its official launch at the end of February, Upclique has recruited 180 colleges, 35 high schools and 150 students and parents. “We’ve had really great growth,” says Amos.
Upclique’s revenue comes from third party sponsors in academics. They recently received an investment from Ancora Advisors in Beachwood, and they are endorsed by the National Catholic College Admission Association, which represents more than 200 colleges across the country.
Amos and Benton recently hired a CTO, who contracts with four outside developers.
Source: Jeremy Amos
Writer: Karin Connelly
LeanDog Software Studio has seen success as a software delivery firm and the team enjoys sharing their knowledge and mentoring others in the field. So the natural progression for the 55-person company was to expand into the world of fostering entrepreneurs in the tech field. The launch of LeanDog Labs does exactly that.
“Labs was really a part of our original vision of LeanDog,” says Nick Barendt, director of LeanDog Labs. “Very early on we were working with startups, but we were bootstrapped as a startup ourselves and cash poor. We really wanted to get back into working with Cleveland-based startups.”
LeanDog Labs teaches what they know to up-and-coming technology experts. They don’t invest in the companies; they are focused on being a technology partner. “We’re not looking to fund or provide office space. We’re there on the technology end to help entrepreneurs deliver their vision,” says Doc Norton, director of LeanDog Studio. “We’re looking to be a delivery partner in the startups.”
The company is in a position now to help out. LeanDog grew to 45 people from 18 people last year, and has hired 10 employees this year -- four of them just last week. Barendt and Norton see that growth as an opportunity to spread the expertise around.
“We're looking to work with entrepreneurs to help build their product vision,” says Barendt. “We have an absolutely amazing group of developers with incredibly diverse experiences, from mobile and web to financial and insurance to real time control and embedded systems, and we can make that collective experience available to our entrepreneurial partners.”
Source: Nick Barendt and Doc Norton
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Labs was really a part of our original vision of LeanDog,” says Nick Barendt, director of LeanDog Labs. “Very early on we were working with startups, but we were bootstrapped as a startup ourselves and cash poor. We really wanted to get back into working with Cleveland-based startups.”
LeanDog Labs teaches what they know to up-and-coming technology experts. They don’t invest in the companies; they are focused on being a technology partner. “We’re not looking to fund or provide office space. We’re there on the technology end to help entrepreneurs deliver their vision,” says Doc Norton, director of LeanDog Studio. “We’re looking to be a delivery partner in the startups.”
The company is in a position now to help out. LeanDog grew to 45 people from 18 people last year, and has hired 10 employees this year -- four of them just last week. Barendt and Norton see that growth as an opportunity to spread the expertise around.
“We're looking to work with entrepreneurs to help build their product vision,” says Barendt. “We have an absolutely amazing group of developers with incredibly diverse experiences, from mobile and web to financial and insurance to real time control and embedded systems, and we can make that collective experience available to our entrepreneurial partners.”
Source: Nick Barendt and Doc Norton
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Open Office opened in the Coventry School Building in Cleveland Heights on Monday, April 9, welcoming independent workers -- freelancers, small biz operators and mobile professionals -- a co-working environment to get their work done in a social atmosphere.
The Open Office, which will host its grand opening on May 2, offers office space, printers, fax machines and other office services on a membership basis. Memberships range from cubicles dedicated exclusively for full time members, to open memberships and part-time access.
“I’m very excited about what we’ve been doing over the past few weeks to transform the building from an old school to workspace,” says founder Andrew Auten. “We’ve been working with the school and the city to bring in more small business.”
Conference space is available for meetings and seminars. “The conference rooms are open to the public for reservations,” says Auten. “We can hold much larger events, for up to 100 people too. The need for this kind of flexible meeting space is really growing.”
The Open Office has 12 desks for dedicated members. Auten already has eight dedicated members signed up. Two employees manage the office, while Auten is working with a consultant to help with social media in the space.
Other amenities include parking passes for members, a coffee bar by Phoenix Coffee and pastries and sandwiches from Luna Bakery Cafe.
Source: Andrew Auten
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Open Office, which will host its grand opening on May 2, offers office space, printers, fax machines and other office services on a membership basis. Memberships range from cubicles dedicated exclusively for full time members, to open memberships and part-time access.
“I’m very excited about what we’ve been doing over the past few weeks to transform the building from an old school to workspace,” says founder Andrew Auten. “We’ve been working with the school and the city to bring in more small business.”
Conference space is available for meetings and seminars. “The conference rooms are open to the public for reservations,” says Auten. “We can hold much larger events, for up to 100 people too. The need for this kind of flexible meeting space is really growing.”
The Open Office has 12 desks for dedicated members. Auten already has eight dedicated members signed up. Two employees manage the office, while Auten is working with a consultant to help with social media in the space.
Other amenities include parking passes for members, a coffee bar by Phoenix Coffee and pastries and sandwiches from Luna Bakery Cafe.
Source: Andrew Auten
Writer: Karin Connelly
Imagine eating chef-made meals from food grown right around the corner. That’s the dream Brian Doyle had when he created Sow Food last year, which is a catering business built around locally-grown food.
”Last year my wife Jennifer and I wanted to create a business that was full-circle,” Doyle explains. “We wanted to add a farming component to our catering business because we were interested in adding food in areas considered food deserts.”
Doyle found a plot of land on W. 47th Street and Lorain Avenue in the Cleveland area using the land bank. There, he has created a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model that combines local farming with catering.
Members buy a share in the farm in exchange for gourmet meals prepared by chef Doyle. During the growing season -- June through September -- members get three meals for two people each week. The cost is $1,520 for 16 weeks of food presented in re-usable containers. Subscribers pick up their meals each week at the farm.
Doyle creates the meals from the farm produce while supplementing it with other locally grown meats and cheeses. “We try to feature other local producers of value added goods,” he says. “You’ll never find a national brand item in our bag.”
Last year, Sow Food had 10 customers. This year, the company already has 10 customers signed up. Doyle hopes to get to 30 customers, but will cap it at 50. “We’re thinking in small increments of growth,” he says.
Sow Food has two full-time employees and two seasonal employees. If they reach their targeted growth, Doyle plans to hire an additional full-time employee and two part-time employees.
Sow Food sub-leased kitchen space from a couple restaurants. This year, Doyle is hoping to find a permanent space.
Source: Brian Doyle
Writer: Karin Connelly
”Last year my wife Jennifer and I wanted to create a business that was full-circle,” Doyle explains. “We wanted to add a farming component to our catering business because we were interested in adding food in areas considered food deserts.”
Doyle found a plot of land on W. 47th Street and Lorain Avenue in the Cleveland area using the land bank. There, he has created a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model that combines local farming with catering.
Members buy a share in the farm in exchange for gourmet meals prepared by chef Doyle. During the growing season -- June through September -- members get three meals for two people each week. The cost is $1,520 for 16 weeks of food presented in re-usable containers. Subscribers pick up their meals each week at the farm.
Doyle creates the meals from the farm produce while supplementing it with other locally grown meats and cheeses. “We try to feature other local producers of value added goods,” he says. “You’ll never find a national brand item in our bag.”
Last year, Sow Food had 10 customers. This year, the company already has 10 customers signed up. Doyle hopes to get to 30 customers, but will cap it at 50. “We’re thinking in small increments of growth,” he says.
Sow Food has two full-time employees and two seasonal employees. If they reach their targeted growth, Doyle plans to hire an additional full-time employee and two part-time employees.
Sow Food sub-leased kitchen space from a couple restaurants. This year, Doyle is hoping to find a permanent space.
Source: Brian Doyle
Writer: Karin Connelly
Global Cleveland’s pilot program, the English and Pathways for Healthcare Professionals, graduated 19 students on Saturday, March 17. The five-month pilot program was designed to help immigrants with their English as well as find jobs that match the skills they developed in their home countries.
“Everyone was very thankful for the program, each for slightly different reasons” says Global Cleveland president Larry Miller. “They were very grateful for the experience -- it made Cleveland a very special place in their minds.”
Students studied English medical terminology, learned about the structure of the U.S. healthcare system, went on a field trip to the Cleveland Clinic, obtained certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and participated in a college fair and an interviewing and resume writing workshop.
“They walked away with the basic skills,” says Miller. The graduates are now working with a career counselor who will help them on job placement.
Miller was struck by the students’ determination. “I was really impressed with some of their stories,” he says. “These are people who were involved in medicine and to go to another country, it’s very difficult landing in a new culture and a new country.”
A second class is planned for later this year, as well as one in the Akron area. “We think it’s one of the first and best successes,” Miller says of the pilot program. “We look forward to another one.”
Source: Larry Miller
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Everyone was very thankful for the program, each for slightly different reasons” says Global Cleveland president Larry Miller. “They were very grateful for the experience -- it made Cleveland a very special place in their minds.”
Students studied English medical terminology, learned about the structure of the U.S. healthcare system, went on a field trip to the Cleveland Clinic, obtained certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and participated in a college fair and an interviewing and resume writing workshop.
“They walked away with the basic skills,” says Miller. The graduates are now working with a career counselor who will help them on job placement.
Miller was struck by the students’ determination. “I was really impressed with some of their stories,” he says. “These are people who were involved in medicine and to go to another country, it’s very difficult landing in a new culture and a new country.”
A second class is planned for later this year, as well as one in the Akron area. “We think it’s one of the first and best successes,” Miller says of the pilot program. “We look forward to another one.”
Source: Larry Miller
Writer: Karin Connelly
The first virtual biomedical job fair, hosted last week by BioEnterprise and Global Cleveland, proved to be a success in attracting candidates to the region’s biomedical field and its many open positions. Thirty employers took 1,785 applications for open positions. About a quarter of the applicants were from outside of Ohio and another quarter were from outside the region, fulfilling the goal to attract new talent to Northeast Ohio.
“Our industry is an emerging growth industry,” says Baiju Shah, president and CEO of BioEnterprise. “Most of the biotech firms in the Cleveland region right now are expanding and we have to bring individuals from throughout the country to meet the workforce demands.”
It’s too early to tell how many applicants were offered jobs, since the participating employers use their own hiring processes after the initial application. “We will track it,” Shah saws. “The employers were impressed with the quality and the quantity of the candidates.”
The job fair was such a success that BioEnterprise and Global Cleveland plan on hosting additional jobs fairs on a quarterly basis. “We’re expecting to conduct this again in late May or early June,” says Shah. “Each time with a different batch of employers.
There are about 700 biomedical companies in the region. Shah wants to make sure applicants from outside the Cleveland area realize the demand for their skills is high here and there are plenty of options to choose from. “The first job they take here may not be their last job here,” he says. “But the demand is there and demand continues.”
Source: Baiju Shah
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Our industry is an emerging growth industry,” says Baiju Shah, president and CEO of BioEnterprise. “Most of the biotech firms in the Cleveland region right now are expanding and we have to bring individuals from throughout the country to meet the workforce demands.”
It’s too early to tell how many applicants were offered jobs, since the participating employers use their own hiring processes after the initial application. “We will track it,” Shah saws. “The employers were impressed with the quality and the quantity of the candidates.”
The job fair was such a success that BioEnterprise and Global Cleveland plan on hosting additional jobs fairs on a quarterly basis. “We’re expecting to conduct this again in late May or early June,” says Shah. “Each time with a different batch of employers.
There are about 700 biomedical companies in the region. Shah wants to make sure applicants from outside the Cleveland area realize the demand for their skills is high here and there are plenty of options to choose from. “The first job they take here may not be their last job here,” he says. “But the demand is there and demand continues.”
Source: Baiju Shah
Writer: Karin Connelly
After developing their idea for an online funeral services resource at the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business’ 10-Xelerator last summer, Mike Belsito and Bryan Chaikin have proved eFuneral to be a successful endeavor.
Originally called FunerAlly, the company was founded in June 2011. Belsito and Chaikin changed to name to eFuneral when they went live in February. The company provides an online platform for families to quickly find, compare and select a funeral provider. “eFuneral is a simple way for our customer base to understand it is technology focused,” explains Belsito. “One of the things we underestimated is how difficult it would be to create a brand name.”
After some tweaking to make sure eFuneral is easily found through search engines like Google, business has boomed. Sixty-five funeral homes in Northeast and Central Ohio are now listed on the site. “We want to make sure that when others turn to the web to find funeral services they find eFuneral,” says Belsito. “Dozens of inquiries immediately came through, from pre-planning to immediate needs.”
Offline, groups like Hospice and religious organizations have partnered with eFuneral. The service is free for users. Revenue is earned through marketing fees and premium memberships that funeral homes purchase.
eFuneral is doing well. The company now has four employees. The company is still on a learning curve, but Belsito and Chaikin are eager learners. “Our goal is to prove the model we built and the business we built and learn as much from our customers as we can,” Belsito says. “Year one is about learning as much as we can so we can scale up nationally.”
Source: Mike Belsito
Writer: Karin Connelly
Originally called FunerAlly, the company was founded in June 2011. Belsito and Chaikin changed to name to eFuneral when they went live in February. The company provides an online platform for families to quickly find, compare and select a funeral provider. “eFuneral is a simple way for our customer base to understand it is technology focused,” explains Belsito. “One of the things we underestimated is how difficult it would be to create a brand name.”
After some tweaking to make sure eFuneral is easily found through search engines like Google, business has boomed. Sixty-five funeral homes in Northeast and Central Ohio are now listed on the site. “We want to make sure that when others turn to the web to find funeral services they find eFuneral,” says Belsito. “Dozens of inquiries immediately came through, from pre-planning to immediate needs.”
Offline, groups like Hospice and religious organizations have partnered with eFuneral. The service is free for users. Revenue is earned through marketing fees and premium memberships that funeral homes purchase.
eFuneral is doing well. The company now has four employees. The company is still on a learning curve, but Belsito and Chaikin are eager learners. “Our goal is to prove the model we built and the business we built and learn as much from our customers as we can,” Belsito says. “Year one is about learning as much as we can so we can scale up nationally.”
Source: Mike Belsito
Writer: Karin Connelly
Ameica21 Project and BioEnterprise will host the country’s first Minority Biomedical Entrepreneurship Conference May 21-22 at the Cleveland Marriott to increase minority competitiveness in the biomedical industry, as well as provide a forum for networking and education. Minorities currently represent less than five percent of the biomedical workforce.
“America21 Project has paired with BioEnterprise to help connect the disconnected,” says Johnathan Holified, co-founder and chief evangelist for America21 Project, a minority innovation and competitiveness initiative. “We believe the initial conference will be the first step in connecting minorities, particularly African Americans and Latinos. We want to establish Cleveland hospitals as a community that welcomes these inspirations.”
The event will offer panel discussions and workshops on the key issues and practical advice on starting and growing a biomedical company. The conference will also allow for entrepreneurial pitch sessions with investors and mentors. “The pitch sessions will allow entrepreneurs to showcase their companies to potential investors and get feedback,” says Holified.
Frank Douglas, president of the Austen BioInnovation Institute and former executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Aventis will be the keynote speaker. A national steering committee of Hispanic and African American leaders in the biomedical industry will also attend.
Holified expects about 150 people to attend the event, and hopes it will gain popularity at future conferences. “Our intent is to grow the conference and make it an annual destination,” he says.
Source: Johnathan Holified
Writer: Karin Connelly
“America21 Project has paired with BioEnterprise to help connect the disconnected,” says Johnathan Holified, co-founder and chief evangelist for America21 Project, a minority innovation and competitiveness initiative. “We believe the initial conference will be the first step in connecting minorities, particularly African Americans and Latinos. We want to establish Cleveland hospitals as a community that welcomes these inspirations.”
The event will offer panel discussions and workshops on the key issues and practical advice on starting and growing a biomedical company. The conference will also allow for entrepreneurial pitch sessions with investors and mentors. “The pitch sessions will allow entrepreneurs to showcase their companies to potential investors and get feedback,” says Holified.
Frank Douglas, president of the Austen BioInnovation Institute and former executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Aventis will be the keynote speaker. A national steering committee of Hispanic and African American leaders in the biomedical industry will also attend.
Holified expects about 150 people to attend the event, and hopes it will gain popularity at future conferences. “Our intent is to grow the conference and make it an annual destination,” he says.
Source: Johnathan Holified
Writer: Karin Connelly
Arthur Heuer spends a lot of his time studying how to make stainless steel harder and improve its resistance to corrosion. His research is possible thanks to the equipment at the Swagelok Center for Surface Analysis of Materials (SCSAM) on the CWRU campus.
The center has 20 electron microscopes and other instruments for microstructural characterization of materials and surface and near-surface chemical analysis. Basically, SCSAM is home to a lot of expensive equipment that allows industrial and academic users to conduct surface analysis, structural analysis and optic microscopy.
Industrial companies come from around the world to use the $20 million worth of equipment at SCSAM. “We don’t know of any place that has the diversity of instruments and staff that we have,” says Heuer, who is the center’s director. “I modestly claim it’s the best such facility on the planet.”
In a typical year, SCSAM sees 300 users who pay a service contract to use the equipment. Many industrial clients come on a weekly basis. “Our industrial clients like us because we are one-stop shopping,” says Heuer. Academic users pay a lesser rate to use the facility.
The fees cover the operational costs. The service fees are far less than investing in the equipment, even for companies that come to SCSAM on a regular basis. “We break even,” says Heuer. “The university doesn’t need to subsidize us.” Seven full time engineers maintain the equipment and train users.
Source: Arthur Heuer
Writer: Karin Connelly
The center has 20 electron microscopes and other instruments for microstructural characterization of materials and surface and near-surface chemical analysis. Basically, SCSAM is home to a lot of expensive equipment that allows industrial and academic users to conduct surface analysis, structural analysis and optic microscopy.
Industrial companies come from around the world to use the $20 million worth of equipment at SCSAM. “We don’t know of any place that has the diversity of instruments and staff that we have,” says Heuer, who is the center’s director. “I modestly claim it’s the best such facility on the planet.”
In a typical year, SCSAM sees 300 users who pay a service contract to use the equipment. Many industrial clients come on a weekly basis. “Our industrial clients like us because we are one-stop shopping,” says Heuer. Academic users pay a lesser rate to use the facility.
The fees cover the operational costs. The service fees are far less than investing in the equipment, even for companies that come to SCSAM on a regular basis. “We break even,” says Heuer. “The university doesn’t need to subsidize us.” Seven full time engineers maintain the equipment and train users.
Source: Arthur Heuer
Writer: Karin Connelly
vsi saves vacuums from landfills while saving owners cash
Diana Richards has been in the vacuum cleaner business a long time. One of the things she found over the years is that people don’t know the basic workings of their machines, and they are quick to throw the vacuum away if can’t easily be fixed.
“If they were only educated that vacuum belts are rubber and they do break and need to be changed,” says Richards. “Your carpet would be cleaner with a new belt.”
Richards owned a small vacuum repair shop with her husband in New Castle, PA, which closed in 1992 with her divorce. Her experience led to Vacuum Services International, the nation’s largest vacuum cleaner remanufacturing facility.
Richards started the Vacuum Helpline, a call center for repairs and trouble shooting, after spending two hours in a parking lot with her car running helping a customer with a broken machine.
“I started to see my retail customers say, ‘here’s a broken vacuum. If you can repair it, fine. It not, throw it away and my company will send me a new one,’” explains Richards. “All for a minor maintenance issue. I’d say this business started because of a belt.”
Eighteen years later, VSI customers send their broken vacuums to the Valley View warehouse, where they are disassembled, remanufactured and working as good as new. The costs savings is 50 to 60 percent less than buying a new vacuum. “It’s a tremendous savings for corporations,” says Roberts. “It saves hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Not to mention Richards’ services are good for the environment. She has saved 12 million pounds of broken vacuums from landfills and remanufactured half a million machines. “I was green before green was even a tag line,” she says. The Helpline fields between 1,500 and 2,500 calls a week.
Source: Diana Richards
Writer: Karin Connelly
“If they were only educated that vacuum belts are rubber and they do break and need to be changed,” says Richards. “Your carpet would be cleaner with a new belt.”
Richards owned a small vacuum repair shop with her husband in New Castle, PA, which closed in 1992 with her divorce. Her experience led to Vacuum Services International, the nation’s largest vacuum cleaner remanufacturing facility.
Richards started the Vacuum Helpline, a call center for repairs and trouble shooting, after spending two hours in a parking lot with her car running helping a customer with a broken machine.
“I started to see my retail customers say, ‘here’s a broken vacuum. If you can repair it, fine. It not, throw it away and my company will send me a new one,’” explains Richards. “All for a minor maintenance issue. I’d say this business started because of a belt.”
Eighteen years later, VSI customers send their broken vacuums to the Valley View warehouse, where they are disassembled, remanufactured and working as good as new. The costs savings is 50 to 60 percent less than buying a new vacuum. “It’s a tremendous savings for corporations,” says Roberts. “It saves hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Not to mention Richards’ services are good for the environment. She has saved 12 million pounds of broken vacuums from landfills and remanufactured half a million machines. “I was green before green was even a tag line,” she says. The Helpline fields between 1,500 and 2,500 calls a week.
Source: Diana Richards
Writer: Karin Connelly
iguiders wins local business plan competition, off to global competition
iGuiders, a Beachwood software company that guides online shoppers through their buying experiences, is the winner of the 2012 The International Entrepreneurs (TiE) Ohio business plan competition. Founded in 2008 by Jodi Marchewitz, iGuiders is a decision-making application that personalizes the search process to help users find exactly what they’re looking for.
Thirty-six Ohio startups entered the competition for a prize package comprised of $2,500 cash and services including incubator space, advisory services, legal and accounting support. iGuiders will now go on to Toronto in April to compete in the global competition.
iGuiders was selected as the winner from a panel of five judges representing investment funds and early stage advisors. Judge Todd Federman, executive director of the North Coast Angel Fund, was impressed with iGuiders concept and success in the market. “It’s always a challenging decision when a small group of judges come together,” says Federman. “iGuiders has a demonstrated a lot of traction. They’ve taken a lot of risk and positioned themselves well to grow.”
Federman was also impressed with iGuiders COO Chaz Napoli’s vision. “Chaz has a polished a very clear view of what they’re trying to do as a company,” he says.
Real Time Imaging Technologies, which miniaturizes medical fluoroscopes for dental use, took second place as an emerging company in the competition. The company will also receive $2,500 and have access to mentoring and other services.
Source: Todd Federman
Writer: Karin Connelly
Thirty-six Ohio startups entered the competition for a prize package comprised of $2,500 cash and services including incubator space, advisory services, legal and accounting support. iGuiders will now go on to Toronto in April to compete in the global competition.
iGuiders was selected as the winner from a panel of five judges representing investment funds and early stage advisors. Judge Todd Federman, executive director of the North Coast Angel Fund, was impressed with iGuiders concept and success in the market. “It’s always a challenging decision when a small group of judges come together,” says Federman. “iGuiders has a demonstrated a lot of traction. They’ve taken a lot of risk and positioned themselves well to grow.”
Federman was also impressed with iGuiders COO Chaz Napoli’s vision. “Chaz has a polished a very clear view of what they’re trying to do as a company,” he says.
Real Time Imaging Technologies, which miniaturizes medical fluoroscopes for dental use, took second place as an emerging company in the competition. The company will also receive $2,500 and have access to mentoring and other services.
Source: Todd Federman
Writer: Karin Connelly
Last week, NorTech announced nine area companies as winners of its annual innovation awards. The winners represent a variety of industries, including advanced energy, advanced materials, biosciences, flexible electronics, and instrumentation, controls and electronics.
“This year’s winners were selected by the judges’ panel based on their creativity, feasibility, collaboration, and triple bottom line impact,” says Rebecca O. Bagley, president and CEO of NorTech. “The winners represent a diverse range of technologies, from advanced energy to bioscience, which are being developed and commercialized right here in Northeast Ohio.”
Award winners were recognized at an evening ceremony at LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility in Westlake, Ohio. Stephen Spoonamore, CEO of ABSMaterials, an advanced materials startup in Wooster, was the keynote speaker for the evening.
The winners are BrainMaster Technologies, Inc. for its brain imaging and biofeedback system; eQED for its 250-watt HIKARI solar microinverter; GrafTech International Holdings,for the world’s thinnest graphite heat spreaders; LineStream Technologies for advanced controls software; MesoCoat, Inc. for CermaClad; NASA Glenn Research Center with collaborative partners Ohio Aerospace Institute and Sest Inc. for large tapered crystal (LTC); Polyflow for waste-to-energy conversion technology; Powdermet, Inc. for McomP (Micro/Nanocomposite); and Tesla NanoCoatings Ltd. for Teslan carbon nanocoating.
“NorTech Innovation Award winners receive well-deserved, positive exposure for their innovations, their companies, and the talented teams that have worked tirelessly to move these technologies from vision to reality,” says Bagley. “Our hope is that award winners can leverage this recognition to pave the way for new opportunities for their organizations to continue to grow and excel in Northeast Ohio.”
Source: Rebecca O. Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
“This year’s winners were selected by the judges’ panel based on their creativity, feasibility, collaboration, and triple bottom line impact,” says Rebecca O. Bagley, president and CEO of NorTech. “The winners represent a diverse range of technologies, from advanced energy to bioscience, which are being developed and commercialized right here in Northeast Ohio.”
Award winners were recognized at an evening ceremony at LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility in Westlake, Ohio. Stephen Spoonamore, CEO of ABSMaterials, an advanced materials startup in Wooster, was the keynote speaker for the evening.
The winners are BrainMaster Technologies, Inc. for its brain imaging and biofeedback system; eQED for its 250-watt HIKARI solar microinverter; GrafTech International Holdings,for the world’s thinnest graphite heat spreaders; LineStream Technologies for advanced controls software; MesoCoat, Inc. for CermaClad; NASA Glenn Research Center with collaborative partners Ohio Aerospace Institute and Sest Inc. for large tapered crystal (LTC); Polyflow for waste-to-energy conversion technology; Powdermet, Inc. for McomP (Micro/Nanocomposite); and Tesla NanoCoatings Ltd. for Teslan carbon nanocoating.
“NorTech Innovation Award winners receive well-deserved, positive exposure for their innovations, their companies, and the talented teams that have worked tirelessly to move these technologies from vision to reality,” says Bagley. “Our hope is that award winners can leverage this recognition to pave the way for new opportunities for their organizations to continue to grow and excel in Northeast Ohio.”
Source: Rebecca O. Bagley
Writer: Karin Connelly
LineStream Technologies, a Cleveland developer of control software for automated products, secured series B financing by U.S. Venture Partners. USVP will team up with series A investor Early Stage Partners to move the company forward.
“The funding we just raised allows us to find more customers,” says Dave Neundorfer, LineStream president. "It is a huge boost for us. This funding will drastically accelerate growth for our company and meet customer demand.”
LineStream Technologies was formed in 2008 as a spinoff out of research done by Cleveland State University’s Zhiqiang Gao, director of the Center for Advanced Control Technology, and focuses on commercializing and simplifying control software.
LineStream products increase efficiency, are easy to implement and therefore improve the performance of automated systems in everything from washing machines to medical robotics. Last year LineStream licensed its software to Texas Instruments for use in a chip platform in motor and motion controls.
Neundorfer says the funding will not only help serve its growing customer base, it will also allow the company to attract the right talent. “With this funding we can build a team and hire technical talent,” he says. “We’re attracting technical talent who are self-starters, adaptable, work hard and are willing to align themselves around the common goal.”
Source: Dave Neundorfer
Writer: Karin Connelly
“The funding we just raised allows us to find more customers,” says Dave Neundorfer, LineStream president. "It is a huge boost for us. This funding will drastically accelerate growth for our company and meet customer demand.”
LineStream Technologies was formed in 2008 as a spinoff out of research done by Cleveland State University’s Zhiqiang Gao, director of the Center for Advanced Control Technology, and focuses on commercializing and simplifying control software.
LineStream products increase efficiency, are easy to implement and therefore improve the performance of automated systems in everything from washing machines to medical robotics. Last year LineStream licensed its software to Texas Instruments for use in a chip platform in motor and motion controls.
Neundorfer says the funding will not only help serve its growing customer base, it will also allow the company to attract the right talent. “With this funding we can build a team and hire technical talent,” he says. “We’re attracting technical talent who are self-starters, adaptable, work hard and are willing to align themselves around the common goal.”
Source: Dave Neundorfer
Writer: Karin Connelly
University Circle Inc. has made exploring the neighborhood and finding new things to do a little easier thanks to a new iPhone app. Developed by FORM in Shaker Heights, the app allows visitors to navigate and learn about University Circle. The app complements the organization’s recently revamped website.
“Our goal was to create a much more visitor friendly website with the app,” says Erika McLaughlin, UCI’s public affairs manager. “We had to address the complaint: I don’t know where to go once I’m there. When the app is open, you’re immediately there.”
The free app has a “You Are Here” feature, which tells users, well, exactly where they are in University Circle. It also provides up to date information on and photos of the museums, restaurants, galleries, schools, entertainment and shopping venues in the area. The app also lists parking locations around the circle.
A GPS feature provides exact directions to where the user wants to go. “It focuses on the gems of University Circle,” says McLaughlin. “Whether you’re walking, driving or riding a bike, the GPS gets you there."
An events section lists timely offerings for the day, week or month. “If you want to check out what’s going on in the Circle, you have it in the palm of your hand," says McLaughlin. “Our goal is to bring you back. If you’re here for one event, you might come back if you know what’s around you. It’s going to enhance your experience in University Circle, whether you’re a visitor or a resident.”
Source: Erika McLaughlin
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Our goal was to create a much more visitor friendly website with the app,” says Erika McLaughlin, UCI’s public affairs manager. “We had to address the complaint: I don’t know where to go once I’m there. When the app is open, you’re immediately there.”
The free app has a “You Are Here” feature, which tells users, well, exactly where they are in University Circle. It also provides up to date information on and photos of the museums, restaurants, galleries, schools, entertainment and shopping venues in the area. The app also lists parking locations around the circle.
A GPS feature provides exact directions to where the user wants to go. “It focuses on the gems of University Circle,” says McLaughlin. “Whether you’re walking, driving or riding a bike, the GPS gets you there."
An events section lists timely offerings for the day, week or month. “If you want to check out what’s going on in the Circle, you have it in the palm of your hand," says McLaughlin. “Our goal is to bring you back. If you’re here for one event, you might come back if you know what’s around you. It’s going to enhance your experience in University Circle, whether you’re a visitor or a resident.”
Source: Erika McLaughlin
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Cleveland Clinic hopes to hire 600 registered nurses at an upcoming career fair, held March 28-30 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Stanley Shalom Zielony Institute for Nursing Excellence organized the event, “Nursing Now at Cleveland Clinic,” to fill vacant positions and prepare for increased demand for nurses as baby boomers retire.
It is projected that one million nurses will be needed nationwide by 2020. The Clinic currently employs about 11,000 nurses at its various locations. “One of the goals of the job fair is to recruit wonderful, qualified nurses from all over Northeast Ohio,” says Sarah Sinclair, the Clinic’s executive chief nursing officer.
The Clinic is looking to fill 200 new positions as well as 400 existing openings. All nursing levels are open, but applicants must be registered nurses or graduate from nursing school by May.
The job fair is a one-stop hiring experience, consisting of every phase of the new-hire process, from lab work and background checks to physicals. Candidates can apply for up to three different positions. “They can walk away with offers, pending the results,” says Sinclair. “They can get all things done in one day. And I will make every effort to welcome and introduce myself to everyone.”
The event also serves as a continuing education event. Two classes will provide continuing education credits, as well as food and entertainment. Sinclair expects a large turnout. “We have 748 attendees pre-registered,” she says. “We also expect a lot of people to show up, so I expect we will have over 1,000 people.”
The fair runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 28 and 29, and from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30.
Source: Sarah Sinclair
Writer: Karin Connelly
It is projected that one million nurses will be needed nationwide by 2020. The Clinic currently employs about 11,000 nurses at its various locations. “One of the goals of the job fair is to recruit wonderful, qualified nurses from all over Northeast Ohio,” says Sarah Sinclair, the Clinic’s executive chief nursing officer.
The Clinic is looking to fill 200 new positions as well as 400 existing openings. All nursing levels are open, but applicants must be registered nurses or graduate from nursing school by May.
The job fair is a one-stop hiring experience, consisting of every phase of the new-hire process, from lab work and background checks to physicals. Candidates can apply for up to three different positions. “They can walk away with offers, pending the results,” says Sinclair. “They can get all things done in one day. And I will make every effort to welcome and introduce myself to everyone.”
The event also serves as a continuing education event. Two classes will provide continuing education credits, as well as food and entertainment. Sinclair expects a large turnout. “We have 748 attendees pre-registered,” she says. “We also expect a lot of people to show up, so I expect we will have over 1,000 people.”
The fair runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 28 and 29, and from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30.
Source: Sarah Sinclair
Writer: Karin Connelly
Urban Community School's science lab made a move into the 21st century last week thanks to a $22,000 grant from Cargill Incorporated that provided 12 MacBook computers and a Promethean ActivBoard. The equipment provides interactive learning skills to help prepare the school’s fifth through eighth graders for when they move on to area high schools.
“It’s technology that many kids are exposed to,” says Sr. Maureen Doyle, director of Urban Community School. “Our kids are thoroughly engaged in science activities using this ActivBoard. These are tools the kids know how to use, and will need to know how to use in high school.”
Cargill made the donation after touring the school last year, which focuses on a Montessori model of individualized teaching for low-income students. “Cargill is a great neighbor to many people, and a great organization that does outreach,” says Doyle. “They are concerned about the environment and they are also concerned about education.”
Ninety-two percent of Urban Community School graduates go on to graduate from high school, and 60 percent continue on to college.
So far the students have embraced the new technology. “They all love it,” Doyle says. “The kids are very favorable to it. It’s a great learning opportunity for them. They are engaged, and that’s key.”
Source: Maureen Doyle
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It’s technology that many kids are exposed to,” says Sr. Maureen Doyle, director of Urban Community School. “Our kids are thoroughly engaged in science activities using this ActivBoard. These are tools the kids know how to use, and will need to know how to use in high school.”
Cargill made the donation after touring the school last year, which focuses on a Montessori model of individualized teaching for low-income students. “Cargill is a great neighbor to many people, and a great organization that does outreach,” says Doyle. “They are concerned about the environment and they are also concerned about education.”
Ninety-two percent of Urban Community School graduates go on to graduate from high school, and 60 percent continue on to college.
So far the students have embraced the new technology. “They all love it,” Doyle says. “The kids are very favorable to it. It’s a great learning opportunity for them. They are engaged, and that’s key.”
Source: Maureen Doyle
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA), a civic education and engagement program, named 17 new city advocates for 2012. “It’s a chance to know the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and get the inside scoop on what’s going on downtown,” explains Laura Kushnick, DCA’s director of development and community relations.
The advocates serve a two-year term. They have access to DCA staff and community leaders to learn what it takes to facilitate civic change in the city. The advocates are encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table. Past projects have included happy hours and social events, building playgrounds and dog parks, and updating the city’s Wikipedia pages.
“There are a whole range of things people do,” says Kushnick. “We try to encourage people to be ambitious, but think about what they can do in small groups. We really view the program as an opportunity to learn what it takes to get things done.”
This is the fourth class in the program. Applicants come from all walks of life. “We cast as wide a net as we can” says Kushnick. “We put the word out through young professional groups. We try to assemble a strong group of people with a wide array of interests and professional backgrounds. Most of the advocates either work or live downtown.”
The 17 members were selected by a committee of DCA staff and board members who reviewed the written applications and interviewed a group of 30 finalists. They join 11 current advocates who are in their second year.
Source: Laura Kushnick
Writer: Karin Connelly
The advocates serve a two-year term. They have access to DCA staff and community leaders to learn what it takes to facilitate civic change in the city. The advocates are encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table. Past projects have included happy hours and social events, building playgrounds and dog parks, and updating the city’s Wikipedia pages.
“There are a whole range of things people do,” says Kushnick. “We try to encourage people to be ambitious, but think about what they can do in small groups. We really view the program as an opportunity to learn what it takes to get things done.”
This is the fourth class in the program. Applicants come from all walks of life. “We cast as wide a net as we can” says Kushnick. “We put the word out through young professional groups. We try to assemble a strong group of people with a wide array of interests and professional backgrounds. Most of the advocates either work or live downtown.”
The 17 members were selected by a committee of DCA staff and board members who reviewed the written applications and interviewed a group of 30 finalists. They join 11 current advocates who are in their second year.
Source: Laura Kushnick
Writer: Karin Connelly
MedWish International, a Cleveland company that recycles medical supplies and equipment discarded by local hospitals, medical device companies and individuals by redistributing them to developing nations in desperate need of such items, won the $100,000 technology upgrade grand prize in Toshiba’s Helping the Helpers Technology Makeover.
MedWish beat out 150 U.S. non-profit charities by submitting a two-minute video to Toshiba for Good Facebook page, explaining how they would benefit from a technology makeover. Finalists and the winner were decided by a nationwide vote of Facebook users who watched the videos.
“All of the Helping the Helpers contest finalists were worthy organizations that we felt were deserving of the technology makeover,” says Bill Melo, vice president of marketing, services and solutions, Toshiba America Business Solutions. “MedWish’s video excelled at meeting the criteria we established for the contest, but it was our 10,000-plus fans on Facebook who ultimately decided on MedWish as the grand prize winner.”
MedWish will receive Toshiba products and services that include new color multifunction copiers, desktop computers, laptops, televisions, camcorders, telephone systems and energy-saving LED light bulbs. Also included is the Encompass fleet optimization program -- an analysis that will help uncover hidden cost savings throughout the workplace.
“Honestly, this prize will allow MedWish to focus more on our work of saving lives and conserving our environment, and less on unjamming printers and dealing with ancient computers,” says Matthew Fieldman, MedWish director of development. “Even the little details can make a big difference; like now we can show our orientation video, which is seen by over 2,000 volunteers annually, on an HD television instead of a TV from the 1980s.”
MedWish recruited its network of the 5,300 people on its email list, including over 3,500 past volunteers, to vote for them and ultimately win the contest.
Source: Matthew Feldman, Bill Melo
Writer: Karin Connelly
MedWish beat out 150 U.S. non-profit charities by submitting a two-minute video to Toshiba for Good Facebook page, explaining how they would benefit from a technology makeover. Finalists and the winner were decided by a nationwide vote of Facebook users who watched the videos.
“All of the Helping the Helpers contest finalists were worthy organizations that we felt were deserving of the technology makeover,” says Bill Melo, vice president of marketing, services and solutions, Toshiba America Business Solutions. “MedWish’s video excelled at meeting the criteria we established for the contest, but it was our 10,000-plus fans on Facebook who ultimately decided on MedWish as the grand prize winner.”
MedWish will receive Toshiba products and services that include new color multifunction copiers, desktop computers, laptops, televisions, camcorders, telephone systems and energy-saving LED light bulbs. Also included is the Encompass fleet optimization program -- an analysis that will help uncover hidden cost savings throughout the workplace.
“Honestly, this prize will allow MedWish to focus more on our work of saving lives and conserving our environment, and less on unjamming printers and dealing with ancient computers,” says Matthew Fieldman, MedWish director of development. “Even the little details can make a big difference; like now we can show our orientation video, which is seen by over 2,000 volunteers annually, on an HD television instead of a TV from the 1980s.”
MedWish recruited its network of the 5,300 people on its email list, including over 3,500 past volunteers, to vote for them and ultimately win the contest.
Source: Matthew Feldman, Bill Melo
Writer: Karin Connelly