AKRON IS FOR ENTREPRENEURS! A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR ENTREPRENEURS
How to Use This Guide: Whether you are a high tech startup, a growing small business or anything in between, there are a wealth of resources to help you in Greater Akron. With this guide, locating that help is a simple three-step process. Just match the icons to the categories in this guide, look to the left and you’ll find a support organization waiting to help you. This guide even shows you which organizations work with tech companies, which work with non-tech companies and which support both.
STEP 1: Choose Your Stage
STEP 2: Choose the Help You Need
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES
IDEATION
Funding
Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need
Mentoring & Technical Assistance
INCUBATION Incubating to define commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype
DEMONSTRATION Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
Workspace & Physical Assets Networking Training & Education Entrepreneur In Residence Org, HR, & Talent
MARKET ENTRY
Lawyers, Accounting & Insurance
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Sales & Marketing
GROWTH
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
ALL STAGES
STEP 3: Identify the Organizations That Can Help You and Make Contact!
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION Akron Global Business Accelerator akronaccelerator.com Anthony Margida ajmargida@akronaccelerator.com 330-375-2173
DESCRIPTION
Tech
Non-Tech
Funding
Technology business incubator
Akron Regional Change Angels (ARCHAngels) uakron.edu/archangels Gordon Schorr; Barry Rosenbaum schorr@uakron.edu; barry@uakron.edu
Resource to connect businesses with funding
Akron SCORE akron.score.org Pauline Persons akronscore81@aol.com 330-379-3163
Business planning and development assistance and mentoring
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) akronsbdc.org Mary Ann Jasionowski, Director Jim Griggy, CertiďŹ ed Business Advisor maj@akronsbdc.org; jgriggy@akronsbdc.org 330-375-2111
Business assistance; professional business counseling; education
Microbusiness Center David Jennings djennings@akronlibrary.org 330-643-9000
Entrepreneurial educational resources
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
INCUBATION
Incubating to deďŹ ne commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Tech
Partnership for the Minority Business Accelerator pmba1.org Kim Lee klee@akronurbanleague.org
Business accelerator program for minority/women business owners
Icehouse akronurbanleague.org/ice-house-program Aa'Rron Epps aepps@akronurbanleague.org 234-542-4178
10-week program for would-be entrepreneurs
Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) Kim Lee klee@akronurbanleague.org
Technical assistance, professional consulting, access to capital guidance, and assistance obtaining contract opportunities for minorities
Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA) info@abiakron.org 330-572-7544
Resources to evaluate ideas and bring concepts for human health and medical uses to prototype. Product development through access to specialized expertise, assets and equipment.
Bad Girl Ventures Réka Barabás, Director reka@badgirlventures.com 216-759-4575
An educational and micro-finance, non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting female entrepreneurs
Non-Tech
Funding
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
INCUBATION
Incubating to define commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Tech
BioEnterprise bioenterprise.com 216-658-3999
Incubator to grow healthcare companies and commercialize bioscience technologies
Code Akron facebook.com/codeakron Kevin Lockett lockettmedia@gmail.com
Trains urban high school students coding and different skills necessary to start a scalable business
Akron: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development akronusa.com akronohio.gov sdeshazior@akronohio.gov 330-375-2133
Liaison for the City of Akron with businesses
Department of Community & Economic Development Bob Genet, Deputy Director bgenet@summitoh.net 330-643-6679
Business assistance/counseling; Site selection; microenterprise loan fund
OhioMeansJobs summitomj.org Ralph Sinistro, Job Center Manager sinisr@odjfs.state.oh.us 330-633-1050
Workforce/talent resources
Non-Tech
Funding
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
INCUBATION
Incubating to define commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Tech
Downtown Akron Partnership downtownakron.com/business/business-services Kimberly Beckett, Director of Business Relations kbeckett@downtownakron.com 330-374-7676
Non-profit agency focused on retaining and attracting business to Downtown Akron
Economic Commuity Development Instutite (ECDI) www.ecdi.org Chris Faircloth, Akron Lending Manager cfaircloth@ecdi.org 330-888-3119
Business financing
Goodwill Akron goodwillakron.org Jack Friend, Business Relations Manager jfriend@goodwillakron.org 800-989-8428 ext 214
Non-Tech
Funding
Helps businesses find qualified employees
Greater Akron Chamber greaterakronchamber.org Rick Rebadow, Executive Vice President rebadow@greaterakronchamber.org 330-376-5550
Business assistance/counseling
Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise (GLIDE) glideit.org innovate@glideit.org 440-366-4310
Innovation center, resource hub, and business incubator that supports all facets of the start-up, development, and growth of tech start-ups
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
INCUBATION
Incubating to define commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Tech
International Institute of Akron iiakron.org/what-we-do/employment Tiffany Stacy, Regional Manager Employment Services tiffany.stacy@iiakron.org 330-376-5106 ext. 115
Job placement, job training and entrepreneurial resources and referrals for immigrants
JumpStart jumpstartinc.org Tobin Buckner tobin.buckner@jumpstartinc.org 1-855-572-5766
Provides direct and indirect access to capital, access to customers, mentoring, and talent services for startups and scaleups
Blackstone Launchpad kent.edu/blackstonelaunchpad Julie Messing jmessing@kent.edu 330-672-6781
Serves entrepreneurs by assisting with opportunity recognition, feasibility assessment, and strategy for starting and growing companies/non-profits
Center for Corporate and Professional Development kent.edu/yourtrainingpartner Amy Lane alane@kent.edu 330-672-5828
An organization that partners with employers to enhance their employee and organizational performance through paid customized talent development programs and consulting
Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation kent.edu/cebi Dr. Sergey Anokhin sanokhin@kent.edu 330-672-9430
Active learning environment for students and entrepreneurs to meet with faculty, mentors, and connect with industry partners; Start-up and family business consulting; Seed funding opportunities
Non-Tech
Funding
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
INCUBATION
Incubating to define commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Tech
Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship Dr. Pam Grimm, Coordinator pgrimm@kent.edu 330- 672-1262
Provides paid contract services for marketing research projects, segmentation studies, and marketing plans for businesses
Glyphix kent.edu/glyphix Larrie King lking@ideabasekent.com 330-672-7300
Provides paid contract services by student-staffed design studio within the School of Visual Communication Design. Student designers develop creative solutions for real-world design projects
IdeaBase ideabasekent.com Kristin Dowling kdowling@ideabasekent.com 330-672-7300
Provides paid contract services by KSU students. Visual communication design, PR, advertising, computer info systems, user experience design, digital sciences, marketing and communication
The Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) oeockent.org Roy Messing rmessin2@kent.edu 330-672-3028
The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Kent State University Manufacturing & Technology Specialists Tom Southards, Director wsouthar@kent.edu 330-672-0793
Non-Tech
Funding
Non-profit center that provides outreach, information, and preliminary technical assistance to Ohio employees and business owners interested in exploring employee ownership
Consultation to small manufacturers and tech businesses. Lean practices, innovation research, alternative financing, tech transfer, org. development, sales and marketing
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
INCUBATION
Incubating to define commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Tech
Launch League launchleague.org Rick Stockburger rickstockburger@gmail.com 330-221-3144
Scalable startup community
MAGNET manufacturingsuccess.org info@magnetwork.org 216-391-7002
MAGNET’s subject matter experts, engineers, and consultants help improve and grow small to mid-sized manufacturers in NEO with a focus on products, processes, and workforce.
Northeast Ohio Trade and Economic Consortium (NEOTEC) neotec.org Ron DeBarr, President and CEO rdebarr@neotec.org 330-672-4080
Regional economic development partnership with goal of attracting capital investment & jobs to NEO through administration of Foreign-Trade Zones 40 & 181. Provides international trade assistance to promote international commerce
Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund neosvf.weebly.com neosvffund@gmail.com Dan Hampu dhampu@uakron.edu
Direct access to capital for high-growth potential startups
OSC Tech Lab osctechlab.com Nick Petroski nick@osctechlab.com
Private office & co-working space for tech companies
Non-Tech
Funding
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
INCUBATION
Incubating to define commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Tech
Procurement Technical Assistance Center Rich Delisio delisior@ohio.edu ohioptac@development.ohio.gov 614-644-1637
Assistance for businesses seeking to compete for federal, state, and local government contracts
Stark County Small Business Development Center cantonsbdc.org Victor C. Pavona info@cantonsbdc.org 330-244-3290
Business assistance. Professional business counseling, education
Startups and Coworking Space - The SAC aarronepps.com Krista Jordan, Manager info@selfadvancementcenter.com 330-615-7789
Co-working space
The Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute summitartspace.org/education/aei-2 aei@akronareaarts.orgÂ
Business training program for visual, performing, literary, media and design artists
TechPint twitter.com/techpintnews Paul McAvinchey paul@yaboya.com
Entrepreneurial meet-ups at local bars
Non-Tech
Funding
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
INCUBATION
Incubating to deďŹ ne commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION The Bit Factory thebitfactory.com Annal Vyas, Program Director
DESCRIPTION
Tech
Non-Tech
Funding
software developers market new apps
330-972-6789
Entrepreneurial Internship Program (EIP) noche.org/neointern Brenda Davis Smith bdavissmith@noche.org 216-302-3242
Connecting Northeast Ohio employers with area college students seeking internship opportunities
The EXL Center for Entrepreneurship & Civic Engagement Ian P Schwarber, Resource Director ianp@uakron.edu 330-388-7985
Provides aspiring students, committed student-entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs in the community with an access point for all things internship, mentorship and partnership
I-Corps uakron.edu/icorps NSFICorpsSites@uakron.edu Elyse Ball eball@uakron.edu
Grant and mentoring program to help faculty and students look for commercialization opportuities for their technologies
Innovation Practice Center uakron.edu/innovation Patrick H. Gaughan, Executive Director, Innovation Practice Center pgaughan@uakron.edu 330-972-7564
innovative ideas and promising research into successful entrepreneurial ventures
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
20
INCUBATION
potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
ORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION University of Akron Research Foundation Barry Rosenbaum barry@uakron.edu 330-972-7565
Small Entrepreneur and Economnic Development Legal Clinic uakron.edu/law/clinical/seed Gary Spring, Director gspring@uakron.edu 330-972-2358
DESCRIPTION
Tech
Non-Tech
Funding
Business planning and development
Low cost legal assistance to emerging businesses in Northeastern Ohio
Trademark Clinic www.uakron.edu/law/clinical/trademark-clinic.dot Bruce Wilson brucewilsonesq@aol.com 330-253-8300
Trademark assistance
Women In Tech meetup.com/akron-women-in-tech Stephanie Baker info@akronwit.org
Community of women and friends who are interested in learning to code websites and mobile applications
EMPOWER! Women's Entrepreneurship Mastery Program womensnetworkneohio.com wninfo@womensnetworkneohio.com 330-814-6119
Entrepreneurial education workshops
ENTREPRENEUR STAGES: Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need IDEATION
INCUBATION
Incubating to deďŹ ne commercial potential by preparing a business plan and developing a prototype DEMONSTRATION
Demonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH: Mentoring & Technical Assistance
MARKET ENTRY
Research & Product Development
Workspace & Physical Assets
Market entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation
Networking
GROWTH
Training & Education
Entrepreneur In Residence
Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving toward profitability
Org, HR, & Talent
Lawyers, Accounting, & Insurance
All stages ALL STAGES
Sales & Marketing
CONTACT US: PHONE WEB EMAIL
Photo Š Paul Duda, www.PaulDudaGallery.com
(855) 572-5766 www.jumpstartinc.org/apply askakron@jumpstartinc.org