The Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) is partnering with Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration (WCBA) to launch the Entrepreneurial Internship Program this fall.   This program’s goal is to expose students to entrepreneurship and increase their understanding of what is necessary to create and grow a new venture, explore new markets, and develop a customer base.  Interns will be placed with YBI and its Portfolio Companies.

Interns will work for one semester for a total of 225 hours and their salaries will be paid by YBI and WCBA’s Monus Entrepreneurship Center.  The Entrepreneurial Internship Program will continue for future semesters, providing the opportunity for more interns to work with YBI and its Portfolio Companies.  “YBI is strongly committed to encouraging entrepreneurship in the Mahoning Valley and we are excited to partner with YSU on this internship program,” says Julie Michael Smith, Chief Development Officer, YBI.  “Exposing students to entrepreneurship on the ground level is the best way to show the excitement, challenges, and reward of working with innovation.”

Four internships were awarded this semester to WCBA students. Rose Shaffer, a senior marketing management major, will work with BizVeo which offers an internet-based, video training and competency testing solution. Jessica Sferra, a senior business administration major, will assist SenSource, a technology company that provides traffic and vehicle counting solutions and environmental sensors, with its marketing initiatives. Arianne Morris, a senior business administration major, is interning with Syncro Medical Innovations which has developed a unique magnetically guided feeding tube.  Courtney Vitullo, a senior management information systems major, will work directly with YBI to promote new entrepreneurial programs with YSU and social media applications.

“I feel very blessed to be a part of this program, and I believe it will be a very enriching educational opportunity. Not only will I be able to obtain professional experience, but I will also see the unique characteristics that go into working with an innovative entrepreneurial organization,” states Arianne Morris, intern for Syncro Medical.  She continues, “it is will be a valuable lesson to see what areas I need to improve while I still have the resource available here at YSU.”

Added Dr. Betty Jo Licata, WCBA Dean and Vice Chair of YBI’s Board of Directors, “This is a very exciting opportunity to provide our students with professional experience in an entrepreneurial company. These internships support the professional development of our students and their contributions to the success of our valley entrepreneurs.”

About YBI

The Youngstown Business Incubator is a 501 (c) 3 charitable, non-profit organization, with a mission to accelerate the start-up and development of scalable, technology-based companies in northeast Ohio.  YBI Portfolio Companies primarily develop and integrate software and technology solutions for business-to-business applications. Designated an Edison Technology Incubator by the Ohio Department of Development, YBI provides entrepreneurial assistance, facilities and technology support.    For more information about YBI, visit www.ybi.org.

About Williamson College of Business Administration

The Williamson College of Business Administration (WCBA), established in 1923, offers both graduate and undergraduate programs accredited by AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Bachelor’s degree programs are offered in accounting, advertising/public relations, business economics, finance, general administration, human resource management, international business, management information systems, and marketing. Faculty pursue excellence through the integration of teaching, scholarship, and service. The college is committed to a student-centered teaching/learning process with an emphasis on the application of theory to practice. For more information about WCBA, visit www.wcba.ysu.edu.

About BizVeo

BizVeo is in beta testing stage for its internet-based, secure video networking solution that allows sharing of information through streamed video technology in either public broadcast or controlled, confidential environment. Focusing on workforce development and industry training needs, it provides online tools for users to create dedicated and private video share communities. For more information, visit www.bizveo.org.

About SenSource, Inc.

SenSource, Inc. is an emerging leader of people and vehicle counting solutions for retail settings, industrial facilities, entertainment centers, cultural institutions, universities and government agencies.  Established in 2002, it offers a variety of sensors to domestic and international clients, offering innovative solutions to monitor customer and vehicle traffic along with environmental sensing devices.  Founders Joseph Varacalli and Kevin Stefko work with YBI to access a broad range of entrepreneurial services including YBI’s Managed Cluster and resource network to continue the acceleration of their information technology-based venture.  For more information, visit www.sensourceinc.com.

About Syncro Medical Innovations

Syncro has developed a unique magnetic feeding tube which can be guided through the pyloric sphincter and eliminates the need for fluoroscopy, endoscope, or medications. For the Gabriel Feeding Tube, the company has received grants from the U.S. Department of Defense and the State of Ohio’s Third Frontier Program to assist in product refinement and commercialization. For more information, visit www.syncromedicalinnovations.com