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Positive Change in Northeast Ohio - December 2008 Recap

NEOinc — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:02:28 +0000

I think it’s fair to say that no one was particularly upset bidding farewell to 2008. What a year!

The winds of change are blowing however, and NEOinc continues to see positive entrepreneurial activity throughout the region. Incoming requests for assistance for all our member incubators remains strong. Cuyahoga County kicked off a new support program for high potential technology startups. VC and investment activity is still strong, albeit perhaps a bit more cautious, with most investors telling us to continue bringing them good opportunities.

So while the list of news items below is perhaps not as long as usual, NEOinc and all it’s partner organizations remain very optimistic about the state of Northeast Ohio entrepreneurship.

There is a lot of positive change happening in the region, particularly around entrepreneurial activities and economic development. NEOinc follows several regional blogs reporting on these topics. Sometimes the posts shine a spotlight nationally (or internationally) on the region. Every month we publish a short list of some of the stories we’ve noticed that embody the spirit of achievement, growth and change in our region.

Here is NEOinc’s December recap of the articles we feel speak to the growth and positive change that is happening quietly, every day, in our region.

December ‘08 Recap

This list certainly isn’t meant to be exhaustive, merely a representative sample of some of the more positive articles we saw throughout the month. We want to hear from you too! Please use the comment box below to share your thoughts with us here at NEOinc and our other readers. Come on, you know you want to.

We’re also looking for other blogs to follow that report on positive entrepreneurship and economic development activities throughout Northeast Ohio. You can review the list below of the blogs we currently follow. Please post any additional recommendations via the comment box at the end of this post.

NEOinc’s blog reports regularly on entrepreneurial activities within the region, news and successes within the five incubators making up our collaborative, and resources available throughout Northeast Ohio. If you found this post useful, please consider subscribing to our blog. Our “Connect With Us” page will give you all the information you need to subscribe via your RSS reader or receive E-Mail updates.

Sources

NEOinc watches the following regional blogs. Please use our “Contact Us” page, or the comment box below, to recommend a blog not on the list.

Advance Northeast Ohio - the online home of our region’s economic action plan, which was inspired by Voices & Choices. Learn about the actions our region is taking to grow our economy and engage in conversations that shape the plan and evaluate our performance.
Brewed Fresh Daily- topical, wide-ranging, and sometimes irreverant, George Nemeth’s blog is a clearinghouse for the pulse of Northeast Ohio.
Cleveland Plain Dealer’s business blog
Crain’s Cleveland
NorTech - NorTech leads the region’s technology based economic development agenda. By supporting and nurturing Northeast Ohio’s most promising technology projects and initiatives, they help to create new technology industries and make the region ’s economy more globally-competitive.
Ohio Means Business - The OBDC blog is a chance for Ohio executives to share their perspective on how locating in Ohio has enabled them to achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other.

Rumplestiltskin sets up shop in Akron

NEOinc — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:58:02 +0000

The fairy tale of Rumplestiltskin tells of a dwarf who could spin straw into gold. While the fairy tale doesn’t end up well for the dwarf, a modern day Rumplestiltskin has set up shop in the Akron Global Business Accelerator and is headed in a much more positive direction.

William Ullom, is Managing Partner of Vadose Research & Development, a new Akron Global Business Accelerator tenant that is commercializing a system to help companies turn their waste into liquid gold. The beauty of Vadose’s system is that it can accept virtually any scrap material, from complete tires to paint thinners and plastic. Outputs of the process include natural gas and liquid synthetic crude oil that can be turned into a variety of products like gas, diesel fuel or lubricants. Even the solid residue waste is useable as it is simple activated charcoal.

For further details on Vadose, the ABGA and other green technology companies in residence there, read Paula Schleis’ full Beacon Journal article.

Akron entrepreneurs share cost-cutting ideas

NEOinc — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:00:16 +0000

The Beacon Journal recently interviewed several local business owners and executives to share their cost-cutting strategies so that they might inspire others.

Among those sharing their thoughts were three companies from the Akron Global Business Accelerator. Summit Data Communications talked about their first experience with interns, Knotice described how keeping their employees happy helps keep turnover down, and InSeT Systems leverages technology to maximize the time of their three person firm.

In today’s financial climate we’re all looking for ways to maximize our investments and time, while reducing costs. Thanks to the Beacon Journal and the business owners who participated for several creative and interesting ideas.

Positive Change in Northeast Ohio - November 2008 Recap

NEOinc — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:00:23 +0000

Between the temperature drop and the snow on the ground it’s safe to say our Indian Summer is over and we are making the turn toward winter. NEOinc wishes you and yours a safe, healthy and joyous holiday season.

The current economic climate is challenging to say the least, and positive news, let alone positive change, has been in scarcer supply than months past. However, it is said “you find what you look for” and there are still plenty of bright spots to report this month. In particular, a number of regional entrepreneurs either launched their businesses or received significant funding.

Here is NEOinc’s November recap of the articles we feel speak to the growth and positive change that is happening quietly, every day, in our region.

November ‘08 Recap

Sources

NEOinc watches the following regional blogs. Please use our “Contact Us” page, or the comment box below, to recommend a blog not on the list.

Advance Northeast Ohio - the online home of our region’s economic action plan, which was inspired by Voices & Choices. Learn about the actions our region is taking to grow our economy and engage in conversations that shape the plan and evaluate our performance.
Brewed Fresh Daily- topical, wide-ranging, and sometimes irreverant, George Nemeth’s blog is a clearinghouse for the pulse of Northeast Ohio.
Cleveland Plain Dealer’s business blog
Crain’s Cleveland
NorTech - NorTech leads the region’s technology based economic development agenda. By supporting and nurturing Northeast Ohio’s most promising technology projects and initiatives, they help to create new technology industries and make the region ’s economy more globally-competitive.
Ohio Means Business - The OBDC blog is a chance for Ohio executives to share their perspective on how locating in Ohio has enabled them to achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other.

Akron’s latest tenant? Germany!

NEOinc — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:08:15 +0000

Akron has a “sister-city” relationship with a town in Germany named Chemnitz. Recently, that relationship bore business fruit as Advanced Machinery and Technology for Experimental Chemistry (AMTEC), based in Chemnitz, Germany, opened an office in the Akron Global Business Accelerator, becoming its 40th tenant.

AMTEC offers a highly automated parallel reactor system for materials testing for clients that include Procter & Gamble, Shell, BASF and Bayer. The company also offers a wide range of laboratory equipment for the screening of catalysts, nanotechnology and materials.

With a staff to be hired early next year, a company spokesman said Akron could become the U.S. headquarters for the company’s expanded operations in the future.

For more information, read the entire story as reported by the Beacon Journal.

Positive Change in Northeast Ohio - October 2008 recap

NEOinc — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:28:58 +0000

Here is NEOinc’s October recap of the articles we feel speak to the growth and positive change that is happening quietly, every day, in our region.

October ‘08 Recap

Sources

NEOinc watches the following regional blogs. Please use our “Contact Us” page, or the comment box below, to recommend a blog not on the list.

Advance Northeast Ohio - the online home of our region’s economic action plan, which was inspired by Voices & Choices. Learn about the actions our region is taking to grow our economy and engage in conversations that shape the plan and evaluate our performance.
Brewed Fresh Daily- topical, wide-ranging, and sometimes irreverant, George Nemeth’s blog is a clearinghouse for the pulse of Northeast Ohio.
Cleveland Plain Dealer’s business blog
Crain’s Cleveland
NorTech - NorTech leads the region’s technology based economic development agenda. By supporting and nurturing Northeast Ohio’s most promising technology projects and initiatives, they help to create new technology industries and make the region ’s economy more globally-competitive.
Ohio Means Business - The OBDC blog is a chance for Ohio executives to share their perspective on how locating in Ohio has enabled them to achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other.

Positive Change in Northeast Ohio - September 2008 Recap

NEOinc — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:08:40 +0000

And couldn’t we all use some positive news right about now? With the housing and financial crises dominating the news, and the final month surge in negative political ads, “positive” hasn’t been an adjective used very often to describe the news. Hopefully, better times are ahead. We’ve recapped a nice selection of positive news from after the break.

Here is NEOinc’s September recap of the articles we feel speak to the growth and positive change that is happening quietly, every day, in our region.

September ‘08 Recap

State of Ohio releases it’s Economic Development Strategic Plan
The Minority Business Accelerator 2.5+ works to bring diversity to a major Cleveland project
World-class economic development taking place in Wooster
Parker Hannifan wins $1.2B in contracts
Diebold wins Postal Service work
University Hospitals gain $1.5M in gifts
JumpStart invests in San Diego company, with local presence
Timken invests $14M into Canton plant
An interview with a manufacturing company that is growing globally
PolyFlow honored for plastics recycling technology(a NEOinc client)
Where would you guess Ohio would rank for venture money invested in technology companies in 2007? Try 13th nationally!
Burton Morgan Foundation awards JumpStart additional funds
Cleveland Foundation awards $13.9 in grants
Office space in Northeast Ohio is at it’s highest occupancy in 5 years
Timken boosts third quarter estimate
Akron Global Business Accelerator CEO honored

Sources

NEOinc watches the following regional blogs. Please use our “Contact Us” page, or the comment box below, to recommend a blog not on the list.

Advance Northeast Ohio - the online home of our region’s economic action plan, which was inspired by Voices & Choices. Learn about the actions our region is taking to grow our economy and engage in conversations that shape the plan and evaluate our performance.
Brewed Fresh Daily- topical, wide-ranging, and sometimes irreverant, George Nemeth’s blog is a clearinghouse for the pulse of Northeast Ohio.
Cleveland Plain Dealer’s business blog
Crain’s Cleveland
NorTech - NorTech leads the region’s technology based economic development agenda. By supporting and nurturing Northeast Ohio’s most promising technology projects and initiatives, they help to create new technology industries and make the region ’s economy more globally-competitive.
Ohio Means Business - The OBDC blog is a chance for Ohio executives to share their perspective on how locating in Ohio has enabled them to achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other.

NEOinc’s Mike LeHere honored

NEOinc — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:02:45 +0000

Calling Mike LeHere part of NEOinc is kind of like calling Nelson Rockefeller a banking guy. While it’s true, it merely states an incidental fact while missing the real story.

Well, Mike LeHere’s real story was front and center last Friday as he and the incubator that has been his labor of love for 25 years (yes, 25 years), were honored.

With Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and Ohio Senator Tom Sawyer on hand, along with over 200 well wishers, MIke LeHere was given credit for building the Akron Global Business Accelerator (AGBA) into a nationally-recognized success story.

Up and running for 25+ years now, the AGBA plays an important role in the Akron area and beyond, providing low rent space and no cost business coaching to entrepreneurs from around the region. Business services includes not only the normal coaching and mentoring, but also regional and international networking opportunities.

AGBA currently has over three dozen startup companies, including medical device manufacturers, alternative energy companies and polymer developers. In the last month alone, AGBA tenants added over 40 new employees to their payrolls.

In a surprise announcement, Mayor Plusquellic presented Mike with a plaque and christened the top technology floors in the AGBA the Michael LeHere Technology Incubator. Read Paula Schleis’ Beacon Journal coverage for the full story.

Congratulations Mike!

Entrepreneurship Series at Hudson Library & Historical Society

NEOinc — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:18:03 +0000

The Hudson Library & Historical Society’s Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship Research will host a weekly series this fall designed to assist anyone interested in launching a small business or growing an already existing one. On Tuesday, October 21st at 7:00 pm Marcia Pledger will discuss her new book “My Biggest Mistake,” slated for release on October 14th. Pledger, a business columnist with The Plain Dealer, focuses on business mistakes entrepreneurs made and how they fixed them. Michael Feuer, co-founder OfficeMax proclaims, “My Biggest Mistake…is a must read and will surely find a place as a permanent desktop reference for both aspiring entrepreneurs as well as experienced professionals in either large or small companies..”

Also, on four consecutive Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm, beginning October 30th, a series of workshops will be held covering various aspects in entrepreneurship, all conducted by Dr. Todd Finkle, Ph.D., who is the Academic Director of the Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at The University of Akron College of Business Administration. Dr. Finkle has played a leading role in the development of the university’s entrepreneurship program, which was ranked by Entrepreneur magazine in the top 100 entrepreneurship programs in the country for several years. He has assisted with the startup and growth of numerous ventures.

Week one, October 30th, the topic will be The Dynamics of Entrepreneurship and Feasibility Studies, followed by Business Plans on November 6th, Entrepreneurial Financing on November 13th and concludes with Entrepreneurial Growth November 20th. Handouts will be provided.

The workshop programs are free and open to any interested individual, however, registration is required. To register, please call the Hudson Library reference desk at 330.653.6658, ext. 1010 or visit their website at hudsonlibrary.org for more information.

Positive Change in Northeast Ohio - August 2008 Recap

NEOinc — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:00:46 +0000

Ah, early Fall in Northeast Ohio. The Tribe, after writing off their season mid-summer, has suddenly woke up and battled back to third place in their division just 10 or so games out. The Browns go 0-4 for the preseason but hopefully have got injuries out of their system early. Hang on, sports fans.

From a news perspective, August was a fairly slow month. We’ve recapped a nice selection of positive news from after the break.

Here is NEOinc’s August recap of the articles we feel speak to the growth and positive change that is happening quietly, every day, in our region.

August ‘08 Recap

ARCHAngels and LCCC form new fund
Lake Erie College gains $1M grant
A. Schulman to expand in Akron
CleveX secures $1.4M in funding
Lots of good results reported (Ferro, PolyOne, Hawk, JoAnn Stores, Preformed Line, Olympic Steel, McDermott)
Cleveland Professional Club 20/30 joins Advance Northeast Ohio partners (congrats Dan and Alex)
Ohio outshining Silicon Valley (no, we mean it!)
A. Schulman expanding
PartSource gets $50M in venture funding
NEOinc tenants in the news (Knotice, PolyFlow)
Primus raises $275M for sixth fund
Expedient continues Garfield Heights expansion
Diebold wins Brazilian contract

Sources

NEOinc watches the following regional blogs. Please use our “Contact Us” page, or the comment box below, to recommend a blog not on the list.

Advance Northeast Ohio - the online home of our region’s economic action plan, which was inspired by Voices & Choices. Learn about the actions our region is taking to grow our economy and engage in conversations that shape the plan and evaluate our performance.
Brewed Fresh Daily- topical, wide-ranging, and sometimes irreverant, George Nemeth’s blog is a clearinghouse for the pulse of Northeast Ohio.
Cleveland Plain Dealer’s business blog
Crain’s Cleveland
NorTech - NorTech leads the region’s technology based economic development agenda. By supporting and nurturing Northeast Ohio’s most promising technology projects and initiatives, they help to create new technology industries and make the region ’s economy more globally-competitive.
Ohio Means Business - The OBDC blog is a chance for Ohio executives to share their perspective on how locating in Ohio has enabled them to achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other.