We are thrilled to announce that Marv Schwartz has agreed to become the new Chief Science Officer of the Youngstown Business Incubator. In that capacity, he will be applying his considerable experience, expertise and personal talent network toward helping our portfolio bring their software products to market.

Marv is a serial entrepreneur with a history of launching highly successful technology ventures. He is perhaps best known as being the Founder, CEO and CTO of Noteworthy Medical Systems, the award winning electronic health record company that soared to $50million in revenues in just five years. Marv received his Ph.D in Computing and Information Sciences from Case Western Reserve University where he serves as an Adjunct Professor of Computer Sciences.

Welcome aboard Marv. Now roll up your sleeves and help us build a couple dozen more $50million companies.

Jim Cossler
C.E.O & Chief Evangelist
Youngstown Business Incubator

Nancy Horton, Project Manager for Energy Industries Ohio (EIO), will speak on the development of Ohio’s advanced materials supplier base for clean coal, nuclear power, advanced energy and defense applications on Thursday, January 28^th at 3:00 pm at Youngstown Business Incubator, 241 W. Federal Street, Youngstown.

EIO works with directly with the Departments of Energy and Defense to identify manufacturers that have the capacity and skills to produce for these specific markets.  Supplier availability is crucial for advanced energy and defense projects. In particular, companies that forge, extrude and cast are integral suppliers to this projects.  Northeast Ohio companies such as Fireline, Republic Special Metals, Inc. and The Timken Corporation have collaborated with EIO on successful advanced energy and defense projects.

The program is free to attend, but reservations are greatly appreciated.  Reply to Julie Michael Smith, Chief Development Officer, Youngstown Business Incubator at jmsmith@ybi.org or 330-259-7644.

Innovation Series is a networking and educational forum that brings together innovative, progressive people with a vision - to catalyze a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment in the Mahoning Valley.  The Series is for companies to showcase new technologies, for technology organizations to share resources, for entrepreneurs to build relationships, for educators to highlight their initiatives - it is a place for innovative talk, robust debates, inquiring minds. Sponsored by the Advanced Manufacturing Initiative (a program of YSU’s College of STEM) and the Youngstown Business Incubator, it is an opportunity to learn about the “cool things” going on - right here in the Mahoning Valley!

The Warren P. Williamson Jr. Fund of The Youngstown Foundation recently contributed $4,500 to the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI).  A portion of the funds will be used to establish The Learning Lab @ Semple, a training and networking suite at Semple Building which is located near YBI’s main incubating facility on W. Federal Street in Youngstown.  The Learning Lab @ Semple will offer technology courses, business development seminars and host networking events to support the Mahoning Valley’s entrepreneurial community.

“YBI provides invaluable assistance to its technology-based clients which includes entrepreneurial counseling and access to business development resources in a professional atmosphere,” states Julie Michael Smith, chief development officer of YBI.  “YBI is committed to creating a venue where it can assist even more entrepreneurs with valuable educational and networking opportunities that are critical to their success.”

“The Youngstown Business Incubator has become one of the Valley’s most valuable assets for economic development,” states Janice E. Strasfeld, executive director of The Youngstown Foundation which administers the Williamson Fund. “The Learning Lab @ Semple will create another tool to help Mahoning Valley entrepreneurs accelerate.”

YBI portfolio company SenSource (www.sensourceinc.com) seemingly never feared the question that most early stage companies dread to hear…”So, who are your customers?”

Abercrombie & Fitch, Gander Mountain, and Advance Auto Parts are just a few of the nationally known companies that have enthusiastically embraced the firm’s “people counting” sensor technology that allows users to evaluate in real time sales conversation ratios, staffing needs, employee performance, marketing campaign effectiveness and even floor plans.

But recently, SenSource reeled in a customer that takes them to a whole higher level.

The Walt Disney Company has now installed SenSource technology at both its Disney Land and Disney World properties, proving that innovative products with demonstrable ROI can sell no matter how bad the economy.

Kudos to the whole SenSource team! That’s one heck of a reference client you’ve got there.

Jim Cossler
CEO and Chief Evangelist
Youngstown Business Incubator
330.884.6262
www.ybi.org

The Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) is excited to announce the launch of its redesigned website at www.ybi.org.   The new site is more user friendly website and visitors can easily access information about YBI’s services, accomplishments and upcoming events.  Technology-based entrepreneurs and emerging companies can contact YBI on-line to submit questions, concepts and business proposals.  The site also has information on YBI’s portfolio companies as well as links to its resource partners.   To view the new site, please visit www.ybi.org

Chief Development Officer Julie Michael Smith states, “With the positive focus on Youngstown as one of the ten best cities to start a business by Entrepreneur magazine and favorable comments in a recent edition of Economist, YBI wanted to refresh its website with improved access for users and fresh content to help manage the number of new contacts we have been receiving.”

The Youngstown Business Incubator has had its fair share of national coverage over the past few months. Well,  that coverage now extends internationally with the story of our organization gracing the pages of this week’s edition of the highly regarded, global news magazine The Economist.

Did I mention we are in The Economist ?!!!!

Holy cow, just when I said it could not get much better…it did.

Seriously global big time better.

Jim Cossler
CEO and Chief Evangelist
Youngstown Business Incubator
330.884.6262
www.ybi.org

Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) is proud to announce that BizVeo, a virtual YBI Portfolio Company, has graduated from the INSPIRE! program to a become a tenant in YBI’s Incubating facility.  INSPIRE! is a flexible office space created for early stage companies in the initial phases of business development that are not ready for full incubation services, but can benefit from the direct assistance of YBI.  INSPIRE! opened in May of this year and BizVeo is the first graduate of the program.

BizVeo began when Bob Adduci, a retired Delphi Packard Electric engineer, shared his idea of online video training with marketing expert Alex Milne.  Working in a home office, they quickly found they needed a professional office with access to business development assistance. INSPIRE! provided BizVeo with entrepreneurial guidance and a professional space to demonstrate its software to potential customers. Alex Milne, Chief Executive Officer, states, “YBI’s INSPIRE! provided the space and resources that we used to successfully build our management team and plan for a successful launch. In addition, Jim Cossler and Julie Michael Smith were instrumental in all of BizVeo’s development phases and continue to offer valuable support and leadership.”

Currently, BizVeo is Beta testing its software at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown.  Chief Technical Officer Bob Adduci notes, “Having a Beta client in the field to provide product testing and feedback is crucial to preparing for a successful launch. BizVeo, through YBI, has greatly benefited from the cooperation and efforts of Humility of Mary Health Partners.”

INSPIRE! was funded by the Youngstown Foundation, the Dominion Foundation, the Kennedy Family Foundation which is managed by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and the Philip Thompson Charitable Trust.

About BizVeo

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

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is meeting this week to convene their highly regarded Aerospace Measurement, Inspection & Analysis conference that draws top scientists, engineers and industry leaders from around the world.

And presenting for the first time at the conference will be YBI portfolio company M-7 Technologies with their white paper titled: 21st Century Math Engine Identifies the Real Problem: The Cost of Currently Unreliable Data Analysis Techinques.

A Youngstown, Ohio company teaching a bunch of rocket scientists how to measure.

Man…it just doesn’t get much better than that.

To learn more, visit www.m7tek.com

Jim Cossler
CEO and Chief Evangelist
Youngstown Business Incubator
330.884.6262
www.ybi.org

In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week in November, Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) is co-sponsoring IdeaLaunch with Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration and Monus Center for Entrepreneurship, Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU, and the Garden Club Angels.

IdeaLaunch is a business proposal competition open to all YSU students.  Seeking to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, students are encouraged to submit proposals that offer their great idea that could launch a new business.

Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of entrepreneurial experts who will judge the based on economic and technical feasibility, quality of product, service and solution, and market opportunities and competition.   Semi-finalists will be invited to present their IdeaLaunch proposals at the Rise & Shine breakfast on Thursday, November 19^th and hosted by YSU’s Monus Center for Entrepreneurship.

Finalists will be paired with a mentor and prepare a business plan for presentation to the Garden Club Angels, a local organization of individuals interested in small business investment, during National Entrepreneurship Week in February 2010.

All proposals must be received by November 2^nd by 5:00 pm and submitted to idealaunch@ybi.org.

For more information, contact Julie Michael Smith, Chief Development Officer, Youngstown Business Incubator at jmsmith@ybi.org or 330-259-7644

The Youngstown Business Incubator has named Gregory G. Krontiris to its Board of Directors. A graduate of Ohio State University and Cleveland State University, Krontiris began his career in northeast Ohio before moving to Indiana.  His professional experience includes positions at National City Bank and Salin Bank and Trust.  He returned to the Mahoning Valley this spring to assume the position of Chief Lending Officer for Home Savings.

“I strongly believe in the Youngstown Business Incubator’s mission to promote innovation, create jobs and help entrepreneurs turn creative ideas into viable businesses,” says Krontiris. “By fostering the community’s entrepreneurial climate, YBI has played an instrumental role in the Mahoning Valley’s economic development and revitalization.”