Jumpstart Inc.

For young businesses, financial forecasting is often an overwhelming undertaking. Learning how to build and present financial projections that attract the attention of bankers and investors without venturing into unrealistic territory can be a difficult task to master. On Wednesday, December 3, JumpStart held a two-part evening seminar aimed at conquering the numbers and helping business owners create a financial roadmap for success. (View Part 1 here.) During the second half of the event, JumpStart's Lamont Mackley sat down with Shawn Ondrejko, Vice President of Business Banking at Charter One, and Todd Federman, Executive Director at North Coast Angel Fund, to discuss what to look for in a forecast and common red flags that might sour a deal.

High-profile cyber breaches with companies such as Target, Home Depot and JP Morgan Chase have proven how easy it is for hackers to steal information (including credit card numbers, passwords, social security numbers, client records, etc). Small businesses wear the biggest bulls-eye when it comes to being targeted by hackers for many reasons – often small organizations don’t have onsite IT support or are not thinking about prevention when planning. During an evening seminar on Wednesday, November 12, JumpStart’s new Small Business team took an in-depth look at Cyber Security to find out what you can do to stay ahead of the game. Moderated by Michael Jeans, President of Small Business Lending and Senior Partner at JumpStart, this session covered the steps small businesses can take to protect their customers, assets, employees, and ultimately their business. Panelists include Eric Vanderburg, Director, Information Systems and Security at JurInnov Ltd., Barbara Paynter of Hennes Paynter Communications and Mary-A

On October 23, JumpStart Inc. partnered with Tech Savvy Women for a sold-out event connecting job candidates with companies currently recruiting new talent.   The event, titled Tech Savvy Women: Working for a Startup, featured Jumpstart Senior Recruiter Angie Kilgore, who spoke about what it takes to work at a startup, as well as Tanya Wagener from Big River and Christine Knific from Movable, who shared their personal stories and lessons learned during their time working for Northeast Ohio startups.

Presenting to venture capitalists or other early stage investors can be challenging. These investors want to know how your company can make them money with explosive growth, why your solution matters to customers, just enough of your technology to get the “secret sauce,” how you protect your IP and why your team is the one to pull this off. Oh—and you might have to do all of that in 15 minutes.   “It’s About The Story!”—a one-hour presentation by Chris Mather, Chief Executive of National Initiatives at the Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center—is designed to help early stage entrepreneurs create and present a targeted, crisp and compelling story for high growth investment audiences. Topics covered include how best to present your technology, ensuring that your value proposition is central to your pitch and determining what information is most important to cover.

As businesses become increasingly more data-focused, the need for quality IT talent, along with programs that cultivate a passion for technology into a career, is growing exponentially. The ability to understand and use efficient coding languages helps diversify and strengthen job applicants. Two local programs, the Software Craftsmanship Guild and Tech Corps, aim to bridge the gap between traditional classroom education and hands-on tech skills sought by employers to build a new tech workforce with the aptitude and dedication to succeed.   In this episode of the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network Podcast, we chat with Software Craftsmanship Guild founder Eric Wise, Jennie Zamberlan of Avantia Incorporated and Lisa Chambers of Tech Corps about the benefits of an education in coding, the importance of engaging children in technology-based activities, and the opportunities that exist for others to shift their career toward the IT space.

Every entrepreneur wants to see his/her small business grow. But what does it take to make this happen, especially if you’re a busy business owner with limited resources? In this JumStart panel discussion, three recent graduates of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program frankly discuss how they've navigated these challenges and the valuable insights they've gained as a result. This event was sponsored by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative in partnership with Cuyahoga Community College.

On April 7 at the 2014 Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur Expo, four seasoned Midwest investors came together for a conversation about the challenges and opportunities companies in the middle of the country face when it comes to funding. The one-hour panel discussion, "Attracting Capital Between the Coasts," explored the changes in VC and angel investing in the U.S., and how these impact entrepreneurs in Ohio and in the Midwest. Topics the investors covered include the advantages of launching startups in the Midwest; where they see the funding landscape going in the future; and what stakeholders and legislators can do to encourage more investment in the coming years. Moderated by Crain’s Cleveland Business publisher John Campanelli, the panel featured Drive Capital Co-Founder Mark Kvamme, Allos Ventures Co-Founder and Managing Director John C. McIlwraith, JumpStart Inc. CEO Ray Leach and Draper Triangle Ventures Managing Director Jay Katarincic.

A new trade association is bringing together the groups, organizations, investors and corporations that help Ohio entrepreneurs access the capital they need to grow.                                                                                             VentureOhio plans to work on making Ohio’s increasingly robust entrepreneurial scene more self-sustaining by building a more cohesive network, advocating for entrepreneur- and investor-friendly policies, sharing the State’s story—and its successes—broadly, and helping to develop more sources of early-stage Ohio equity capital. “We’re at a point where [current efforts have] supported the creation of a lot of new companies that will need increasing levels of financing as the successful ones mature,” explains VentureOhio president Frank Samuel.     In this podcast, Samuel, board member Lisa Delp and secretary/treasurer Stephen Haynes talk to Samantha Fryberger about the group’s goals, Ohio’s challenges and opportunities when it comes to investment capital,

High-tech startups are a key driver of job creation and young, entrepreneurial companies can lay claim to creating all net new jobs in the US over the last 30 years. So, it should be no surprise that communities faced with a loss of industry are working to expand their economic development strategies past traditional attraction and retention to include the ability to support the launch and growth of new, tech-based businesses. For most areas of the country, this shift represents both a tremendous challenge and a great opportunity. JumpStart and our partners having been working on creating and entrepreneurially-friendly and resource-rich environment in Greater Cleveland since 2004 and, beginning in 2011, the nonprofit began sharing its decade of experience with other communities Entrepreneurial leadership in Memphis initially approached JumpStart looking to increase the number, growth and impact of high-potential startups in their region. Working with Andre Fowlkes and Eric Mathews of venture development organ

Every entrepreneur wants to see his/her business succeed. But what does it take to create and implement a growth plan, especially if you’re a busy business owner with limited access to capital? In this panel discussion, sponsored by the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative in partnership with Cuyahoga Community College and moderated by JumpStart’ Senior Advisor Lamont Mackley, three recent graduates of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program frankly discuss how they’ve navigated these challenges and the valuable insights they’ve gained as a result. Listen as Steve Presser, Owner/Operator of Big Fun, Sue Borison, Editor-In-Chief of Your Teen Magazine and Monica Green, Owner of so CURLY so KINKY so STRAIGHT The Salon, share their experiences with the free mini-MBA program, and talk about how participating helped them grow as business owners.

Entrepreneurs and small businesses have a variety of funding options available, but figuring out which capital source to pursue—and at what stage of development financing is needed—isn’t always clear. In this “Capturing Capital” panel discussion, sponsored by Charter One and moderated by JumpStart’s Jerry Frantz, listen to panelists Eric Diamond of ECDI, Deborah Perkins of The Presidents' Council, Chris Sklarin of Edison Ventures and Lee Zapis of Zapis Capital Group talk about the different types of funding, what companies should focus on and ways to best position your startup for investment success.

With reports showing that high-tech startups contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of the economy and are a key driver of job creation, regions around the world are interested in becoming innovation hotspots. The reality is that most markets are not venture capital meccas like Silicon Valley. Still, there are creative ways to spur and support entrepreneurial activity and civic and corporate leaders, nonprofit foundations and economic development organizations are experimenting with novel approaches to launch and accelerate the successes of high growth companies in their communities. A Massive Open Online Course, or MOOC, is being created by Professor Michael Goldberg at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University that will, among other things, examine one such public, private and philanthropic intervention—the decade-long effort to advance the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Greater Cleveland. In this panel discussion moderated by JumpStart's Samantha Fryberger, Professor Goldberg,

At any given time, JumpStart Inc.'s job board lists 60 to 80 job openings at early stage companies in Greater Cleveland. Clearly, the region's young companies are creating opportunities. But how do cash- and time-strapped entrepreneurial firms identify, recruit and retain the tech talent they need in today’s globally competitive environment? And how do they find skilled workers that are a cultural fit for the fast-paced, constantly changing startup world? In this roundtable moderated by Samantha Fryberger, Rushabh Sheth of Decision Desk, Kara Hornikel of JumpStart Inc. and Teri Hembree of OnShift discuss what it takes to work at a young, growing company, and talk about creative ways entrepreneurs are recruiting top talent.

Through Venture for America, a highly competitive program launched in 2010, some of the nation’s best and the brightest grads have the chance to experience entrepreneurship while making an impact on a young company’s growth. Cleveland was added to the list of Venture for America cities this year. There are eight fellows in town for the next two years, and several JumpStart client companies have added this enthusiastic young talent to their ranks. “Our goal is to continue to funnel smart, talented builders to startups and high growth companies across the country and in communities like Cleveland, where they can contribute and add value to the growth of the business and help create jobs,” says Venture for America’s COO, Eileen Lee. Listen to Lee, Paragon Robotics’ CEO Julian Lamb and Cleveland Fellow Mehves Tangun discuss the merits of the program.

Social media is one of the most important promotional tools a business can use. However, figuring out what platform to use—and what to share with customers—can be challenging. This fireside chat between Insivia CEO and owner Andy Halko and Renter’s BOOM Founder and CEO Lindsay Sims is an overview of how and why growing companies can benefit from using social media.

As any entrepreneur knows, despite best-laid plans, nobody is successful 100 percent of the time. Thankfully, most people recognize that mistakes alone can’t define them or deliver a fatal blow—rather, they are an opportunity for growth. In this discussion, part of a series of local meet-ups called Small Talks presented by Turnstone in cities across the U.S., panelists Chris Seper of MedCity Media, Sue Borison and Stephanie Silverman of Your Teen Media, and José Vasquéz of Quez Media Marketing tell their stories about how they overcame challenges to achieve greater successes and positive outcomes.

Entrepreneurship education in higher education is exploding with 5,000 colleges and universities offering entrepreneurship courses in 2013, compared to 250 in 1985. That’s according to the Kauffman Foundation, who also reports that more than 500 universities have instituted majors, minors or certificates in entrepreneurship. In this roundtable discussion, JumpStart's Samantha Fryberger sits down with Deborah Hoover, President & CEO, Burton D. Morgan Foundation; Peter Abramo, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, College of Wooster; Julie Messing, Executive Director, Entrepreneurship Initiatives, Kent State University; and MBA student/entrepreneur JeShaune Jackson to explore the excitement around and benefits of entrepreneurship education.

Human Resources is the backbone of any organization, responsible for structuring and enforcing the hiring process, employee benefits and company culture. Startups and small businesses have unique needs as they grow and add employees—from figuring out the hiring process and determining benefits to creating an engaging workplace and attracting the right talent. This panel discussion moderated by The Nielsen Group owner Lee Nielsen covers designing a benefits plan and compensation package, as well as navigating the onboarding process. Other topics discussed include how to be intentional about culture creation, and how to align the performance management process to support this intended culture. Panelists include Thermalin Diabetes CEO Rick Berenson and Executive Recruiter Fran Rubin, ECHOGEN Power Systems Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs Julie Maurer, and Diane McNally Consulting’s Diane McNally.

On Wednesday, August 7, JumpStart hosted a half-day Human Resources event that covered topics important to small business—from the hiring process and determining benefits, to creating an engaging workplace. One topic of particular interest to many companies is providing healthcare coverage for their employees. As part of the event, JumpStart welcomed Trish Decensi, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Medical Mutual of Ohio, to discuss new policies and laws related to the affordable care act and how they affect small business.

TechStars, 500 Startups, Y Combinator…these well-known accelerators work with promising young companies for a limited time, exchanging mentoring and pre-seed funding for equity. With nearly 200 accelerators already in existence and new ones sprouting up all the time, how does an entrepreneur know if a startup launch program is right for him or her? We sat down with Charles Stack and Jennifer Neundorfer from FlashStarts and Dar Caldwell from LaunchHouse—both Northeast Ohio-based accelerators—to talk about the benefits these programs can provide and how to pick one that’s the best fit for your business.