Entrepreneur Assistance
YOUNGSTOWN BUSINESS INCUBATOR
241 W. Federal St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
330 746-5003
Barb Ewing, CEO
Corey Patrick, director, Entrepreneurial Services Program
Request general information: Info@ybi.org
YBI programs for entrepreneurs: Ybi.org/programs
Application to become a YBI Portfolio company: Ybi.org/apply
YBI is an internationally recognized program focused on the development of software and additive manufacturing companies in the Mahoning Valley. It consists of five historic buildings in downtown Youngstown. The headquarters building on West Federal Street is home to YBI staff, the Inspire Lab, Minority Business Assistance Center and many YBI portfolio companies. Development and growth of portfolio companies is accelerated with provision of a number of services including facilities, equipment, funding resources, networking opportunities and more.
MINORITY BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CENTER
241 W. Federal St. (Inside the YBI
Youngstown, OH 44503
330 746-5003
Stephanie Gilchrist, director
Tanisha Wheeler, director, Women & Youth Entrepreneurship
Request general information: Application for info or services
Programs: MBAC Create, MBAC Launch, MBAC Grow
The Ohio Development Services Agency (DSA) partnered with Youngstown Business Incubator to host regional Minority Business Assistance Centers (MBAC). The center serves the needs of small, minority, and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. The center provides important services including technical assistance, professional consulting, access to capital and assistance obtaining contract opportunities. The Youngstown MBAC will service Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson, Belmont, and Monroe counties..
BRITE ENERGY INNOVATORS
125 W. Market St.
Warren, OH 44481
330 395-3500
Rick Stockburger, president & CEO
Cole Simon, portfolio manager
Online request for information: Brite.org/contact
Newsletter subscription: Brite.org/newsletter
Since 2012, Brite has supported startups with product development, market research, customer discovery, talent acquisition and investor connections. The team of experts helps entrepreneurs set and achieve milestones to maximize business growth and community impact. Brite provides complimentary services for early-stage companies, offering affordable coworking memberships and office spaces for individuals, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
ECENTER@LINDENPOINTE BUSINESS INCUBATOR
3580 Innovation Way
Hermitage, PA 16148
724 981-1829
Ecenterlindenpointe.com
Jeff Meier, executive director
The eCenter is designed to help entrepreneurs launch successful technology-oriented startup businesses through mentoring, connections, consulting, innovative programming, access to capital and a diverse learning environment. The goal is to produce and promote successful startups within our program that become financially viable and self-sustaining. Businesses that are accepted into the incubation receive full support of staff, partners and advisers through each stage of their companies’ growth. Services and amenities include high-speed WiFi, grant writing, podcast studio, conference rooms and software access and more.
YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY WILLIAMSON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS
224 N. Phelps St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
Office of Dean: 330 941-3064
Center for Career Management: 330 941-3660
YSU.edu/academics/williamson-college-business-administration/entrepreneurship-programs
A degree minor and certificate in entrepreneurship are offered at YSU, with job opportunities for students from businesses through the Handshake Employment Search. The 18-credit-hour program, accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, students learn how to develop ideas, create business plans, learn the entrepreneurial process and gain grounding in many start-up concepts.
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY AMBASSADOR CRAWFORD CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS INNOVATION
475 Terrace Drive, Kent, OH 44242
(330) 672-1098
Shawn Rohlin, Ph.D., Director: 330 672-1098
Kent.edu/business/cebi
Calendar of Entrepreneurial Events: https://teamup.com/kskgeizpc77e53yryu
The center is open to all, especially those who have an idea, are attempting a new venture and/or want to incorporate their entrepreneurial mindset within a corporation. Services include funding opportunities, team of supportive alumni in specialized industries, dedicated business resource librarian and research station, networking with top local entrepreneurial organizations and more.
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER
319 S. Market St.
New Wilmington, PA 16172
724 946-6145
Westminster.edu/academics/wec
Located in the School of Business, the center offers students the opportunity to be exposed to concept creativity, collaboration, dynamic entrepreneurial engagements, competitions and events that mirror real-world experiences. The WEC offers year-long consulting programs that allow developing organizations to engage with students on a regular basis.
GROVE CITY COLLEGE CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP + INNOVATION
100 Campus Drive
Grove City, PA 16127.
GCCcenterentrepreneurship.com
Yvonne J. English, executive director: 724 450-4029
The Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation 0presents entrepreneurship as a mindset and equips students with a set of practical skills and experiences. Programs contribute to local and regional economic development by bringing students and the community together to solve problems cooperatively through service learning projects, volunteerism and targeted events.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
Find a center: SBA.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/small-business-development-centers-sbdc
Small Business Development Centers provide counseling and training to small businesses including working with the SBA to develop and provide informational tools to support business start-ups and existing business expansion. SBDCs provide problem-solving assistance to help small businesses access capital, develop and exchange new technologies, and improve business planning, strategy, operations, financial management, personnel administration, marketing, export assistance, sales and other areas required for small business growth and expansion, management improvement, increased productivity and innovation.
YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
One University Plaza, Kilcawley Center
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44502
YSU.edu/academics/williamson-college-business-administration/centers/sbdc
330 941-2140
Patricia Veisz, director
Mousa Kassis, export assistance adviser
Online request for counseling: Clients.ohiosbdc.ohio.gov/reg.aspx?mode=counsel¢er=17121&subloc=0
The center offers comprehensive business management and education services including free, confidential, in-depth and one-on-one counseling and low- or no-cost training and assistance on topics such as strategic planning, eCounseling, technical assistance, quality-based assessments, information about federal, state and local programs and loan packaging.
GANNON UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
900 State St., Suite 100
Erie, PA 16501
814 871-7232
Mercer County contact: Stephen Buttaccio, business consultant: 724 300-1481
The Gannon SBDC provides in-house services in several counties including Mercer, offering business planning, financial analysis, marketing planning and research, international trade/export, environmental services and various business planning workshops and educational programs for new and existing business activities in the county. The Gannon SBDC’s partner network includes the Sharon, Greenville, Mercer and Grove City area chambers, Penn-Northwest Development Corp. and others.
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LEARNING PLATFORM
https://www.sba.gov/sba-learning-platform
Find online learning events: Sba.gov/events/find
The SBA’s online learning programs are designed to empower and educate small business owners every step of the way. Courses cover every stage of business including planning, launching, managing, marketing and growth plus a tutorial for the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program.
YOUNGSTOWN SCORE
Youngstown State University
101 W. Rayen Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44555
(330) 941-2948
Youngstown.score.org
Email: Youngstown.score.org/form/contact-us
Dedicated to helping small businesses in the five-county region get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. New and prospective entrepreneurs can access free, confidential business mentoring in person at local chapters or via email, phone and video. Free online webinars on topics ranging from start-up strategies to marketing and finance as well as on-demand interactive courses.
VALLEY GROWTH VENTURES
241 W. Federal St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
Valleygrowthventures.com
330 746-5003
Email: Info@valleygrowthventures.com
Ernie Knight, managing director
VGV is a micro venture capital investment fund created to generate strong financial returns by supporting growth technology companies across the state of Ohio but with an emphasis on the Mahoning Valley. VGV leverages the industry expertise, talent network and operational infrastructure of partner organizations and advisers to create value for portfolio companies. VGV invests across the technology spectrum with an emphasis on the software, IT, healthcare, energy, additive manufacturing and advanced materials sectors. Partners include the Youngstown Business Incubator, MercyHealth, Brite Energy Innovators and Youngstown State University among others.
VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
4319 Belmont Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44505
330 758-3668
Valleyedp.com
Teresa Miller, executive director: 330 759-3668, ext. 116
Cassie Wyatt, business coach: 330 759-3668, ext. 111
Loan application portal: Valleypartners.apply-plus.com
Compare loan programs: Valleyedp.com/compare
VEDP is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1978 as the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corp. It is authorized to process SBA 504 and Community Advantage (7a) loans, partnering with local financial institutions to put together the best possible lending packages for business clients and partners. The mission is to be a leader in developing employment opportunities through business creation, expansion and retention in collaboration with other regional organizations.
BEATITUDE HOUSE MINISTRIES
238 Tod Lane
Youngstown, OH 44504
330 744-3147
Beatitudehouse.com
Emily Moran, program director, Ursuline Sisters Scholars: 330 744-3147, ext. 117
Online application to Ursuline Sisters Scholars: Ursulinesistersscholars.chronus.com/about
Sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, Beatitude House offers family support services with a focus on empowering women to develop personal education goals and work to secure and maintain meaningful employment, family stability and continued economic growth. This includes transitional and permanent supportive housing, an immigrant outreach program and the Ursuline Sisters Scholars program, through which college students from low-income families have the chance to achieve their academic goals through mentoring and financial assistance for school-related living expenses
BOUNCE INNOVATION HUB
526 S. Main St.
Akron, OH 44311
234 900-5961
BounceHub.org
Doug Weintraub, chief executive officer: dweintraub@bouncehub.org
Online application: Bouncehub.org/forms/intake
A number of programs are offered including a three-month mentorship-driven program for early-stage software startups, entrepreneurial programs and services for non-tech and minority/female-owned businesses, an incubator for growing technology companies that need space and access to expertise, the Magnet: Iterator membership-based program that helps physical-product startups turn ideas into businesses, an Esports Center in partnership with The University of Akron and New Territory Gaming and more.
JUMPSTART INC.
601 Carnegie Ave., Suite 100
Cleveland, OH 44103
216 363-3400
Jumpstartinc.org
Ray Leach, chief executive officer
Online funding application: Jumpstartinc.org/apply
Small business assistance: Jumpstartinc.org/smallbiz/#programs
Tech start-up assistance: Jumpstartinc.org/startups
JumpStart is a venture development organization that combines principles of private venture capital and nonprofit economic development to help entrepreneurs start and grow companies throughout northeast Ohio. Work includes three core areas: Funding tech entrepreneurs, providing technical assistance to help high-potential businesses solve problems, drive growth and create jobs and working on behalf of private, public and philanthropic funders who want to assist entrepreneurs. Special programs are offered for small business owners and tech start-ups.