YBI and Gener8tor Set Plans for 2019, in Search for Director

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Last year, the Youngstown Business Incubator announced its partnership with nationally ranked accelerator Gener8tor to run programming for entrepreneurs here.

Through this partnership and with the support of the state of Ohio, two programs will be offered to local entrepreneurs: gALPHA and gBETA. To draw on Northeast Ohio’s strengths, each program will target participants innovating in “Industry 4.0” (additive manufacturing, IoT, industrial technology and logistics software).

The entrepreneurs will be supported by a locally based, full-time director tasked with running the programs as well as cultivating a network of mentors, investors, corporate partners, industry experts and innovators who will augment the program.

A search for the Youngstown director is underway, and applicants can reference Gener8tor.com/careers for more information and to apply through March 27.

Once the director is hired, they will spend time getting acclimated in the Youngstown startup and manufacturing communities by holding one-on-one office hours, speaking in classes, meeting with stakeholders, and recruiting entrepreneurs to apply.

The first program to run will be gBETA, held July 18 through Sept. 5. This seven-week program will work with five local companies to connect with mentors, grow their customer traction, and pitch accelerators and investors. Applications are currently open at gBETAstartups.com/Youngstown. Interested entrepreneurs should apply by June 28.

The goal of gBETA is to help startup companies create more wealth and jobs locally. This is measured by the amount of funding raised by gBETA companies, and the number of full-time jobs created by gBETA companies (with part-time employees counted as one-half of a full-time job). To date, gBETA has worked with 188 companies. These companies have raised $28,218,000 and created 428 jobs.

The gALPHA program will be offered in the fall. The program is a free, four-week venture-creation workshop designed to help entrepreneur-minded students and faculty create high-growth startups. It also provides product ideas, mentorship and coaching to teams of students and faculty, and then works with them one-on-one for one month to help them develop an innovative and marketable product or solution. These ideas and ventures can be any type of business and do not have to be tech specific.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.