YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Business Incubator has launched a new monthly video series in partnership with The Business Journal to provide regular updates on its programs, initiatives and regional impact.
The first episode, featuring CEO Barb Ewing and Luke Politsky, director of development, serves as an introduction to what YBI leaders described as an ongoing effort to better communicate with the community about its mission and growth.
“YBI was formed around 1995 when downtown had really hit probably its lowest point,” Ewing said in the video. “There were opportunities to see our federal funding to both develop the building, as well as state funding to run the entrepreneurship program, and there was just a feeling that something had to happen in order to really start to revive downtown.”
Ewing noted that in 2001 the organization shifted its focus when the state’s Edison program required incubators to align with specific technology areas. YBI chose software, which she said “was revolutionary for us. It changed the entire trajectory of the downtown, and we became known as a technology hub spot in the Midwest.”
Over time, YBI’s programs have broadened. “It is fair to say that the term Youngstown Business Incubator doesn’t even really describe us anymore,” Ewing said. “We still do have our incubation program for technology startups, focusing now on advanced manufacturing startups, but we still will work with health care software companies that are in our area.”
The organization also serves as the minority business assistance center for the Eastern Corridor of Ohio and has built an advanced manufacturing initiative with engineers on staff. Those engineers work with partners ranging from large corporations to small manufacturers to adopt new technologies and enter new markets.
“As of July 1, YBI became recognized as the lead on a center of excellence for advanced manufacturing, for our technology entrepreneurship program, the program that we’re known for,” Ewing said. “This is really a sea change for us. Historically, we’ve been known for software, and this is the next step in that journey.”
The video also highlights YBI’s role in the Ohio Innovation Hub for aerospace and defense, its youth programs introducing students to STEM careers and its major annual event, the YBI Shark Tank fundraiser.
Politsky emphasized that the series will showcase these efforts and YBI’s broader reach. “We are based in Youngstown. It is certainly a part of our heritage and our identity, but we are a resource for the entire region. And I think moving forward, you’ll see more of that,” he said.