Akron Resource Guide

A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR ENTREPRENEURS

AKRON IS FORENTREPRENEURS!

Funding

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace & Physical Assets

Networking

Training & Education

Entrepreneur In Residence

Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting & Insurance

Sales & Marketing

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES

How to Use This Guide:

STEP 1: Choose Your Stage STEP 2: Choose the Help You Need

Whether you are a high tech startup, a growing small business or anything in between, there are a wealth of resources to help you in Greater Akron. With this guide, locating that help is a simple three-step process.

Just match the icons to the categories in this guide, look to the left and you’ll find a support organization waiting to help you. This guide even shows you which organizations work with tech companies, which work with non-tech companies and which support both.

IDEATIONImagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

INCUBATIONIncubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

DEMONSTRATIONDemonstrating products & processes in commercial context by generating data on market acceptance of the product, pricing, and distribution channels

MARKET ENTRYMarket entry to prove commercial viability with ongoing production and revenue generation

Growth to generate financial returns by acting on opportunities for sales growth and moving towardprofitability

ALL STAGES

GROWTHSTEP 3: Identify the Organizations That Can Help You and Make Contact!

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

Incubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Technology business incubator

Akron Regional Change Angels (ARCHAngels)uakron.edu/archangelsGordon Schorr; Barry Rosenbaum schorr@uakron.edu; barry@uakron.edu

Resource to connect businesses with funding

Akron SCOREakron.score.orgPauline Personsakronscore81@aol.com330-379-3163

Business planning and developmentassistance and mentoring

Akron Global Business Acceleratorakronaccelerator.comAnthony Margidaajmargida@akronaccelerator.com330-375-2173

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)akronsbdc.orgMary Ann Jasionowski, DirectorJim Griggy, Certified Business Advisormaj@akronsbdc.org; jgriggy@akronsbdc.org 330-375-2111

Business assistance; professional business counseling; education

Entrepreneurial educational resources

Microbusiness CenterDavid Jenningsdjennings@akronlibrary.org330-643-9000

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education

Entrepreneur In Residence Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

Incubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Business accelerator program for minority/women business owners

Icehouseakronurbanleague.org/ice-house-programAa'Rron Eppsaepps@akronurbanleague.org234-542-4178

10-week program for would-be entrepreneurs

Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC)Kim Leeklee@akronurbanleague.org

Technical assistance, professional consulting, access to capital guidance, and assistance obtaining contract opportunities for minorities

Partnership for the Minority Business Acceleratorpmba1.orgKim Leeklee@akronurbanleague.org

Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA)info@abiakron.org330-572-7544

Resources to evaluate ideas and bring concepts for human health and medical uses to prototype. Product development through access to specialized expertise, assets and equipment.

An educational and micro-finance, non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting female entrepreneurs

Bad Girl VenturesRéka Barabás, Directorreka@badgirlventures.com216-759-4575

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

Entrepreneur In Residence

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

Incubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Incubator to grow healthcare companies and commercialize bioscience technologies

Code Akronfacebook.com/codeakronKevin Lockettlockettmedia@gmail.com

Trains urban high school students coding and different skills necessaryto start a scalable business

Department of Community & Economic DevelopmentBob Genet, Deputy Directorbgenet@summitoh.net330-643-6679

Business assistance/counseling; Site selection; microenterprise loan fund

BioEnterprisebioenterprise.com216-658-3999

OhioMeansJobssummitomj.orgRalph Sinistro, Job Center Managersinisr@odjfs.state.oh.us330-633-1050

Workforce/talent resources

Akron: Mayor’s Office of Economic Developmentakronusa.comakronohio.govsdeshazior@akronohio.gov330-375-2133

Liaison for the City of Akron withbusinesses

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

Entrepreneur In Residence

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

Incubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Business financing

Goodwill Akrongoodwillakron.orgJack Friend, Business Relations Managerjfriend@goodwillakron.org800-989-8428 ext 214

Helps businesses find qualified employees

Greater Akron Chambergreaterakronchamber.orgRick Rebadow, Executive Vice Presidentrebadow@greaterakronchamber.org330-376-5550

Business assistance/counseling

Economic Commuity Development Instutite (ECDI)www.ecdi.orgChris Faircloth, Akron Lending Managercfaircloth@ecdi.org330-888-3119

Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise (GLIDE)glideit.orginnovate@glideit.org 440-366-4310

Innovation center, resource hub, and business incubator that supports all facets of the start-up, development, and growth of tech start-ups

Non-profit agency focused on retaining and attracting business to Downtown Akron

Downtown Akron Partnershipdowntownakron.com/business/business-servicesKimberly Beckett, Director of Business Relationskbeckett@downtownakron.com330-374-7676

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

Entrepreneur In Residence

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

Incubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Provides direct and indirect access to capital, access to customers, mentoring, and talent services forstartups and scaleups

Center for Corporate and Professional Developmentkent.edu/yourtrainingpartnerAmy Lanealane@kent.edu330-672-5828

An organization that partners with employers to enhance their employee and organizational performance through paid customized talent development programs and consulting

Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovationkent.edu/cebiDr. Sergey Anokhinsanokhin@kent.edu330-672-9430

Active learning environment for students and entrepreneurs to meet with faculty, mentors, and connect with industry partners; Start-up and family business consulting; Seed funding opportunities

JumpStartjumpstartinc.orgTobin Bucknertobin.buckner@jumpstartinc.org1-855-572-5766

Blackstone Launchpadkent.edu/blackstonelaunchpadJulie Messingjmessing@kent.edu330-672-6781

Serves entrepreneurs by assisting with opportunity recognition, feasibility assessment, and strategy for starting and growing companies/non-profits

Job placement, job training and entrepreneurial resources and referrals for immigrants

International Institute of Akroniiakron.org/what-we-do/employmentTiffany Stacy, Regional Manager Employment Servicestiffany.stacy@iiakron.org330-376-5106 ext. 115

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

Entrepreneur In Residence

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

Incubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Provides paid contract services by KSU students. Visual communication design, PR, advertising, computer info systems, user experience design, digital sciences, marketing and communication

The Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC)oeockent.orgRoy Messingrmessin2@kent.edu330-672-3028

Non-profit center that provides outreach, information, and preliminary technical assistance to Ohio employees and business owners interested in exploring employee ownership

The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Kent State University - Manufacturing & Technology SpecialistsTom Southards, Directorwsouthar@kent.edu330-672-0793

Consultation to small manufacturers and tech businesses. Lean practices, innovation research, alternative financing, tech transfer, org.development, sales and marketing 

IdeaBaseideabasekent.comKristin Dowlingkdowling@ideabasekent.com330-672-7300

Provides paid contract services by student-staffed design studio within the School of Visual Communication Design. Student designers develop creative solutions for real-world design projects

Glyphixkent.edu/glyphixLarrie Kinglking@ideabasekent.com330-672-7300

Department of Marketing and EntrepreneurshipDr. Pam Grimm, Coordinatorpgrimm@kent.edu330- 672-1262

Provides paid contract services for marketing research projects, segmentation studies, and marketing plans for businesses

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

Entrepreneur In Residence

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

Incubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Regional economic development partnership with goal of attracting capital investment & jobs to NEO through administration of Foreign-Trade Zones 40 & 181. Provides international trade assistance to promote international commerce

Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fundneosvf.weebly.comneosvffund@gmail.comDan Hampudhampu@uakron.edu

Direct access to capital for high-growth potential startups

OSC Tech Labosctechlab.comNick Petroskinick@osctechlab.com

Private office & co-working space for tech companies

Northeast Ohio Trade and Economic Consortium (NEOTEC)neotec.orgRon DeBarr, President and CEOrdebarr@neotec.org330-672-4080

MAGNET’s subject matter experts, engineers, and consultants help improve and grow small to mid-sized manufacturers in NEO with a focus on products, processes, and workforce.

MAGNETmanufacturingsuccess.orginfo@magnetwork.org216-391-7002

Launch Leaguelaunchleague.orgRick Stockburgerrickstockburger@gmail.com 330-221-3144

Scalable startup community

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

Entrepreneur In Residence

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

Incubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Co-working space

The Artist as an Entrepreneur Institutesummitartspace.org/education/aei-2aei@akronareaarts.org 

Business training program for visual, performing, literary, media and design artists

TechPinttwitter.com/techpintnewsPaul McAvincheypaul@yaboya.com

Entrepreneurial meet-ups at local bars

Startups and Coworking Space - The SACaarronepps.comKrista Jordan, Managerinfo@selfadvancementcenter.com330-615-7789

Business assistance. Professional business counseling, education

Stark County Small Business Development Centercantonsbdc.orgVictor C. Pavonainfo@cantonsbdc.org330-244-3290

Procurement Technical Assistance CenterRich Delisiodelisior@ohio.eduohioptac@development.ohio.gov614-644-1637

Assistance for businesses seeking to compete for federal, state, and local government contracts

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

Entrepreneur In Residence

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need potential by preparing a business

plan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Provides aspiring students, committed student-entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs in the community with an access point for all things internship, mentorship and partnership

I-Corpsuakron.edu/icorpsNSFICorpsSites@uakron.eduElyse Balleball@uakron.edu

Grant and mentoring program to help faculty and students look for commercialization opportuities for their technologies

Innovation Practice Centeruakron.edu/innovationPatrick H. Gaughan, Executive Director, Innovation Practice Centerpgaughan@uakron.edu330-972-7564

innovative ideas and promising research into successful entrepreneurial ventures

The EXL Center for Entrepreneurship & Civic EngagementIan P Schwarber, Resource Directorianp@uakron.edu330-388-7985

Connecting Northeast Ohio employers with area college students seeking internship opportunities

Entrepreneurial Internship Program (EIP)noche.org/neointernBrenda Davis Smithbdavissmith@noche.org216-302-3242

The Bit Factory thebitfactory.comAnnal Vyas, Program Director

330-972-6789

software developers market new apps

20

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

Entrepreneur In Residence

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

ENTREPRENEUR STAGES:

IDEATION INCUBATION DEMONSTRATION

Imagining the commercial opportunity by validating market need

Incubating to define commercialpotential by preparing a businessplan and developing a prototype

Demonstrating products & processesin commercial context by generatingdata on market acceptance of theproduct, pricing, and distributionchannels

Tech Non-TechORGANIZATION & CONTACT INFORMATION FundingDESCRIPTION

Trademark assistance

Women In Techmeetup.com/akron-women-in-techStephanie Baker info@akronwit.org

Community of women and friends who are interested in learning to code websites and mobile applications

EMPOWER! Women's Entrepreneurship Mastery Programwomensnetworkneohio.comwninfo@womensnetworkneohio.com330-814-6119

Entrepreneurial education workshops

Trademark Clinicwww.uakron.edu/law/clinical/trademark-clinic.dotBruce Wilsonbrucewilsonesq@aol.com330-253-8300

Low cost legal assistance to emerging businesses in Northeastern Ohio

Small Entrepreneur and Economnic Development Legal Clinicuakron.edu/law/clinical/seedGary Spring, Directorgspring@uakron.edu330-972-2358

University of Akron Research FoundationBarry Rosenbaumbarry@uakron.edu330-972-7565

Business planning and development

MARKET ENTRY GROWTH ALL STAGES

All stagesMarket entry to prove commercialviability with ongoing productionand revenue generation

Growth to generate financialreturns by acting on opportunitiesfor sales growth and moving towardprofitability

Mentoring & Technical Assistance

Workspace &Physical Assets

Research & Product Development Networking

Training & Education Org, HR, & Talent

Lawyers, Accounting,& Insurance Sales & Marketing

Entrepreneur In Residence

ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS ASSISTANCE WITH:

(855) 572-5766www.jumpstartinc.org/applyaskakron@jumpstartinc.org

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