[VIDEO] Portfolio Company Spotlight: Inphlu
JumpStart’s Focus Fund recently led Inphlu’s $500K funding round, along with participation from angel investors. Inphlu is a Dayton-based social media management platform that helps marketers automate content creation and posting as well as view real-time analytics. The company was founded by Josh Reid, who ran his own digital marketing agency and knew there was
[VIDEO] Cleveland Small Business Impact Program Summer 2021 Entrepreneur Showcase
On Wednesday, September 9, the 12th cohort of the Cleveland Small Business Impact Program participated in a virtual version of their culminating showcase event. This event was an online demo-day-style competition where program participants used their new knowledge and skills to present their pitch to a panel of judges for a chance to take home
5 Questions With Shantae Lipscomb of Roll On In
The Roll On In franchise offers its customers unique sushi and burrito creations made with fresh multi-cultural ingredients that bring their food flavors to new levels. Shantae Lipscomb’s fast-casual restaurant serves a variety of sushi-inspired dishes such as sushi tacos and donuts. We caught up with Shantae to learn more about her and her business
5 Questions With Mondie Gonzales of Escape In 60
Inspired by her friends’ love of escape rooms, Mondie Gonzales’s Escape in 60 Cleveland offers thrill-seekers five fully immersive and unique escape room experiences as well as event planning services and customizable events. We caught up with Mondie to learn more about her and her business as she readies to present in the culminating showcase
5 Questions With Stacey Ferguson of Lookfabulous LLC
Created from Stacey’s love of crochet, the Lookfabulous online shop provides customized apparel and specialized gifts to customers who want to look and live “outside of the box.” We caught up with owner Stacey Ferguson to learn more about her and her business as she readies to present in the culminating showcase of our summer
5 Questions with Tina Haldiman of Larchmere Fire Works
Larchmere Fire Works provides one-of-a-kind blacksmithing and glassblowing combo classes with private, hands-on, one-on-one instruction to those seeking unique experiences. We caught up with founder Tina Haldiman to learn more about her and her business as she readies to present in the culminating showcase of our summer 2021 Small Business Impact Program cohort. How did
5 Questions With Allison Craig Of The Sweet Fix Bakery
Located in the Cedar-Lee neighborhood of Cleveland Heights, The Sweet Fix Bakery offers customers a variety of delicious desserts and sweet treats through its retail, wholesale and catering services. We caught up with owner Allison Craig to learn more about her and her business as she readies to present in the culminating showcase of our
Meet Cohort Twelve Of The Cleveland Small Business Impact Program
Congratulations to the graduates of the twelfth cohort of our Small Business Impact Program. This 12-week business accelerator program is designed to help individuals overcome the obstacles of entrepreneurship through hands-on advising and industry-specific mentoring. Over the course of the program, these entrepreneurs worked together alongside JumpStart’s Impact Program team to tackle key business issues,
[PODCAST] Founders Unfiltered: A Conversation with Amy Husted
The recently revived Founders Unfiltered interview series has returned as JumpStart’s Freddie Coffey sits down for a candid conversation with Amy Husted, Chief Commercial Officer at Cleveland-based startup smallTalk. Prior to joining smallTalk, Amy co-founded Komae, a Northeast Ohio startup that exited in 2019. Hear Amy’s personal story and find out how her journey from
JumpStart Welcomes Five New Startups To Its Portfolio
We are excited to introduce five new companies recently added to JumpStart’s investment portfolio. These five new companies join the 120+ innovative tech companies in our portfolio. Learn more about these groundbreaking companies: Thrivable Thrivable is the healthcare industry’s only on-demand market research platform for teams that want to ensure the voice of the
Five Questions with Leatron Twitty of My Smart Home Ohio
My Smart Home Ohio is a company that specializes in the installation, sale and service of smart home and business technology, including security, energy-saving and comfort devices. How did you get the idea for your business? My uncle needed some security cameras installed at his residence. His friend offered to pay me to install
Five Questions with Amy Witzigreuter of Witzi’s Raw Granola
Witzi’s Raw Granola produces grain and gluten-free granolas made with organic ingredients. The Witzi’s brand offers handmade granola in a variety of flavors and is available in stores across Ohio. How did you get the concept for your business? I was inspired to find granola to meet the dietary needs of my son. Once