As an entrepreneurial ecosystem, we connect high-potential startup founders to a powerful network of advisory support, sector-specific expertise, non-dilutive funding opportunities, and sources of capital.

Through our Center of Excellence model, developed by JumpStart Inc. and its network of specialized partners, we deliver targeted services that guide startups from ideation to MVP, early traction, and beyond. We help startup founders build scalable, venture backable companies ready for pre-seed, seed+, and Series A investment by connecting them with the right resources at the right time.

Backed by the Ohio Third Frontier, our mission is to accelerate startup success and strengthen the broader innovation ecosystem.

We’ve got deep roots across 39 counties in Northeast and Northwest Ohio, but our doors are open to entrepreneurs from anywhere in the state. Our Regional Startup Ambassadors are out in the field, building relationships with local communities, corporate partners, and key ecosystem players and meeting founders where they are, helping them move their ideas forward, no matter where they’re starting from. We’re proud to have the following organizations filling this role across our region: Bounce Innovation Hub, Braintree Business Development Center, JumpStart, GLIDE at Lorain County Community College, Lakeland Community College, University of Toledo Business Incubator, and YBI.

Our five Centers of Excellence provide tailored programs and resources to support startups in Software, HealthTech, Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Energy sectors.

MAGNET supports hard tech startups with tailored resources for manufactured products, including prototyping, engineering expertise, operations assistance, and early-stage funding connections. MAGNET also runs Mspire, an annual manufacturing pitch competition for support services, and the Advanced Manufacturing Fund, an early-stage investment fund.

UARF helps early-stage founders validate ideas and understand customer needs through its I-Corps programming, follow-on Advanced Customer Discovery, and earlier stage Startling Line to introduce the Business Model Canvas. UARF hosts three pitch competitions each year for I-Corps participants.

Bounce supports capital readiness through the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund and offers hands-on workshops designed for founders who are looking to expand their skills and knowledge to scale their businesses effectively, these interactive and hands-on workshops allow founders to engage with subject matter experts and are held the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), an affiliate of Parallax Advanced Research, provides guidance to founders applying to the Ohio Third Frontier’s Technology Validation and Startup Fund (TVSF) and federal SBIR/STTR grants, specializing in working closely with deep tech startups to navigate key steps in the commercialization process.

Fill out a form below to get connected with a Regional Startup Ambassador organization that can help you navigate the entrepreneurial support ecosystem! Together Bounce Innovation Hub, Braintree Business Development Center, JumpStart, GLIDE at Lorain County Community College, Lakeland Community College, University of Toledo Business Incubator, and Youngstown Business Incubator are ready to help support your journey.