JumpStart Inc.

AI Roundtable: AI Show & Tell: Live Demos, Prompts, Workflows & Tools
2026-06-24 08:30 - 10:00 (America/Detroit) | GCP’s Shatten Boardroom, 1240 Huron Road East #300, Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
A fan-favorite, hands-on session where participants screen share their best AI workflows, from low-code automations to no-code agents to niche tools you’ve never heard of. Bring your favorite prompts, hacks, and browser extensions. Leave with download-ready tools, new ideas, and a few “why didn’t I know this existed?” moments.

De-Risking AI for Real Businesses, Part 2: AI That Actually Saves You Time
2026-06-24 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Webinar
JumpStart is pleased to partner with Big Kitty Labs and Tushar Kulkarni for a practical session focused on helping founders and small teams use AI to save time, improve efficiency, and get more done without adding unnecessary complexity.
After learning when AI makes sense in Part 1, this session focuses on how to put it to work. From content creation and research to internal operations and workflow management, attendees will explore practical ways AI can support day-to-day business activities while maintaining quality, consistency, and trust.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to get more value from the tools you’re already using, this webinar will provide a framework for identifying high-impact opportunities and implementing them in a manageable, sustainable way.
Attendees will learn how to:

Think about AI in layers, from quick productivity wins to more advanced workflow and product applications
Use AI to streamline writing, summarization, brainstorming, research, and internal operations
Build simple AI-assisted workflows without creating operational headaches
Create guardrails that protect quality, customer trust, and brand reputation
Write more effective prompts that produce consistent, useful results
Measure whether AI initiatives are actually delivering value
Test ideas through small pilots before making larger investments
Develop a practical action plan that can be implemented immediately

By the end of the session, participants will leave with:

Practical AI use cases they can begin applying right away
A framework for improving efficiency without overbuilding systems
Techniques for writing prompts that generate more reliable outputs
A process for testing AI initiatives with clear success metrics
A better understanding of how to use AI while maintaining quality, trust, and brand standards

Webinars are open to all JumpStart clients, partners, and community businesses. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.

If Only Outsiders Knew What We Know: Remarks from Matt Dolan, CEO of Team NEO
2026-06-26 11:30 - 13:00 | The City Club of Cleveland, 1317 Euclid Ave., Suite 100, Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Team NEO is not a chamber or a think tank. It is the JobsOhio network partner for Northeast Ohio with a mission to retain, expand and attract jobs, businesses, and opportunities in Northeast Ohio. At the helm as Chief Executive Officer is Matt Dolan, who is dedicated to driving economic growth and prosperity across Northeast Ohio. With a career spanning law, business, and government, Matt has a deep understanding of the region’s opportunities and challenges.
Join the City Club as Matt Dolan provides an update on how Team NEO has evolved under his leadership and is taking responsibility to attract more businesses, jobs, and opportunities across the 14-county region.

Beyond Startup: Getting a Grip on Your Business: EOS 101
2026-07-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Bounce Innovation Hub, 526 South Main Street, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
Struggling to gain control, focus, and consistent progress in your entrepreneurial business?
Join this EOS 101 Workshop to master the proven EOS Model and its six key components—Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction. Through interactive exercises and a provided workbook, you’ll apply two tangible tools live: the Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO) and Quarterly Rocks.
Leave ready to implement changes that deliver immediate clarity, discipline, and accountability.

Free Coworking Day
2026-07-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-26 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-11-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-12-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Bounce Innovation Hub, 526 South Main Street, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
Join Bounce for Free Coworking Day on the 4th Wednesday of every month! Bring your task list, schedule a meeting and join us for part or all of the day. This is a great way to see what we have to offer and get to know the community in The Generator at Bounce.

AI Governance, Ethics & Trust: Navigating the Human Side of Intelligent Tech
2026-07-22 08:30 - 10:00 | United Way of Greater Cleveland, 1331 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
AI’s rise brings new questions about ethics, equity, privacy, copyright, and trust.
This roundtable focuses on responsible use, data protection, hallucination management, governance frameworks, and transparent policies that help organizations innovate confidently while protecting people, customers, and intellectual assets.

Caffeinated Ideas at Braintree
2026-07-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-10-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Braintree Building, 201 East Fifth Street, Mansfield, OH, 44902, United States
Do you have a great business idea, or do you already have a business and need some advice? Do you have business expertise and are willing to help others?
If any of these apply, then join us for a cup of coffee and plan to brainstorm some business ideas with a group of knowledgeable and supportive experts. Entrepreneurs from throughout Northern Ohio are welcome to participate.
We encourage you to bring your ideas, concepts and products, no matter what stage of the development you are in, and the group will explore the idea and help you to better position it for the market place. There is no cost to attend, but please register.
For questions or additional information contact 419 610-5924 or bcohen@braintreepartners.org.

OhioX Morning Tech: Cleveland
2026-07-24 08:30 - 10:00 | Warren E. Anderson MidTown Collaboration Center, 1974 E. 66th Street, Cleveland, OH, 44103, United States
Morning Tech, powered by OhioX, jumpstarts your day with the tech conversations that matter. These coffee-hour gatherings blend casual networking with local insights, creating an approachable space to plug into Ohio’s technology and innovation community.
Each event features unstructured networking followed by a live, casual interview discussing the developments and real-world opportunities shaping the local ecosystem. Whether you want to catch up with peers, meet new partners, or simply keep a pulse on the region’s growth, Morning Tech is the perfect place to start your day.
Featured Fireside Chat
Our featured conversation is with Shane McRann Bigelow, Co-Founder and CEO of CHAMP Titles, a market-leading digital solution provider serving over 35 million Americans. Under his leadership, CHAMP has raised over $100 million and earned spots on the Inc. 5000 and Forbes America’s Best Startup Employers. Previously, Shane held senior leadership roles at Bernstein Global Wealth Management and Cisco Systems Capital. He holds degrees from Notre Dame and Fordham University, was named Greater Cleveland Partnership’s “Best of Tech” CEO of the Year, and chairs multiple civic boards.

From Chatbots to Co-Workers: Making AI Work for Your Business
2026-08-12 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Webinar
JumpStart is pleased to welcome Pradeep Giri for a practical webinar designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners move beyond using AI as a simple chatbot and begin leveraging it as a true business partner.
AI is evolving quickly. Today’s tools can do far more than answer questions or generate content—they can help manage workflows, complete repetitive tasks, support decision-making, and automate parts of your business. This session will show you what that means in practice and how to begin taking advantage of these capabilities without needing technical expertise.
Through live demonstrations and interactive discussion, participants will explore practical ways to use AI in everyday business operations, identify opportunities for automation, and build simple AI-powered tools that can save time and increase productivity. Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or looking to get more value from the tools you’re already using, you’ll leave with actionable ideas you can implement right away.
Topics covered:

How AI has evolved from chatbots to autonomous assistants and agents
Practical ways AI can support daily business operations
Building simple AI-powered tools without coding
Introduction to AI agents and workflow automation
Identifying repetitive tasks that AI can handle
Creating a practical roadmap for AI adoption in your business

Attendees will learn how to:

Use AI as a productivity partner across day-to-day business activities
Build simple AI tools and automated workflows without technical experience
Identify high-impact opportunities to save time and improve efficiency
Assess their organization’s readiness for more advanced AI capabilities
Develop a practical next-step plan for integrating AI into their business

Webinars are open to all JumpStart clients, partners, and community businesses. Registration is required to attend.

Trailblazer Summer Showcase - Software
2026-08-27 10:30 - 18:00 | Warren E. Anderson MidTown Collaboration Center, 1974 E. 66th Street, Cleveland, OH, 44103, United States
Join us for the Trailblazer Software Accelerator Startup Showcase, where a curated group of high-growth software startups take the stage.
Please note: General registration will open at 1:30 PM. Investor only sessions are from 10:30 AM – 1 PM.
JumpStart’s Software Accelerator Startup Showcase, sponsored by Big Kitty Labs is a high-impact event featuring venture-ready software pitches, curated networking, and a forward-looking conversation about the decisions shaping Ohio’s B2B tech ecosystem.
After months of intensive growth coaching, strategic advisory, and investor preparation, Trailblazer founders are ready to present companies built for scale.
What to Expect
🚀 Live Startup Pitches
Hear directly from high-growth B2B software founders solving meaningful problems across industries. Each company has been selected for its market opportunity, execution capability, and readiness for capital.
🎤 Featured Panel Discussion
Details Coming Soon!
🤝 Curated Networking
Connect directly with founders, investors, operators, and regional innovation leaders in a focused, high-signal environment.
Why Attend?

Discover venture-ready software companies
Identify early investment and partnership opportunities
Gain insight into Ohio’s evolving B2B tech landscape
Build meaningful relationships within the innovation ecosystem

Whether you’re deploying capital, scaling a company, or supporting regional growth, this Showcase offers direct access to companies (and conversations) that matter.
About the Trailblazer Software Accelerator
The Trailblazer Software Accelerator supports high-potential software startups with intensive growth programming designed to prepare companies for venture capital and scalable expansion. The Showcase marks the culmination of that work and the beginning of each company’s next growth phase.
Space is limited. Register now to secure your spot.

Best of Tech Day 2026
2026-09-14 13:30 - 20:00 | Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
The Best of Tech Day is a celebration of Greater Cleveland’s technology community. The centerpiece – the 20th Annual Best of Tech Awards – honors companies, organizations and individuals who are excelling and helping grow the tech economy in our region.
Agenda

1:30-3:00 p.m. Lunch, Ecosystem Partner Showcase, Podcast Recording, and Tour the Museum
3:15-4:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions
4:30-5:30 p.m.   Welcome and Panel Discussion
5:30-6:30 p.m.   20th Annual Best of Tech Awards
Early Stage/Start-Ups

Education and Training
Small to Middle Market Tech Companies
Companies/Organizations Embracing Tech for Growth
Tech Community Groups/Ecosystem Amplifiers

6:30-8:00 p.m.   Reception

This event is FREE for Members. If you are not a member and interested in attending, please reach out via phone or email to (216) 592-2370 or vip@greatercle.com.

Meet the Experts: A COhatch Experience
2026-09-17 17:00 - 19:00 | COhatch Beachwood, 26300 Cedar Road, Beachwood, OH, 44122, United States
Level Up Your Non Profit or Startup Company!

Join us at COhatch for a dynamic, free community networking event designed to bring together the brightest local minds, from entrepreneurs and small business owners to nonprofit leaders and ambitious professionals.
Whether you’re looking to scale your business, launch a new project, or simply make high-value local connections, this event provides direct access to experienced industry experts from both within the COhatch network and the broader community.

AI Roundtable: Building an AI Strategy Aligned to Business Strategy
2026-09-23 08:30 - 10:00 | GCP’s Shatten Boardroom, 1240 Huron Road East #300, Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
AI isn’t a side project—it’s a business capability. This session helps leaders define an AI strategy that aligns with core objectives, customer needs, and operational goals.
We’ll explore road mapping, prioritization, capability mapping, workforce reskilling, TechCred pathways, and how to measure AI’s real organizational impact.

2026 PNC Startup Showcase
2026-09-24 17:00 - 21:00 | House Three Thirty, 532 West Market Street, Akron, OH, 44303, United States
Join Bounce Innovation Hub for the 8th annual Startup Showcase!
This event offers a unique opportunity to network with entrepreneurs and regional business leaders. Enjoy a fun, engaging evening of networking, food, presentations, and more.
Dinner Program
The dinner program will feature welcoming remarks from our Title and Presenting Sponsors and our President and CEO, Jessica Sublett.
Startup Presentations & Audience Choice Pitch Award
Hear from 6 of our featured startup companies as they take you through a pitch presentation of their business.
Following the presentations, the audience will be able to vote, and the winner will receive a $5,000 prize presented.
Networking
After the Audience Choice Pitch Award winner is named, attendees are invited to stay for elevated networking to connect with potential mentors, clients, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs.

JumpStart VC Fest
2026-09-29 09:00 - 2026-09-30 17:00 | Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH, 44113, United States
Join more than 800 attendees, including 300+ tech founders, 150+ venture investors, angel groups, corporate innovation leaders, and startup ecosystem champions for two action-packed days of deal flow, conversations, and insight into what’s next for venture in Ohio and beyond.
Last year’s event brought together some of the nation’s most active investors from the Midwest and the coasts, along with promising startups from pre-seed to Series A and beyond. Attendees came from 164 cities, 38 states, and 10 countries, setting the stage for new investments, partnerships, and company discovery across the ecosystem.
This year is even bigger, with more founders, more investors, and more opportunities to engage with the people and companies driving the region’s innovation economy forward.
Register today to meet the founders and investors behind the Midwest’s most promising startups, discover emerging companies, connect with ecosystem leaders, and get ahead of what’s next in venture.

AI Roundtable: Data Privacy, Security & Hallucination Management: Keeping AI Safe, Accurate & Reliable
2026-10-28 08:30 - 10:00 | GCP’s Shatten Boardroom, 1240 Huron Road East #300, Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
A highly practical conversation on how to reduce risk when using AI.
Topics include: preventing data leakage, private models vs. public models, validation layers, techniques for reducing hallucinations, and how to build trust with your teams and customers around responsible AI adoption.

Greater Cleveland Tech Community Holiday Celebration 2026
2026-12-03 17:30 - 19:30 | Wild Eagle Saloon, 5001 E Royalton Rd, Broadview Heights, OH, 44117, United States
Celebrate the season with the Greater Cleveland tech community at our annual Holiday Party — an evening dedicated to connection, collaboration, and appreciation for the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Join technology professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and community leaders from across Greater Cleveland for a fun evening of networking, conversation, and celebration.
Together, we’ll honor the accomplishments of our vibrant tech community and look forward to another year of growth, innovation, and collaboration.

AI Roundtable: AI in Consulting & Professional Services: Reinventing Expertise
2026-12-09 08:30 - 10:00 | GCP’s Shatten Boardroom, 1240 Huron Road East #300, Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
From Deloitte to boutique firms, consulting is being rewritten by AI. This session examines how AI is transforming research, analysis, client delivery, capacity modeling, and solution design.
Participants will share examples of AI co-pilots, automated report generation, and tools that elevate the consultant’s value instead of replacing it.
