JumpStart Inc.

Creating Engaging Content with Canva
2025-11-14 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Detroit) | Union-Miles Learning Center, 11300 Miles Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44105, United States
Master the basics of using Canva to create eye-catching marketing materials, social posts, and presentations.

Creating Engaging Content with Canva
2025-11-19 16:00 - 18:00 | CSU Learning Center, 2485 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States

Tech for Small Businesses
2025-12-03 16:00 - 18:00 | CSU Learning Center, 2485 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
An overview of digital tools every small business should be using for efficiency, marketing, and customer engagement.

Tech for Small Businesses
2025-12-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Union-Miles Learning Center, 11300 Miles Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44105, United States

Stark County Small Business Impact Program Showcase
2025-12-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Hall of Fame Village, 2101 Champions Gateway, Canton, OH, 44708, United States
You’re invited to meet the graduating cohort of JumpStart’s Stark County Small Business Impact Program at their showcase presentation.
This event will feature a live pitch competition as the five Impact Program participants present their businesses to a panel of judges for the chance to take home up to $10,000. All other participants will receive $2,500.
After 12 weeks of intensive learning and preparation, these entrepreneurs will take to the stage and show their stuff in the hopes of winning the grand prize.
Cheer on the participants and show your support for the local business owners whose shops and services strengthen our diverse communities.

Scaling Beyond Yourself: Staying Visible, Adaptive, and Sustainable
2025-12-11 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Webinar
As your business grows, sales challenges change with it. In this final session of our January series with Viking Sales Consultants, entrepreneurs will learn how to remain visible, flexible, and effective… even as markets shift, resources tighten, or new internal bottlenecks emerge.
This session focuses on the systems, partnerships, and alignment needed to sustain sales performance over time. Participants will explore practical strategies for navigating change, protecting revenue, and building a growth flywheel that strengthens both the business and the team behind it.
Topics Covered:

Aligning sales and marketing for greater impact
LinkedIn for sales (a strategic and counterintuitive approach)
Staying visible through market shifts
Why sales fail or stall
External sales vs. internal sales (battling for time and resources)
The Better Clients → Better Service → Better Staff flywheel
Strategies for navigating internal bottlenecks

Attendees Will Learn:

How to protect revenue during changing conditions
How to stay visible to buyers during quiet or difficult periods
How internal alignment improves sales outcomes
How to build a long-term flywheel for better clients and sustainable growth

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

Trailblazer Accelerator Fall Showcase - HealthTech
2025-12-11 10:30 - 18:00 | Midtown Collaboration Center, 1974 East 66th Street, Cleveland, OH, 44103, United States
JumpStart’s three-month Trailblazer Accelerator programs empower startups to fast-track their growth and prepare to raise venture capital.
Join other influential investors and industry influencers for the HealthTech Accelerator Startup Showcase on December 11, where graduates will demo their innovations and present their company pitches. From blood pressure monitoring to physical therapy to diabetic ulcers, these 10 founders are looking for feedback and are ready for venture capital investment.
Take part in the 1:1 Ventures Connection meetings and stick around for a panel discussion with subject matter experts and a casual happy hour where attendees will be able to network and keep the conversations going.

Pitch Deck Workshop with Canva
2026-01-07 16:00 - 18:00 | CSU Learning Center, 2485 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Create or refine your pitch deck using Canva templates and storytelling techniques that appeal to funders and partners.

The Road You’re Really Driving On: Why Sales Work (or Don’t)
2026-01-14 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Webinar
Building a reliable sales engine isn’t just about scripts or pipelines, it starts with understanding how buyers think, behave, and make decisions. In this first session of our three-part January series with Viking Sales Consultants, we’ll explore the real forces that shape sales outcomes and why certain conversations create opportunity while others hit a dead end.
You’ll walk away with a clearer view of the emotional and strategic road they’re truly driving on… and a simple framework for generating momentum, even without a large pipeline or a dedicated sales team.
Topics Covered:

Why some sales conversations spark opportunity—and why others fall flat
Buyer motivation (Fear vs. FOMO)
The five buyer types
The Ping-Pong Conversation Method
The 50/50 Rule (instinct vs. data)
How to earn visibility with prospects who don’t know you yet
What actually happens inside a sales funnel (and why deals stall)
Keeping referral partners engaged and sending opportunities

Attendees Will Learn:

How buyers think, decide, and respond
Why clarity drives stronger conversions
How visibility fuels early-stage sales success
A simple approach to diagnosing and correcting stalled deals

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

Human Resource Basics for Startups with Ted Hahn
2026-01-21 11:00 - 12:30 | Braintree Building, 201 East Fifth Street, Mansfield, OH, 44902, United States
Learn the essentials of Human Resources tailored specifically for startups in this one-hour seminar with HR pro Ted Hahn. Whether you’ve just launched a new venture or you’re ready to take on employees, this session will guide you through the basic HR principles every founder needs to know. It will introduce you to the standard paperwork, forms, and issues you will have to be able to deal with.
What You’ll Gain:

Understanding of key HR functions from hiring to onboarding
Best practices for employee agreements and compliance
Tips for building a positive and productive workplace culture
Strategies for managing performance and growth early on

Your facilitator, Ted Hahn, has a Master’s Degree in Labor Policy and Human Resources Management, is a SHRM certified professional, and a SHRM certified People Manager. He has worked in the staffing service industry, the nonprofit field, manufacturing and agriculture.
Our session begins at 11am on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. And then at 12pm we will offer a free lunch and provide an opportunity for further discussion and follow-up.

Building a System That Works Even on Your Worst Days
2026-01-21 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Webinar
Sales shouldn’t depend on having a “good day.” In this second session of our January series with Viking Sales Consultants, entrepreneurs will learn how to shift from reactive selling to a simple, reliable sales system that holds steady… even when time is tight, energy is low, or priorities are competing.
This session walks through the tools, structures, and daily rhythms that make sales repeatable. You will learn how to build a practical sales toolkit, develop outreach plans, manage conversations effectively, and keep pipeline momentum without overwhelm.
Topics Covered:

The standard Sales Toolkit every business needs
The 7 Ways to Reach a Buyer (+ the 10-step Attack Plan)
Time management and the 15-minute sales method
A simple structure for effective sales meetings
How to manage a sales funnel with confidence
The Need → Need → Want conversion
Advanced visibility strategies to reach the right buyers

Attendees Will Learn:

How to build a predictable, scalable sales workflow
How to reach and nurture buyers consistently
How to maintain a sustainable daily sales rhythm
How to use structure and tools to prevent stalled deals

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

Fourteenth Annual Groundhog Day International Trade Forecast
2026-01-30 07:30 - 09:00 | Kent State University at Tuscarawas, 330 University Drive NE, New Philadelphia, OH, 44663, United States
Whether you have already been exporting for a while or are a start-up that will be “born global,” it is good to know about non-US markets. Now in its 19th year, the Ground Hog Day International Trade Forecast is one of Ohio’s premier export-focused events.
Our presenter is Michael Weidokal, of ISA of Cleveland (International Strategic Analysis). Michael is an expert in international opportunities, demographics, and markets and is a frequent speaker at international conferences. He will provide valuable information about current trends, markets, and economies of potential export targets.

3 Rivers Venture Fair
2026-02-04 08:00 - 2026-02-05 17:00 | Rivers Casino Event Center, 777 Casino Dr, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, United States
The 3 Rivers Venture Fair (3RVF) is Pittsburgh’s premier venture capital event, connecting high-growth startups with investors, corporate partners, and innovation leaders since 2002. This annual gathering serves as a launchpad for emerging companies in tech, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and beyond, offering curated pitch opportunities, expert insights, and high-impact networking. Known for driving real business outcomes, past participants have secured funding, formed strategic partnerships, and accelerated growth through the Fair’s signature Venture Connection program – a structured matchmaking platform that pairs founders with aligned investors.
In 2026, 3RVF returns with an elevated focus on deal-making and industry trends. Attendees can expect a select showcase of vetted startups, dynamic keynote/panel discussions on emerging opportunities, and exclusive meetings designed to turn connections into action. With expanded participation from venture funds and corporate innovation teams, this year’s event promises to be the most consequential yet – bridging Pittsburgh’s thriving ecosystem with national capital and expertise. Whether you’re a founder seeking funding or an investor scouting breakthrough innovations, the 3RVF is where meaningful partnerships begin.

Get Ready, Stay Ready
2026-02-04 16:00 - 18:00 | CSU Learning Center, 2485 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Preparation strategies for entrepreneurs to stay ready for pitch competitions, grant opportunities, and unexpected asks.

Unlocking the R&D Tax Credit for Innovative Startups
2026-02-18 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Webinar
Many early-stage companies assume the R&D Tax Credit is something they’ll worry about after revenue, after profitability, or after years of growth. In reality, many startups qualify much earlier than expected.
This webinar, John Quinci of RK Partners, breaks down how the R&D Tax Credit works, who qualifies, and how founders can use it to offset payroll and income taxes, improve cash flow, and reinvest in innovation. The session is especially relevant for startups in software, healthtech, medtech, manufacturing, and agriculture, where qualifying R&D activities often happen every day.
Entrepreneurs will gain clarity on eligibility, documentation, and how to integrate the credit into a broader financial and growth strategy without creating unnecessary complexity or risk.
Topics Covered

What the R&D Tax Credit is and why it matters for early-stage companies
Common misconceptions about R&D eligibility
Qualifying activities and expenses
Applying the credit against payroll and income taxes
Documentation and compliance best practices
Using the R&D Tax Credit as part of a long-term growth strategy

Attendees Will Learn

Whether their startup’s activities may qualify for the R&D Tax Credit
How to identify and document eligible R&D work
How to claim and maximize the credit to support innovation and growth

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

Old Brooklyn Commercial Corridor Collab
2026-02-18 18:00 - 20:00 | 787 Cafe, 6105 Memphis Ave,, Cleveland, 44144, United States
Connect with small businesses and commercial property owners of Old Brooklyn at OBCDC’s Commercial Corridor Collab hosted at 787 Market & Cafe!

Jose Colon from JumpStart will be sharing about their programs!
Share about your recent experiences as a business or property owner and see how the community can support you.
Learn from OBCDC about resources, events, grant opportunities, and other relevant information.
Network with your peers to build a deeper connection.
Stay tuned for more quarterly meetings in 2026.

The Commercial Corridor Collab is generously sponsored by Dollar Bank.

Organize Your Financials with QuickBooks
2026-03-04 16:00 - 18:00 | CSU Learning Center, 2485 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Learn how to track income and expenses, manage invoices, and streamline your bookkeeping using QuickBooks.

Let's Talk: Woman In Business
2026-03-06 09:30 - 11:00 | Metro West Community Development Organization, 3466 ST Roccos CT, Cleveland, OH, 44109, United States
✨ Let’s Talk: Women in Business ✨
Celebrate International Women’s Day with an honest, empowering conversation, created by women, for women.
🗓 March 6
⏰ 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM EST
📍 Cleveland, OH
💬 Work-Life Balance & the Real Challenges Women Entrepreneurs Face
Join us for real talk about balance, boundaries, burnout, and the barriers women face in business, plus practical strategies to thrive without losing yourself.

Caffeinated Ideas at Braintree
2026-03-11 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.

Founders & Friends
2026-03-13 18:00 - 21:00 | Limelight | Tremont, 425 Literary Rd,, Cleveland, OH, 44113, United States
Founders & Friends is a networking social designed to connect and inspire the Cleveland business community.
What is Founders & Friends?
A night where relationships begin, partnerships form, and Cleveland’s next big ideas get their start.
Founders & Friends is a curated networking event designed to bring together some of Cleveland’s top founders, innovators, and business leaders for an evening of meaningful connection.
This event gives attendees rare access to high-impact entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of Cleveland – providing opportunities to meet, learn from, and spark collaborations with the people building the city’s most exciting companies.

Artificial Intelligence in Marketing
2026-03-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
In this workshop you will learn how to use AI to your advantage when it comes to your marketing strategy. Instructor: Niki Spencer, Marketing Advisor, SBDC @ CSU

Six Resilience Qualities Small Businesses Need Amid Disruptive Landscapes
2026-03-18 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom Webinar
Uncertain markets, shifting funding landscapes, and rapid change can challenge even the strongest small businesses. This webinar, led by Dr. Brandi Raé Hicks, gives entrepreneurs the tools and frameworks they need to stay stable, adaptable, and mission-driven through disruption.
Drawing from research, real-world examples, and her Organizational Resilience Qualities Assessment Tool©, Dr. Hicks will walk you through six essential qualities that help small businesses strengthen operations, lead effectively, and sustain long-term impact.
What you’ll learn:

How the six resilience qualities (mission commitment, improvisation, community reciprocity, servant & transformational leadership, hope & optimism, and fiscal transparency) support stability during uncertainty
How to assess your organization’s resilience capacity and uncover areas of vulnerability
Leadership approaches that build trust, adaptability, and innovation
Practical ways to improve financial transparency and diversify revenue streams
How to deepen community partnerships and stakeholder support
How to design flexible programs, services, and delivery models
How to create a realistic resilience plan you can put into action immediately

This session blends strategy, case studies, and hands-on learning to help you strengthen your business’s ability to navigate disruption with confidence.
Open to all JumpStart clients, partners, and community businesses. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.

Organize Your Financials with QuickBooks
2026-03-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Union-Miles Learning Center at Earle B. Turner Recreation Center
Organize Your Financials with QuickBooks, provides entrepreneurs with practical training in managing business finances efficiently. Participants learn how to set up accounts, categorize transactions, reconcile statements, and generate essential financial reports such as Profit & Loss and Cash Flow statements. This interactive session builds confidence and financial clarity for small business growth.

Trailblazer Accelerator Winter Showcase - Software
2026-03-19 10:30 - 18:00 | Midtown Collaboration Center, 1974 East 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.

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
Shaping Ohio’s Tech Future: Decisions that Define Our B2B Ecosystem
Investors and founders will share candid perspectives on the critical decisions that build resilient companies, strong talent pipelines, and a thriving regional tech economy.
Moderated by JumpStart’s CEO, Lorne Novick, the conversation will feature:

Tushar Kulkarni, Founder & CEO, Big Kitty Labs
Jaimin Gandhi, Co-founder & CTO, Redi.Health
Ray Bohac, CEO & Co-founder, Spearfish
Tatyana Hower, Managing Partner, JobsOhio Ventures

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.

FundHERbiz Founder Bootcamp
2026-03-20 12:00 - 17:00 | Book+Street, 855 Grandview Avenue #110, Columbus, OH, 43215, United States
FundHERbiz™ Founder Bootcamp, a 3-part series for early-stage women founders. Accelerating Angels partnered with Book+Street to educate and prepare women founders for their equity rounds and win the funding they need to scale their businesses.

Demystifying Venture Capital
2026-03-25 16:00 - 18:00 | Urban League of Greater Cleveland, 2930 Prospect Avenue East, Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Unlock secrets, connect with pros, and turn your knowledge into real capital—let’s make it happen live!

Why This Matters
Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers to business growth, particularly within historically underserved communities.
The Venture Capital Access Series was created to break down complex investment concepts and equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to compete for growth capital.
When local businesses are prepared to secure funding, they create jobs, build wealth, and strengthen our regional economy.
What You’ll Learn
✔ What venture capital is, and what it is not
✔ How companies qualify for venture investment
✔ How business valuation works
✔ Venture Capital vs. Angel Investors
✔ What investors look for before writing a check
Who Should Attend?
Entrepreneurs
Small Business Owners
Startup Founders
Community Stakeholders
Anyone Interested in Growth Capital

Beyond Startup: Learn AI to Turbocharge Sales
2026-04-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Bounce Innovation Hub, 526 South Main Street, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
Ready or not, AI is here to stay! AI will become the biggest business game-changer since the industrial assembly line, antibiotics, jet engines, or the internet. The evolution of artificial intelligence is accelerating, with new AI tools being created weekly. Business and sales professionals know they need AI, but most have no idea where to start. This workshop will give an understanding of AI, how it can save time, improve efficiency, and enhance customer service, while turbocharging sales growth through increasing face-to-face customer time.
This workshop is designed to introduce the audience to AI and how it applies to sales, CRM, lead generation and management, customer communications, sales analytics, and more. Attendees will learn about a stack of potential AI tools they can install and use to see sales impact within weeks, not months.

Effective Networking with LinkedIn
2026-04-01 16:00 - 18:00 | CSU Learning Center, 2485 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Effective Networking with LinkedIn helps entrepreneurs and job seekers optimize their profiles, expand their networks, and leverage LinkedIn for career and business growth. Participants learn profile best practices, content engagement strategies, and how to use tools like the LinkedIn Digital Share Card to make lasting professional impressions.

The Future of Making Things: Modernizing the Chemical Supply Chain
2026-04-10 13:00 - 13:45 | Sears think[box], 11201 Cedar Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
Join us on Friday, April 10th as part of the Case Western Reserve University Entrepreneurship Speaker Series for a roundtable discussion with Jordan Swisher co-founder of Amber Industrials.
Through his work, Swisher is focuses on modernising industrial chemical manufacturing by combining cutting edge manufacturing with sustainable technology. At Amber Industrials, he is helping reimagine how materials like nylon are produced, using electrification and hydrogen to make processes that are faster, cheaper and cleaner than traditional methods.
Amber Industrial’s approach addresses longstanding inefficiencies in the chemical industry while significantly reducing emissions, demostrating how innovation and entrepreneurship can reshape legacy industries. Swisher’s experience in startup tech and applied chemistry will provide students with an inside look at the intersection of science, sustainability and business.
To register for this event, please indicate your in-person or virtual attendance.
The Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship hosts discussions from highly-accomplished industry professionals to speak with current students and alumni who are interested in topics within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Participating guests are encouraged to arrive prepared with questions and topics for discussion.
