Top Workplaces 2016: Midsize Employer, CoverMyMeds

This healthcare company can only go upstream with its “you be you” philosophy and collaborative inclinations. Chase EuJene McCants went conservative when he started work at CoverMyMeds nearly five years ago. He took out his facial piercings. He buttoned up—and tucked in—his shirt, sleeves down to cover his tattoos. The work cover-up was something he

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JumpStart Inc.’s Focus Fund Makes The Case For Inclusion

Fast Company is encouraged by the progress of the $10 million Focus Fund for women and minority entrepreneurs, which is led by Cleveland-based JumpStart Inc. The Focus Fund made its first call for business plans in January, according to the story. It has been “inundated with hundreds of applications,” says Ray Leach, CEO of JumpStart. “There’s pretty

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JumpStart Announces $10 Million Fund For Women And Minority Tech Startups In Ohio

A Cleveland nonprofit has pledged half a million dollars to 20 different tech startups run by women or minorities through a public-private source called The Focus Fund. The partnership is led by Cleveland-based non-profit JumpStart alongside the Ohio Third Frontier, The Case Foundation and Cuyahoga County. Eligible tech businesses must be headed by women or

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This Fund Will Invest In Startups That Aren’t Run By White Men In Big Cities

“Talent may be evenly distributed, but opportunity is not.” Between 2011 and 2013, companies with a female CEO got only 3% of the total venture capital dollars available. That’s $1.5 billion out of the total $50.8 billion invested in that two year period—a tiny slice of the pie. This year’s Crunchies, the Oscars for the

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The Mentor: Cathy Belk, President, JumpStart

Diversity and inclusion have always been critical pieces of JumpStart’s mission. Cathy Belk, president of the Cleveland-based investment nonprofit, believes expanding those opportunities will help Northeast Ohio blossom into a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. Belk said JumpStart’s commitment to diversity starts internally. Women comprise 60% of the nonprofit’s staff and play a significant role

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OnShift Raises $18 million In Series D Financing To Accelerate Growth

OnShift, a post-acute care and senior living staff scheduling software company in Cleveland, is shifting into a higher gear after closing $18 million in Series D financing. Health Velocity Capital led the round, which also includes participation from OnShift’s existing institutional investors Draper Triangle Ventures, Early Stage Partners, Fifth Third Capital, HLM Venture Partners, North

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City of Cleveland Economic Development Profiles Core City: Cleveland Program

Dressing the kids for school has turned into a business. Eduwear, founded by Nikki Mace and Michele Porter, incorporates educational concepts into a child’s clothing. The clothing is designed to engage a child and parent through interactive patches to focus on the child’s intellectual, social, and emotional development. Nikki Mace recently sat down with JumpStart

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JumpStart To Support Operations Of North Coast Angel Fund Through 2022

JumpStart says it will continue providing operating support to North Coast Angel Fund through 2022. Those services are worth an estimated $1 million, according to a news release from JumpStart, a Cleveland nonprofit that works with local entrepreneurs. JumpStart has provided operating support to North Coast Angel Fund since the fund was created in 2006.

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JumpStart Commits $1 Million To Support North Coast Angel Fund

Cleveland-Based Venture Development Organization Continues its Support and Commitment to the Country’s 5th Largest Angel Investing Group Recognizing the importance and impact of angel investment to the Northeast Ohio high-tech economy, JumpStart Inc. recently announced a new $1 million commitment to support the operations of the North Coast Angel Fund (NCAF) through 2022. With this

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Embrace Pet Insurance Helps Owners Manage Medical Costs

Health insurance helps most people control the out-of-pocket costs of medical bills. But when their pets face health issues, there is often no financial assistance with owners paying in full for each veterinarian visit. This can lead to a difficult decision — saving money or their pet’s life. Cleveland, Ohio’s, Embrace Pet Insurance has created

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Video: Fox Business Profiles The New JumpStart Focus Fund

Fox Business’ Liz Claman interviews JumpStart CEO Ray Leach about the new Focus Fund, created to invest seed capital in tech-based companies led by minority or female entrepreneurs throughout Ohio – as well as those willing to move to the state.  

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