When I tell people I work for a nonprofit venture development organization focused on helping small business owners and startup founders accelerate the growth of their companies, they usually want to know more specifically what that means—so what does JumpStart do? they’ll ask. I work on the tech side of things, so the first part of my answer often centers around our programs and services, the tangible pieces and parts of what JumpStart offers founders. This is followed by explaining JumpStart’s role as a convener, partner and intermediary in the tech startup ecosystem.

But I don’t feel like I’ve really answered the question of what JumpStart does until the person walks away understanding why we do what we do.

For tech startups, we exist to help founders build and grow successful companies that can attract venture backing, leveraging that investment to develop revolutionary tech, create jobs and generate revenue that bolsters Ohio’s economy.

Programs like JumpStart’s Trailblazer Accelerators are helping founders achieve this kind of growth, but no single organization can meet the demand or offer the full range of specialized expertise and stage-specific services that Ohio’s innovators need.

Thanks in large part to the commitment of the Ohio Third Frontier’s Entrepreneurial Services Provider (ESP) program, along with additional private, state and federal support, Ohio has built a robust network of interconnected organizations supporting innovators as they grow their ventures.

As part of this network, JumpStart works alongside and often in collaboration with Bounce Innovation Hub; Braintree Business Development Center; BRITE Energy Innovators; Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland Clinic; Cleveland Water Alliance; Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise; Lakeland Community College; The Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network; Mercy Health; Ohio Aerospace Institute, wholly affiliated with Parallax Advanced Research; ProMedica; University of Akron Research Foundation; University of Toledo; and YBI.

These Northern Ohio-based, ESP funded organizations are organized under a Centers of Excellence framework, with a website to make it easier for founders to navigate the support available to them. In the areas of HealthTech, Software, Advanced Energy, Advanced Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, this collaborative network of specialized service providers, targeted resources and regional ambassadors exists to help ambitious founders move from early idea to MVP, early traction and beyond, creating scalable, venture-backable companies ready for pre-seed, seed+ and Series A investment.

If you’re a founder in Ohio, the programming or advisory support to help you take your next step may be just a few clicks away. Check out what’s available at jumpstartinc.org/coe.

We understand that building a viable company takes a lot, and that’s why we all work together to give founders a leg up. When they’re successful, these companies become drivers of economic activity. In 2025, growing tech companies served by JumpStart and our ESP Partners generated an estimated $1.8B in economic activity, up 9% from the year prior, and supported 9,236 jobs across Ohio.

The economic impact is reminder of what’s possible when we stay focused on helping founders succeed and come together to ensure Ohio is a place for innovation, entrepreneurship and opportunity to thrive.