TBEIC Joins JumpStart Network
WARREN, Ohio -- The Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center (TBEIC) here has officially joined the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network. As a network partner, it will extend its reach to support energy startups throughout the 21 counties in northeastern Ohio.
The network is composed of pre-seed and seed funds, incubators, business accelerators, experienced advisers and specialized support organizations that work together to accelerate the growth of young tech-based companies.
Through its work with JumpStart and the network, TBEIC will coach, mentor and help energy entrepreneurs in preparing investor presentations and identifying markets, connections to key partners and access to alternative sources of funding. These services are provided free of charge to entrepreneurs.
“Our role is to help these startups best assess their opportunities and groom them for investors, partners and customers so they can grow their business,” said Dave Nestic, chief executive of regional operations. “This will serve to increase visibility for Warren and TBEIC throughout the region as a place to build energy companies."
Chris Mather, center chief executive of national initiatives, said he has helped more than a dozen startups through the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network. TBEIC is led jointly by Nestic and Mather, both of whom have backgrounds in the energy industry and entrepreneurial development.
“This kind of collaboration -- across counties, specialties and industries -- enables the network to deliver resources more efficiently and effectively to entrepreneurs working in a wide range of fields,” noted John Dearborn, JumpStart president.
On the heels of joining the Network, Mayor Doug Franklin and the city of Warren recently made a five-year, $250,000 commitment to TBEIC. This money will be used for operational funding as it grows and serves energy entrepreneurs.
“We feel the Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center plays a vital role in the resurgence of the city of Warren," Franklin said. "With TBEIC’s participation in the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network, Warren is now connected to broader regional resources that will expose new businesses to our area.”
The five-year commitment will run through 2016. In addition to the funding from the city, TBEIC’s participation in the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network provides further financial support for program development and services.
TBEIC is a federally-funded center that is intended to help in the development and commercialization of early stage clean technologies.
The JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network is a connected group of entrepreneurial support organizations who work together to provide the space, capital, advice, support and connections northeastern Ohio startup companies need to grow.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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