Industry Experts Hand Over the Keys to Building Big Businesses

Recruiting Women-led Businesses In Ohio Seeking To Grow

CLEVELAND, April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ohio is buzzing with entrepreneurial activity and the stakes are high to ensure businesses grow big, create new jobs and contribute to the state's economy. Today, Springboard Enterprises announced a dynamic partnership with Ohio-based powerhouses KeyBank, Thompson Hine LLP, and Meaden & Moore to provide women with the keys to building big businesses. Applications open today for Build It Big: Cleveland.  Deadline: May 23, 2011

Venture-catalyst Springboard Enterprises has built a reputation for leveraging their national network to accelerate women-led businesses' access to both financial and human capital.  In affiliation with trusted advisors and industry experts, Springboard programs involve an ecosystem of support for growth companies, including celebrated brands such as Minute Clinic, Zipcar, iRobot and Constant Contact.

"Springboard's expertise in integrating the perfect combination of resources for businesses makes it the ideal partner for this program," said Heidi Goldstein, chair of Thompson Hine's women's initiative, Spotlight on Women®. "Their national network of successful partnerships is remarkable, and we look forward to expanding that network farther and deeper in Ohio."

"Build It Big is an opportunity for us to get face to face with women entrepreneurs, and help them address their businesses' real needs," said Karen McCarthy, CPA at Meaden & Moore. "Becoming a trusted advisor is a huge part of our firm's commitment to helping women-led businesses succeed."

"We are pleased to be part of the results-oriented Build it Big program," said Maria Coyne, KeyBank Executive Vice President and founder of Key4Women. "At Key, we're about finding ways to help businesses by anticipating needs they haven't identified and providing insight that will help them grow."

Companies selected to participate will meet one-on-one with the Build It Big partners to chart effective strategies for growing their businesses, including choosing the right capital, getting the fiscal house in order, and important legal issues such as product licensing, royalties and protecting the company's intellectual property.  To qualify, companies must have a woman in a key management position with a significant ownership stake; demonstrate a qualified and profitable market opportunity, a track record of milestone achievement and a credible core management team or an ability to attract one.

About the Partners:

Thompson Hine LLP, a business law-firm with nationally-acclaimed client services has been supporting women entrepreneurs for years, with their Spotlight on Women's initiatives, a pacesetter in promoting and celebrating women in business.

Cleveland-based, KeyCorp, is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $92 billion. KeyBank provides financial solutions, networking opportunities and ongoing education to women-owned businesses through Key4Women.

Meaden & Moore is a full-service accounting firm dedicated to assisting businesses develop strategies to thrive in today's global economy. The firm's career development program is dedicated to promoting the technical training, personal growth and leadership development of women professionals.

Venture-Catalyst Springboard Enterprises is the premier platform where entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts meet to build great women-led businesses. Springboard educates, sources, coaches, showcases and supports high growth companies seeking equity capital for expansion. The women-led companies in the Springboard portfolio have raised over $5 billion including 7 IPOs, and legions of high value M&As.

www.springboardenterprises.org/builditbig

www.springboardenterprises.org

SOURCE Springboard Enterprises