What's Next, Northeast Ohio? Entrepreneur Expo Looks at Region's Next Generation of Companies

CLEVELAND, Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In Akron, an ultra-sticky, heat-conducting material modeled after a gecko's natural abilities could be the answer to cooling compact electronic devices. A Chagrin Falls company's affordable medical device can help identify women at high risk for preterm birth. And an Elyria startup is creating an interactive, 3D platform that will enable surgeons to rehearse procedures. The community is invited to learn more about the Greater Cleveland businesses being developed around cutting-edge technologies at the 2012 Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur Expo & JumpStart Community Meeting (www.jumpstartinc.org/expo) on Tuesday, November 13, from 1-5:40pm at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center (2000 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115).

The Expo, which is free and open to the community with advance registration, is hosted by JumpStart, a nonprofit venture development organization committed to accelerating the successes of diverse young entrepreneurial companies in Northeast Ohio. "Entrepreneurs represent our next generation of corporate leaders," says JumpStart's President, John Dearborn. "Innovative companies are out there to revolutionize the way the world lives, works and plays—and successful ones can grow to attract investment to the region, generate revenues and create new jobs."

The November 13 event revolves an afternoon-long public showcase (1-4pm) highlighting Northeast Ohio tech entrepreneurs and the organizations—such as Bizdom, Youngstown Business Incubator, Shaker LaunchHouse, Akron ARCHAngels, Ohio Aerospace Institute and others—which support them.

New this year is a community panel discussion, "Northeast Ohio Startup Success Stories You Should Know" (4:10-5:10pm), featuring notable area entrepreneurs sharing insights into growing a multimillion-dollar company in Greater Cleveland. Moderated by Dr. Jacqueline Acho, President of The Acho Group, panelists represent the success stories of Summit Data Communications (Ron Seide), ONOSYS (Stan Garber), OrthoHelix Surgical Designs (Dr. David Kay) and Ganeden Biotech (Andy Lefkowitz).

The day culminates with an award presentation to the winner of a college/university student business competition, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses entrepreneur spotlight, the announcement of JumpStart's newest portfolio companies and a brief overview of how entrepreneurial support is transforming the region with JumpStart CEO Ray Leach (5:10-5:40pm).

To register to attend (or exhibit) at the Expo, or to see a complete agenda and profiles of some of the exhibitors, visit www.jumpstartinc.org/expo. The 2012 Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur Expo & JumpStart Community Meeting is sponsored by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Dominion Foundation, Ohio Third Frontier, Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association, Meaden & Moore, Vantage Financial and Oswald.

For up-to-date information on the event and the student business competition, follow JumpStart on Twitter (@jumpstartinc) and search the hashtag #neoexpo12, and "like" Facebook pages for JumpStart (facebook.com/jumpstartinc) and the JumpStart Entrepreneurial Network (facebook.com/jumpstartentrepreneurialnetwork ).

JUMPSTART INC JumpStart Inc. accelerates the successes of diverse entrepreneurs, their companies and the ecosystems supporting them. JumpStart has given intensive business assistance to more than 400 entrepreneurial clients and invested in 65 early stage Northeast Ohio companies. For more information, visit www.jumpstartinc.org and follow @JumpStartInc on Twitter.

SOURCE JumpStart Inc.