Akron : Featured Stories

Two new hackerspaces have just joined a host of shops across the state. hiVelocity took a peek inside these quirky garage shops and found everything we didn't expect, from kettles of brewing beer to pinball machines. But nothing was more inviting than the hackers themselves.

As the founders of Ecolibrium Solar, Coupsmart and other startups can attest, pre-seed funding is helping Ohio companies find their footing when their founders don’t have the financial resources to get started on their own.

Ohio is becoming ground zero for an expected renaissance of "printing" three-dimensional solid objects from computer models within manufacturing. A $70 million public-private pilot institute to promote the technology has been launched in Youngstown, while Columbus boasts one of the nation's largest enthusiast groups for 3D printing.

In today's world of widely distributed knowledge, companies can no longer afford to rely entirely on their own research. Many large companies are now using open innovation, or the adoption of external ideas and processes, to help solve business problems. Now, with the aid of a new program, help is available to assist middle market companies in adopting open innovation practices, as well.

Angel investors play a key role in providing funding and technical assistance to startup companies once funds from friends, families and founders have been exhausted and before venture capital becomes a real option. Across Ohio, increasingly vibrant networks of angel investors are closing the gap, thus facilitating the growth of some of the state's most successful new companies.

Steve Case recently came to Cleveland to address entrepreneurial leaders from across the country who had gathered for the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds conference. After praising Ohio's innovation economy, he said that the key to creating more jobs in the U.S. is to support entrepreneurs and high-growth companies and argued policy leaders need to do more to spur innovation.

It's never been easier to validate an idea and launch a new company. Yet access to capital remains a critical issue for entrepreneurs. The upcoming National Association of Seed and Venture Funds Conference, to be held in Cleveland from October 15th-17th, will bring together a community of aspiring entrepeneurs and investors to explore ways to advance innovation capital.

Akron-based digital marketing company Knotice counts major international companies among its clients and will soon hire its 100th employee. Knotice has been able to attract and retain talent because of its market innovation, an open office environment that encourages creativity and the strong, growing tech scene in Northeast Ohio.