Ohio is emerging as a national hub for the growth of minority and female-owned businesses as well as those in the inner city, says Cathy Belk.
Want evidence? Consider the choice of Cleveland for a Dec. 3 conference that is expected to draw 250 entrepreneurs from throughout the Midwest.
Belk, chief marketing officer for Jumpstart Inc. -- the northeast Ohio venture development organization that accelerates the progress of high growth early-stage businesses -- says the conference is unique in its focus.
"This is definitely the first of its kind in Cleveland which focuses on minority, female and inner city early stage companies and raising capital for them," she says.
Titled "Transforming the Landscape of Business in America: A Minority Business Early-Stage Capital Summit," the summit is a partnership between JumpStart, The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), The Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking, and The Marathon Club.
Two panels will feature expert angel investors and venture investors to help emerging companies understand what it takes to find capital.
Speakers will include Deborah Shufrin, senior vice president and director of programs, ICIC, who will focus on her organization's partnership with the Obama Administration in fulfilling the administration's Urban Strategy. Serial entrepreneur William Pickard will give the luncheon keynote address. Pickard organized the Detroit partners of the MGM Grand Casino in Detroit and owns a significant stake in five African-American newspapers, several automotive companies, and multiple McDonald's restaurant franchises.
The event also will feature investor pitch presentations, open to all attendees, from six of Northeast Ohio's most promising minority entrepreneurs.
For more information or to register, go here.
Source: Cathy Belk, Jumpstart Inc.
Writer: Gene Monteith