The University of Akron Research Foundation is helping entrepreneurs connect with resources in the academic and business communities. Some of its programs included the sponsorship of the 2005 development of the AkronARCHAngels, which helped 30 entrepreneurs secure over $50 million in funding. To further support university ventures and startups, the foundation partnered with the Lorain Community College Innovation Fund to help early-stage Northeast Ohio companies gain the resources needed to succeed in The Plus region.

Not only has the foundation provided the resources needed for Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs to succeed, it has also played a role in the creation of 30 new businesses which included the launch of Akron Polymer Systems, founded by University of Akron scientists. Akron Polymer Systems generates an estimated $2 million in sales each year based on commercializing of technologies developed in the University of Akron’s labs.

Forbes Women announced today that Cleveland, Ohio came in 18th place as one of America’s Top 50 Cities for Working Mothers. In its second annual study, Forbes Women considered the following factors when selecting the winning cities:
•    Job opportunities
•    High earnings potential
•    Cost of living
•    Employment rate
•    Great schools
•    Health care

Curious who else made the cut? Check out the Full List of the Top 50 U.S. Cities for Working Mothers.

Even though it’s hot outside there has been a lot of activity this week in The Plus region. To start the week off we celebrated the reopening of the Hugo Boss plant in Brooklyn, Ohio. And that VXI Global Solutions in Youngstown, Ohio announced it will be adding another 600 position to its downtown call center. We also celebrated Northeast Ohio being named one of the best cities for new college grads by Bloomberg BusinessWeek and that Akron was named the Ohio hub of Innovation & Opportunity in biomaterials.

Other highlights for this week included JumpStart’s Inclusion Advisors program that guides minority-and women-owned businesses through multiple issues facing these small business owners. As well as a look at why Brian Klink, Advanced Energies Entrepreneur, calls The Plus region home.

And lastly, don’t miss out on the Energizing Careers Program RFP, which provides funding for companies to train employees in the energy sector. Deadline is Friday, July 30.

Akron’s BioInnovation Institute received a $2.75 million boost from the state of Ohio this week. Designated as the Ohio Hub of Innovation and Opportunity in biomaterials, this financial support will help further the BioInnovation Institute as a global leader in the commercialization of biomaterials technologies, products and services.

According to MedCity News the institute will receive a commitment for a $2.5 million research and development loan and a $250,000 grant to help pay for its headquarters. Akron is Ohio’s fifth hub of innovation. It will focus on orthopedics and wound healing applications as well as attracting new businesses, job growth and investment in Akron, Ohio.

Read more about Akron, Austen BioInnovation Institute get $2.75M boost from Ohio.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland yesterday announced the designation of an Ohio Hub of Innovation and Opportunity in Akron to assist Ohio’s biomaterials industry. The Akron Biomaterials Commercialization Hub will bring together the Austen BioInnovation Institute of Akron, the University of Akron, Summa Health System, Akron General Medical Center, Akron Children’s Hospital, the Akron Global Business Accelerator, Summit County and the City of Akron.

The Akron Biomaterials Commercialization Hub will focus on orthopedics and wound-healing applications, and will be established in the existing Akron Biomedical Corridor. The Hub will assist the city with becoming a globally-recognized leader in the commercialization of innovative biomaterials technologies, products and services. The Hub will also attract and provide assistance to international biomaterials companies as they enter the U.S. market.

Ohio’s Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity are supported by the Ohio Department of Development and work to leverage a region’s resources and investments to attract clusters of connected businesses, encourage new investments and an influx of talented workers, and help to create new opportunities to grow jobs and develop Ohio’s key industries.

“Hubs are one piece of a larger strategy to strengthen our workforce, our economy, and our state,” Strickland said.  “In recent months we’ve seen job growth in Ohio again because in recent years we’ve been investing in Ohio’s advantages. I believe in Ohio because we’ve never given up. I believe in Ohio because of the great strengths of our cities and regions, including this biomaterials hub here in Akron.” A state investment of $250,000, administered by the Ohio Department of Development, will support the Hub.

The plan for the Biomaterials Commercialization Hub is to help the Akron region unify its healthcare assets into a single planning district that will guide the city’s future development, expanding on Mayor Don Plusquellic’s 2006 strategy that created the Akron Biomedical Corridor.

“This further capitalizes on Akron’s world-class biomaterials expertise,” said Mayor Don Plusquellic. “Since we announced the Akron Biomedical Corridor in 2006, there has been a steady progression linking our global reputation in polymers and materials science to our nationally-recognized leadership in medical research.”

Ohio Hubs: Yesterday’s announcement is the fifth Ohio Hub designation, following the Consumer Marketing Hub of Innovation announcement in Cincinnati on July 9, the Northwest Ohio Solar Energy Innovation Hub announcement in Toledo in June, the Cleveland Health and Technology Corridor Hub announcement in June and the Ohio Aerospace Hub announcement in Dayton last September. The Ohio Hubs program develops a unique, concentrated environment that spurs innovation, company growth, employment, capital investment, product sales and community development in designated areas.

To be designated an Ohio Hub, a region must identify core strengths and develop a strategic plan for urban revitalization. The designation consists of a commitment from both the state and the region to work collaboratively and target economic development efforts toward building upon those identified strengths.

Created last year as an outgrowth of the already successful JumpStart Inclusion program – The JumpStart Inclusion Advisors (JSIA) guides minority-and women-owned businesses through multiple issues facing these small business owners. The JSIA also works to help these emerging enterprises realize their goals by providing:
•    Intensive hands-on guidance
•    Strategic planning
•    Market potential evaluation
•    Niche market assessment

As well as identifying any other potential market entry obstacles minority-and women-owners might face.

While still young, JSIA’s track record with Northeast Ohio minority-and women-owned businesses is significant. In fact, 30% of JSIA portfolio is owned by minority and/or women businesses. Additionally, the JSIA has partnered with the State of Ohio and PNC ‘s Minority Development Corporation to lead the Emerging Market Venture Partners Fund. The Emerging Market Venture Partners Fund is a $40 million fund targeting high-growth minority, women and inner-city businesses.

This week we looked beyond the departure of LeBron James and focused on what makes The Plus region so great with the help of the Plain Dealer’s, “100 things that make Cleveland the best.”

Another reason for Northeast Ohio to be proud this week was the news that Case Western Reserve University received a $1.1M grant to study receptors to develop safer, more effective drugs for cardiac and neurological diseases.

The State of Ohio also has a lot to be proud of with the call out in Inc. magazine as being one of the top states in the U.S. to give angel investors and start-ups a break. To help continue businesses moving to Ohio and The Plus region, make sure to participate in the NEO Wage & Benefits Survey. Deadline for the survey is Wednesday, July 21st.

Team NEO, in partnership with The Corporate University at Kent State University in Stark, Ohio, just released its’ Northeast Ohio Starting Wage and Benefits Survey. This bi-annual survey is used to help establish beginning annual wages for various Northeast Ohio (NEO) industries. By identifying this baseline, Team NEO will be able to use this data in its recruiting efforts, showing outside businesses that it may not be as costly as they thought to do business in NEO.

The online survey is being distributed to 7,770 companies and nonprofit organizations across 16-county regions that have 25 or more employees. Participating organizations are required to complete the survey by Wednesday, July 21st. Only businesses that complete the survey will have access to the data in the fall.

Participate in the survey
Does your company fit the qualifications of the survey? If so, take the Northeast Ohio Starting Wage and Benefits Survey now.

Yes, Lebron is gone. But that doesn’t mean we need to hang our heads in sadness. It’ means the opposite; we need to celebrate and embrace the great people, places and things that make The Plus region so outstanding. And that is exactly what The Plain Dealer did yesterday in the article, “100 things that make Cleveland the best.”

In this article The Plain Dealer outlines 100 things that make Northeast Ohio a champion in its own right. Some of these gems included:

• Michael Symon – Northeast Ohio’s own Iron Chef
• Cleveland Orchestra – One of the best in the world
• Progressive Field – Because a ballgame and a hot dog just wouldn’t be the same
• The Big Egg – A legendary Cleveland hotspot
• Blossom Music Center – From the orchestra to rock, R&B and more, this amphitheater has it all
• The Goodyear Blimp – Need we say more
• Big Fun – Nostalgic toys for kids of all ages
• PlayhouseSquare – The largest performing-arts center outside of NY
• Put-in-Bay – The crown jewel of the Lake Erie islands
• Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens – Akron’s historical estate

This is just sampling of all the great places and people that have helped make The Plus region an outstanding place to work and live. Check out what else was on the 100 things that make Cleveland the best list.

Do you have a favorite Northeast Ohio person, place or thing that wasn’t on the list?

This week we welcomed the Baden-Württemberg, Germany delegates whom were visiting Northeast Ohio to learn about The PLUS region as a place to work, play, study & innovate. MSNBC also stopped by The PLUS region to meet with 30 NEO company representatives to discuss their businesses and display The Plus region’s economic progress in action.

In addition to our welcomed visitors, Cleveland Clinic Innovations — the corporate venturing arm of the nation’s top heart hospital — entered its second decade with a first-of-its-kind venture ranking, a brand-new incubator building and a growing portfolio of spin-out companies. Plus, Business Week magazine named Mar Systems as one of America’s 25 Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs.

Other highlights included the Democratic National Committee considering CLE for its 2012 nominating convention and AT&T picking Akron, Ohio to house its new mobility center, which equals a $120 million investment in Northeast Ohio!