Tag Archives: business growth

LaunchHouse’s Accelerator Program Targets Small Tech Businesses

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In the past few days, I’ve had an opportunity to talk with David Greenberg, from LaunchHouse, about one of their accelerator programs giving ten teams of tech start-ups $25,000 in seed money.

Now, unless you live near Cleveland, Ohio where LaunchHouse is based, you probably don’t know much about them.

David explains, “LaunchHouse is an Ohio-based seed capital investment fund, like Y-Combinator or Tech Stars, currently offering $25,000.00 investments to 10 technology based entrepreneurial-teams from around the world.”

“What does an accelerator program in Cleveland, OH have to offer an aspiring entrepreneur?  Cleveland is not a Silicon Valley, New York City, or Boston; however, LaunchHouse has played to its geographic strengths and embraced its city’s identity to foster a creative and successful environment for entrepreneurs in Cleveland.”

Below is the official press release on the program. There is a link at the end of this post to the press release on LaunchHouse’s site, and you can find much more information there, or start on their homepage at: www.LaunchHouse.com.

 

LaunchHouse Accelerator Program Takes Off

by Stephanie  

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SBA Announces a New Partnership to Connect Small Businesses with Corporate Supply Chains

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WASHINGTON – A new private-public collaboration will help small businesses strengthen their revenue streams by gaining access to more than $300 billion in combined supply chain spending by a consortium of 15 of America’s largest corporations, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced today.

Supplier Connection, created by the IBM Foundation, is part of the Obama Administration’s American Supplier Initiative and is designed to help bridge the gap between small, nimble businesses looking for new opportunities and large corporations looking for innovative new ideas and diversity in their supply chains.

“The American Supplier Initiative is part of a comprehensive solution to grow small businesses, create jobs and to ensure that America has a strong, deep and diverse supply chain,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “While it is clear that becoming a corporate supplier can lead to business growth, breaking in can be a challenge for small businesses.  The Supplier Connection will be one tool to help small businesses connect with corporate buyers.  Tools like this help to ensure that more small businesses are part of commercial supply chains, which adds additional revenue streams.  This is a proven formula for job creation.”  

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SBA Licenses First Nationwide Impact Investment Fund

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SJF Ventures III, LP Will Invest in Cleantech and Positive Impact Businesses Across the Country

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today licensed the first nationally-focused Impact Investment Fund, SJF Ventures III, LP. The fund will make equity investments in cleantech and technology companies in communities nationwide as part of an impact investment  initiative to invest up to $1.5 billion in high-growth small businesses.

“SJF Ventures III, LP is yet another important new ally in SBA’s commitment to foster small business growth and job creation in emerging sectors,” said Administrator Karen Mills.  “They’re an experienced team that is well-positioned to drive more investment in high growth, positive impact companies.  We will continue to grow this and other public-private partnerships by licensing more funds and putting more capital in the hands of small business owners to grow and create good jobs.”  

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SBA Launches e200/Emerging Leaders Initiative in 27 Cities

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Entrepreneur Training Initiative Sparks Small Business Growth, Job Creation

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration kicked off its 2012 e200/Emerging Leaders executive-level training initiative in 27 cities and communities. Since 2008 the e200/Emerging Leaders initiative has helped nearly 1,000 promising small business owners in underserved communities across the country sustain and grow their businesses, providing training they use to succeed and create jobs.

“Over the last few years Emerging Leaders has helped expand opportunities for many promising small businesses in underserved communities – in particular those that have been most impacted by these tough economic times,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said. “Graduates of the program have increased their revenue, created jobs and helped drive local economic growth in their communities. Continuing with this year’s lineup of new classes builds on this success and provides even more entrepreneurs in underserved communities with the support, resources and skills to succeed.”  

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