JumpStart Inc.

JumpStart Inc. is a nonprofit venture development organization headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, dedicated to fostering economic vitality by connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed. Established in 2004, JumpStart has transformed diverse and ambitious entrepreneurs into scalable enterprises that drive regional economic growth. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the unique needs of tech startups and small businesses, including specialized programs such as the Software Accelerator and HealthTech Accelerator, designed to support startups in software innovation and healthcare sectors, respectively. Through its division, JumpStart Ventures, the organization manages over $140 million across four funds—Evergreen, NEXT, Focus, and the Healthcare Collaboration Fund—providing pre-seed, seed, and Series A funding to early-stage technology startups throughout Ohio. The focus is primarily on business-to-business software (SaaS) and healthcare and life science technologies. Since 2005, JumpStart has invested $70 million into more than 145 technology startups across Ohio, with 82% located in Greater Cleveland. JumpStart Ventures aims to generate financial returns while strengthening the competitiveness of Ohio’s VC ecosystem and has built a national network of more than 100 institutional VC and corporate venture partners to drive the success of early-stage companies. As one of Ohio’s most active seed-stage investors, the organization’s investment activities have generated 2.5X+ returns-to-date via nationally recognized exits. While currently investing exclusively throughout Ohio, the organization is likely to invest in technology companies in neighboring states in the future. In 2019, companies served by JumpStart and its partners supported an estimated $1.3 billion of economic output, $713 million of labor income, and 7,174 households. The organization responded proactively during the COVID-19 pandemic by launching a resource and assistance guide and committing more than $3 million in emergency funding to clients and community stabilization funds. Through its comprehensive support services, strategic investments, and community-focused initiatives, JumpStart Inc. continues to play a pivotal role in driving inclusive economic growth and empowering entrepreneurs across Ohio.