Ohio presents a supportive setting for startups in need of funding and mentorship.
JumpStart Inc. is a major contributor with over 160 investments in regional companies. North Coast Ventures also adds to the activity, having funded over 90 startups.
Below is our list of the best 26 accelerators and incubators in Ohio.
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2,189 Accelerators & Incubators
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Get the Sheet for $50JumpStart Inc. champions entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio by providing development assistance and non-dilutive capital through its non-profit model. Focusing on the software and healthtech sectors, they offer founders significant funding without taking any equity, a key advantage for early-stage growth.
| Year Founded | 2003 |
| Founders | Ray Leach |
| Investment Amount | Trailblazer Software: up to $125K non-dilutive; Trailblazer HealthTech: $50K covered |
| Equity Taken | 0% |
| Nº of Investments | 165 |
| Nº of Exits | 17 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 12 |
North Coast Ventures brings together capital and connections to fuel the growth of early-stage B2B SaaS companies. Drawing from a network of more than 250 investors and entrepreneurs, they provide critical funding and strategic guidance to help startups succeed.
| Year Founded | 2006 |
| Founders | Todd Federman, Claiborne Rankin |
| Nº of Investments | 92 |
| Nº of Exits | 9 |
The Brandery accelerates tech and retail startups by focusing intensely on the art and science of brand building. Its nationally-ranked program connects founders with world-class creative mentorship and resources to launch powerful consumer-facing companies.
| Year Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Dave Knox, Rob McDonald, Bryan Radtke, J.B. Kropp |
| Nº of Investments | 81 |
| Nº of Exits | 9 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
| Duration (Weeks) | 12 |
dunnhumby Ventures invests in and partners with startups using AI, data, and analytics to innovate within the retail and CPG ecosystem. They offer both capital and strategic partnership, giving companies access to deep expertise from a global leader in customer data science.
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Leo Nagdas |
| Nº of Investments | 20 |
| Nº of Exits | 6 |
Bizdom provides seed funding and intense mentorship sessions to help launch early-stage startups. They are dedicated to building the entrepreneurial communities in Detroit and Cleveland.
| Year Founded | 1997 |
| Founders | Dan Gilbert |
| Nº of Investments | 29 |
| Nº of Exits | 4 |
10Xelerator runs a mentor-driven accelerator program that helps entrepreneurs, including those in the non-profit space, convert their ideas into viable businesses. The program's focus is providing the hands-on guidance necessary for founders to successfully navigate the journey from concept to launch.
| Year Founded | 2011 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 21 |
| Nº of Exits | 3 |
Pairing seasoned experts with talented interns, Flashstarts provides hands-on acceleration and venture funding for early-stage software startups. They offer crucial mentorship and capital to help founders in sectors like healthcare IT and digital media build and scale their businesses.
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Jennifer Keiser Neundorfer, Charles Stack |
| Nº of Investments | 26 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
Focusing on B2B SaaS companies, Reach Ventures helps founders build repeatable and profitable growth engines. The accelerator provides capital and dedicated programs to help startups scale their operations effectively.
| Year Founded | 2000 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 3 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
As a non-profit, faith-based accelerator, OCEAN Programs helps founders of tech-enabled startups build scalable businesses. They provide seed capital and a curriculum focused on spiritual, personal, and professional development, uniquely integrating faith with entrepreneurship.
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Tim Metzner, Chad Reynolds, Tim Brunk |
| Nº of Investments | 22 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
| Duration (Weeks) | 16 |
Ohio Third Frontier champions technology-based startups and early-stage companies throughout the state. It connects these companies with vital capital and resources, aiming to build a robust, job-creating tech economy within the state.
| Year Founded | 2002 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 29 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
16 Additional Ohio Accelerators and Incubators Worth Applying To
The support for founders in Ohio doesn't stop with our favorite picks. Together, the programs below have funded over 100 startups, helping founders get their ideas off the ground.
Many of these organizations offer unique resources and community connections. Here’s a look at the other accelerators and incubators helping founders build their businesses in Ohio.