Featuring: Tracey Nichols, Director of Economic Development - City of Cleveland
Hosted by: Michael C. DeAloia, "Tech Czar"

Cleveland’s “health-tech/high-tech” entrepreneurial ecosystem – anchored in healthcare technology, information technology and advanced manufacturing – provides an attractive environment and effective roadmaps for start-up businesses and investors. Learn how to find the funding and direction necessary to launch a business in Cleveland, as well as how Cleveland is inspiring local entrepreneurs, drawing in hopeful industrialists from across the United States, and attracting generous investors.

In this episode of Start In CLE, host Michael DeAloia interviews Tracey Nichols, Director of Economic Development at the City of Cleveland. Together, they discuss the Cleveland Renaissance, what investors see in Cleveland, and how visitors can explore this developing landscape. Learn why Cleveland is transforming from the rust belt to the tech belt with the help of entrepreneurs

Start IN CLE Podcast - Featuring Tracey Nichols

Featuring - Ray Leach, CEO - JumpStart
Host - Michael C. DeAloia, Tech Czar

Cleveland has been named the ninth most entrepreneur-friendly city in the United States. In this episode of Start In CLE, host Michael DeAloia and special guest Ray Leach, CEO of Jumpstart, explore how Cleveland’s unique combination of corporate, philanthropic, and public sector leadership are allowing it to ride the wave of entrepreneurial innovation.

As the face of entrepreneurs change, organizations such as JumpStart are acting as catalysts for investments and startups in the Greater Cleveland area. Not only are area startups thriving, but their momentum is poised to make a large impact. Find out why Cleveland’s model of entrepreneur support is one that can be taken to a national level.

Start IN CLE Podcast - Featuring Ray Leach

Featuring: Laura Bennet - CEO, Embrace Pet Insurance
Host: Michael C. DeAloia, Tech Czar

What do pet insurance, women’s entrepreneurship and Cleveland all have in common? Laura Bennett, the CEO and co-founder of Embrace Pet Insurance. Bennett took an idea inspired by the United Kingdom’s offering an ecommerce approach to pet insurance, further developed the idea at the Wharton Business School and became the first ecommerce pet insurance actuary in the U.S. By bringing an integrative actuarial approach to a complex and undervalued product, Bennett has built Embrace Pet Insurance throughout the last 10 years on Cleveland’s entrepreneurial landscape that inspires businesses to thrive in Northeast Ohio.

Listen to Start In CLE to learn why Bennett, an England native, chose to start her business in Cleveland, keep it here and give back to the community through her women’s entrepreneurial group.

Start IN CLE Podcast - Featuring Laura Bennet

Featuring - Ryan Florio, CEO of Inca Tea
Host: Michael C. DeAloia, Tech Czar

Just a few years ago, Ryan Florio was working in a cubicle with no knowledge of tea and struggling with health problems exacerbated by the stress of every day life. Today, he is the founder and CEO of Inca Tea sold in retailers including Heinen’s, Whole Foods and Bed Bath & Beyond—and a wellness advocate who proudly collaborates with institutions including Cleveland Clinic. Struck with inspiration while traveling the Inca Trail, Florio returned home feeling better than ever, quit his job and immediately began to build the company of his dreams in Cleveland.

In this episode of Start In CLE, host Michael DeAloia and guest Ryan Florio talk the health benefits of tea and purple corn, and why Florio decided that his hometown was the perfect environment for Inca Tea’s future. Learn why Florio hopes that, thanks to Cleveland’s network of entrepreneurial support, the city could become the Silicon Valley of food and wellness manufacturing startups.

Start IN CLE Podcast - Featuring Ryan Florio

Known in the marketing world as the godfather of content marketing, Joe Pulizzi’s first foray into entrepreneurship was one of almost certain failure. Pulizzi, the founder of Content Marketing Institute (CMI), created a unique marketing perspective and turned it to fortune with a success story that is quintessentially Cleveland. By melding technology and marketing, Pulizzi’s CMI became the fastest-growing business media company in the nation. Now, his annual event, Content Marketing World, brings thousands of marketers to Cleveland from around the globe to learn about marketing while enjoying the city’s renaissance.

Listen to this episode of Start In CLE to learn how Joe went from digital media exec to struggling entrepreneur to founder of multiple startups, including CMI. Moreover, learn the pivotal role that Cleveland has played in Joe’s personal and professional growth and continued success.

Start IN CLE Podcast - Featuring Joe Pulizzi

In this episode of Start In CLE, Eric Lofquist, co-founder of Magnus International Group, discusses the rise of Magnus as an award-winning developer and manufacturer of products ranging from natural animal feed ingredients to customized fatty acids and biodiesel fuel feedstocks.

Dan Tompkins of EY gives us insight into the Entrepreneur Of The Year program and how other entrepreneurs like Eric, a former winner and judge for the program, can be considered for this prestigious EY award.

Start IN CLE Podcast - Featuring Eric Lofquist & Dan Tompkins

Featuring - Todd Federman, Managing Partner - NorthCoast Angels
Host: Michael C. DeAloia, Tech Czar

It’s true—Cleveland has a unique and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, which has allowed for diverse startups including health-tech and high-tech businesses to find success. Who are the people behind this ecosystem, though? One such man is Todd Federman, Managing Director at North Coast Angel Fund. Federman and host Michael DeAloia discuss the role that the North Coast Angel Fund plays in attracting entrepreneurs to the area.

Check out this episode of Start In CLE to learn why there’s never been a better time to invest in Cleveland entrepreneurship, how technology startups are taking a hold in the region, and what exactly it is about the welcoming Northeast Ohio community that helps entrepreneurs follow their dreams.

Start IN CLE Podcast - Featuring Todd Federman

Lindsay Sims, CEO & Founder of Lauren Loft Social, has lived in many cities, but Cleveland is her favorite. And, it’s here that she was introduced to the idea of starting her own business. Today, Lindsay spreads the buzz of what local businesses are selling through her social media-centric company, which focuses on engaging hundreds of thousands of fans and followers across many social platforms.

Listen to this episode of Start In CLE to find out how Cleveland’s networking community coupled with a spontaneous decision to participate in a business plan competition landed Sims in her role as CEO of Lauren Loft Social.

Start IN CLE Podcast - Featuring Lindsay Simms

Featuring: Aram Nerpouni of BioEnterprise & Tim Miller of Abeona 
Hosted By: Michael C. DeAloia

Cleveland’s dominance in the healthcare space is no secret. Some of the emergent biotechnology startups in the area are less well-known, though. In this episode of Start in CLE, host Michael DeAloia talks with Aram Nerpouni, President and CEO of BioEnterprise and Tim Miller, President and CEO of Abeona Therapeutics about Cleveland’s great and growing health-tech/high-tech industry.

Learn how entrepreneurs in Cleveland’s Health Tech Corridor are contributing to this rapidly growing community—and how the Cleveland ecosystem is the strategic location for the nation’s biotechnology startups.

Start IN CLE Podcast - Featuring Aram Nerpouni & Tim Miller

Happy husband. Dad of the Wee One. CEO of Evergreen Podcasts. Former columnist in @theplaindealer. Movie producer. Foodie. Author. Love the CLE!

TechCzar