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Spotlight on Events
Aug
21
8:30 AM
CIPPO 2025's title is "Putting Strategy into Action: Growing Ohio's Manufacturing Sector", and will feature updates regarding manufacturing policy from many leaders throughout Ohio. Join us for a packed morning of thoughtful discussions regarding how this NEO and Ohio's manufacturing policy can be pushed forward
ABOUT
A robust domestic manufacturing base is essential for the nation's security and prosperity and Ohio is a key player in driving those interests. Ohio is the 3rd largest state for manufacturing employment in the country with nearly 700,00 jobs in the manufacturing sector. The state produces more than $134 billion in manufactured goods annually and manufacturing in Ohio is a major driver of the state's economy, contributing over 17% to the GDP of the state. There are manufacturing operations in every one of the state’s 88 counties, with Cuyahoga County boasting nearly 9% of the total with 1,530 establishments alone.
The 2025 Connecting Innovation Policy and Practice in Ohio (CIPPO) event will feature NEO-SMART, Northeast Ohio’s proposal to National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program that aims to catalyze and foster innovation ecosystems across the United States for national and economic security. The region received an NSF Engine Development Award in 2023 to build a regional strategy for advanced manufacturing technologies in our region with research-driven discovery, development, translation, and commercialization, along with developing the needed workforce. The region’s proposal, Northeast Ohio Strengthening Manufacturing for American Resilience through Technology (NEO-SMART) is currently a semifinalist in the current round of competition for an implementation award of up to $160M over 10 years.
The consortium includes the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Team NEO, Cleveland Foundation, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce and Polymer Industry Cluster, Fund for Our Economic Future, MAGNET, JumpStart, JobsOhio, Lorain County Community College and the University of Akron, plus many manufacturing companies headquartered in the region.
LOCATION
Cleveland State University
Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, Roberta Steinbacher Atrium
1717 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Aug
28
12:00 PM
ABOUT
The OhioX Road Show is touring and highlighting destinations, companies, and organizations across the state that are doing all sorts of interesting and innovative things that make Ohio a tech hub.
This OhioX Road Show stop? Youngstown Business Incubator.
Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) is more than just an incubator. YBI focuses on developing successful digital businesses, advancing women & minority entrepreneurship, and furthering advanced manufacturing technologies. Over the course of the past two decades, YBI has redefined the west end of downtown Youngstown, creating a 200,000 sf campus across five buildings. However, their work doesn’t stop there. Their entrepreneurship programs reach across the full 21 counties of northeast Ohio – and are attracting companies from California, Colorado, Israel and the UK to the region. Get a sneak peek into what YBI does in this short video.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THIS ROAD SHOW STOP:
- A tour of YBI's six-building downtown campus
- Deep dives into Tech Block Building 5 (TBB5) and America Makes
- Preview of the new building six - Innovation and Aerospace Defense Hub
- Insights into YBI's Advanced Manufacturing and EVOLVE Technology programs
- Learn more about the YBI's Minority Business Assistance Center and the youth-focused Explore VR program
LOCATION
Youngstown Business Incubator | 241 West Federal Street Youngstown, OH 44503
ABOUT YBI
YBI is a globally recognized nonprofit economic development organization advancing innovation and inclusive growth across Ohio and beyond. With a focus on advanced manufacturing, technology commercialization, and supporting underserved entrepreneurs, YBI offers business consulting, connections to capital, and tech integration services for scalable startups and established manufacturers.
YBI is home to the Center of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and a lead partner in the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, led by America Makes. Through its EVOLVE Technology Program, YBI delivers bespoke, founder-focused support to help innovators bring new technologies to market, access nondilutive funding, and scale without giving up equity.
YBI also operates a no-cost business assistance program (currently known as MBAC), which provides consulting, certification assistance, loan readiness, and access to state and federal resources for minority-, women-, veteran-, and disadvantaged business owners. In addition, YBI supports workforce development through immersive employer storytelling and real-world classroom experiences via its Explore VR program.
Through these efforts, YBI is shaping the future of advanced manufacturing and entrepreneurship across the region and beyond.