NorTech

The Entrepreneurial Signature Program, a newly funded set of programs and activities designed by the State of Ohio’s Third Frontier Program, will substantially increase support to entrepreneurs working within Northeast Ohio’s technological strengths: Biosciences and Healthcare; Polymers, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing; Electronics, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Advanced Energy. The program represents the state’s largest ever financial commitment to entrepreneurship.

A total of $15 million dollars has been awarded to a Northeast Ohio consortium (led by NorTech), made up of regional incubators and investment funds. The group will use the money to invest in companies, fund support services, and operations for the program. $6 million will be used by regional firms that will invest in emerging technology companies. The remaining $9 million will go toward services for entrepreneurs, including classes and expert coaching.

NorTech has been working closely with the region’s technology incubators to prepare for the Entrepreneurial Signature program (ESP) launch in September 2007. Please stay tuned to www.nortech.org  for more details. For more information, please contact Chris Mather at NorTech.

Nanovate, a program of NorTech, gives companies a rare opportunity to take advantage of low-cost technical consulting services to determine if integrating nanotechnology into their business model or products may benefit the company’s product offerings. Nanovate was created to give Northeast Ohio companies a globally- competitive edge in their respective industries.

Custom Rubber Corp., a company that supplies rubber parts to a variety of American and international companies including small, mid-size and large manufacturers. NorTech has helped them investigate how nanomaterials may be incorporated into rubber and how novel coatings or surface treatments may improve various properties. This insight into cutting-edge research and development is helping Custom Rubber think about next generation rubber products using nanotechnology.

Another participant in the program is an automotive manufacturing company who investigating how to improve their product line and processes. Specifically, NorTech is helping them explore potential solutions to processing obstacles that they have encountered during automotive manufacturing as well as property enhancements brought about through incorporation of nanostructures into the materials used in these processes.

The Nanovate program is available to all Northeast Ohio companies, subject to certain eligibility requirements. To sign up for the Nanovate program click here. Questions about Nanovate? Contact Alexis Abramson at NorTech, 216-274-0246.

For the past decade, NorTech has celebrated Northeast Ohio companies and innovators that have significantly improved and contributed to the regional technology economy. This year, NorTech will recognize technologies that have the potential to dramatically impact a specific industry or market sector.

Are you working on a new innovative technology product?  Are you creating a new procedure that improves your company’s productivity or business value? Does it have a positive impact on Northeast Ohio and our economy? Nominate your company/organization for the NorTech Innovation Awards today!

Winners will be announced November 13th during the NorTech Summit. Please contact Andrea McDonald at NorTech for more details.

Visit www.neotechjobs.com to be connected to thousands of online high job postings for employment opportunities in Northeast Ohio. Currently, there are approximately 5,300 high tech jobs unfilled, coming from employers all over the region. Employers also have ability to search a resume database to meet their talent needs.

Talent may be a growth-limiting factor in Northeast Ohio’s high tech economy if we cannot find a solution.  NorTech believes Neotechjobs.com will help to fill existing high tech employment opportunities for regional high tech employers and begin to close the gap on the demand for talent.