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The Aspiring Entrepreneur Program is a 10-week cohort program focusing on what it means to be an entrepreneur, basic business skills and the start of validating an idea.

• Offers workshops and mentorship to help entrepreneurs refine business ideas, develop plans, and build essential skills.
• Provides tools, workspace, and networking opportunities to support early-stage business development.
• Connects participants with a collaborative entrepreneurial community to foster growth and innovation.

Flashstarts is a Cleveland-based accelerator and micro-venture fund focused on early-stage software and technology startups.

• Provides intensive support for early-stage startups, including mentorship and workspace.
• Offers micro-venture funding for software and technology startups.
• Focuses on building scalable businesses with a technology emphasis.

The Cleveland Leadership Center is a nonprofit organization that provides transformative leadership development programs and experiences to inspire and empower individuals to make a positive impact in the Greater Cleveland community.

• Hosts the “Accelerate” event, where entrepreneurs can pitch ideas for community impact and compete for funding.
• Offers expert feedback and guidance to develop ideas into actionable projects.
• Supports initiatives that benefit the local community while fostering entrepreneurship.

The 91�ֿ� Design Innovation Reactor is a collaborative program that fosters interdisciplinary problem-solving and innovation by connecting students, faculty, and community members to tackle real-world challenges.

• Connect with diverse teams of students and experts across various disciplines to gain fresh perspectives and innovative solutions for their ventures.
• Benefit from state-of-the-art design and prototyping tools, creative spaces, and mentorship to develop and refine products or business concepts.
• Engage in hands-on projects that encourage creative thinking and practical application, helping entrepreneurs address challenges and discover new opportunities.

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The Hudson Library & Historical Society Entrepreneurship Series offers free events, lectures, and workshops focused on entrepreneurship and small business development.

• Hosts free workshops and lectures featuring industry experts to build entrepreneurial skills.
• Offers a wealth of library resources, including market research databases, for business development.

The Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC) provides certification, networking, and business development opportunities for minority-owned businesses.

• Helps minority-owned businesses gain certification to access supplier diversity programs.
• Connects entrepreneurs with corporate and government buyers through events and matchmaking.

The Ohio Small Business Development Center provides no-cost, confidential business consulting and training services to support small businesses and entrepreneurs across Ohio.

• Provides free, confidential consulting on business plans, financing, and operations.
• Offers workshops and training programs on topics like marketing, financial management, and growth strategies.
• Connects entrepreneurs to tools, networks, and funding opportunities to support their success.

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Cleveland Office offers resources, loan programs, and networking events for local entrepreneurs.

• Connects entrepreneurs with SBA loan programs and funding resources.
• Offers guidance on starting and managing a business, including compliance and growth strategies.
• Provides opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs and business leaders.

The University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) helps early-stage entrepreneurs with technology commercialization and business validation.

• Technology Commercialization: Assists entrepreneurs in transforming innovative ideas into market-ready products.
• Startup Resources: Offers support, tools and mentorship for navigating the early stages of entrepreneurship.

The University of Akron School of Law SEED Clinic provides free legal assistance to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses, offering support on intellectual property, business formation, and other legal matters.

• Provides pro bono legal assistance with entity formation, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• Helps entrepreneurs protect their ideas through patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
• Operated by law students under attorney supervision, offering cost-effective legal expertise.

Coursera provides affordable, detailed courses on business modeling, market research, and building a minimum viable product (MVP).

Khan Academy provides free lessons covering the basics of starting a business, refining ideas, and understanding market needs.

Startup School provides free online courses by successful startup founders with tools like progress tracking, goal setting, and networking opportunities.