Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

launch dayton

Flagship EC program generated $210M in economic impact

By

Launch Dayton partner the Entrepreneurs’ Center generated $210M in economic impact over the last two years, according to a new report released today.

The 2022 State of Startups in Ohio report is a special supplement in the Dayton Business Journal, Cincinnati Business Courier, Cleveland Business Journal, and Columbus Business First. This report is the result of a collaboration with the Ohio business journals and Ohio’s regional venture development organizations: The Entrepreneurs’ Center, CincyTech, JumpStart, Rev1 Ventures, and TechGrowth Ohio.

These venture development organizations have been a foundation of support and capital for tech-based companies, helping them to generate a $10B economic impact and create more than 10,500 jobs since 2016.

“Ohio startup companies are setting funding records year after year, strengthening the statewide innovative ecosystem,” states a press release. “Startups deliver a significantly larger economic impact than other companies in terms of revenues, investments, jobs, and wages paid.”

Local impact

According to the report, the EC’s Entrepreneurial Services Provider (ESP) Program has generated $210M in economic impact in the Dayton region over the past two years. Last year alone, this portfolio saw a 200% increase in company sales and investments, and achieved significant milestones in their mission to power progress and prosperity, including:

  • Adding 135 portfolio clients
  • Creating 202 new jobs
  • Generating $56M in product sales and $28M in other revenue
  • Raising $15M in external investment capital
  • Launching the Rotunda Investment Fund, a revenue-based investment fund for Dayton-area entrepreneurs and small businesses.

As a result of the EC’s accomplishments over the years, and those of the other highlighted venture development organizations, Ohio ranked 11th among states for fast-growing companies in 2020.

Key highlights

Other key highlights from the report include:

  • 2021 marked the third consecutive year that Ohio companies received over $1 billion in venture capital investment.
  • Ohio’s startup ecosystem has created nearly 11,000 jobs (10,570), with 167 companies funded and $10B in economic impact including $2.87B in exits.
  • Startup success is the key to diversifying regional economies – it allows for expansion into new markets, while also driving innovation within existing industries.
  • Ohio’s remarkable success is the result of an all-in approach in the state – from venture development firms, public and private partners, corporations, investors and entrepreneurs who align to build thriving companies.
  • The impact of Ohio’s startup success reaches far beyond the state, and even the region, as it’s a playbook for what is possible when key constituents align to support the startup ecosystem.
  • Because of Ohio’s entrepreneurs and inventors, the Ohio Third Frontier, and the more than 100 private and public sector partners across the state, Ohio venture development organizations have delivered an astonishing $66 return for every $1 of public funds.

Explore the full 2022 State of Startups in Ohio report here.

Deadline Approaching for Entrepreneurs to Apply to Retail Lab

By

The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP), along with its small business development partners, is inviting business owners to apply to the third session of the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab small business accelerator program. The Retail Lab is an intensive 12-week experience for business owners aiming to launch or grow their first-floor business in downtown Dayton. Applications will be accepted through July 22.

The Retail Lab has two main goals: To continue energizing downtown with vibrant storefronts, and to provide a supportive pathway into the downtown market for emerging first-floor entrepreneurs, especially woman-owned and minority-owned businesses.  The Downtown Dayton Retail Lab will provide a series of workshops, pitch opportunities, and services that connect the participating businesses to the people, ideas, capital, and resources that will help them thrive and grow in downtown Dayton. Weekly workshops will be held downtown.

Eligible businesses include boutiques, shops, cafes, studios, and restaurants – any consumer business that adds to the vibrancy of downtown’s sidewalks. Applicants should either be located in downtown Dayton or aiming to launch downtown in the next 6 to 12 months. Interested small business owners can find more information, including the program application, at DowntownDayton.org/retail-lab. Applications for the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab will be accepted through July 22, with the program slated to begin in August.

 

The Retail Lab leverages support from many business resource partners including the Entrepreneurs’ Center, the Miami Valley Small Business Development Center, Five Rivers MetroParks – 2nd Street Market, Launch Dayton, and The Hub at the Dayton Arcade. “Building a successful business is full of challenges, but the Retail Lab equips participants with a network of peers and resources who can help them move forward faster,” said AJ Ferguson, director for entrepreneurship and innovation with the DDP and coordinator of the Retail Lab program.  “The Retail Lab was an amazing experience. Not only did I learn about areas of improvement for my business but I was able to make connections with fellow business owners,” said Lindsey Deck, a previous Retail Lab participant and owner of Space Three fitness studio in downtown Dayton.

 

Participation in the 12 week program is provided at no cost, and in addition to the support businesses receive through the workshops, each participant is eligible for up to $1,500 in services from creative, marketing, and operations consultants to implement a strategic improvement in their business.

July 2021 | Application & Selection Process
Deadline to apply: Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 11:59pm
August – October 2021 | Weekly Workshops (tentatively Tuesdays from 9am to 11am)
November – January 2021 | Capstone Project with Service Provider Support
February 2022 | Demo Day Presentations

Questions about the Retail Lab should be directed to AJ Ferguson, ferguson@downtowndayton.org, or call (937) 681-9793.

 

Downtown Dayton Retail Lab Accepting Applications

By

After a successful first-round of the Retail Lab small business accelerator program, The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP), along with its small business development partners, is inviting business owners to apply to the second session of the program. The Retail Lab is an intensive 12-week experience for business owners aiming to launch or grow their first-floor business in downtown Dayton, and applications will be accepted through February 3.

 

The Retail Lab has two main goals: To continue energizing downtown with vibrant storefronts, and provide a supportive pathway into the downtown market for emerging first-floor entrepreneurs, especially women-owned and minority-owned businesses.

“As we emerge from the pandemic and the impacts of the economic shutdown, there is an opportunity to take new business ideas and budding entrepreneurs and show them the support network available in our community to grow or launch their own commercial ventures,” said Sandra K. Gudorf, president of the DDP.

 

The Downtown Dayton Retail Lab will provide a series of workshops, pitch events, and pilot opportunities that connect the participating businesses to the people, ideas, capital, and resources that will help them thrive and grow in downtown Dayton. Weekly workshops will be held virtually and include facilitated instruction, work sessions with mentors, and occasional in-person activities with appropriate health precautions.

Eligible businesses include boutiques, shops, cafes, studios, and restaurants – any consumer business that adds to the vibrancy of downtown’s sidewalks. Applicants should either be located in downtown Dayton or aiming to launch downtown in the next 6 to 12 months. Interested small business owners can find more information, including the program application, at DowntownDayton.org/retail-lab. Applications for the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab will be accepted through February 3, with the program slated to begin later in February.

 

The Retail Lab leverages support from many business resource partners including The Entrepreneurs Center, the Miami Valley Small Business Development Center, Five Rivers MetroParks – 2nd Street Market, Launch Dayton, and The Hub at the Dayton Arcade.

“In 2020, the first cohort of 11 Retail Lab participants experienced how a community of entrepreneurs and resources can take an initial business plan to the next level of success, and we look forward to providing that same opportunity to a new group of Dayton entrepreneurs,” said AJ Ferguson, project manager with the DDP and coordinator of the Retail Lab program.

“The Retail Lab experience has given our business the necessary tools to make sure we are set up to succeed, and the opportunity to work with other businesses and collaborate on ways we can support each other,” said Vanessa Llyod, a previous Retail Lab participant and owner of A+ Cleaners in downtown Dayton.

 

Participation in the 12 week program is provided at no cost, and in addition to the support businesses receive through the workshops, each participant is eligible for up to $2,500 in professional services from creative, legal, and financial firms to advance their business.

 

Questions about the Retail Lab should be directed to AJ Ferguson, ferguson@downtowndayton.org, or call (937) 681-9793.

 

FREE 10-week Program Will Take Your Business From Idea to Launch

By

Launch Dayton will run its upcoming Early Risers Academy cohorts virtually in an effort to support our local business owners and entrepreneurs as our community collectively works to halt the spread of COVID-19.

Our 10-week Early Risers Academy program is completely free. The program is designed to take aspiring entrepreneurs from idea to launch, or to help newer small business owners plan & train to successfully pivot or scale. Entrepreneurs of all genders, colors & creeds are welcome.

The next general cohort will launch April 7 and run through June 9, and a tech cohort will launch April 8 & run through June 10. If there is enough interest, we will launch additional cohorts in April to meet the need.

The program utilizes Kauffman FastTrac curriculum from the Kauffman Foundation, the country’s preeminent entrepreneurship-building organization. Aspiring founders will receive pitch coaching and hands-on mentoring, weekly discussions with successful entrepreneurs and experts, access to Dayton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, & alumni support after graduating the academy.

The tech cohort will be run by reps from Converge Technologies, an engineering and business advisory firm that helps companies with development and commercialization of novel technologies. This focused cohort will offer additional experts on topics such as prototype development and how to design to appeal to end users and for large-scale manufacturing.

Applicants should be able to commit at least 4-6 hours per week to coursework for the duration of the academy.

Each program will conclude with a pitch event in which one graduate from each cohort will win $1,000 to infuse into their business. Pitch events will be organized by partners of Launch Dayton, a collaborative effort to connect entrepreneurs to peers, resources, and supporters, and to tell the stories of our region’s thriving startup community.

“We are intentionally carving out space for minority founders and business owners to access resources that help build solid foundations and provide hands-on support in order to create successful businesses,” program manager KeAnna Daniels said. “We are committed to reaching non-tech and historically under-represented founders who haven’t always felt seen in Dayton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Apply here.

Early Risers Academy is supported by Launch Dayton partner organizations Wright State Research Institute and The Entrepreneurs Center with their respective grant funds through the US Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment and Ohio Third Frontier’s Entrepreneurial Services Provider Program.