Capital Formation and Fundraising

Acquiring the capital necessary to fuel the growth and development of a company or idea is most often the number one issue technology entrepreneurs face. TechLift’s Signature EIRs understand this. They are knowledgeable about funding sources for your business and will guide you through the maze of capitalization and funding options that you need to consider.

A number of pre-seed funding organizations received funds to invest in Northeast Ohio technology companies as part of the Ohio Third Frontier Entrepreneurial Signature Program award. These organizations have individual application and selection requirements. Your TechLift Signature EIR will work with you to understand and be prepared for these processes, and is involved with selection and evaluation of companies.

Pre-Seed Funds Supported by TechLift

• JumpStart is a venture development company and one of TechLift’s closest partners. JumpStart funds high-growth businesses and ideas, works with their founders to develop the businesses into venture-ready entities and simultaneously celebrates Northeast Ohio's early-stage company successes.
• North Coast Angel Fund is a dedicated to accelerating technology start-up success and improving the state of early-stage funding in Ohio NCAF invests in early-stage, companies in TechLift’s signature technology areas.
• Glengary LLC is a venture catalyst enterprise, combining an unparalleled network of support services with merchant banking and investment capital. Glengary believes that its hands-on approach to client company involvement will result in more successful, earlier-stage investments, primarily in Northeast Ohio.
• LCCC Foundation Innovation Fund was established in 2007 and is a regional fund focused on supporting technology-based entrepreneurial endeavors and emerging technology-based businesses in their earliest stages of development.
• NorthCoast Opportunities Fund (coming in late 2007) is being organized by Cuyahoga County and TechLift to provide very early stage funding to Cuyahoga County technology companies.

Northeast Ohio has recognized the need for early stage capital for technology ventures in order to fuel our region’s technology rebirth. NorTech, TechLift’s parent organization commissioned an analysis of our needs in early stage capital. Read NorTech’s Early Stage Capital Task Force report.

In addition to the above, connect with your TechLift Signature EIR to evaluate funding and investment opportunities for your company.

You can also check out our Funding Resources page for a broader list of organizations that invest in early-stage technology companies.

We are focused on Northeast Ohio's signature technologies:

Advanced Materials, BioSciences, Electronics, Information Technology, Advanced Energy

Click here to register with TechLift and connect with a Signature EIR.