Youngstown : Featured Stories

New biomedical companies are a source of growth in Ohio's high tech economy, yet currently, only a fraction of them are helmed by African-American and Latino entrepreneurs. The first ever Minority Biomedical Entrepreneurship Conference aims to connect minorities in Ohio to greater opportunities while also growing the state's biomedical workforce.

Ohio's aerospace industry is one of the strongest in the country, yet its continued prominence is by no means assured. In the past few years, fierce global competition, rapid industry change and a fragmented business sector were real threats to our ongoing success. Yet now, the newly-created Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Council is offering a unified voice for the industry and creating a platform for continued growth.

Recently, a group of self-proclaimed hackers, hustlers and hipsters traveled on a Startup Bus from Ohio to Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest Interactive conference. They had 72 hours to create a great product idea. Recently, hiVelocity caught up with Greg Svitak, the Bus Conductor, to talk about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and the growth of Ohio's tech community.

What's the best thing a city can do to achieve more economic success? Increase its number of college graduates. The most prosperous cities have the highest number of college grads. Read how the Talent Dividend calculates just how much college degrees add to a city's bottom line--think billions--and why cities from Cleveland to Cincinnati are among the 57 cities competing for the million dollar prize to boost college attainment.

Craig Zamary's first foray into entrepreneurship began at his kitchen table in 1998. He was 24. He started his second company, Green Energy TV, at age 31. Today, the Youngstown native is teaching other young entrepreneurs about building businesses.

Jim Cossler, an entrepreneurial expert, is chief executive officer of the Youngstown Business Incubator. He is also known as an "Chief Evangelist." His gospel? Spreading the good word about the growth and development of small businesses in the Youngstown area.