Startup research and development company

Six startup companies emerge from Ohio University’s digital media accelerator

ATHENS, Ohio (Sept. 10, 2013)—Six startup companies founded by students and alumni of Ohio University and West Virginia University emerged from an Ohio University summer entrepreneurship program aimed at keeping business and technology talent in the state of Ohio.

The startups that participated in the Innovation Engine Accelerator's 12-week boot camp plan to launch digital media products such as event planning software, a travel site for people with limited mobility and an educational game platform that teaches users Arabic and other languages.

The companies received $20, 000 in funding, extensive business mentoring and participated in the Lean StartUp curriculum offered by Ohio University's Center for Entrepreneurship this summer.

Lynn Gellermann, executive director of Ohio University's Center for Entrepreneurship and TechGROWTH Ohio, talks to the startup companies at the Innovation Center. (Photo: Corrine Herris/Innovation Center)

Although some regions sponsor stand-alone accelerator programs for entrepreneurs, the Innovation Engine Accelerator is unique because it is sponsored by Ohio University and draws upon its surging innovation and entrepreneurship programs, said Lynn Gellermann, executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and TechGROWTH Ohio, a public/private partnership that encourages economic growth in southeastern Ohio through the provision of services and seed capital to technology startups.

"One goal of this program is to develop and retain talent in southeastern Ohio. Another is to further the culture of entrepreneurship that is so vital to commercializing research and finding new solutions for the societal challenges we face today, " he said.

The accelerator, which was held at Ohio University's small business incubator, the Innovation Center, recruited 50 business mentors who either worked one-on-one with the startups or provided specialized consulting on the various aspects of launching a new business and bringing an innovative product to market.

Christian "Rico" Sagardia (standing, left) and Gary Grant (standing, right), discuss the concept of their startup company Razor Dynamics with fellow participants in the Innovation Engine Accelerator. (Photo: Corrine Herris/Innovation Center).

"Ohio University has a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem with extensive private and public partnerships throughout central and southeastern Ohio, " said Jennifer Simon, director of the Innovation Center. "We drew from this network to offer the startups professional expertise and coaching from Ohio's top successful entrepreneurs."