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Entrepreneur Ethan Schultz Is In the Vanguard of Innovative Toy Development
By: Tom Hodson
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Ethan Schultz graduated from Ohio University in 2015 with a degree in Fine Arts but instead of taking a job with a major company, he decided to start his own creative toy company called Opa. Opa produces “high quality educational toys, that accelerate early developmental skills in children while remaining fun and engaging,” Schultz says…. Read More
Ohio University Innovation Center Grabs Ranking as One of the Top in the Nation
By: Tom Hodson
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The Ohio University Innovation Center has received three top national and international rankings during this academic year. University Business Incubator (UBI) gave the Center a Top University Business Incubator award ranking it #3 in the United States. The Innovation Center had 97 competitors for the ranking. A second award was given by University Business Incubator… Read More
Serial Entrepreneur Loves Using Technology to Solve Complex Business Problems
By: Tom Hodson
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Ryan Prestel is the young CEO of JADETRACK – a company for real-time monitoring and sustainability management software. He calls himself a “serial entrepreneur with an affinity for using technology to create solutions to complex business problems.” His company is using cloud-based software to help other companies maximize the value of their sustainability programs. Prestel,… Read More
Award-Winning ‘Business Remixed’ Promotes Jobs in Athens County
By: Tom Hodson
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The Athens County Economic Development Council (ACEDC) goes by the brand name “Business Remixed” and its purpose is to develop and promote jobs and economic progress in Athens County. The non-profit public-private partnership was recently given an award for Excellence in Economic Development Marketing from the Ohio Economic Development Association for its “Start it Up… Read More
Rev1 Ventures Helps Start-Up Companies Develop Until Viable for Investment
By: Tom Hodson
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Rev1 Ventures in Columbus works with companies and entrepreneurs in 15 central Ohio counties to develop ideas, services and products from basic concepts to having investment potential. Bethany George, an Ohio University alumna, serves as Director of Investment Funds for the central Ohio firm. Rev1 Ventures provides free services to a select group of entrepreneurs… Read More
Young Entrepreneur Ben Lachman Creates Innovations and Innovation Space
Ben Lachman graduated from Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College in 2005 and moved directly into innovation and entrepreneurship. Today, he is the principal in one company and also a founding member in a collaborative workspace enterprise. Lachman is a principal in Nice Mohawk Limited, located in Athens. The company creates three products: Ita, a list-making… Read More
For 30 Years, ACEnet has Helped Develop Our Local and Regional Economies
By: Tom Hodson
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The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACENet) has celebrated its 30th anniversary as a community development corporation. Over the years, it has focused primarily on developing and expanding the local food industry and the local food economy. Currently, ACEnet is being led by Larry Fisher who was named executive director in 2015. Fisher has been… Read More
A Russ College of Engineering Capstone Class Solves Real World Problems
The Russ College of Engineering and Technology capstone class, “Designing to Make a Difference,” combines learning objectives for students with their professional skills to solve “real world” problems. The course is directed by Dr. Greg Kremer, the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and it is targeted for seniors in his college. Teams of… Read More
Scripps Innovation Challenge in Its 4th Year Has Broadened Its Media Focus
By: Tom Hodson
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The scope of the Scripps Innovation Challenge has grown over its four years of existence. Initially, the challenges to be met by student teams were journalism based. Now, the issues have a broader communication focus to meet the ever-changing media landscape. On Monday, March 14 at 2 p.m. in the Walter Hall Rotunda, this year’s… Read More
Logan-Hocking Students Become Entrepreneurs Through School Program
By: Tom Hodson
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For the second year, the Logan-Hocking School District has partnered with the Logan-Hocking Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the Logan-Hocking Young Entrepreneurs Academy. The program is designed for students from the 6th through 12th grades to learn how to be entrepreneurs. Last year, eight students completed the program and six are still conducting the businesses… Read More
Scripps College’s Associate Dean Is in the Vanguard of Innovation
By: Tom Hodson
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Dr. Michelle Ferrier is a pioneer in digital content, online education communities, digital identity and reputation management and media entrepreneurship. She also is the Associate Dean for Innovation, Research and Creative Activity for the Scripps College of Communication. In that role, she leads many of the college’s innovation activities. Ferrier not only leads college innovation… Read More
Scripps College Alum Wins Konneker Medal for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship
By: Tom Hodson
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Scripps College alumnus (1993) Winston Breeden III won this year’s Konneker Medal for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship. This is an award given by Ohio University to recognize current and former faculty and students who have demonstrated excellence in innovation, invention, commercialization and entrepreneurship. The award is named for Wilfred Konneker, a noted Ohio University alumnus who… Read More
Start-up Companies Go Through Intake System to be Admitted to the Ohio University Innovation Center
By: Tom Hodson
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If a company or an entrepreneur would like to share space and resources within the Innovation Center, they must first talk with Lauren McCullough, the Client Service Coordinator and go through a rigorous intake system. She will ask questions to determine if there is a tangible need or problem to be solved and whether this… Read More
Innovation E-Teams Bring Venture Development Conversations to the Region
By: Tom Hodson
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TechGrowth Ohio, an outgrowth of the Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University, has developed E-Teams to bring venture development to a 20 county area in Southeastern Ohio. Heading that project is Faith Knutsen, the Associate Director of Operations. The purpose of the E-Teams is to encourage and inspire venture development and… Read More
The Office of Technology Transfer Helps Faculty/Staff Commercialize Innovations
By: Tom Hodson
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The Office of Technology Transfer at Ohio University, headed by Bob Silva, plays a critical role in helping faculty and staff to commercialize innovations and intellectual property – thereby bringing revenue to the university. “We have a very robust innovation climate here at Ohio University,” Silva says. He notes that his office must first identify… Read More
Voinovich School Is At the Hub of Innovation for the University and the Region
By: Tom Hodson
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The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs has a mission to enhance the innovation environment at Ohio University and throughout the region, according to Dean Dr. Mark Weinberg. As founding-dean, Dr. Weinberg provides strategic oversight of the economic development including business technical assistance programs and “equity funding for high-growth businesses in the Appalachian Region.”… Read More
Ohio University’s VP for Research and Creative Activity Leads Innovation Charge
By: Tom Hodson
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Although innovation activities are spread across many departments and colleges at Ohio University, the epicenter of focus is in the office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Activity headed by Dr. Joseph Shields. He promotes research and creative endeavors by faculty, staff and students and he manages the university’s investment in that scholarship…. Read More
Local Companies Meeting the Needs of Pharmacies are Part of Ohio University’s Innovation Center
By: Tom Hodson
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Ed Zatta is not your typical drug store pharmacist. In addition to his regular pharmacy duties, Zatta is a pharmaceutical entrepreneur who calls the Ohio University Innovation Center home. He owns pharmacies and also is creating new companies to work with regional pharmacies. Zatta is the owner of RXQ Compounding LLC. It is a Federal… Read More
An Ohio University Professor Is Growing Biotech Commercialization
JD Kittle is an Ohio University faculty member in chemistry and biochemistry but he also is helping develop new companies to commercialize and optimize biotech discoveries – some of those companies are based in Athens. He is the founder of Molecular Technologies Laboratories (MTL), an Innovation Center Company and he also is a principal in… Read More
Rural Entrepreneur Promotes his Products to a Global Market
By: Tom Hodson
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Scott Bagley is a rural entrepreneur and innovator but he sells his products internationally. Bagley is founder of Exeterra, an Innovation Center company. He sells the Exeter Biochar Retort – a large round kiln that uses a high-heat process to produce charcoal materials from wood and animal bones in an energy-efficient, clean-burning way. He sells… Read More
3D Printer Translates 3D Designs into 3D Objects for Local Entrepreneurs
By: Tom Hodson
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Ohio University has a 3D printer located at the Innovation Center that helps turn client ideas into reality or at least a mock-up of the ultimate product. For many clients, it is essential to the entrepreneurial process. Dr. Jesus Pagan, assistant professor in the Engineering Technology and Management program of the Russ College of Engineering… Read More
WOUB’s Innovation Conversation Series adds 15 More Episodes
WOUB’s “Innovation Conversations” series will add 15 new shows to begin airing at the beginning of the year. The series focuses on both entrepreneurship and advancement of technology commercialization happening at Ohio University and in the region. “Innovation Conversations” airs as a series of 30-minute interviews on WOUB 1340-AM at noon each Sunday, and are… Read More
Recent Ohio University Grad Shuns Corporate Life for Entrepreneurial Start
By: Tom Hodson
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Harold Nuss is a 2015 graduate of the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. He had numerous job offers from some major corporations and major internships while a student. However, he rejected those offers to start down his own entrepreneurial path. Nuss felt that he needed to pursue his own dreams now – while he… Read More
Ohio University Senior Is Already a Full-fledged Entrepreneur
By: Tom Hodson
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Michael “Alex” Geiser is a senior in the College of Business at Ohio University and he already has launched one start-up company and he is working on a second. Last year he created Cubic LLC, a cell phone accessory. During Start Up Week at Ohio University, he and a team developed a protective armor case… Read More
Experienced Executive Advances “Life Sciences” Technologies in SE Ohio
By: Tom Hodson
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Experienced Executive Advances “Life Sciences” Technologies in SE Ohio Jeff Wiseman has brought his 30 years of experience in “drug discovery research” in pharmaceuticals to Ohio University and SE Ohio. Wiseman is the Executive in Residence at the Edison Biotechnology Institute at Ohio University. His primary focus is helping to advance “life sciences technologies” from… Read More