Recognizing the need for increased focus within Northeast Ohio's entrepreneurial community, Case Western Reserve University and NorTech will team up to create a new organization that will combine the service lines of Case's Enterprise Development Inc. (EDI) and NorTech's NEOpreneur Inc.

The new organization, which has yet to be named, will play a vital role in supporting the region's entrepreneurs.

The new partnership will seek to direct one-on-one assistance to entrepreneurs by seasoned executives and innovators; provide pre-seed funding to a select number of high-growth entrepreneurial ventures; improve networking in the region for entrepreneurs; provide relevant, cutting edge education for entrepreneurs; incubate start-up businesses; and recognize and celebrate achievement in the entrepreneurial community.

"This partnership is simply the right thing to do for the entrepreneurial community of Northeast Ohio," said Mohsen Anvari, dean of Case's Weatherhead School of Management. "Combining the energy and vision of NorTech with the expertise and track record of Enterprise Development Inc. will give the entrepreneurs in this region the best possible opportunity to be successful in their businesses."

An interim nominating committee and board comprised of equal representation from NorTech and Case began work by appointing Lou Schneeberger Board Chairman and Interim CEO.

Schneeberger, formerly board chairman for Royal Appliance and CFO of Olympic Steel, has been a fixture on the regional entrepreneurial scene for many years, having worked directly with numerous start-ups. Schneeberger also has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and financial transactions, having been involved with dozens of acquisitions and public offerings.

Return to the online edition of the 12-11-03 Campus News.