Entrepreneur Ecosystem
Entrepreneur Ecosystem
Youngstown State University (YSU), through the YSU Foundation, received $10,000 from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation (BDMF) in January 2023 to be used to award microgrants to YSU student entrepreneurs. The money will be awarded to eligible students through two different avenues; a general application process and through a pitch competition, Penguin Shark Tank.
Read more here: Excellence Training Center at YSU receives Burton D. Morgan Foundation Grant
While Youngstown has many wonderful entrepreneurial resources available, students may not be aware of them. This website has been created to highlight the many assets available to YSU student entrepreneurs. For almost 35 years, the Youngstown Business Incubator has provided expertise in this area through their programs to support TECH entrepreneurs. YSU has an outstanding Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) that for over 30 years has supplied consulting and training to existing companies and new start-ups. YSU’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), now the APEX Accelerator, offers companies support in the area of government contracting. The College of Business Administration offers a minor/certificate program in entrepreneurship for those that would like broad understanding of the entrepreneurial process. The Excellence Training Center (ETC) has advanced manufacturing equipment, such as 3D printers, available for those businesses that may want to create a prototype of their product.
The hope is that this inaugural pitch event and marketing of resources will be the beginning of many years of unique and innovative new businesses that will come out of YSU.
Resources
williamson college of business administration
The Williamson College of Business Administration (WCBA) at Youngstown State University is preparing students to be successful professionals and leaders. WCBA is committed to engaging students in innovative programs that impact their professional development and our community.
Entrepreneurship programs at Youngstown State University
YSU's Entrepreneurship minor can help take you further into your career as entrepreneur so you're ready to tackle the challenges that come with starting a business or transforming an idea into reality.
Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU
For over thirty years, the Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU has accelerated business growth, helped to create jobs and contributed to the economy by providing consulting and training to existing companies and new start-ups. Through its Export Assistance Network, the Center also helps companies with initiating or expanding international trade and exporting opportunities to compete in the global marketplace.
the excellence training center at ysu
The ETC is a one-of-a-kind workforce, education, research and commercial project center focused on advanced manufacturing. Career pathways for all types of students include traditional and non-traditional certifications and industry recognized credentials offered in a wide range of areas such as manual and CNC machining, industrial maintenance, robotics, automation and additive manufacturing.
Take a virtual tour of the Excellence Training Center: Here
For more information contact: Cynthia Manofsky, ccmanofsky@ysu.edu, 330.941.2358
youngstown business incubator (ybi)
The Youngstown Business Incubator focuses on developing successful digital businesses, advancing women's & minority entrepreneurship, and furthering advanced manufacturing technologies.
For more information contact: Chandler Fiffick, cfiffick@ybi.org, 330.746.5003
OHIO APEX ACCELERATOR AT ysu
Whether a seasoned government contractor or entirely new to the market, the Ohio APEX Accelerator at YSU is here to help you every step of the way. Our personalized one-on-one counseling includes everything from determining your business readiness level and identifying potential opportunities to competing to win bids and understanding contract clauses and compliance. Not sure where to start? We can help with that too.
For more information contact: Scot Loveland, swloveland@ysu.edu, 330.941.2146
CLIFFE COLLEGE OF CREATIVE ARTS
The Cliffe College of Creative Arts (CCCA) is a dynamic component of the Youngstown State University campus and is a major regional arts resource. Thevibrant and inclusive community of artists, educators, and scholars is engaged in nationally accredited programs of instruction, innovative and immersive experiences, and professional performances and exhibitions.
MAGNET
MAGNET New Ventures: Startup resources for manufactured products
The New Ventures team helps startups with physical tech products looking to manufacture a product or understand their value proposition, design and make prototypes. Our team of startup and engineering experts meets founders where they are to develop a business around a burning consumer problem.
Scalerator NEO
Scalerator NEO is for companies with roughly $3M to $15M in annual revenue with the potential to scale their business. Companies from all sectors will benefit from the six-month, seven-workshop curriculum, and each meeting is a working sessions where the President/CEO is expected to come to with his/her leaders to work on specific aspects of the business (i.e. HR, Sales, Finance). In between sessions, there are peer-to-peer gatherings for Presidents/CEOs to work on homework assignments. Finally, there are one-on-one mentoring meetings between the instructors and each President/CEO. The President/CEO must also have an ownership stake in the company or the owner must also participate.
Scalerator NEO is supported by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation and Richard J. Fasenmyer Fund and the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, as the Foundation is committed to supporting entrepreneurship and free enterprise in our region.
Upcoming Events
2025 Penguin Shark Tank Competition
Applications for the 2025 Penguin Shark Tank Competition are currently OPEN
Students will compete for business investments from a pool of $10,000 with a top prize in each of the two category. If chosen, competitors will be given 5 minutes (6-8 slide max) to pitch your idea to the sharks. Your presentation must include a budget and how much you are requesting the panel to invest in your business.
What are the pitch categories?
Applicants who want to participate in the Penguin Shark Tank Competition may apply to pitch one of two categories. The two categories are:
1. Business Idea
Imagining - (The idea generation phase where an applicant conceives the idea and links it to a market need. A vision is created with colleagues and partners. The end of this stage is a well-reasoned concept.)
Incubating - (Testing business assumptions and design features and a business plan is put into place. Variations of a products may be tested. The end result of this phase is a business plan.)
2. Established business
Demonstrating - (The business has a product, service, platform, business model, and is ready to be introduced to customers. If a standalone product, the first commercial quantities are produced. Limited testing may occur.)
Market Entry - (Product/service sales are occurring. Beginning to persuade people to purchase products/services. Broader promotion and testing are occurring.)
Growth & Sustainability - (Profitability/proven financial stability, continuing long-term income streams, or exit strategy development.)
CLICK HERE TO APPLY If you have a Business Idea
CLICK HERE TO APPLY if you have an Established Business
For additional information please contact:
Cynthia Manofsky, ccmanofsky@ysu.edu, 330.941.2358
The Penguin Shark Tank Competition is a pitch competition made possible through a financial gift from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation.
Guest Speaker
Stacy Howlett
Stacy Howlett is President & CEO of Howlett Logistics, President of Howlett Holdings, and Vice President of Howlett Restaurant Group.
Stacy & her husband Patrick started on their entrepreneurial journey in July of 2015 when they opened their first Coaches Burger Bar in Poland, Ohio. Today, under their restaurant umbrella there are a total of 6 Coaches Burger Bars, in addition to R46 Restaurant in Canfield, Ohio, & The Magic Tree Pub & Eatery in Boardman, Ohio.
In July of 2019 Stacy launched Howlett Logistics as an Amazon Delivery Service Partner in North Jackson, Ohio. Today, Stacy is an Amazon Pinnacle Parter with locations in Coraopolis and North Versailles Pennsylvania and has package deliveries totaling over 10 million to customers in those communities. Stacy participates in Amazon’s Women in Business program, has sat on Amazon’s Customer Advisory Group, & is a mentor to candidates in Amazon’s Road To Ownership Program.
In addition, Stacy & Patrick also have multiple real estate properties and a horse farm, where they breed and race thoroughbred horses.
Before owning and operating her own businesses, Stacy spent 7 years at Western Union in global operations, overseeing customer service and regulatory compliance in 13 offshore call centers. Prior to Western Union, Stacy spent 16 years at Verizon Wireless in customer & financial services.
Stacy sits on the board of the United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley, was President of Women United in 2022 & 2023, & was an Athena Award Nominee in 2021.
Stacy and Patrick have 3 children. Patrick Jr., a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University majoring in entrepreneurism, Ryan, a junior at Youngstown State University & a member of the YSU golf team, studying corporate finance, and Lorin, a junior & golfer at Canfield High School.
Meet the Sharks
Mark lamoncha
Humtown Products
patrick burgan
Burgan Real Estate
Linda Barton
Founder of Sweet Memories Vintage Tees
Stacy howlett
Guest Speaker
D. lee Scott
The D5 Group
(More information will be added soon)
Upcoming Trainings
Previous Trainings
Entrepreneurship 101
March 14th at 1pm Excellence Training Center Classroom 249 Did you miss this training session?Find the recording Here
Password: PenguinSharkTank2023How to Prepare a Pitch Deck
March 16th at 1pm Excellence Training Center Classroom 249 Did you miss this training session?Find the Recording Here
Password: PenguinSharkTank2023
Meet the Presenter
Chandler Fiffick, Director, EVOLVE Technology Program
Chandler Fiffick, Director for the EVOLVE Technology Program, has been part of the YBI team since 2020. Chandler brings an exceptional set of skills to the team having experience in startup operations, nonprofit leadership, design, service, and hospitality administration.
After graduating college from Auburn University, Chandler moved to New York City where she worked in business operations/administration within the luxury hotel industry, leading her to then follow suit in high-end interior design. After relocating to Chicago, Chandler worked in project management and operations for a Design Firm and Corporate Restaurant Group until landing the position of Executive Director at the Chicago Music & Performing Arts Foundation, a nonprofit startup organization. Chandler's role was instrumental in standing that organization up from ground zero.
While living in Chicago, Chandler met her husband, and together they decided to settle back in the Youngstown area to raise their children. Chandler's role as Director for the EVOLVE Technology Program allows for her unique set of business skills to be strategically channeled in order to optimize existing business practices while developing new resources and connections for YBI portfolio companies
For additional information please contact:
Cynthia Manofsky, ccmanofsky@ysu.edu, 330.941.2358
Penguin Shark Tank Microgrants
Thanks to generous support from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Penguin Shark Tank is offering funding via microgrants to help Youngstown State University student and alumni entrepreneurs move their businesses forward and reach their goals.
Current YSU Student Microgrant Opportunities
Business Ideas
Business Idea microgrants are awards of up to $500 to support current Youngstown State students in the idea or pre-revenue phase of their ventures. This funding is available to support inventory, capital, product, manufacturing, legal services, market research, web design, concept testing/development, and other related services.
Established Business
Established Business microgrants are awards of up to $1,250 to support current Youngstown State students in the revenue generating phase of their ventures. This funding is available to support inventory, capital, product, manufacturing, legal services, market research, web design, concept testing/development, and other related services.
YSU Alumni Microgrant Opportunities
The Penguin Shark Tank alumni microgrant program is focused on helping alumni entrepreneurs move their businesses forward with inventory, capital, product, or other related purchases.
- Grants range from $500-3,000
- Applicant must be a Youngstown State University alumni
- Business must be based in Ohio
- Open to revenue generating businesses with $200K or less in gross revenue
Microgrants will be distributed through the Youngstown State University. Award winners will be required to complete a W9 form including business name, entity, address and EIN.
Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis until funding runs out. We are unable to provide notice for the depletion of the fund and encourage early applications.
If you have questions about the microgrants please email Cynthia Manofsky at ccmanofsky@ysu.edu or call 330.941.2358