Entrepreneurship

Tata Consultancy to host Selling to India conference on March 6

By Newsroom

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February 24, 2009

On March 6, Cincinnati's Tata Consultancy North American Delivery Headquarters will host a conference that will put Cincinnati's professional community ahead of the curve on doing business India.On March 6, at Tata Consultancy Services Auditorium, in Miami Township, Clermont County, OH, the US Department of Commerce will present Selling to India: Opportunities Await, as part of its conference series titled Around the World in 2009: International Conference Series.The need to increase the collective India IQ is clear.With the world's second largest population and a rapidly growing middle class, opportunities for business in India are seemingly infinite. Cincinnati stands to benefit greatly from this take-off."There are great opportunities, but it is important for Cincininati firms to do the research to find out if selling to India fits their strategy," says Kara Sweeney, international trade specialist, U.S. Commercial Service – Cincinnati. However, there are a plethora of issues to consider before exporting products across the globe. Indian social customs – particularly the caste system – different expectations with regards to the business process, and a slow decision making style are among a few of the numerous differences that must be accounted for.This is where Selling to India comes to the rescue.Selling to India, sponsored by Frost Brown Todd Attorneys, will feature an impressive line-up of business leaders and India experts. They will enlighten attendees on the financial, legal and cultural considerations that must be accounted for when courting the Indian market.Presenters include Consul General of India-New York, Prabhu Dayal; Dr. Abdul Quader Shaikh, Senior International Economist, US Commercial Service, US Department of Commerce; and Abid Ali Z. Neemuchwala, Vice President of Tata Consultancy Services."By attending our March 6th event, local businesses can find export resources to help them determine if India is the right market for their company and provide the tools to assist them in positioning themselves for success," Sweeney says. For more information or to register, visit here.Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: Tata Consultancy Services, Kara Sweeney, US Commercial Service

Latest in Entrepreneurship

Starting a business in Kentucky just got easier with FastTrack

By Newsroom

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Development News

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February 17, 2009

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has made it easier for entrepreneurs to file their business with the introduction of FastTrack. Facilitated by the Office of the Secretary of State, FastTrack is an online service designed to reduce the amount of time it takes to file incorporation documents, allowing companies to be up and running much quicker than before.The online service will eliminate much of the bureaucratic "red tape," with filers generally having their online application reviewed by office staff within one business day. And because the service is intuitive to Kentucky law, far fewer applications will be rejected due to common mistakes.FastTrack is part of the office's focus on becoming more economically and environmentally friendly, while providing greater accessibility and customer service to constituents. Under Secretary of State Trey Grayson, the office has launched 25 new or upgraded online services and has uploaded more than 3 million documents to the website."It is our responsibility to provide the most efficient and accessible service, in the most environmentally friendly way possible," says Secretary Grayson. "The changes we have made to this office are the kind of transformations that government should be making in the 21st Century, where we do more with less by creating a 24-hour a day online service center."The service is now open to domestic corporations and limited liability corporations (LLCs), and is expected to be expanded to foreign business entities over the next several months.Over 20,000 domestic corporations and LLCs were filed in Kentucky in 2008.Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of the Secretary of State

Ohio Entrepreneurship Expo February 23

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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February 17, 2009

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher has announced the 2009 Entrepreneur Expo at 10 AM on February 23 at the Vern Riffe Center in Downtown Columbus, part of National Entrepreneurship Week."Enhancing Ohio's Economy through Entrepreneurial Thinking" will give entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to meet with Ohio educators, associations, and government agencies to learn about the many programs and services available to help them grow their businesses.The Expo will also serve as a celebration of the first anniversary of the Ohio Department of Development's Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division.The event is open to entrepreneurs and small business owners at no charge.Read the full release here.

Soapdish: A Streetcar Named Desire… or a Road to Nowhere?

By Casey Coston

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Entrepreneurship

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February 17, 2009

There are a lot of arguments both for and against the proposed Cincinnati streetcar system, but a recent call for the widening of freeways at an estimated cost of $800 million vs. the $185 million it would take to lay tracks between UC and the river sent Soapdish columnist Casey Coston running to his computer. Read what follows here.

Diamonds in the Rough: A Price Hill Story

By Keith Rutowski

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Diversity

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February 17, 2009

As the saying goes, there is no place like home. It might also be said that there is nothing better for a healthy community than a good housing stock. Those at the non-profit organization Price Hill Will know this, and they are busy doctoring up a neighborhood which has been limping since the economic downturn.

bioLOGIC expanding Covington lab space

By Newsroom

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Development News

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February 10, 2009

bioLOGIC Corp, a global life science investment and management company, is expanding its U.S. headquarters by relocating to Covington Station at 632 Russell Street.The 4,500-square-foot space will help the company further its mission of cultivating and growing biotech and life science companies, consolidating office and lab space and providing a new home for its genetic diagnostic testing company."It's about consolidation and growth," says Margaret van Gilse, vice president of business development for bioLOGIC. "Our labs are not where our offices are. This will allow the other life sciences companies that are part of our group to work and grow together under one roof."The building was rehabbed by Marc Tischbein and Tony Kreutzjans, who will also handle the build out.The company expects to move into the building by late April or early May.Founded at Cincinnati's BioStart incubator in 2007, bioLOGIC grew so quickly that it struck out on its own, moving to Covington's John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge toll house last October."Covington still has great access to research in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati," Gilse says. "And they welcomed us with open arms. They encouraged us to move here, and they've done whatever they can to help us."Gilse attributes much of the company's success to Kentucky's pro-business attitude – specifically its focus on growing life science and biotech through matching federal funding."The Commonwealth of Kentucky has very innovative programs for emerging businesses," she says. "It's a very streamlined process. Funding is very accessible and it doesn't take long to go through the process and get awarded funds."Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Margaret van Gilse, vice president of business development, bioLOGIC Group

Northern Kentucky entrepreneurs create product to protect troops

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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February 10, 2009

A Fort Thomas company has designed a new product used in military barracks that can defend against most high-powered weapons.BlastBloc, developed by Burke and Stephanie Herron of Global Shelter Systems, contains flexible panels composed of polymers and alloys that can be filled with gravel or stone to create a type of high-mobility wall.After serving overseas as a Navy pilot and seeing the need for better troop protection, he and his wife worked to secure some key partnerships that allowed them to develop and test the idea.Global Shelter Systems is now bidding for high-level military contracts, and should find out this month if they have won.Read the full article and see the video here.

Bucking real estate trends – Greater Cincinnati’s hottest up and coming markets

By Tanya Bricking Leach

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Entrepreneurship

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February 10, 2009

Think all the real estate news you hear is bad? Not so say some real-estate agents and developers who believe places such as Over-the-Rhine's Gateway Quarter and Oakley have the answer: striking the right mix of rehabbed homes, specialty shops and restaurants. These are but a few of the communities in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati moving property.

A glimpse of Paris in Northside

By Virginia Baker

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Arts + Culture

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February 10, 2009

From grass roots efforts to top designer in the world of bridal wear, Debra Moreland, owner of Paris in Northside is constantly designing and pushing the spectrum of bridal wear innovations—all with the help of her family.

Entrepreneurship is alive and well in Ohio

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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January 27, 2009

Realizing that small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of a strong economy, Ohio has made it a priority to provide innovative programs and services to help them thrive.But one of the state's best resources is the minds of its citizens.One of those citizens is Elizabeth Edwards, a venture capital investor at Neyer Holdings who founded InOneWeekend, an entrepreneurship organization that hosts participant-driven events where 100 people create a start-up company in just three days.The Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC) blog highlights her recent posts on Soapbox, where she challenges Cincinnati to stay competitive by continuously innovating.Read the OBDC post here, and check out Edwards' blog posts here.