High-tech HR services company Blackbook EMG secures $200K CincyTech investment
Downtown Cincinnati’s Experience Management Group has secured a $200,000 seed-stage investment from CincyTech for its high-tech approach to connecting employees relocating to Cincinnati with the resources to make them feel at home. The company’s Compass online platform identifies an individuals or family’s personal needs and outside interests and helps connect them to resources like places to eat, shop or catch a live show. Being a transplant to Cincinnati myself, I realize the difficulty of finding a network,” Blackbook founder Chris Ostoich said. “Moving to a new place can be a culture shock. So after moving here, I became a student, in a sense, of employee turnover and what it costs companies, and how embedding people in a community makes it less likely they’ll leave.” Blackbook is CincyTech’s 11th portfolio company. CincyTech investment development director Jeff June worked closely with Ostoich over the last year on developing his plan. “Chris Ostoich is a driven entrepreneur and receptive to guidance on moving Blackbook forward and preparing the company for a seed-stage investment,” June said. “CincyTech looks forward to working with Blackbook to execute on their existing customers and developing the IT infrastructure to support Blackbook as it grows.” Blackbook’s services aim to help companies retain and recruit good employes by easing the transition into a new city and lifestyle. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Carolyn Pione, Communication Director CincyTech
Jewish Foundation wins state award for innovative Hebrew language program
The Ohio Foreign Language Association awarded 2009’s “Non-Educator Friend of Foreign Languages Award” to the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati in recognition of the Foundation’s grant money and planning efforts related to a innovative Hebrew language learning program. Raymond Walters College, Sycamore High School, and the Jewish Foundation have forged a unique program that allows high school students to take college-level Hebrew courses. Beginning and intermediate Hebrew is offered through the University of Cincinnati. Students earn high school credit and college credit simultaneously, fulfilling UC’s foreign language requirement or earning credit that will transfer to any university. June marked the end of the two-year pilot; the program will continue under Ohio’s Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP). “We’re so happy that the Jewish Foundation has been honored in this way,” stated Debbie Page, chair of Raymond Walters’ Foreign Language Department. The program is a direct result of the Foundation’s interest and dedication.” In their description of the award, OFLA stated that a similar partnership could aid in the teaching of other less-frequently studied languages. The program benefits everyone involved. Students expand their foreign-language options. The local Jewish community sees their heritage preserved among the next generation. And professional relationships have been forged among Foundation members, local educators, and parents of high schoolers. The Hebrew program is free of charge to all greater Cincinnati high school students. To find out more about PSEOP through UC, go here. Writer: Elena Stevenson Source: University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Chamber Minority Business Accelerator companies’ revenue grows 50 percent in 3 years
Cincinnati Chamber Minority Business Accelerator companies’ revenue grows nearly 50 percent in three years. The 28 portfolio companies in the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator have grown 50 percent from $348 million in 2006 to more than $520 million in 2008, according to the MBA 2007-2008 report. Some of that growth was due to three new firms coming on board in 2008, but existing firm growth still sat at an impressive 43 percent. The MBA, the chamber’s flagship economic inclusion initiative, was founded in 2003 as a way to grow minority businesses and increase demand for the services and goods of minority-owned firms. According to its report, that’s all happening. Among the biennial report’s other success include the growth of MBA portfolio companies, from 20 to 28, since its founding through 2008. And on average, the portfolio company firms’ average annual revenues have grown from $6.7 million to $21 million during that time. “There is significant value minority-owned businesses bring to our local economy,” said Jack Cassidy, CEO of Cincinnati Bell and chairman of the MBA Leadership Council. “Diversity not only creates culturally-rich, vibrant communities in which to live, it also cultivates a healthy sense of competition and an expansive supply for the corporate community to find realized profit.” The firms have contracts with 50 corporations across Greater Cincinnati and the nation. The MBA companies represent 2,500 jobs, according to the Chamber. Women and minorities comprise 38 percent of those jobs. More than 20 local firms committed to spending a total of $400 million with local minority owned business last year, but exceeded that commitment by spending $450 million. The MBA is setting a goal of $500 million in 2010. To read the entire report go Here.
Kelley Financial group to hire 100, looking for home-grown talent
Kelley Financial Group, an office of Northwestern Mutual, is hiring 100 financial representatives over the next three years. Kelley’s effort is part of Northwestern Mutual’s plan to recruit 1,900 financial representatives nationally by the end of 2009. “Families’ financial needs are growing, and to meet those needs, we are expanding our field force. Our rigorous selection and training standards are known throughout the industry, and the quality of our financial professionals distinguishes Northwestern Mutual,” said Shawn Kelley, managing partner of the Kelley Financial Group. In addition to investment products, the company provides Life Insurance, Disability Income Insurance, Annuities, and Long-Term Care Insurance. Kelley has looked for talented representatives in several ways, including through the Association for Corporate Growth Cincinnati Cup, an MBA-level business skills competition. Business students from Northern Kentucky University, Miami University, Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Dayton competed in the completion where Northwestern was its lead sponsor. “The ACG Cup provides a platform for the best and brightest from nearby colleges and universities to demonstrate their business skills. To make Cincinnati the more financially secure, we need to keep homegrown talent in our hometown,” said Kelley. “There are incredible opportunities for graduates in the business world, in the arts, philanthropy and life right here in the Tri-State, and perhaps with The Kelley Financial Group. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Andy Hemmer.com
Findlay Market striving to win $5,000 prize as the most popular farmers market
Cincinnati's historic Findlay Market is currently sitting in the 11th spot in a national competition that is asking people to vote for their favorite farmers market. The first-place market will win $5,000 with the top five finishers all receiving cash prizes of some sort. So far Findlay Market has received well over 500 votes and is in good position to move into the top five before the contest ends on September 19. Vote for Findlay Market here.
Movie night in Cincinnati goes to the dogs
The popular weekly movie night on Fountain Square went dog-friendly this past week as dog owners were encouraged to bring their dogs to the dog-themed movie night that included films like "Best in Show" and "Beethoven." The movie nights are typically dog-free, but event organizers wanted to theme the night around dogs and get dog-owners out onto the Square. Dog biscuits were sold in addition to the typical movie snacks and dogs from all over Cincinnati came out to enjoy the movies, food and downtown life. Read full article here.
Cincy restaurants, hotels win AAA Four Diamond honor
Six Cincinnati-area restaurants and four hotels received the prestigious AAA Four Diamond rating. All but one of the businesses were repeat winners, with Nicola's Ristorante in historic Over-the-Rhine being the sole newcomer. Many of the winners were located in or around Downtown, but Oakley, Mount Adams, Over-the-Rhine, Covington were also neighborhood homes for the winners. The ratings are based on surveys that judge hotels and restaurants on amenities, service and creative menus. Read full article here.
SCPA grad on Diddy’s new MTV show
Ameera Perkins graduated from Cincinnati's famous School for Creative and Performing Arts and has moved on to a new reality show on MTV developed by Sean "Diddy" Combs called "Making His Band." The former SCPA student, and Cincinnati native, is currently attending Columbia College in Chicago and will soon be one of 42 performers competing for a spot in Diddy's back-up band. "Making His Band" airs Monday nights at 10pm and is a twist on previous reality TV projects led by Diddy including "Making The Band." Read full article here.
UC rises in research rankings
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a "very high" research activity university by the Carnegie Commission. The university is also improving in the national ranks when it comes to research expenditures. According to the National Science Foundation, the University of Cincinnati is the 18th best public university when it comes to federal research expenditures. This is a ten spot improvement over the previous year's ranking. UC spent nearly $254 million in federal research funds and ranks above nearby university like Indiana University, Purdue University and the University of Kentucky. Read full article here.
