Helping Northeast Ohio’s Young Entrepreneurs Accelerate Their Start Ups

Flexhire, LLC − Online recruiting and hiring tool for part-time and non-career oriented jobs. Flexhire’s solution maximizes the effectiveness of companies and organizations that depend heavily on high-turnover positions by re-inventing the process of recruiting and hiring a talented workforce. For the job candidate, the Flexhire Web site is a powerful tool that reduces both the monetary expense and time involved with applying for multiple positions. On the company side, Flexhire optimizes the accessibility of appropriate talent through candidate information standardization and availability status and reducing costs related to human resources administration. Key industry targets include: retail, seasonal products/services companies, consumer banking and hospitality. Flexhire launched its beta site in June 2009 and has already been generating revenue within two months. Over 20,000 job seekers are currently registered with visitors growing daily. In August, Flexhire is releasing its fully functional system, which includes enhanced messaging and text notification as well as Web-based advertising tools. Flexhire founders include: Joe Regallis, who brings more than 20 years of retail business and technology experience and is a GCA team member; Mike Cate, who has more than 16 years of finance and enterprise technology experience; and Gary Orth, a Web and software developer with more than 20 years experience. For more information visit www.flexhire.com.

Sunflower Solutions, LLC −Renewable energy product company that provides reliable and cost effective solar powered electricity for projects and villages in developing countries that do not have access to an electrical power grid. Sunflower Solutions has designed, produced, and tested their first product − a solar panel mount and manual positioning device that increases solar energy efficiency by an average of 40 percent. Sunflower Solutions has collaborated with high profile distributors, partners and clients in Africa and is ready to expand its distribution channels in developing countries. In July, Sunflower Solutions completed two successful installations in Kenya and Rwanda and is preparing for 15 installations over the next six months. It is currently in development of a portable solar panel mount and is seeking funding. Sunflower Solutions was founded by Chris Clark, a Miami University graduate, who developed this idea as a school project to power water pumps in developing countries. For more information visit www.sunflower-solutions.com.

CorkShare, LLC − Social media Web site that dynamically integrates different forms of digital content such as notes, photos, videos and files into a virtual “cork board” that users can follow and share with friends and colleagues. The site enables sharing in real time through an intuitive interface with a focus on small, relevant interest groups. CorkShare is on its next phase of UI refinement and has a solid business plan, financial projections and marketing plan. It is exploring sources of funding in order to continue development and add operational support. CorkShare was co-founded in 2008 by Jim England and Tim Gasper who met while they were students from Case Western Reserve University.

Zolio, LLC − A free, online, multi-media resume portfolio tool that enables students and young professionals to present their skills and experience in a more comprehensive format while providing employers with tools to find and screen appropriate candidates more effectively. Zolio’s technology also integrates into a company’s human resources management systems. Zolio has raised funds from private investors and obtained a substantial grant used to develop and validate its proprietary technology. For more information visit www.zolio.com.

Cleveland Impression − Online newspaper organized by categories and composed entirely of photographs. The goal is to bring news to Clevelanders in a way that preserves the uniqueness and identity of the city. The photo-essay format is the framework that takes readers through a journey of the people, places and happenings that make Cleveland unique. This Web site is in its development stage and the Beta version will be launched in the Fall of 2009. The development site can be viewed at http://beta.clevelandimpression.com. The site was founded by Jeffrey Mann of GCA who enjoys taking photographs of Cleveland events and finds newspapers boring. The goal for the next six months is to raise seed capital and hire staff.

Advanced Medical Innovations (AMI) − Medical device company that markets a product designed to eliminate bacteria on stethoscopes used by medical professionals. The product will reduce bacteria and the resulting infections transmitted from patient to patient via typical stethoscope usage. The product is in the early development stage and AMI is currently applying for grant money to manufacture the product. AMI is working closely with the GCA product development and engineering branch to secure a patent for their design. AMI was co-founded in 2009 by Mike Lamb, a police officer with more than 20 years of experience and Mike Esper, director of corporate communications, Office Max.

RingRang is a completely new way to immediately and directly communicate with your potential customers via your website, social networks, or internet advertising. Your customers are the lifeblood of your business. With RingRang the barrier between your customers and your business is now gone. RingRang delivers real customers in real time. Do you RingRang? Visit RingRang at www.RingRang.us