Greater Cleveland Partnership names Cleveland Chain Reaction season 8 semifinalists
Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) today announced the 22 businesses that will advance to the semifinals of Cleveland Chain Reaction, the small business pitch competition that connects entrepreneurs to capital and mentors and places new businesses in Greater Cleveland to create jobs and build prosperity.
Now in its eighth year, 141 small business owners applied to Cleveland Chain Reaction—the highest number since the competition launched in 2017.
Judges representing program supporters, including Medical Mutual, Minutemen Family of Companies, MAGNET, COSE, JumpStart, and other partners from the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, reviewed the applications to select the semifinalists.
“We were thrilled to receive so many applications for this year’s program, further reinforcing the strength and growth of our entrepreneurial community,” said Megan E. Kim, executive director of COSE and senior vice president of membership development and marketing at GCP. “We look forward to working with our top 22 semifinalists to provide the education, coaching and capital they need to take them to the next level.”
The semifinalists will now participate in a bootcamp hosted by JumpStart, where business experts will help the contestants prepare to pitch to a panel of judges at showcase days on Wednesday, Aug. 20, and Thursday, Aug. 21.
The businesses are vying for prizes that include $40,000 for first place, $20,000 for second place and $10,000 for third place.
“Partnering with COSE on Cleveland Chain Reaction is always a highlight for us,” said Lorne Novick, chief services officer at JumpStart Inc. “Working with each new group of bootcamp semifinalists is incredibly rewarding. As these entrepreneurs learn to craft their pitches and scale their businesses, they’re not only shaping the future of their companies, but also helping to shape the future of Cleveland and the small business community.”
This year’s semifinalists include (in alphabetical order):
Max & Alayna's Paws Play, Ltd.
Reasons To Care Healthcare Services, LLC
Throughout the season, semifinalists have the opportunity to showcase their business and promote their products and services on “Kickin’ it with Kenny” during FOX 8 News in the Morning. They’ll also receive media coverage in Mimi Magazine, Cleveland Chain Reaction’s print publication partner, and in FreshWater Cleveland, the competition’s digital publication partner. The publications will offer Semifinalists discounted advertising rates, and will award winners with complimentary advertising space.
Since its inception (the competition was put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic), Cleveland Chain Reaction has received 732 applications, coached and prepared 146 small business semifinalists, connected winning businesses to more than $1.8 million in capital and provided over 660 hours of technical assistance.
Cleveland Chain Reaction was inspired by Cleveland Hustles, the reality series produced by LeBron James that aired on CNBC in 2016. Cleveland Chain Reaction is an independent and unrelated effort that supports the continued opportunity that Cleveland Hustles initiated.
Cleveland Chain Reaction is produced by COSE in collaboration with FOX 8 News in the Morning’s “Kickin’ it with Kenny.” This season of Cleveland Chain Reaction is sponsored by Medical Mutual, the COSE Benefit Plan, Minutemen Workforce Solutions and MAGNET. Mimi Magazine is the competition’s print publication partner, and FreshWater Cleveland is the competition’s digital publication partner. Visit ClevelandChainReaction.org for more information.