Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) this morning announced the 19 businesses that will advance to the semifinals in season six of Cleveland Chain Reaction, a neighborhood economic development project and small business pitch competition.

This year’s semifinalists are (in alphabetical order):

• 2 You Wines
• A Chiropractic Healing
• Aril Memorial LLC
• Carmella Marie, Inc.
• Crochet Kitty
• I Care Healthcare
• It's A Wrap LLC
• Great Lakes Watersports
• LaJAshley
• Lokul
• Marshmallow of the Month Club
• Mixology Incorporated
• Pedal Stomper Productions
• Play Maysie: A Portable World of Play
• The Capsoul Collective, Inc.
• The T.U.L.S.A. Learning Center
• The Touch Of Teele’s Cleaning And Detail LLC
• YumVillage Cleveland
• ZuZu Chocolates

“JumpStart is honored to collaborate with COSE on another exciting season of Cleveland Chain Reaction,” said JumpStart chief services officer Lorne Novick in a statement. “The program has a legacy of impact, helping local entrepreneurs grow and contributing to Cleveland's thriving small business community. We're thrilled to help the next round of participants prepare for outstanding pitches and future growth.”

The judges represent Cleveland Chain Reaction program supporters Medical Mutual, Minutemen Family of Companies, MAGNET, COSE, JumpStart and other entrepreneurial ecosystem partners, who reviewed the applications to select the semifinalists.

“Cleveland Chain Reaction is one of my favorite programs,” said Megan E. Kim, executive director of COSE and senior vice president of membership development and marketing at GCP.

Tina Chamoun, owner of Terranean Herbs & Spices, the first-place winner of season five of Cleveland Chain Reaction“Having the opportunity to work with such passionate and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to take their businesses to the next level is inspiring.  This program has a big impact on their businesses, and they too then grow to have a big impact creating jobs, investment, and prosperity in Cleveland’s neighborhoods.”

This year, Cleveland Christmas Connection, a holiday market featuring over 500 exhibitors, will offer one semifinalist a vendor booth at the event on Friday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Nov. 19.

The winner will be announced live on “Kickin’ it with Kenny” on Monday, Oct. 30.

“Entrepreneurs at all stages of their business have participated in the Cleveland Christmas Connection for decades, valuing the opportunity it provides to build their brand in Northeast Ohio while helping others get ready for the holidays,” Gina Gumina, Christmas Connection show manager, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with Cleveland Chain Reaction and support a local entrepreneur in establishing their business as we kick off the  holiday shopping season.”

Cleveland Chain Reaction connects entrepreneurs to capital and mentors and places new businesses in Cleveland neighborhoods to create jobs and prosperity.

Since its inception in 2017 (the competition was put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic), Cleveland Chain Reaction has received more than 515 applications, coached and prepared 108 small business semifinalists, connected winning businesses to more than $1.7 million in capital, and provided over 530 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, Minutemen Family of Companies, and MAGNET. FreshWater Cleveland is the competition’s digital publication partner.