Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) announced yesterday, Wednesday, April 29, that applications for the ninth season of Cleveland Chain Reaction are now open.

The small business pitch competition connects entrepreneurs to capital and mentors, then places new businesses in Greater Cleveland to create jobs and build prosperity.”

Since its inception in 2017, the competition has received more than 732 applications, coached and prepared 167 small business semifinalists, connected winning businesses to more than $1.8 million in capital and provided over 740 hours of technical assistance.

Cleveland Chain Reaction Season 8 SemifinalistsApplications can be submitted through Thursday, May 30 on the Chain Reaction website. Entrepreneurs and business owners who are interested in locating or growing their business in Greater Cleveland are encouraged to apply.

“Cleveland Chain Reaction is truly one of my favorite programs,” said COSE executive director Megan E. Kim in a statement. “Each year, we connect with passionate entrepreneurs who are ready to take their businesses to the next level.

“After we received a record number of applications last year,” Kim continued, “we hope to connect with even more entrepreneurs this season and support them through mentorship, business plan coaching, and a powerful peer network.”

Kim says 20 businesses will be selected as semifinalists to participate in a bootcamp hosted by entrepreneurial support organization JumpStart. JumpStart’s business experts will help the participants prepare to pitch to a panel of judges at the showcase days on Wednesday, July 22 and Thursday, July 23.

Judges will include representatives from competition supporters Medical Mutual, Minutemen Workforce Solutions, and other entrepreneurial ecosystem partners.

Businesses will be evaluated based on their pitches, which will include their business narratives or stories, growth strategies, financials, use of funds, and overall presentations.

Season 8 Chain Reaction contestants Daisy Makes, Sand Pebbles and Be Browed Etcetera came to the Season 9 launch hosted by Minute Mean Staffing during Kickin' It With Kenny.The three applicants with the highest scores will win. First place wins $40,000; second place wins $20,000; and third place wins $10,000. Judges, local investors, and mentors may choose to contribute additional capital to the businesses.

Winners will also receive complimentary advertising space from Mimi Magazine, Cleveland Chain Reaction’s print publication partner, and FreshWater Cleveland, the competition’s digital publication partner.

Throughout the season, semifinalists will showcase their businesses 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 and FreshWater Cleveland.

The inaugural season of Cleveland Chain Reaction took place in Slavic Village. Old Brooklyn hosted the 2018 edition, and Collinwood was the 2019 host neighborhood.

Since 2021, winners can select any city in Greater Cleveland to place their business based on their specific real estate needs, industry and target market.

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 Workforce Solutions, Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), the, and the COSE Benefit Plan.

Mimi Magazine is the competition's print publication partner, and FreshWater Cleveland is the competition's digital publication partner.