Semifinalists announced: 21 businesses make the cut in Cleveland Chain Reaction season seven

FreshWater Staff Wednesday, July 10, 2024
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Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) announced yesterday, Tuesday, July 9, that 21 businesses will advance to the semifinals of Cleveland Chain Reaction, a neighborhood economic development project and small business pitch competition.

The business owners will participate in a bootcamp hosted by JumpStart, where business experts will help them prepare to pitch to a panel of judges at showcase days taking place Wednesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 21.  

The judges—representatives from Cleveland Chain Reaction program supporters Medical Mutual, the Minutemen family of companies, MAGNET, JumpStart, and other entrepreneurial ecosystem partners—reviewed the 75 applications to select the semifinalists.

These businesses are vying for prizes that include $40,000 for first place, $20,000 for second place and $10,000 for third place.

“Having the opportunity to work with such passionate and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to take their businesses to the next level is inspiring. COSE executive director and senior vice president, membership development and marketing at GCP Megan E. Kim in a statement. “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 Greater Cleveland.”

Scrubs GaloreScrubs GaloreThis year’s semifinalists include (in alphabetical order):

Cleveland Chain Reaction connects entrepreneurs to capital and mentors and supports their growth in Greater Cleveland to create jobs and build prosperity. Since it's inception in 2017 (the competition was put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic), Cleveland Chain Reaction has received more than 600 applications, coached and prepared 120 small business semifinalists, connected winning businesses to more than $1.8 million in capital and provided over 550 hours of technical assistance.

Throughout the season, semifinalists will 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 through the competition’s print publication partner, Mimi Magazine, and digital publication partner FreshWater Cleveland.

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.