Connections

Partnerships

The BTC receives operating support from Ohio's Thomas Edison Program and its partner organizations, OMERIS and Ohio's IT Alliance.

Columbus Technology Council
The CTC mission is to develop and expand the technology sector to drive economic development in the Columbus Region.

First Fifty
The First Fifty Fund was formed to provide early-stage equity and operational assistance to qualifying businesses in central Ohio.

Ohio's IT Alliance
Ohio's IT Alliance focuses on growing and improving the competitiveness of Ohio's information technology industry, insuring that Ohio's IT resources are shared, leveraged and optimized for the benefit of the entire industry. In addition, the BTC derives income from its client companies (tenants) that pay near market rates for space within the BTC and supporting administrative services. These revenues fully fund the operation of the BTC facility, allowing grants from the state and partner organizations to be invested in client assistance, business development and access to capital functions.

Mission
Ohio's IT Alliance will drive the growth and improve the competitiveness of Ohio through the development and support of its information technology industry.

Vision
Ohio will be recognized nationally for its leadership, innovation and strength.

Focus
Ohio's IT Alliance is the leader in strengthening the state's information technology (IT) industry. With IT already the fastest growing industry sector in Ohio, we are developing programs and tailored regional initiatives, responsive to our industry's needs, addressing four Key Focus Areas. Our statewide approach, leveraging six Regional Partner organizations, has become an extensive and powerful distribution channel for deploying IT programming consistently across the state.

The Key Focus Areas include:

• Promoting Ohio and its IT industry - creating a shared excitement about who we are and what we have to offer
• Integrated Workforce Development - creating regional, industry- driven, professional development solutions
• Business Formation and Development - linking each region's IT business creation infrastructure to speed the incubation of start-ups and help emerging companies grow
• Strengthening the Network - continuing to develop strong partners and unique programming for each region's needs

BioOhio

BioOhio is dedicated to building and accelerating the development of the bioscience industry in Ohio. Innovative bioscience companies revitalize Ohio's economy while developing critical tools, treatments, and technologies that benefit the world.

Since its founding in 1987, Omeris, formerly known as the Edison BioTechnology Center (EBTC), has worked closely with medical research institutions, biomed/biotech companies and community development organizations within the state to commercialize research, foster company formation and growth, and promote Ohio resources to regional and national audiences. The Center, part of the Ohio Department of Development's Thomas Edison Program, has offices in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus and is affiliated with the Edison Biotechnology Institute at Ohio University in Athens. Omeris maintains an office at the Business Technology Center.

With a broad and deep industry base, Ohio is home to nearly 700 companies with a focus on bioscience fields such as: Pharmaceuticals; Medical devices; Diagnostics; Imaging; Contract research; and Agbio. From the innovative start-ups—supported by biotech incubators BTC, BIO/START, BioEnterprise, and The Innovation Center—to emerging stars—like Athersys, AtriCure, Diagnostic Hybrids, Rescentris, and Imalux—to some of the largest corporations in the world—like Cardinal Health, P&G, and Philips. BioOhio provides programs and services targeted to the special needs of this emerging industry sector.

Programs and Services

• Business Formation
• Technology and business analysis
• Pre-seed investment funds
• Regional business development assistance

Business Assistance

• Specialized staff assistance in regulatory affairs, intellectual property, small business financing and marketing
• Referrals to industry and technical experts
• Identification of licensing opportunities
• Member benefit programs in risk management, human resources, FDA assistance, intellectual property law and other areas.

Platform Lab
Platform Lab is a unique non-profit information technology test facility created to directly serve the technology needs of growing Ohio businesses. We offer cost-effective, on demand availability of technology resources that can be custom tailored to suit companies ranging in size from small start-ups to international enterprises.

From disaster recovery drills to server load testing, our labs are flexible enough to serve a diverse range of testing needs across a variety of hardware and software platforms.

Created as a partnership between the Business Technology Center (BTC) and the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC), Platform Lab serves as a unique non-profit information technology test facility designed to directly serve the technology needs of Ohio businesses. Platform Lab offers clients an environment in which to foster increased efficiency, innovation and competitiveness.

Clients list numerous benefits including the ability to:

• reduce project resource costs by 65% to 90%
• allow for vendor evaluation before committing to long-term contracts
• save time and labor when configuring a secure test environment
• use a greater number of performance and quality tools at a lower cost
• operate a more effecient, isolated test environment
• eliminate underutilized hardware and software
• avoid delays due to selecting, approving and purchasing resources
• validate disaster recovery plans without expensive travel considerations
• validate overload capacity without interrupting daily activities
• reduce project completition time through flexible resources
• avoid disruptions to ongoing projects and operations
• test new software and hardware before purchasing
• avoid purchasing additional software licenses for development and testing
• reduce capital expenditures associated with proof-of-concept projects

Small Business Development Centers of Ohio (SBDC of Ohio)
Whether you're starting your business, expanding your business, or just looking to stay in business, the Small Business Development Centers of Ohio (SBDCs of Ohio) can help with professional guidance by connecting you with research, financing sources, and training opportunities.

The SBDCs of Ohio provide free, professional, in-depth and confidential business consulting and training to pre-venture, start-up, and existing small businesses through its network of 38 centers (including international trade, technology and manufacturing) throughout the state

Ohio Department of Development
Working with communities and businesses, the Department of Development promotes economic opportunities to improve the profits and prosperity of Ohio's citizens. The Department acting in a support role provides financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio's future.

The Third Frontier Project
Governor Taft unveiled The Third Frontier Project in February 2002. This project is the state’s largest-ever commitment to expanding Ohio’s high-tech research capabilities and promoting innovation and company formation that will create high-paying jobs for generations to come. The 10-year, $1.1 billion initiative designed to:

• Build world-class research capacity
• Support early stage capital formation and the development of new products
• Finance advanced manufacturing technologies to help existing industries become more productive

Through the Third Frontier Project, additional federal and private sector support can boost the total investment to more than $ 4.5 billion.