Twenty-one businesses have advanced to the semifinals of Cleveland Chain Reaction
By Mimi Vanderhaven
In July 9, the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) announced the 21 businesses that will advance to the semifinals of Cleveland Chain Reaction, a neighborhood economic development project and small business pitch competition. The businesses will participate in a bootcamp hosted by JumpStart in which business experts will help them prepare pitches to a panel of judges at showcase days taking place Wednesday, August 21 and Thursday, August 22.
The judges—consisting of representatives from program supporters Medical Mutual, Minutemen Family of Companies, MAGNET, COSE, 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.
“Cleveland Chain Reaction is one of my favorite programs,” says Megan E. Kim, executive director of COSE and senior vice president, membership development and marketing at GCP. “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, then they, too, grow to have a big impact creating jobs, investment and prosperity in Greater Cleveland.”
The Finalists!
This year’s finalists are (in alphabetical order):
• A+ Safety Culture
• Balance Cheer and Gymnastics
• Black Culture Candles
• Black Mentality Clothing
• Cleaning Unlimited
• CLE Urban Winery
• Cleveland Cold Brew Coffee
• Covermecutee
• Crock’n CLE
• Filter Factory Inc.
• Flava Catering
• Gourmet Girl Custom Cakes
• Juicy Vegan
• The Laundry Basket LLC
• Ohio Laser Cleaning
• Paradise Cakes
• Scrubs Galore Uniforms Inc.
• Squash the Beef
• The Tangled Vine
• UnBAR Cafe Inc.
• Uncle Crunch
About Cleveland Chain Reaction
Cleveland Chain Reaction connects entrepreneurs to capital and mentors and supports their growth in Greater Cleveland to create jobs and build 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 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 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 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.
This season of Cleveland Chain Reaction is sponsored by Medical Mutual, Minutemen Family of Companies and MAGNET.
Visit clevelandchainreaction.org for more information.
About GCP and COSE
Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) is the region’s leading economic development organization, and with more than 12,000 members, it’s the largest metropolitan chamber of commerce in the nation. Guided by a board of corporate and entrepreneurial CEOs, the organization focuses on strategic initiatives, business services, and advocacy to build a vibrant business environment and region for small businesses, middle-market companies and global corporations. It includes the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) and Cleveland Development Advisors, a real estate development affiliate.
GCP is committed to working with private, civic, and public partners to accelerate growth and prosperity to propel Greater Cleveland toward being one of the Great Regions in the Great Lakes.
COSE, the small business arm of GCP, provides networking and educational events, advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues, cost-effective group purchasing programs, and navigation to the right resources and solutions within the entrepreneurial ecosystem to help small businesses grow and succeed.