Startup Funding Opportunities
Interested in external funding opportunities?
​See our funding page for a list of opportunities available for startups.

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SBIR Support Services
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.
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UARF provides information sessions that overview SBIR basics including, recent policy changes, provide advice on finding the right SBIR solicitation for your company, teach how to prepare components of a proposal for maximum impact, hear from recent SBIR awardees, and allow companies to meet one-on-one with an advisor to discuss their technology and proposal idea.

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​Join one of the SBIR/STTR Funding Webinars that are held throughout the year to learn about the types of funding.
​Check out our social media to see when the next webinar is being held.  

NEOSVF
This student-run fund conducts due diligence and invests up to $25,000 per company in Northeast Ohio tech-based startups (startups need not be run by students). Since 2012, NEOSVF has invested $305,000 in 13 companies, which have raised $7 million in follow-on funding and created 81 jobs.

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Visit NEOSVF

SEED Clinic

Get your legal support from the SEED Clinic at the University of Akron Law school. 

Visit the SEED Clinic

Questions about finding the best support for you?
​We are happy to help!
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​E-mail our UARF Startup Advisor, Linda Hale at LSH27@uakron.edu

Meet the Mentors

Brian Lane
Project Executive

• Experience: Strategy, business and product development; technology and innovation leadership, new product commercialization, and cross functional leadership.
• Prior to UARF: Parker Hannifin and his own consulting firm, enaBL Growth LLC.
• Interests: .‘Voice of customer,’ new product development and engineering activities.
• Email: [email protected]

Art Greenberg
Project Executive

• Experience: Industrial electrochemical & metal coatings business management, commercial development of chemicals for battery industry, & technology commercialization from federal labs.
• Prior to UARF: Diamond Shamrock, SICO Industries, Hall Chemical, Harshaw Chemical, various startups.
• Interests: Industrial electrochemistry, batteries and energy storage, coatings, and technology startups.​
• Email: [email protected]

Barry Rosenbaum
Senior Fellow

• Experience: Technology Director and manager of business units in the chemicals, rubber and elastomer industries.
• Prior to UARF: Exxon Chemical, GenCorp, Advanced Elastomer Systems, OMNOVA Solutions.
• Credentials: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University.
• Interests: Wealth creation, angel investment and regional innovation.
• Email: [email protected]

Gordon Schorr
Senior Fellow

• Experience: Strategic leadership of chemical and elastomer division; directing marketing, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, and R&D activities.
• Prior to UARF: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, University Innovation Ventures.
• Credentials: ABD in Chemical Engineering, and MBA.
• Email: [email protected]

Wil Hemker
Entrepreneur Executive 

• Experience: Developing products for environmental, personal care, pharmaceutical, medical device, and food product markets.
• Prior to UARF: GOJO Industries, BF Goodrich Specialty Chemicals, Durkee Foods Division SCM Corp.
• Credentials: M.S. in Food Science, The Ohio State University.
• Interests: Controlled environmental agriculture, green technologies, nutritional food products.
• Email: [email protected]

UARF startup support services are provided through grants from: