Ohio’s Outshining the Silicon Valley

While many other states depend on a single industry or a small group of industries, which often limits the opportunities for doing business within the state, Ohio is doing just the opposite. The state’s top 10 industries, which include aerospace, agriculture, automotive, bioscience, energy, logistics, manufacturing, polymer/plastics and professional/financial services, gross more than $500 billion annually. Ohio’s cornucopia of industries is attractive for companies in other industries, such as information technology, that are looking to escape the over crowdedness and tight competition in hubs like the Silicon Valley.

I recently spoke with Ravi Kunduru, CEO and founder of Ventech Solutions, the world's first Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 5 (v 1.2) software company serving companies in the United States and globally. Ravi was poised to move his young firm to San Jose in 2000, but when the market softened, he waited. To his delight, Ventech continued to grow in Ohio's stable, diverse economy while IT companies "where the action was" struggled.

Deciding to stay in Ohio was a decision that quickly paid off for Ravi. As other IT companies cut staff, he was adding skilled employees from Ohio's highly educated talent pool and pulling those from the west coast looking for a better balance between work and play.

Click here for the complete interview with Ravi Kunduru.

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Bioscience Companies are Buzzing about Ohio

With more than $1 billion in funding and 818 bioscience entities in operation throughout the state, Ohio is establishing an international leadership role in the cutting-edge bioscience industry.

Based on the color model established by European bioscience leaders, Ohio's strength in the Red (health), Green (agriculture) and White (industrial) bioscience industry sectors stimulates innovation, promotes cross-collaboration and provides cost-effective solutions to scientific challenges. More than $154 million in public funding also supported large-scale, world-class Ohio bioscience R&D through several Ohio Third Frontier Biomedical Partnerships in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

I recently spoke with Tony Dennis, president and CEO of BioOhio, a non-profit organization designed to build and accelerate bioscience industry, research and education in Ohio. Dennis believes that Ohio has created an ideal environment for establishing and growing a bioscience business. He says the benefit is a critical mass of like-minded bio-businesses and research universities, a highly qualified workforce, and Ohio's vast educational and recreational opportunities that make it particularly attractive both professionally and personally.

Click here to view my conversation with Tony Dennis.

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Ohio is Committed to Technology Innovation

Ohio's business-friendly environment encourages and stimulates innovation and company growth. The state's commitment in technology and facilities and training creates an environment that is ripe for technology and capital investment. In addition, state and local tax incentives, grants and low-interest financing offer businesses the opportunity to reduce risk while encouraging investment in Ohio.

I recently spoke with Matt Dopkiss co-founder of dynamIT Technologies, LLC, a web engineering, design and development firm, about his thoughts on how Ohio’s business environment has helped his technology company grow. Some of dynamIt's most notable clients include The Associated Press, Pizza Hut and the British Broadcasting Corporation. Additionally, dynamIt has strong partnerships with marketing firms and advertising agencies as the technical complement to their planning, strategy and design teams.

Matt shared with me his belief that Ohio's combination of a talented workforce, a commitment to innovation and technology, and a rewarding lifestyle makes the state the perfect place to turn to for great business opportunities in the growing technology industry.

Click here for the complete interview with Matt Dopkiss.

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Preferred Destination for Bioscience

Bioscience is one of Ohio's leading industries. Funding for research, company formation and company expansion in the industry continues to rise from dedication from organizations like the Ohio Third Frontier Project. State efforts to establish Ohio as a preferred destination for bioscience academia and industry have attracted nearly 50 new or related businesses in 2007 alone.

This complex field centers on research, development and marketing of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, bioinformatics, medical devices, medical equipment and other health-related products. Bioscience companies represent not only the next wave for the global economy but also opportunity for dramatic advances in the human experience.

In speaking with Dr. Amol Soin, he shared with me why he returned to Ohio after medical school and residency to form the Ohio Pain Clinic. It was more than the state’s dedication to the industry, but a desire to achieve both professional and personal success.

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Companies Benefit from Ohio’s Academic System

The quality of an academic system is an important consideration in selecting a location for capital investment. Ohio has an impressive education structure that is dedicated to training skilled workers in a variety of industries.

BHDP Architecture is one of Ohio's leading companies and a design innovator. Their business thrives on a diverse client base and the top architect and designer talent they find in Ohio. The state's impressive higher education system plays an integral part in BHDP's business success.

Paul Orban, BHDP's higher education market leader, collaborates with higher education clients to overcome the challenges they face with existing facilities and creates visually appealing places to learn. By promoting a sense of community between students, faculty, staff and alumni, BHDP helps to create an interactive learning environment for students to succeed.

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