Online database will foster inclusion by preparing first-time company founders to efficiently engage with region’s wealth of entrepreneurial resources
Dayton, Ohio -- Parallax Advanced Research was awarded $750,000 last week to create the Launch Dayton Digital Toolkit, an online database of interactive videos and documents that will prepare first-time founders of new companies to tap into the community’s many resources for entrepreneurs.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration designed the Scaling Pandemic Resilience Through Innovation and Technology (SPRINT) Challenge to harness America’s entrepreneurial spirit to address the economic, health, and safety risks caused by the coronavirus pandemic and to support innovation-focused economic recovery efforts.
“Parallax is a proud partner in the Launch Dayton community, and our local team has been central to the growth of the Dayton region’s startup community,” said Parallax President and CEO Dennis Andersh. “We are thrilled to continue this work to foster diversity and inclusion in Dayton’s innovation space.”
The Launch Dayton Digital Toolkit will house online resources created specifically to guide new entrepreneurs through the specific activities in qualifying and engaging with various entrepreneurial resource providers and programs available across the Launch Dayton community.
“Early grassroots efforts to connect entrepreneurs often involved one-on-one meetings to help new founders navigate the resources available across the Launch Dayton community. As we grow, new entrepreneurs outnumber resource providers, and these first-time founders are often overwhelmed by the range of programs and organizations they discover,” said Parallax Program Manager John Owen. “Launch Dayton partners believe everyone, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to determine their own economic prosperity. The Launch Dayton Digital Toolkit will foster a more inclusive and diverse startup community by organizing and identifying the opportunities available to help all entrepreneurs grow their businesses.”
The Launch Dayton Digital Toolkit will assist entrepreneurs to build foundational business knowledge, connect with customers in the defense and MedTech industries, and establish ecommerce platforms to reach national markets. Topics will range from how to conduct market research, customer analysis or financial projections, to how to secure a government contract, write a proposal, or deploy an ecommerce business model.
The toolkit will build on work done by Launch Dayton partner the Entrepreneurs’ Center when they moved their T3 Defense Accelerator online last spring, just as COVID-19 hit and restricted travel and in-person meetings.
“With the impact of COVID-19, we needed to be agile and leverage all digital resources at our disposal. We moved quickly, acted boldly, and reset our mindsets to successfully deliver our high-quality training program remotely to our clients nationally,” said Lauren Tiffan, director of strategic programs, Entrepreneurs’ Center. “Creating value-adding digital assets to evolve the scope of our reach and efficacy has proven impactful in empowering small businesses for prosperity in the post-COVID future. We are looking forward and excited about continuing this work with fellow Launch Dayton partners.”
Learn more about the Launch Dayton partners here.
###
About Parallax Advanced Research
Parallax is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that tackles global challenges by accelerating innovation and developing technology and solutions through strategic partnerships with government, industry and academia across Ohio and the Nation. Together with academia, Parallax accelerates innovation that leads to new breakthroughs. Together with government, Parallax tackles critical global challenges and delivers new solutions. Together with industry, Parallax develops groundbreaking ideas and speeds them to market.
About Launch Dayton
Launch Dayton is a collaborative effort of regional entrepreneurial support organizations to connect and support Dayton’s entrepreneur and startup community. Launch Dayton partners believe everyone, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to determine their own economic prosperity. The Launch Dayton community exists to support and inspire all Daytonians who are building businesses. Launch Dayton partners collaborate to build an easily accessible environment, run high-caliber programming and connect a network of champions, mentors and resource providers.
About Entrepreneurs’ Center
The Entrepreneurs Center (EC) in Dayton, Ohio is dedicated to supporting all Miami Valley entrepreneurs by assisting small businesses, scalable high-tech startups, and research institutes ready to commercialize. Mentorship, strategic connections, business planning, professional services, and technology commercialization programs are available to local entrepreneurs at no cost. They manage multiple properties offering affordable, flexible solutions such as co-working, shared space, and private offices. The EC drives innovation, diversifies the region's economy, and fuels prosperity in the region as the anchor tenant at The Arcade revitalization project downtown.