TechGrowth Ohio Receives NADO Impact Award
Recognizing Effective Approaches for Regional Economic Development
October 17, 2022 (Pittsburgh, PA) – The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) has recognized TechGrowth Ohio with its 2022 Aliceann Wohlbruck NADO Impact Award.
The NADO Impact Award recognizes TechGrowth Ohio’s success in helping entrepreneurs build technology companies with high-growth potential. These companies, in turn, bring jobs and economic growth to Southeast Ohio.
“TechGrowth Ohio demonstrates the long-term regional impact of successful collaboration,” said Misty Crosby, Immediate Past President of NADO, during whose term TechGrowth received the award. “The long-standing partnerships between the NADO member Economic Development Districts and programs like TechGrowth Ohio support local governments in building stronger public services and infrastructure for the wider region.”
TechGrowth Ohio is a program developed by the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University. Its mission is to help entrepreneurs overcome challenges and embrace growth opportunities in rural Southeast Ohio and beyond. In addition to a variety of unique seed-stage and co-investment funding opportunities, TechGrowth Ohio provides entrepreneurs with intensive executive and technical assistance and access to professional networks as well as guidance and funding for startup and growth capital investments.
“Receiving the Impact Award is a significant endorsement for TechGrowth Ohio,” said Lynn Gellermann, Executive Director for TechGrowth Ohio & Associate Dean of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service. “Our NADO colleagues have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities before us, especially in underserved communities. Their recognition of our work really sets us apart among a very impressive roster of members. It confirms our ability to lead innovation in our region.”
TechGrowth’s impact has included the first institutional investment in Stirling Ultracold, a startup technology company based in The Plains, Ohio in 2010. That company was acquired in 2021 by BioLife Solutions, becoming the largest venture-backed exit in Southeast Ohio. Other past and present clients span industries from technology-enabled transportation, like Nelsonville-based Quickloadz and advanced materials-based GhostBlind in Marietta, Ohio to new medical device technologies being commercialized by companies like OsteoDx, and Resilient Medical in Athens, Ohio.
About TechGrowth Ohio
Founded in 2007, TechGrowth Ohio is a $75 million public-private partnership composed of the Ohio Third Frontier program, Ohio University (OHIO), and the private investment community. As one of the premier programs of the Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, TechGrowth Ohio has a strong track record of partnering with creative entrepreneurs as they make their dreams a reality. You can learn more about our work at www.techgrowthohio.com.
About NADO
The National Association of Development Organizations is a national association of that promotes regional development strategies, partnerships, and initiatives that strengthen economic competitiveness and quality of life within local communities across the country. Through its annual awards program, NADO recognizes member organizations that demonstrate valuable and effective approaches to regional economic and community development. The 2022 class of awardees consists of 107 projects from 71 organizations spanning 28 states. You can learn more about NADO at www.nado.org.
