NorTech is building a rich history in Northeast Ohio.
1988: Cleveland Tomorrow’s strategic plan, Building on a New Foundation, creates NorTech’s predecessor organization, the Technology Leadership Council (TLC).
1989-1997: TLC assists in the growth of Northeast Ohio’s biomedical research base, and incubator and research space; creates the Ohio Aerospace Institute, stabilizes NASA Glenn funding and increases access to NASA technologies; works with the state to create the Technology Action Fund; and fosters collaboration among intermediaries.
1998: TLC engages in an intermediary strategy study that recommends formation of regional technology council.
1999: NorTech founded. Bill Sanford, chairman. Members selected to represent regional research, government, capital, and key industry clusters. Promotes increases in Technology Action Fund. Begins to articulate a regional agenda.
2000: Supports formation of Northeast Ohio bioscience initiative that results in creation of BioEnterprise. Advocates for entrepreneur friendly legislation for state colleges and universities. First NorTech Innovation Awards are awarded and the first NorTech Summit is held.
2001: Facilitates the formation of the Ohio Polymer Strategy Council. Becomes founding member of the Ohio Technology Partnership and E3 Ohio. Collaborates with McKinsey to produce the strategic report, Catalyzing Northeast Ohio’s Most Promising Industries, which becomes the framework for the NorTech agenda. Tom Waltermire, chairman.
2002-2003: Supports the Governor’s Third Frontier Project through the Ohio Technology Partnership, leading to more than $85 million in new research and development funds for the region. Launches JumpStart and NEOpreneur Exchange. Assembles the NorTech IT Leadership Council and assists in the launch of OneCleveland. Plays a pivotal role in creating the Ohio Venture Capital Authority, resulting in an increase in the amount of early stage capital available in the state. Facilitates the formation of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition.
2004: NorTech incorporates as a stand-alone 501(c)(3) to broaden its leadership base and operate as a regional organization. Gains acceptance and support as the key strategic partner in implementing the Technology, Innovation and High Growth Businesses pillar of the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s strategy. Receives a grant from the Fund for Our Economic Future to expand its reach across the region. Facilitates completion and implementation of the Battelle Polymer Strategy Opportunity Roadmap for Northeast Ohio. Les Vinney becomes chairman in November.
2005: Expands staff and initiates the Urban Technology and Inclusion Task Force. Completes work on the Early Stage Capital Task Force report on the venture capital continuum. Begins work on the regional technology strategy using a scenario-based approach.
2006: Released regional Tech Strategy and continued communications for regional support for TechFutures (www.techfutures.net). Receive Fund for Our Economic Future grant for Tech Leader investments. Spun-off OneCommunity as independent entity. Sustainability and advanced energy become emerging interests. Launched FlexMatters with Tech Leaders, the Liquid Crystal Institute, and Team NEO. Awarded $12.4 million for Northeast Ohio Entrepreneurial Signature Program (ESP) which will later be named TechLift. Northeast Ohio tops $300 million in Third Frontier support/investments.
2007: Officially launched TechLift, with regional incubators and pre-seed funds, to provide services and assistance to emerging technology entrepreneurs. Launched neotechjobs.com, with BioEnterprise, to connect high tech jobs seekers with employers to fill the regional talent gap. Collaborated with MAGNET to create and launch the Innovation Accelerator Program to help small and mid-size manufacturers to be more innovative. Leveraged initial investments in Tech Leaders' Group with additional public and private investments. Recruited 2008 State Science Technology Institute (SSTI) conference to Northeast Ohio, an event designed to share best practices in technology-based economic development. Provided leadership and support for portfolio projects in five technology sectors: advanced materials, electronics, bioscience, information and communication technologies, and advanced energy.