1988 - 1998:

• Cleveland Tomorrow's strategic plan, Building on a New Foundation, created NorTech's predecessor organization, the Technology Leadership Council (TLC).
• TLC assisted in the growth of Northeast Ohio's biomedical research base, and incubator and research space; created the Ohio Aerospace Institute; stabilized NASA Glenn funding and increases access to NASA technologies; Created Technology Action Fund with State of Ohio; and fostered collaborations among regional intermediaries.
• TLC engaged in an intermediary strategy study that recommended formation of regional technology council, which became NorTech.

1999-2003

• NorTech founded in 1999. Board members selected to represent regional research, government, capital, and key industry clusters. Dorothy C. Baunach was the founding president and CEO. Bill Sanford was elected as founding chairman. Promoted increases in Technology Action Fund. Articulated a regional technology vision.
• Supported formation of Northeast Ohio bioscience initiative that results in creation of BioEnterprise. Advocated for entrepreneur friendly legislation for state colleges and universities (House Bill 286). First NorTech Innovation Awards and NorTech Summit are held.
• Facilitated the formation of the Ohio Polymer Strategy Council. Becomes founding member of the Ohio Technology Partnership and E3 Ohio. Convened Early Stage Capital Task Force. Facilitated formation of Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition. 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 becomes chairman in 2001-2002.
• Supported 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 (Senate Bill 180), resulting in an increase in the amount of early stage capital available in the state. Facilitates regional Polymer Strategic Roadmap with OPSC and Greater Akron Chamber.

2004:

• Incorporated as a stand-alone 501(c)(3) to broaden its leadership base and operate as a regional organization.

• Launched JumpStart

• Gained support as the key strategic partner in implementing the Technology, Innovation and High Growth Businesses pillar of the Greater Cleveland Partnership's strategy.

• Received a grant from the Fund for Our Economic Future to expand its reach across the region to serve 16 counties in Northeast Ohio.

• Implemented innovation strategy

• Hosted first Nano-Week

• Launched electronics cluster initiative

• Launched GATE (Glenn Alliance for Technology Exchange) as a model for NASA technology

2005:

• Conducted scenario planning process for regional technology strategy

• Raised significant start up funds for OneCommunity (formerly OneCleveland)

• Adopted Nano-Network from NEOSA/GCP

• Published Early Stage Venture Capital Task Force report identifying $300 million early stage capital gap

• Launched Urban Technology and Inclusion Initiative

• Launched Tech Leaders group from NEO Third Frontier award winners

• Ballot initiative for Third Frontier passes

2006:

• Released regional Tech Strategy and continued communications for regional support for TechFutures

• Received Fund for Our Economic Future grant for Tech Leader investments

• Spun-off OneCommunity as independent entity;

• Launched FlexMatters^SM 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 hit $300 million mark in Third Frontier support/investments

2007:

• 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

• Provided leadership and support for portfolio projects in five technology sectors: advanced materials, electronics, bioscience, information and communication technologies, and advanced energy

2008:

• Hosted 12th Annual SSTI Conference in Cleveland

• TechLift program continues to increase entrepreneurial support to technology entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio; Hosted 5th annual Nano Week with focus on NanoMedicine

• Conducted strategic review process to determine future focus areas for NorTech (led by NorTech Board);

• Advanced energy and Flexible Electronics emerge as new industry focus areas

• Government engagement becomes a priority for NorTech's work moving forward

2009:

• Transitioned TechLift program to JumpStart, Inc. and Nano-Network to Polymer Ohio

• Rebecca O. Bagley became president and CEO

• Created NorTech Energy Enterprise, a NorTech cluster initiative, to accelerate growth in the region's advanced energy industry

• Launched two NorTech Energy Enterprise projects - LEEDCo (in partnership with Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force and The Cleveland Foundation) and the TechBelt Energy Innovation Center

• Launched NorTech Energy Enterprise Speaker Series

• Published 2009 Northeast Ohio High Tech Economy Brief which highlight performance of the region's technology economy.

2010:

• Received first federal grant from Economic Development Administration to conduct advanced energy roadmaps

• Launched NorTech Advanced Energy website: www.nortechenergy.org

• Ohio Third Frontier is reauthorized by Ohio voters to continue program through 2016

• Issued 2010 High Tech Economy Brief

• Completed FlexMatters roadmap to accelerate growth in flexible electronics industry via NorTech FlexMatters initiative

• Received additional federal funding from Small Business Administration for FlexMatters initiative and National Institutes of Standard and Technology Manufacturing Extension Program for joint initiative with MAGNET.