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The startup scene in United States
Cleveland’s Health-Tech Corridor is a district described as having six incubators and more than 170 high-tech and health-tech companies, near four healthcare institutions and four academic centers. It dates to a 2010 public-nonprofit partnership involving the City of Cleveland, MidTown Cleveland, BioEnterprise, and the Cleveland Foundation.
About
Cleveland’s Health-Tech Corridor is a district described as having six incubators and more than 170 high-tech and health-tech companies, near four healthcare institutions and four academic centers. It dates to a 2010 public-nonprofit partnership involving the City of Cleveland, MidTown Cleveland, BioEnterprise, and the Cleveland Foundation.
Cleveland Clinic Innovations reported 207 invention disclosures, 58 license agreements, 207 new inventors, and 37 portfolio companies in 2025. The Clinic also identifies technology-incubator and research-and-testing resources for startup companies.
JumpStart Ventures describes pre-seed through Series A funding across Ohio and the Midwest. Its Healthcare Collaboration Fund is jointly managed with University Hospitals Ventures for Ohio healthcare technology companies, and its fund page presents an online funding application. JumpStart’s Trailblazer HealthTech Accelerator page lists Ohio-based or relocating startups as eligible and the next application close as TBD; its Ohio Centers of Excellence list support in software, health tech, advanced manufacturing, materials, and energy.
Cleveland Clinic’s 2025 Quantum Innovation Catalyzer call offered early- and venture-stage companies 12 months of IBM Quantum System One access and potential investment up to $250,000. Its October 31, 2025 deadline has passed.
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Cleveland ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | #139 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Emerging Ecosystems Ranking (GSER Top 100) | 2026 | 61 to 70 | No prior edition | C | Ecosystem, Performance, Finance, Talent |
52 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Cleveland
Investors 42
Investor
InvestorInvesting in early-stage applied AI ventures.
InvestorFull-stack financial services for startups.
The 3 most prominent of 42. Browse all investors
Venture studios 5
Venture studioInnovative marketing and brand incubation.
Venture studioBuilding innovative industrial startups.
Venture studioAI software development and fractional CTO services.
The 3 most prominent of 5. Browse all venture studios
Accelerators 3
AcceleratorEmpowering organizations to innovate like startups.
AcceleratorSupporting early-stage startups with resources and mentorship.
AcceleratorEmpowering high school entrepreneurs.
Incubators 2
IncubatorEmpowering startups with innovative strategies.
IncubatorEmpowering Minority Entrepreneurs to Succeed
Based here, most-ranked first
Universities in Cleveland
UniversityListed in 2 rankings
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Cleveland
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Cleveland
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Cleveland
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingFrom public sources
What the sources say about Cleveland
The Clinic’s 2025 announcement described a startup call whose application window ended in 2025.
Source: Cleveland Clinic launches new round of Quantum Innovation Catalyzer ProgramJumpStart lists five sector tracks and statewide entrepreneur access.
Source: Ohio Centers of ExcellenceThe accelerator page states Ohio eligibility but no current close date.
Source: Trailblazer HealthTech AcceleratorJumpStart’s official fund page provides an application and follow-up route.
Source: JumpStart Ventures FundsJumpStart describes its Ohio healthcare investment vehicle with University Hospitals Ventures.
Source: JumpStart Ventures FundsJumpStart describes early-stage investment across Ohio and the Midwest.
Source: JumpStart Ventures Funds
Questions about Cleveland
How does Cleveland rank as a startup ecosystem?
Cleveland is #139 of 1,473 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 2 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Cleveland?
42 investors based in Cleveland have a profile here, including JumpStart Inc., North Coast Ventures and airCFO. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Cleveland?
Yes. Cleveland has 3 accelerators, 2 incubators and 5 venture studios on record, including Flashstarts, Inc., CLEVELAND-BRADLEY BUSINESS INCUBATOR and MUDDY GROUP.
Which universities are in Cleveland?
One university has a profile: Case Western Reserve University.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Cleveland
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