ONE (Ohio's New Entrepreneur) Fund, and other Accelerators for New Business

The Ohio Third Frontier program, part of the Ohio Development Agency's effort to grow new high tech firms in the state, has opened up applications for its ONE (Ohio's New Entrepreneurs) Accelerator program.  This is a seed accelerator program like many in the private sector for new and developing Ohio high tech businesses.  They choose the most promising high-tech applicants, give them a "boot camp" in entrepreneurship and fund raising, then let them make their pitch to potential investors.  Applications for this go-round of training and mentorship will be taken through February 7th.  Since the program was created to develop high-tech in Ohio, firms are limited to those in the state.

However, ONE is not unique.  Other states, like Wisconsin and New York, have similar programs.In the private and nonprofit sectors, similar programs exist.  In the for-profit sector, promising firms are mentored and groomed to get financing in exchange for equity in the firm.  Government and nonprofit firms operate to foster economic development in their states and communities.  If you are looking for a seed accelerator outfit, here's one list from Seed-DB.  Here's another list, from those accelerators that participated in last year's national accelerator's Demo Day.  Accelerators often specialize high-tech or information tech firms, but they may have other types of specialization.  You can also check your own state's economic development office to see if they run a program, or have a list of those operating in your area.  Before you check into it, read this article in Entrepreneur on how to see if a seed accelerator may be for you and your firm.

School Vouchers On the Move

One of the shake-ups taking place on the state level across the country to to establish or expland not only charter schools, but the availability of vouchers to parents who wish to send their children to private schools.  In Indiana, a new law takes effect that creates vouchers on income. A family of four earning less than $41,000 a year is entitled to a $4,500 voucher for a student in grades one through eight and $4,964 for a high school student. Families of four that earn between $41,000 and $61,000 can receive up to $2,758 per student in any grade. The voucher bill law also includes a tax deduction of $1,000 for each child currently enrolled in a private school or home school.  However, the number of students eligible will be limited for the first two years.  For more information on the new tax credit and voucher program, see here.


Wisconsin is moving to expand its voucher programs outside of Milwaukee, and Ohio is edging towards expanding public financial support for attendance of private schools beyond the current program, which allows vouchers for kids in academically failing schools.

But the latter two states have not had everything hashed out just yet.  For the most up-to-date information on your state, see the map here and click your state on school privatization support.  It's biased in a pro-voucher way, so you can interpret the analyis of pro/con at your own discretion, but it is well updated, and if you want to see what your options are to support your kid attending private school, this might  be a good place to start.  Another place is at the website of your state's Education Department. 

Some more ideas: scholarship providers for private schools, the MSU website for individual education grants,  and more state, regional, and local scholarship and voucher programs.

Looking for Some Sustainable Farmers and Ranchers to Honor

The Sand County Foundation is taking nominations for the 2011 California Leopold Conservation Award.  It's a $10,000 prize to recognize a rancher or farmer in California who "demonstrates outstanding, sustainable management of natural resources."  It's one of the Leopold Conservation Awards, also offered in Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wyoming and Wisconsin.  They are made in honor Aldo Leopold, the ecologist who wrote A Sand County Almanac.  See the website for applications for each state.