The Braintree Business Development Center provides various services to support new technology businesses and startups in Northeast Ohio, including grant funding up to $6,000 for tenants and $2,000 for other eligible businesses, business model design, funding pitch development, and term loans between $1,000-50,000. They host monthly coffee meetups for entrepreneurs to discuss and get feedback on business ideas from Braintree staff and local professionals. The center also provides information on the Microsoft BizSpark program which offers software, support, and visibility to early stage startups meeting certain criteria.

1. Braintree Business Development Center, Mansfield, Ohio
www.braintreepartners.org
201 E 5th Street
Mansfield, OH 44902
419-525-1614

3.  New technology based ideas in Northeast Ohio
We provide:
◦ Grant funding without equity position
 Up to $2,000 for eligible businesses
 Up to $6,000 for Braintree tenants
 Acceptable funds uses include: design, prototypes,
patents, initial inventory, etc.
◦ Business model design
◦ Funding pitch development
◦ Competitive process experience

4.  Startup businesses in Northeast Ohio
We provide:
◦ Term loans of $1,000-$50,000
◦ Current interest rate of 7.25%, other terms vary
based on specific needs
◦ Loan uses include: equipment, inventory, business
debt restructuring, and project based working capital
 Basic requirements:
◦ Collateral, Personal guarantees, demonstrated
revenue sufficient for loan payments

5. October 24, 2013
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Please join us for coffee, brainstorming and mentoring. Join Braintree staff and
area professionals as we hang out for an hour or more of kicking around business
ideas. This month we will be hanging out at the Mansfield Senior High School in
the Cub Room at 124 North Linden Rd., Mansfield, OH 44906. We will conduct a
meeting as normal and discuss any business ideas you bring to the table. We will
also highlight the many services students of Mansfield Senior High School can
provide to entrepreneurs which include CAD assistance, rapid prototyping and
web or marketing assistance.
What are we going to do? That is up to you. Bring your business ideas (even if its
on a napkin) and we will talk about it. Need help with a marketing plan - let the
group help you!! Do you have talents or time and would like to interact with others
starting or operating their business - then we are looking for you!!! Our goal is to
be informal and flexible.

6. Microsoft BizSpark is a global program designed to help
accelerate the success of early stage startups, providing:
Software
• Development tools and technologies to build
applications
• Production licenses of server products (including
Windows Azure Platform)
Support
• Community support from Network Partners
• Professional technical support from Microsoft
Microsoft® BizSpark®
Visibility
• Profile and promotion on BizSpark Connect
Support
Visibility
Software
www.microsoft.com/bizspark

7. What Startups Qualify for the BizSpark Program
1. Actively engaged in development of a software-based product or service that
will form a core piece of its current or intended business. The software must:
add significant and primary functionality to the integrated Microsoft software.
2. Be owned, not licensed by the Startup.
3. Privately held and in business for less than 5 years.
4. Less than US $1 million in annual revenue.

8. Bob Cohen, CEO
Technology
commercialization
Agribusiness and
cooperatives
International trade
Crowdfunding
Presentation skills
Bob Leach, Director of Operations
Information technology
Energy technologies
Social media
Facility design and management
MicroSoft BizSpark TM
The Braintree Team

9. Barrett Thomas, Microfinance
Administrator
Appleseed Microfinance Loan Program
Tech SproutGrant Program
Business Analysis
Terrie Bonfiglio, Manager – in - Residence
Business Development
Product Development
Market Development
Business Analysis
The Braintree Team