Capital Access

Adams County

Ohio's Enterprise Appalachia Region Delivers Access to Capital

Without capital, great ideas die inglorious deaths. Fortunately, Ohio’s Enterprise Region makes it easy for you to access capital to efficiently and successfully transition your product or service from R&D to commercialization. Entrepreneurs locating in Ohio Appalachia benefit from regional venture capital and financial support that meets the needs of all businesses, from start-up businesses to gazelle high growth companies. Use the links to learn more about Appalachia Ohio’s capital opportunities.

Adena Ventures
The Adena Venture Fund, a $34 million venture capital enterprise, provides equity capital and operational assistance to high-growth businesses at various stages of development across a broad range of industries from cutting-edge technology to more traditional opportunities, operating in central Appalachia.

Athenian Venture Partners
Athenian Venture Partners is an Ohio-based venture capital firm with principals located in Boston, San Diego and London, focusing on early stage investment opportunities in the Information Technology and Life Science Industries.

The Progress Fund
The Progress Fund is a community development financial institution that provides capital and coaching to new or expanding businesses that will build the local economy. Since its inception in 1997, The Progress Fund has made 149 loans totaling more than $11 million, created or retained more than 855 jobs, provided at least 5,000 hours of business counseling and helped reuse 60 historically-significant buildings.

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
In administering the ARC funding programs, The Governor’s Office of Appalachia has established a series of linkages with a wide assortment of local, state and federal initiatives to help entrepreneurs and grow business.

Ohio and Huntington Job Growth Partnership
Initiated May 2009, The Ohio Huntington Job Growth Partnership is a groundbreaking 3-year, $1 billion public-private lending partnership to attract, retain and grow businesses and jobs. The statewide program offers a $1 billion lifeline in new credit to small to medium-sized businesses to help retain employees or hire new ones. The partnership leverages existing State of Ohio and federal Small Business Administration loan programs to maximize availability of funds for companies located in or moving to Ohio.

Ohio Third Frontier
Initiated in February 2002, this project is the state's largest-ever commitment to expanding Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promoting innovation and company formation. The 10-year, $1.6 billion initiative is designed to:

Build world-class research capacity
Support early stage capital formation and the development of new products
Finance advanced manufacturing technologies to help existing industries become more productive

Through the Ohio Third Frontier, additional federal and private sector support can boost the total investment to more than $6 billion. Learn more about the Third Frontier Programs »

Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACENet)
ACENet focuses on small businesses, including start-ups, primarily in the food, agriculture, artisan and wood sectors, giving priority to those who are lower income and reside in Appalachian Ohio. The areas of support provided by ACENet include:

ACENet Business Innovation. Adult and youth entrepreneurship training.
ACENet Food Ventures. Assistance to start-up or existing small food businesses.
Business Facilities and Networking. Office, light manufacturing, and warehouse space
ACENet Ventures. Business loan opportunities.
ACENet Institute. Research and policy development

Entrepreneurial Signature Program (ESP)
The purpose of the ESP is to significantly increase technology-based entrepreneurial commercialization success by accelerating growth in strategic technology-based sectors that offer exceptional economic development prospects. Each ESP represents a comprehensive, coordinated network of high value services and assistance providers that is visible and easily accessible to technology-based entrepreneurs and small tech-based companies.

Preferred Treatment
Additional State of Ohio incentives are available in Priority Investment Areas, which include most Appalachian counties. Qualifying companies can benefit from: