The new collaboration with Queen City Angels will provide clients of The Mill with more mentors and financing opportunities to help grow their companies, said Antony Seppi, The Mill’s operations director.
“I think that’s a huge value-add when we’re trying to attract companies to Hamilton Mill,” Seppi said.
The investors benefit from a pipeline of more diverse businesses in which to spend, as Hamilton Mill’s recruitment efforts are focused on businesses in the advanced manufacturing, clean technology and software sectors. Those industries represent a niche in the start-up community, Seppi said.
“We’re providing a funnel into Queen City Angels of qualified, vetted companies that could fit their investor profile,” he added.
Beginning in summertime 2013, a string of changes were made to refocus and re-energize the former BizTech Center, originally founded in 2003. Among them is a new mission, to accelerate the growth of young companies with ideas for creating “highly commercializable products,” and in particular, companies in the sectors mentioned above.
Additionally, the center was renamed The Hamilton Mill, new performance measures are in place, there’s a new board chair at the helm and new managers are running day-to-day operations.
It also houses offices of the Butler County Small Business Development Centers, whose counselors advise tenants, local existing business owners and other entrepreneurs in the community on strategic planning, marketing and gaining access to financial capital.
Changes made to The Mill have paid off with the successful recruitment of eight new tenants this year such as kW River Hydroelectric, which is developing water turbine technology for alternative energy; and Perceptive Devices LLC, which is developing computer technology for hands-free gestures. One of the companies, Lagoon, opened offices at the downtown Hamilton center and was later accepted and moved to the Brandery, a Cincinnati incubator.
Most recently, plans were announced for a brewery to open at the site. Hopes are for Municipal Brew Works to start serving drinks by next summer, Seppi said.
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