COVID-spurred supply chain issues make accurate inventory tracking more critical than ever, according to Ellis. Through Bezlio, individual shop floor workers are able to utilize the platform when maintaining several systems simultaneously. Â
âWe talk with companies and ask them what kind of challenges theyâre facing,â Ellis said. âThe level of education is something weâre always working on when putting content out there. Really, this is an opportunity for Northeast Ohio to be a manufacturing technology capital. Thereâs a new breed of manufacturers recognizing that technology can increase efficiency.â
The young entrepreneur needed guidance when scaling up Bezlio. JumpStart, a Cleveland organization that partners with small businesses, stepped in as Bezlioâs lead investor on a $2 million seed funding round. The startup received additional funding from ProMedica Ventures, M25, North Coast Angel Fund, Bounce and six other angel investors upon releasing its mobile app to the iOS and Google Play stores in 2018.
Bezlio molded its business plan with the nonprofitâs assistance, a partnership encompassing public relations and budgeting assistance. Nadine Nana, CMO in residence at JumpStart, said Bezlio adds value to its customersâ manufacturing processes and bottom line.
âBrian and the rest of the leadership team are well-positioned to scale their company in a way that benefits the entire region through jobs, innovative added-manufacturing solutions and revenue growth,â says Nana.
While lauding JumpStart, Ellis also credits an overarching regional support system for his companyâs early accomplishments. At Bounce, Bezlio is thriving amid a startup ecosystem willing to compare notes.
âThereâs something great about being in a space thatâs filled with other entrepreneurs talking about the challenges they face,â Ellis said. âItâs not about competing, but cooperating for a better environment. Seeing success is motivating for us.â
Officials at Clevelandâs Manufacturing Growth Advocacy Network (MAGNET) know the difficulty of starting a business venture. Though a great idea and strong team are only the start of the entrepreneurial journey, the voyage itself doesnât have to be one of hardship, said Alec Simon, director of startup services at MAGNET.
âThere are many organizations across Northeast Ohio that can serve as guides for different types of ventures and at different moments,â said Simon. âMAGNETâs Iterator exists to help physical product and advanced manufacturing innovators understand their most critical next step, from technical assistance and business planning to marketing support and engineering guidance. For startups leaning into this supportive ecosystem, it will benefit them in the short-term and the region in the long-term.â
Ellis agrees, adding that each new startup taking successful root on the North Coast is a draw for future investment.
âWhen investors see these new companies popping up, it makes them take a harder look at other opportunities in the Midwest, when before, that activity was on the coasts,â said Ellis.
Gloss