Julie Jacono on leading JumpStart and the future of Ohio's startup ecosystem

Innovative startups are fueling Ohio's economic growth, and a leader of this ecosystem is JumpStart, a Cleveland-based nonprofit driving investment and inclusive development.

In this exclusive interview with OhioTechNews.com, Chris Berry, President and CEO of OhioX, spoke with JumpStart CEO Julie Jacono about her vision for the organization and its impact on Ohio.

Julie was named CEO of JumpStart in November 2023 and took the helm at a critically important time for the organization as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

During the conversation, Julie discusses JumpStart’s plans to rally support around high-potential sectors like HealthTech, AI, and green tech, providing startups with advisory services, access to specialized support, and novel funding solutions.

A key challenge Julie identifies is helping startups secure that crucial first customer. JumpStart aims to expand partnerships with anchor institutions to facilitate "outside-in" innovation and accelerate startups' path to revenue.

From the infrastructure startup OnStation, healthcare tech firm Apricity Robotics, and fan engagement platform LunchTable, Jacono highlights the successful JumpStart portfolio companies as examples of the innovation thriving across our state.

Chris Berry: What inspired you to join JumpStart, and what excites you the most about leading this organization? 

Julie: I grew up in Cleveland and raised my family here, so I’m deeply invested in seeing this region thrive. JumpStart enables me to engage in innovation, venture investing, company growth, and all the best parts of a healthy economy while focusing on helping the region and its residents thrive. We’re a purpose-driven organization that supports founders chasing their entrepreneurial dream. I love being part of a future-focused team surrounded by people with the passion and determination to drive change.

Chris: Can you share some of your early experiences and insights from engaging with civic leaders and startups in Northeast Ohio?

Julie: First, some amazing companies are forming and scaling here, led by passionate and smart founders. In the first two tech accelerators we held since I joined, over 70 health tech and 90 software tech companies competed for just ten spots in each program—all compelling, growing startups rooted in this region. It’s clear that Ohio has the talent, ideas, and grit to grow its startup economy. While our assets are spread across the state, organizations like JumpStart work to solve this by curating and guiding the path for founders.

Civic and corporate leaders are also deeply engaged, recognizing the importance and benefits of a thriving startup economy. Public-private partnerships are critical for helping Ohio founders succeed and stay in the state where we want them. Corporate venture growth is driving transformations within larger companies, while the growing tech and startup ecosystem helps attract and retain talent. There’s also a strong push to intentionally support founders from socially and economically disadvantaged communities. Organizations like JumpStart help bridge barriers, supporting founders on their path to success.

Chris: How do you envision the future of Northeast Ohio's startup ecosystem, and what key strategies will you implement to drive its growth?

Julie: We need to rally around and support the sectors with strong potential in Ohio: HealthTech, AI/enterprise software, fintech, green tech—including water technology and electrification of movement—and advanced manufacturing. Each of these areas is a powerful engine of innovation. JumpStart is committed to supporting founders and companies in these fields by providing direct advisory services, access to a network of companies specializing in startup support, experienced Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and fractional management team opportunities.  We are continuing to work to find novel ways to provide real non-dilutive investment to companies directed as closing gaps on the way to raising capital or achieving revenue. Through a maturing venture investing network, we’re clarifying investor interests and making it easier for startups to find the right investment match.   

Chris: What are some of the biggest challenges you foresee for early-stage companies in the region, and how does JumpStart plan to address them?

Julie: One of the biggest challenges early-stage companies face today is the need for a clear pathway to revenue. Venture investors are looking for certainty, which makes landing that first customer a crucial lifeline for a startup's future. In many cases, it is the length of the sales cycle that dooms a start up as they burn through their first infusion of capital waiting for a break.  We have incredible anchor institutions in these sectors, and it's essential to keep expanding their  willingness to engage in 'outside-in' innovation. Our corporate and institutional partners have built collaborative models to help emerging companies achieve that all-important first-customer success. This approach has to work for both parties and when it does, it can significantly accelerate a company's journey to sustainable growth and bring new innovation into an incumbent corporation

Chris: Can you highlight a few success stories from JumpStart Ventures' portfolio that exemplify the potential and innovation coming out of Ohio?

Julie: Ohio’s tech scene is full of forward-thinkers and problem-solvers, and many of our portfolio companies are helping to drive innovation across the state. For example, OnStation based in Cleveland is modernizing highway infrastructure with a mobile platform that keeps crews connected, safe, and efficient on every project. They recently secured an $8.5M Series A round and are expanding their client base, working with multiple Departments of Transportation and hundreds of customers across the country.

In Columbus, Apricity Robotics is tackling one of healthcare’s pressing issues by making echocardiograms more accessible. After joining our Trailblazer HealthTech Accelerator, Apricity has raised capital to support their remote ultrasound technology, which allows sonographers to perform scans from anywhere, essentially breaking down geographic barriers to care.

And in Cincinnati, LunchTable is reimagining how fans connect with their favorite sports teams. Partnering with the Reds and FC Cincinnati, they’re turning fan engagement into a community-driven experience. Their recent $2.4 million raise is building momentum to bring fans closer to the game in meaningful ways.

Chris: Cleveland has a fantastic food scene. What's your favorite restaurant that you’d recommend to someone visiting?

Julie: That is hard because we have so many amazing places, but if I had to pick, I would say Mama Santas in University Circle.  I love their pizza and homemade pasta.

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To learn more about Julie’s work, please visit JumpStartinc.org or JumpStart.vc.

You can follow Julie on LinkedIn.