Three Entrepreneurial On-Ramps for Local Makers

Entrepreneurs don’t have to go it alone thanks to these local nonprofit support systems.
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Findlay Kitchen
Findlay Market’s incubator helps food makers start, grow, and scale packaged food concepts via commercial-grade kitchen equipment, storage space, mentoring, and connections. Members gain real-world experience and feedback—in tents at the Market, storefronts on Elm Street, and (in 2020) a food hall on Race Street—before launching a business.
1719 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, findlaykitchen.org

Mortar
With a deliberate presence on Vine Street in OTR, Mortar enables women- and minority-owned startups to join the entrepreneurial party. Classes are held at Rhinegeist and Cincinnati Museum Center, with pop-up retail spaces in OTR and Walnut Hills. Program grads include Junebug Jewelry and Imani’s Vegan Soul Kitchen.
1329 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 888-4769, wearemortar.com

Sew Valley
Rosie Kovacs (Brush Factory clothing and furniture) and Shailah Maynard (Working Girls designs) team up to give makers the tools, training, and workspace to turn ideas into soft goods. Tessa Clark, currently featured on Project Runway, created her clothing line at Sew Valley. Industrial sewing and pattern-making classes start this summer, followed by a fall class on natural plant dying techniques.
1010 Hulbert Ave., West End, (513) 873-2481, sewvalley.org

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