Researchers Will Examine Ohio’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

The Center for Economic Development at Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs has been awarded a $74,250 grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to conduct research on high-growth businesses in Ohio.

“We hope to discern how high-growth companies and entrepreneurs perform during different phases of the business cycle,” said Ziona Austrian, Ph.D., director of the Center for Economic Development. “We also seek to understand if high-growth firms are served by Ohio’s regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Dr. Austrian and Merissa Piazza are the principal investigators on the grant. Using a mixed methods approach, CSU researchers will begin by examining the literature on high-growth establishments, also known as “gazelles.” The next phase of their study will analyze how high-growth establishments perform throughout the business cycle. To assess Ohio’s regional entrepreneurial ecosystems, the project will culminate with an online survey of high-growth establishments.

With input from the advisory team of Ray Leach of JumpStart and Deborah Hoover of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the CSU research team ultimately will suggest policies for strengthening the performance of high-growth companies.

“This prestigious grant is a major investment in the Center for Economic Development’s ability to track entrepreneurship,” said Edward (Ned) Hill, Ph.D., dean of the Levin College. “The research of Dr. Austrian and her team stands to benefit entrepreneurs throughout Ohio.”

The Center for Economic Development at CSU provides research and technical assistance to government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private industry. It has served as a designated Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center since 1985.

The Kauffman Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is dedicated to helping individuals attain economic independence by advancing educational achievement and entrepreneurial success. Among other initiatives, the foundation supports entrepreneurship research leading to policy ideas and guidance for entrepreneurs.