The tenth cohort of Scalerator NEO officially launched in January, marking a decade of supporting ambitious second-stage companies across the region. The 2026 cohort includes 10 companies from six Ohio counties - Cuyahoga, Defiance, Lake, Lucas, Stark, and Summit - each led by entrepreneurs focused on scaling their businesses and contributing to the region’s economic vitality.
The cohort kicked off in December with an in-person meet and greet, providing an opportunity for participating leaders to connect and establish relationships at the outset of the program. The remainder of the program is delivered virtually, with participants engaging in structured coursework, expert-led sessions, and peer learning. The experience will conclude with an in-person graduation later in 2026.
Collectively, this year’s cohort represents 330 full-time employees and nearly $70 million in annual revenue, underscoring the scale and potential impact of the companies selected. Three participating businesses are minority- and/or woman-owned, contributing to a diverse group of leaders and perspectives.
The 2026 Scalerator NEO cohort companies and their headquarters are:
- 5-Acre Mill – Hicksville
- American Marble Industries – Canton
- Efficient Machine Products Corp. – Strongsville
- Fish Furniture – Mayfield Heights
- Forquer Heating and Air Conditioning – Green
- Grand Rock Exhaust – Painesville
- LivingSpace Sunrooms & Porch Conversions – Maumee
- MediaNet AV – Stow
- Rust Belt Riders Composting – Cleveland
- VisComm – Cleveland
Scalerator NEO is a cohort-based growth program designed for entrepreneurs leading companies with $3 million to $15 million in annual revenue. The program focuses on helping business leaders identify constraints to growth and develop practical strategies to scale sustainably, with emphasis on Customers, Capacity, and Cash.
Since 2017, 104 Northeast Ohio companies have completed Scalerator NEO, forming a growing alumni network that continues to strengthen peer connections across the region.
The cost to participate in Scalerator NEO is fully covered for companies by Burton D. Morgan Foundation and the Fasenmyer Fund, reflecting a shared commitment to entrepreneurial education and regional economic growth.
Scalerator® was developed by Daniel Isenberg, CEO of Entrepreneurship Policy Advisors and former Harvard Business School professor. The program is led by Isenberg with support from a faculty team that includes Elaine Eisenman, Kevin Mulcahy, and Frank Cespedes. Together, the faculty bring decades of experience building and advising real companies, with teaching backgrounds at institutions such as Harvard, Babson, and Columbia. To date, more than 400 companies worldwide have participated in Scalerator programs in Northeast Ohio, Milwaukee, Manizales, Atlantic Canada, Rio de Janeiro and Trinidad and Tobago.
Scalerator NEO is administered by MAGNET, a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving manufacturing growth and business success throughout Northeast Ohio.