Ten graduate level students worked in teams with five Northeast Ohio companies on market studies addressing Reconditioned Batteries for Forklift Industry, Renewable Natural Gas Markets, Saw Blade Market and Cutting Tool Industry, Visual Guidance Systems for Robotics Serving Automotive and Healthcare, and Acquisition Targets in Healthcare Markets. The Fellows are graduate-level students from Case Western Reserve University, The University of Akron, Kent State University, and SUNY Brockport.

This year’s program operated virtually and culminated with in-depth final presentations to the host companies and a quick-pitch public presentation to 75+ area business and university leaders.

EDGE Fellows shared short presentations on their findings recently.

• Program for the Public Presentation 8-4-20
• Recording of Presentations (5 presentations at ~5 minutes each)
• EDGE Fellows Class of 2020
• Success Stories

Special thanks for support provided by:
The Burton D. Morgan Foundation, The Harvard Business School Club of Northeastern Ohio and Participating Companies (Evergreen Industrial Batteries, InsightFuel, Martindale Electric, Recognition Robotics, and STERIS Surgical Solutions)

Impact:  Sparking profitable business growth

• 50+% of the projects studied over past 13 years have generated new revenue for NE Ohio.
• Several projects have led to multi-million dollar ventures.
• Over 60% of the students choose to stay and work in the area after graduation.

About Program: The goal of the EDGE Fellows Program is to research the up-side potential for new business opportunities for area companies. Additionally, the program provides students with a truly unique consulting experience, connecting area companies with top talent from area universities and skilled business mentors. Started in 2007, the EDGE Fellows Program has explored 87 project ideas and several projects led to multi-million-dollar business ventures.

The Summer EDGE Fellows Program helps companies explore and validate new growth opportunities by engaging talented students and experienced business mentors in cross-functional teams.  Students have access to university databases and gain valuable insights in working with experienced business mentors and through primary and secondary market research as students (rather than as a company representative) – ultimately providing a comprehensive report and recommended action steps based on well-supported industry evidence.  In addition, EDGE is committed to helping Fellows develop their professional networks, foster personal development and expose them to professionals throughout NE Ohio (and beyond).

Interested in learning more? Visit EDGE Fellows and Contact Chris Keller.