Cleveland - "Innovation Hub" - Popular Mechanics

Cleveland's impressive entrepreneurial growth in recent years falls into two basic categories: first, makers and small manufacturers, and second, medical and biotech hardware and software. University-based medical research and development is big in Cleveland, led by such notable institutions as the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals Case Medical Center, an affiliate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. 

Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals are anchors of the city's Health-Tech Corridor (HTC), a sprawling, 1600-acre area in the city proper. The HTC is also comprised of eight business incubators and about 125 high-tech companies focused on innovation. BioEnterprise, a medical and biotech business accelerator, "has created, recruited, and accelerated more than 100 companies that have collectively attracted over $1 billion in new funding," according to the HTC website. 

Meanwhile, Radcliffe exemplifies the industriousness—and the pride—of Cleveland's maker community. A few months ago, when PM began exploring Cleveland's startup scene, we quickly discovered that metal furniture designer and fabricator Jason Radcliffe was a key figure in the city's thriving maker community. Little did we know that he would soon become a reality-TV star. That's what happened last night when Radcliffe, 38, whose shop is called 44Steel, appeared in the debut episode of Spike TV's Framework, a sort of Project Runway for furniture fabricators. 

Also in 2009, Radcliffe founded F*SHO, an artisanal furniture show and sale in Cleveland. Six makers presented their creations, and about 350 people attended. Last year, 30 exhibitors took part, and more than 2,500 prospective buyers came through the door. For F*SHO 2015, Radcliffe is already shopping for more space to accommodate as many as 45 fellow furniture makers and designers. 

"We're going to amp it up big-time this year," Radcliffe says. "I've invited everyone from Framework to attend, and I think they will." 

Guess there's not denying that something's going on in Cleveland. 

Popular Mechanics: Original Posting