Since 2022, the collaboration has focused on increasing visibility for local small business owners. This fall, the initiative enters a new phase as the Browns sponsor two specific JumpStart programs: ScaleReady, which aids growing small businesses, and the Trailblazer HealthTech Accelerator. By participating in the latter, the team will track one tech founder through an intensive cycle of workshops and investor introductions.

This involvement extends to the upcoming VC Fest, where Browns announcer Andrew Siciliano will moderate a keynote with former NFL running back and health tech founder Robert Smith. Beyond public events, the team is hosting private Growth Table dinners, allowing founders to discuss the complexities of hiring and scaling directly with the organization’s leadership. According to JumpStart CEO Lorne Novick, the value lies in the team’s willingness to share their network and industry influence rather than merely providing financial backing. For the Browns, the partnership represents a strategic effort to foster economic vitality across Northeast Ohio by connecting founders with the resources necessary to sustain long-term growth.