NORTHEAST OHIO STUDENT VENTURE FUND
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About

The Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund (NEOSVF) is a 501(c)(3) student-run organization that funds high-growth potential, startups in Northeast Ohio in the area of Advanced Materials, Medical Technology, Fuel Cells, Energy Storage, Medical Technology, Software Applications, Sensing and Automation Technologies, Situational Awareness Systems, Surveillance Systems Solar and Photovoltaics.

​Not only do we provide funding for companies, we also provide an experiential learning opportunity for students of Northeast Ohio's colleges and universities. 
NEOSVF is not a contest, competition, or for-profit organization - it's a collaborative initiative to invest in entrepreneurial expansion of Northeast Ohio.

Meet Our Team

Dan Hampu

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Executive Director

Daniel J. Hampu is the Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Student Venture Fund (NEOSVF). Dan also serves as Chief Operating Officer of Fontus Blue, Inc., a software-based startup company that develops solutions and supports people making exceptional drinking water for the public. Previously, he worked as a New Venture Manager with the University of Akron Research Foundation, where he focused on technology commercialization and due diligence, co-managing the University of Akron's National Science Foundation I-Corps Sites program, and managing deal flow for the ARCHAngels Investor Network. Mr. Hampu has a B.A. in Business Administration – Marketing from Mount Union College and a J.D. in Law and M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Akron.   ​

Sara Donato 

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Intern

Sara Donato is a senior at Kent State University, majoring in Digital Media Productions with minors in photojournalism and advertising. After graduation in Spring 2020, she hopes to grow her career with nonprofits and companies focused on a social responsibility in education, environment, and community development. In her free time, she loves photography, reading, and, camping.

Nathan Hill

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Intern

Nathan Hill is excited to be working for NEOSVF this summer. He is a recent graduate from the University of Akron with a degree in Political Science. Next fall, he will be joining the incoming class at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Nathan hopes to show everyone that Northeast Ohio is a viable place for businesses and start-ups. For fun, Nathan enjoys the arts, sports, supporting local businesses and exploring cities. 

Steve Maryo

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Intern

Stephan Maryo is a recent graduate of The College of Wooster with a degree in Political Science.

Mica Pflug

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Intern

Mica Pflug, also known as Meeks, is a senior at Kent State currently studying Entrepreneurship. She plans to work with start-ups and continue the operation of her own small business when she graduates.  In her free time, she enjoys thrifting and reselling (as a part of her business, and because retail therapy is the real deal), spending time in the sun, singing, playing the ukulele, pretending to know how to play the guitar, and being a dog mom. A fun fact about Mica is that in
the fall of 2017, she met Macklemore, who is an inspiration to both 
entrepreneurs and thrifters everywhere (yeah, google it). 

Riley Shelton

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Intern

Riley Shelton is a student majoring in Computer Information Systems at The University of Akron. Riley has been working on a mobile application and has participated in many pitch competitions and workshops that Northeast Ohio has to offer. Riley wants to see Cleveland become the next Silicon Valley and believes it has the potential to do so. His dream is to end up in a history book because growing up his favorite subject was history and he admires many people and the impact they had on this planets timeline.

Chapter Universities​

Kent State University
Notre Dame College
Walsh University
The University of Akron
Case Western Reserve University
The College of Wooster

Board of Directors

NEOSVF management consists of individuals with significant experience in technology commercialization, startup evaluation, and both for profit and non-profit tech and non-tech board leadership.
President - Dr. George Newkome, PhD. Vice President of Research Emeritus, University of Akron
Executive Director Daniel Hampu J.D., M.B.A. Project Manager University of Akron Research Foundation
Vice President - Kenneth Preston, J.D. Associate Vice President for Research and Director of Technology Transfer, University of Akron
Treasurer - Mary Ellen Hinkle, CPA Director of Accounting University of Akron Research Foundation
Bill Leamon, M.B.A., M.O.D., M.H.R., Professor of Marketing & Entrepreneurship, Notre Dame College and Director of the Business Of Good Foundation
Dr. Gopal Nadkarni, PhD. Assistant Professor and Proof-of-Concept Director, University of Akron
Michael Goldberg Assistant Professor Design and Innovation, Case Western Reserve University
Dr. Peter Abramo, PhD., Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, College of Wooster
Dr. Shawn Rohlin, PhD., Associate Professor, Director for Center of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation
Michelle Spain Associate Professor, Walsh University DeVille School of Business

Contact

411 Wolf Ledges,
​Akron, Ohio, 44311, US
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