Organization · Incubator
YBI
YBI (Youngstown Business Incubator) is a nonprofit organization in Youngstown, Ohio, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, particularly women and minorities, through various programs and services focused on digital businesses and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Overview
What YBI does
What YBI is
YBI (Youngstown Business Incubator) is a nonprofit organization in Youngstown, Ohio, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, particularly women and minorities, through various programs and services focused on digital businesses and advanced manufacturing technologies.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Incubator
- Founded
- Founded in 1995
- Approximate age
- About 31 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
What Incubator means
An incubator is a support environment for turning a nascent idea or early company into a startup that is more ready for customers, funding, or an accelerator.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find YBI elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
YBI as a funder
Investment thesis
YBI supports entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly those led by women and minorities, to foster a diverse business community and revitalize the local economy through entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Focus narrative
YBI provides various services aimed at developing successful digital businesses and advancing entrepreneurship. Their focus includes supporting women and minority entrepreneurs, promoting advanced manufacturing technologies, offering mentorship and business incubator programs, and engaging with local manufacturers to implement innovative technologies.
Value beyond capital
YBI adds value to its portfolio companies by providing mentorship, access to capital, and resources tailored to the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+ · Series A
- Regions
- United States
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
Portfolio context
YBI's portfolio includes a variety of companies, particularly those in the early stages of development. Notable portfolio companies include Augment Therapy, which focuses on improving physical therapy practices through interactive software, and Freshmade 3D, specializing in additive manufacturing and creating durable parts from 3D printed sand.
Capability profile
YBI as a program host
Program thesis
The Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) supports entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly those led by women and minorities, to foster a diverse business community and revitalize the local economy through entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Focus narrative
YBI provides various services aimed at developing successful digital businesses and advancing entrepreneurship. Their focus includes supporting women and minority entrepreneurs, promoting advanced manufacturing technologies, offering mentorship and business incubator programs, and engaging with local manufacturers to implement innovative technologies.
Value and support
YBI offers mentorship, business incubator programs, technical assistance, access to capital, and business counseling for minority-owned businesses.
Format and cadence
- Typical duration
- 15 weeks
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
YBI's portfolio includes a variety of companies, particularly those in the early stages of development. Notable portfolio companies include Augment Therapy, which focuses on improving physical therapy practices through interactive software, and Freshmade 3D, which specializes in additive manufacturing, particularly in creating durable parts from 3D printed sand.
Capability profile
YBI as a community
Community overview
The Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) is a non-profit organization based in Youngstown, Ohio. It was established to support entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly those led by women and minorities. YBI focuses on fostering a diverse business community and revitalizing the local economy through entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Community focus
YBI provides various services aimed at developing successful digital businesses and advancing entrepreneurship. Their focus includes supporting women and minority entrepreneurs, promoting advanced manufacturing technologies, offering mentorship and business incubator programs, and engaging with local manufacturers to implement innovative technologies.
Member value
Members benefit from access to mentorship, business counseling, technical assistance, and opportunities to connect with local manufacturers and investors. YBI also provides programs specifically designed for youth and minority entrepreneurs.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- incubator and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
Community activity
Events and activity
YBI hosts several events to engage with the community and support entrepreneurs, including the annual YBI Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to investors, and the OhioX Road Show, which showcases YBI's facilities and programs.
Notable members
Notable portfolio companies include Augment Therapy, founded by Lindsay Watson, which focuses on improving physical therapy practices, and Freshmade 3D, co-founded by Rich Wetzel, specializing in additive manufacturing.
Capability profile
YBI as an event host
Event focus
YBI provides various services aimed at developing successful digital businesses and advancing entrepreneurship. Their focus includes supporting women and minority entrepreneurs, promoting advanced manufacturing technologies, offering mentorship and business incubator programs, and engaging with local manufacturers to implement innovative technologies.
Format narrative
YBI hosts events such as the YBI Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to investors, and the OhioX Road Show, which showcases YBI's facilities and programs.
Participant value
YBI fosters a diverse business community and revitalizes the local economy through entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- pitch-night
- Recurrence
- annual
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
- Next event location
- Youngstown, OH
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- United States
Common questions
What to know about YBI
Upseed classifies YBI under the Incubator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.