John S. And Marlene J. Brinzo Center For Entrepreneurship
MISSION
Employing an entrepreneurial mindset, we generate societal impact through top-tier research, innovative education and meaningful engagement with the business community. We are guided by our core values of excellence, accountability, collaboration, inclusivity and respect.
The Brinzo Center is open to all, especially those who:
- Have an idea.
- Are attempting a new venture.
- Wish to incorporate their entrepreneurial mindset within a corporation.
About John S. Brinzo
John Brinzo is the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Cliffs Natural Resources. Brinzo’s philanthropic commitment to Kent State began in 1969 with a $10 gift, just after he took a new position in a company that would be his home for the next 37 years, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. When John arrived at Kent State in 1960, he chose accounting as his major. However, he soon discovered an interest and talent in the areas of marketing and advertising, so he changed majors. He credits Kent State with providing the tools he needed to begin his long and successful career in business. John’s donations to Kent State have grown considerably since his first gift more than 50 years ago, with a specific focus on the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship. His gifts have funded the creation of the John S. and Marlene J. Brinzo Center for Entrepreneurship.
He has also volunteered his time and business expertise as the first chairman of the college’s National Advisory Board. John Brinzo began his successful career in 1964 in the management training program at National City Bank. He joined Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., the leading supplier of iron ore products in North America, in 1969 as a financial analyst. Through the years, Brinzo worked his way up through Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., being named president and chief executive officer in 1997 and chairman of the board in 2000, a position he held until he retired in 2006.
He has since served on seven corporate boards, including the Brinks Company and Delta Airlines. He and his wife, Marlene, have two children and five grandchildren.
OUR SERVICES
- Funding opportunities
- Entrepreneur-In-Residence (E-I-R) services and mentorship
- Student Organizations
- Open, collaborative working spaces and conference lab
- Dedicated business resource librarian and research station
- Networking with top local entrepreneurial organizations
BUSINESS ADVISING
The Brinzo Center offers business advising and mentorship to student, faculty and alumni business owners, both in person and virtually.
Is it your first time meeting with a member from our team? Please fill out the form below to schedule your one-on-one advising appointment.
Are you a returning visitor? Click below to schedule a meeting with a Brinzo Lab team member.
PITCH COMPETITIONS
Stay up to date on the Spring Pitch!
2025 Spring Pitch Applications will be open soon. Click the button below to sign up for updates and we'll let you know as soon as the application is open!
Have questions? Call 330-672-9426 or email us at BrinzoCenter@kent.edu
MICHAEL D. SOLOMON ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPEAKER SERIES
The Michael D. Solomon Entrepreneurship Speaker Series brings experienced entrepreneurs and educators to campus each semester to share professional insights and wisdom with students and community members. This endowed program is supported by Kent State Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship (ACCBE) alumnus, Michael D. Solomon. The series held its first lecture in May 2008.
The Michael D. Solomon Speaker Series is presented by the ACCBE John S. And Marlene J. Brinzo Center For Entrepreneurship.
ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
- CEO supports more than 16,500 emerging collegiate entrepreneurs annually. CEO believes that any student, regardless of academic discipline can launch a business and they support and inspire the growth and development of any student that seeks to be entrepreneurial.
- NEOSVF gives students the opportunity to understand new venture creation by teaching them the due diligence on companies they are investing in. If you are interested in joining, please email Kent chapter president Grant Schuchter at gschucht@kent.edu.
- Sigma Nu Tau Honor Society
- is a student organization for accredited universities. Its mission is to be a collegiate honor society that recognizes students, faculty members and entrepreneurs who have either excelled in the study of entrepreneurship or who are exemplary models of principled entrepreneurship.
SCHOLARSHIPS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- The Murray Conerby Memorial Endowed Scholarship
- James and Phyllis Difiore Endowed Scholarship
- Tim Eippert Endowed Scholarship For Entrepreneurship
- Tim Eippert Second Endowed Scholarship in Entrepreneurship
- Donald S. Grant Travel Award and Scholarship
- Ray's Place Scholarship
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Christopher Vogt is a senior finance major at ºÚÁÏÍø and was the third-place winner of the 2022 CEBIpitch. Christopher is the founder of LinkApp. As seen on Grant Cardone's show, Tech Tank. LinkApp already has thousands of downloads in 20 countries. The app provides a way for users to socialize with others in their area with geo-fenced chats, find hangouts and make plans with ease, through their immersive, real-life social media platform.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Anne Skoch, a 2018 graduate of ºÚÁÏÍø, is the CEO and founder of Anne-Cate; a Cleveland-based accessories boutique featuring Made in America city skyline silhouette purses and pillows. Founded in 2016, the Anne Cate skyline collection has expanded to feature purses, pillows and handbags with skylines of more than 125 cities, including Seattle, Chicago, Columbus and New York. All Anne-Cate products are handmade in small batches at her manufacturing studio in Cleveland, Ohio. Each product is created using sustainable and quality materials, sourced in the United States. Anne-Cate has been featured at maker's fairs such as The Cleveland Flea as well as in more than 80 museums, boutiques and department stores across the country. She has also made products for Hulu and Key Bank’s corporate office. Anne won first place in the second annual CEBIpitch competition.
CONNECT WITH THE CENTER
Interested in helping the Brinzo Center?
We are always looking for other businesses, entrepreneurs, alumni and local businesses to help expand the Brinzo Center mission. The Brinzo Lab is located in Crawford Hall in Suite 116.
Linda Hale - Marketing Manager of The Brinzo Center
Phone: 330-672-7890
Email: lhale9@kent.edu
Shawn Rohlin Ph.D. - Director of The Brinzo Center, Professor of Economics
Phone: 330-672-1098
Email: srohlin@kent.edu
Nick Petrella - Entrepreneur in Residence
Phone: 330-672-5826
Email: npetrel3@kent.edu