YBI

What YBI does

YBI (Youngstown Business Incubator) is a nonprofit business incubator and accelerator founded in 1995 and based in Youngstown, Ohio, operating a 200,000-square-foot, five-building downtown campus. The organization supports early-stage entrepreneurs across four verticals: (1) Advanced Manufacturing — including a Tech Block Building housing DMLS, SLM, FDM, SLA, ceramic stereolithography, binder jetting, and an XJet Carmel 1400M NanoParticle Jetting metal printer operated in partnership with Humtown Products; (2) Engine Technology — a tech incubation program evolved from a SaaS focus into an Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence with 65,000 sq ft of manufacturing space; (3) the Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC), serving seven Ohio counties with state certification (MBE/EDGE/WBE/VBE), capital, and contract support; and (4) Explore VR for K-12 entrepreneurship education. Over two decades, YBI has supported approximately 370 portfolio companies that collectively generated $7.3 million in revenue and raised $63.4 million in capital, attracting ventures from California, Colorado, Israel, and the UK.

Revenue is derived from three primary streams: government grants (e.g., $1.35 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission in 2022 and $1.795 million in 2024, $50,000 from the SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition in 2023, $35,000 from the Taco Bell Foundation in 2025), fee-for-service additive manufacturing work for Ohio manufacturers, and incubator/accelerator program services including entrepreneurial counseling, SBIR/STTR federal funding assistance, and commercialization support. YBI does not charge equity or fees for its international program (I-YBI) and operates as a community-led, event-driven organization, with marquee gatherings such as AMUX (Advanced Manufacturing User Expo) and the YBI Shark Tank pitch competition serving as both deal-flow and fundraising mechanisms.

Name

YBI

Legal name

Youngstown Business Incubator

Website

https://ybi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

YBI is a nonprofit business incubator in Youngstown, Ohio, that accelerates early-stage startups across advanced manufacturing, technology, and minority/women entrepreneurship through a five-building 200,000-sf campus, on-site additive manufacturing equipment, and government-funded programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation and Advanced Manufacturing Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

Keywords

• Business incubation services
• Additive manufacturing programs
• Minority business assistance
• Technology startup accelerator
• Entrepreneurship development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Youngstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Incubator/Accelerator Programs: YBI provides business development programs including entrepreneurial counseling, access to capital, facilities, product commercialization, and technology integration support to startups and small businesses.
2. Fee-for-Service AM Work: The Advanced Manufacturing team offers trusted fee-for-service work that diversifies manufacturing offerings for Ohio manufacturers implementing AM technology.
3. Government Grants and Funding: YBI receives government funding including $50,000 from SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (2023) and $1.35 million from Appalachian Regional Commission to support small business development programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YBI (Youngstown Business Incubator) is a nonprofit business incubator and accelerator that delivers multi-program support to early-stage startups and small businesses across four verticals: Advanced Manufacturing (additive manufacturing integration, America Makes, Rising Tides, DRIVE AM), Engine Technology (incubation, local SaaS cohort, international startup attraction), Minority Business Assistance Center (certification, capital, contracts, supply chain diversity), and Explore VR (youth entrepreneurship). The organization provides entrepreneurial counseling, access to capital, facilities and equipment, product commercialization, technology integration, state certification assistance, and SBIR/STTR grant support from a 200,000 square foot campus in downtown Youngstown, Ohio.

Product overview

YBI (Youngstown Business Incubator) is a business incubator and accelerator that operates as a multi-program platform rather than a single product. The organization offers distinct programs organized into four main verticals: (1) Advanced Manufacturing including the AM Program, America Makes, Rising Tides, DRIVE AM, AM Cluster of Ohio, and the AM Center of Excellence; (2) Engine Technology covering the ENGINE Technology Incubation Program, Local SaaS Cohort, I-YBI, and Landing Zone; (3) MBAC (Minority Business Assistance Center) with certification, capital, and contracts programs plus the Supply Hub; and (4) Specialized initiatives including Explore VR, YBI Shark Tank, AMUX, and the BRITE Building facility. Additional programs include SBIR/STTR federal funding assistance and The Last Tactical Mile metal casting seminars. The platform collectively supports entrepreneurs across technology, advanced manufacturing, digital businesses, and minority/women entrepreneurship through mentorship, facilities, funding access, and business development services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ENGINE: Technology Incubation Program that started in 2001 focused on SaaS companies and evolved to focus on Advanced Manufacturing
• America Makes
• MBAC
• Landing Zone
• AMUX

Products and services

• Advanced Manufacturing (AM) Program Supports Ohio manufacturers with additive manufacturing technology integration, providing fee-for-service work including AM education, business case analysis, prototyping, 3D modeling, reverse engineering, and grant writing assistance for small and medium-sized manufacturers.
• America Makes The nation's leading collaborative partner in advanced manufacturing and 3D printing technology research, established as the first of the Manufacturing USA network. Located at YBI's campus, it accelerates adoption of additive manufacturing technology for U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.
• SBIR/STTR Program Federal funding assistance program helping entrepreneurs navigate the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program with counseling, application support, and the TurboSBIR tool for proposal preparation.
• Rising Tides Manufacturing resources program providing commercialization services, SBIR/STTR grant writing, technology adoption support (up to 50% reimbursement), supply chain opportunities, and workforce development programs for Ohio manufacturers.
• DRIVE AM Additive manufacturing training initiative in partnership with the University of Texas at El Paso providing hands-on courses on industrial AM technologies including the UltiMaker S7 program for in-shop 3D printing experience.
• AM Cluster of Ohio Collaborative initiative dedicated to accelerating 3D printing technologies, computer-aided design, tooling, and manufacturing methods across Northeast Ohio, focusing on aerospace and automotive market opportunities.
• ENGINE Technology Incubation Program Technology startup incubation and acceleration program providing mentorship, commercialization assistance, pitch deck development, and access to industry experts and marquee customers for early-stage tech companies.
• AM Center of Excellence Ohio's designated hub for advanced manufacturing innovation and commercialization, offering 65,000 sq ft of manufacturing space with FDM/SLS, Ceramic MJ, DMLS technologies, and expert technical assistance for technology-based ventures.
• Local SaaS Cohort Incubation support for early-stage software companies in Northeast Ohio (Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Carroll counties) providing personalized strategies for ideation, go-to-market execution, MVP assistance, and access to capital.
• I-YBI (International-YBI) Support program for international and domestic tech startups relocating to Youngstown, offering visa assistance, U.S. entity formation, IP support, banking introductions, workforce development, and business development resources with no fees or equity required.
• Landing Zone Advanced manufacturing market entry lab launching May 2026, a nine-week program preparing founders with early-stage manufacturing innovations to build high-impact ventures within Youngstown's advanced manufacturing cluster using America Makes frameworks.
• MBAC (Minority Business Assistance Center) Regional assistance center providing technical support, working capital information, professional consulting, grant funding opportunities, and federal contracting assistance for minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and disadvantaged businesses in seven Ohio counties.
• Explore VR Virtual and augmented reality program for youth entrepreneurship and education, delivering immersive experiences including VR field trips and educational content for K-12 students.
• AMUX (Advanced Manufacturing User Expo) Annual gathering of innovators, industry leaders, and technology adopters showcasing advanced manufacturing advancements in Northeast Ohio, featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, and demonstrations.
• YBI Shark Tank Live pitch competition where regional entrepreneurs present business ideas before celebrity sharks (investors and community leaders) serving as YBI's marquee fundraiser.
• EmpowerUS Awards Recognition program celebrating women entrepreneurs, part of YBI's Women in Entrepreneurship initiative supporting women business owners in northeast Ohio.

Quantifiable outcome

• 370 portfolio companies supported over two decades
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026NCDMM manages America Makes and the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense. The hub aims to support aerospace and defense manufacturing in the Mahoning Valley with $26 million state investment.
• Lakeland Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025ESP ambassador and programming partner in Ohio's Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, offering comprehensive support to entrepreneurs from early ideas to market launch.
• University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Aerospace CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025DEDC (Digital Engineering Aerospace and Defense Systems Design Center) operated by UTEP Aerospace Center and W. M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation in partnership with Aerospace and Defense Contractors, America Makes, YSU, Western Tech, YBI, and El Paso Chamber.
• Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025$26 million state investment in facility under development in former Vindicator newspaper building in Youngstown, managed by NCDMM and partnered with America Makes and YBI. Projected to generate $161.6 million economic output and 450 jobs by 2029.
• Humtown ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership for metal casting AM using ExOne sand printing technology. YBI, YSU, and Humtown brought the second university-owned S Max printer in North America to the Mahoning Valley. Hosts XJet Carmel 1400M metal printer for aerospace, defense, medical, and electronics sectors.
• America MakescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012America Makes (formerly National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute) is the nation's leading collaborative partner in advanced manufacturing, founded in 2012 as DoD's National Manufacturing Innovation Institute for additive manufacturing. It is the first of the Manufacturing USA network, managed by NCDMM, and is headquartered at YBI's campus.
• ExOne CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of industrial 3D printing systems used for sand cores in metal casting applications through partnership with YBI and Humtown Products.
• University of Northern IowaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in The Last Tactical Mile additive manufacturing for metal casting program alongside America Makes, American Foundry Society, Humtown Products, and ExOne.
• American Foundry SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in The Last Tactical Mile additive manufacturing for metal casting program supporting foundries in adopting AM technologies.
• GLIDE (Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to helping innovators and startups grow successful technology-based businesses that create jobs in Northeast Ohio through strategic entrepreneurial support.
• Cleveland Water AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater cluster establishing Ohio as a top global destination for freshwater innovation through robust testbed infrastructure and multi-sector partnerships.
• Youngstown State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in advanced manufacturing programs including DEDC and Innovation Hub initiatives, providing workforce development and research capabilities.
• gener8torminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisconsin-based accelerator partnership announced in 2018 for startup support and cross-market opportunities.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• gener8tor: Wisconsin-based startup accelerator that is an active YBI partner (announced 2018). Runs cohort-based accelerators for early-stage companies with a similar mentorship, capital access, and corporate partnership model, making it the closest functional peer.
• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit accelerator supporting early-stage startups with no equity taken, offering mentorship, corporate connections, and pitch opportunities. Closely aligned with YBI's nonprofit, equity-free incubation model across multiple verticals including advanced manufacturing and digital health.
• 1871: Chicago-based nonprofit tech hub providing workspace, mentorship, and programming to early-stage digital and enterprise startups. Operates a similar multi-program nonprofit incubation model with corporate partner engagement and curated cohort programming.
• Village Capital: Global nonprofit supporting early-stage entrepreneurs through peer-selected cohorts and mentoring. Comparable nonprofit structure, focus on undercapitalized founder segments, and program-based incubation, including a focus on impact-driven sectors similar to YBI's MBAC.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: One of the largest global accelerator networks running industry-specific cohorts with mentorship-driven programs. While Techstars takes equity (YBI does not), it operates a similar accelerator+mentor+corporate partner model and is the most established comparably scaled peer.
• MxD (Manufacturing x Digital): Chicago-based Digital Manufacturing Institute and DoD Manufacturing USA institute focused on digital manufacturing and supply chain. Closely analogous to America Makes/YBI's role as the AM-focused Manufacturing USA institute partner, addressing an adjacent manufacturing vertical.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform operating industry-specific accelerator programs with corporate partner networks and founder services. Comparable to YBI's corporate-partner-driven model (JobsOhio, NCDMM, America Makes) but operates at much greater scale across multiple geographies.

Regional players

• Innovation Works: Pittsburgh-based seed-stage investor and accelerator focused on robotics, AI, and advanced industries. Directly comparable to YBI as a Rust Belt regional tech/advanced-industry incubator, serving a similar founder pool within a one-to-two-hour drive of Youngstown.
• ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing): Pittsburgh-based Manufacturing USA institute focused on robotics manufacturing, with similar DoD/government funding profile and ecosystem model. Directly comparable as a sister Manufacturing USA institute working alongside America Makes/YBI on advanced manufacturing adoption.
• Cincinnati Children's Innovation Fund / CincyTech: Ohio-based regional venture and acceleration organization supporting tech and advanced industry startups in southwest Ohio. Comparable as a peer-state, peer-region incubator operating in Ohio with similar public-private funding mix and ecosystem-building mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ybiTweets
• Facebookfacebook.com/ybincubator
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youngstown-business-incubator
• Instagraminstagram.com/youngstownbusinessincubator/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YBI