EO Cleveland

What EO Cleveland does

EO Cleveland is a local chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a global nonprofit founded in 1987 and operating in the Cleveland, Ohio area since 1999. The chapter serves founders, co-founders, owners, and controlling shareholders of businesses generating more than $1 million in annual revenue, providing a peer-to-peer network through confidential Forum groups of 7-10 members, Executive Education programming, mentorship relationships spanning 10-12 months, and access to EO Connect's global network of more than 10,000 entrepreneurs across 196 chapters in 46+ countries. Venture-backed companies with $2M+ in privately raised or $5M+ in publicly raised funds and 10 full-time employees also qualify.

EO Cleveland operates without proprietary technology products, relying on EO Global's digital infrastructure for membership communications, event management, EO Marketplace deal-sharing, and the EO Connect networking platform. Core service offerings include the Forum peer advisory program, executive education events, EO Accelerator for first-stage entrepreneurs ($250K-$1M revenue, capped at 30 participants per Cleveland cohort), Mentorship, Healthnetwork Foundation medical access, and Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. The chapter hosts programming at venues including the Think Big Space (1020 Bolivar Rd), the Presidents Club at Playhouse Square, and LoganBerry Books in Shaker Heights.

Revenue is generated through three streams: membership dues (global $2,470/year plus $2,500 initiation; chapter $3,000/year plus $1,000 initiation), EO Accelerator fees ($2,750 per participant plus $500 initiation), and Strategic Alliance Partner (SAP) investments in three tiers (Rockefeller at $20,000/year, Wolstein at $15,000/year, and EOA Booster at $2,000/year add-on). Customer acquisition is community-led, driven by member referrals, word-of-mouth within the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, and visibility at chapter events. Named Strategic Alliance Partners include First National Bank, NFP, Sequoia Financial Group, Payroll Vault, Spry (concierge primary care), Vensure Employer Solutions, Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Silverline Consulting, CarltonMcKenna, and Move Your Business. The chapter is led by CEO Craig Hassell.

Name

EO Cleveland

Legal name

EO Cleveland

Website

https://eocleveland.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EO Cleveland is a nonprofit peer-to-peer membership chapter serving Cleveland-area entrepreneurs whose businesses generate $1M+ in annual revenue, offering confidential Forum advisory groups, executive education, mentorship, global EO network access, and an EO Accelerator program for earlier-stage founders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. EO Membership Dues: Revenue from annual membership dues combining global and chapter fees. Global dues are $2,470/year plus $2,500 one-time initiation fee. EO Cleveland chapter dues are $3,000/year plus $1,000 one-time initiation fee. Fees are prorated based on fiscal quarter of joining.
2. EO Accelerator Program Fees: Revenue from the EO Accelerator program for early-stage entrepreneurs. Program costs $2,750 per participant plus $500 one-time chapter initiation fee. Provides access to quarterly learning events and networking opportunities.
3. Strategic Alliance Partner (SAP) Investments: Revenue from corporate partners at three tiers: Rockefeller ($20,000/year), Wolstein ($15,000/year), and EOA Booster ($2,000/year additional). Partners gain access to EO member network of $1M+ business owners in exchange for monetary and in-kind contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EO Cleveland is a nonprofit, membership-based peer-to-peer network and local chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization serving Cleveland, Ohio. It provides confidential peer advisory Forums (groups of 7-10 business owners), executive education programs, networking events, mentorship, and an EO Accelerator program for early-stage entrepreneurs. Membership is limited to founders, co-founders, owners, or controlling shareholders of companies generating $1M+ in annual revenue, who pay annual dues plus a one-time initiation fee.

Product overview

EO Cleveland is a chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, offering a peer-to-peer network for local business owners. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of programs including Forum (confidential peer advisory groups), Executive Education, EO Marketplace, EO Connect (global network access), Global and Chapter Events, Mentorship, Healthnetwork Foundation, and the EO Accelerator Program for early-stage entrepreneurs. The Strategic Alliance Partner Program offers vetted business service partners tiered membership access. The portfolio is structured as a unified membership organization rather than a software product platform, with individual programs serving different entrepreneurial development needs from startup to established business phases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EO Accelerator Program: A program for first-stage entrepreneurs with gross yearly revenues between $250,000 to $1 million, providing tools, accountability, and community for business development.
• Strategic Alliance Partner (SAP)

Products and services

• EO Cleveland Membership
• EO Accelerator Program
• Strategic Alliance Partner Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 27 EOA programs helping entrepreneurs reach $1M revenue threshold
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Burton D. MorgancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured partner of EO Cleveland. Burton D. Morgan is a foundation supporting entrepreneurship and is listed among EO Cleveland's strategic alliance partners.
• Silverline ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner providing consulting services to EO Cleveland members.
• CarltonMcKennacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner listed among EO Cleveland's vetted business service partners.
• Move Your BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner providing business services to EO Cleveland members.
• First National BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-service bank offering capital financing, treasury management, risk protection, and strategic financial services tailored to businesses. SAP forum topics include accessing capital, fraud prevention, and strengthening banking relationships. Key contact: Ronald Schultz.
• Payroll VaultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoutique payroll and HR service provider that integrates with QuickBooks and other accounting software, manages tax compliance, and offers time/attendance tracking, HR support, pre-employment screening, and workers' compensation solutions. Key contact: Darius Burnette.
• NFPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading insurance broker offering health and business benefits, personal insurance, and risk management consulting. SAP forum topics include employee benefits trends, small/large group medical, ancillary benefits, ERISA compliance, and HSA/FSA optimization. Key contacts: Kevin Lurie, Joel Richman.
• Sequoia Financial GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted advisors offering comprehensive wealth planning, investment management, business succession planning, tax and estate planning, and philanthropic strategy. Focus areas include wealth building, exit planning, aligning personal/business goals, and maximizing business value. Key contacts: Jim Thompson, Chris Peck.
• SprycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership-based primary care practice offering personalized healthcare. SAP forum topics include value of primary care, concierge care, navigating health systems, and employer-sponsored health plans. Key contacts: Ryan Johnson, Lauren Gopal MD, Raisa Lerner MD.
• Vensure Employer SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-service Professional Employer Organization (PEO) providing payroll, benefits, compliance, recruiting, and workers' compensation solutions nationwide. SAP forum topics include HR outsourcing, becoming employer of choice, managing remote teams, and Ohio workers' compensation. Key contact: Mark Pallo.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• TAB (The Alternative Board): TAB provides peer advisory boards for SMB owners, typically with $1M-$50M revenue, structured around monthly facilitated board meetings. Comparable to EO in offering peer forums for business owners but generally serves a slightly smaller revenue band and is more regionally organized.
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): YPO is a global leadership community of chief executives, with chapters worldwide, peer forums, and learning networks. Directly comparable in mission, peer-group structure, and member qualification criteria, though YPO skews toward larger companies.
• C12 Group: C12 Group is a peer advisory and business coaching organization for Christian CEOs and business owners, structured around monthly group meetings. Comparable to EO Cleveland in offering peer boards for owners of established businesses, though with a faith-based membership requirement.
• Vistage: Vistage is the largest CEO peer advisory and executive coaching organization in the world, serving CEOs, business owners, and key executives. Directly comparable to EO Cleveland as both run confidential peer group models with monthly meetings, learning events, and tiered membership for business leaders above similar revenue thresholds.
• Renaissance Executive Forums: Renaissance Executive Forums organizes peer advisory groups for CEOs and business owners across North America, with monthly facilitated meetings and member events. Directly comparable to EO Cleveland's confidential Forum model and SMB-owner focus.
• Tiger 21: Tiger 21 is a peer network for high-net-worth individuals who have successfully built and sold businesses, offering monthly group meetings, investment education, and wealth management support. Comparable as a peer membership model for accomplished entrepreneurs, though focused more on wealth than active operating businesses.
• TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs): TiE is a global nonprofit network of entrepreneurs and professionals, with chapters across major cities, focused on fostering entrepreneurship through mentorship, education, and networking. Comparable to EO Cleveland's chapter-based entrepreneur peer network structure and mission.

Broad incumbents

• EO Global (Entrepreneurs' Organization): EO Global is the parent organization of which EO Cleveland is a local chapter. It directly defines EO Cleveland's membership standards, programs, and global events, making it both parent and broad incumbent in the same peer-network space.

Emerging players

• Founder Institute: Founder Institute is a pre-seed startup accelerator and founder-support network with global chapters. Comparable as a community-driven entrepreneur development organization, though focused on earlier-stage founders than EO's $1M+ threshold.
• Startup Grind: Startup Grind operates a global community of startup founders with local chapters in many cities, focused on events, education, and connecting early-stage entrepreneurs. Comparable chapter-based entrepreneur community model, but with a tech-startup focus and earlier-stage audience than EO.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eo-cleveland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about EO Cleveland