2025 NEO Spotlight Presenters announced!

 

Five inspiring entrepreneurs from Northeast Ohio will step into the spotlight at the NEO Showcase event on June 18 for a shot at substantial cash and in-kind awards.

Each presenter will take the stage for 8 minutes—giving them space to tell their story, wow the judges, and win the crowd. (That means you!)

Meet the five presenters

1. Group Home App

The Group Home App is a platform built for behavioral health professionals and group home owners to simplify client placement. Through an AI-powered resource directory, self-care tools, and access to local housing options, the platform is helping connect the dots between need and support—making it easier to find the right care at the right time.

2. JuxtaVandal

JuxtaVandal transforms overlooked school spaces—bathrooms, hallways, locker rooms—into immersive art installations that inspire and uplift. With affirmations, intentional design, and student-led collaboration, these spaces become safe havens that promote mental wellbeing and school pride. Because even the most unexpected spaces can remind you that you matter.

3. KneadED

KneadED is a cooperative of cottage and home bakers across Northeast Ohio who come together to buy ingredients in bulk—saving money and strengthening their businesses. Through annual membership dues, bakers access wholesale prices for essentials like flour, butter, eggs, and more. It’s collective power in action—kneading together a better system for small-batch bakers.

4. Shusharoo

Shusharoo is an AI-driven platform transforming mental health by making resources accessible, affordable, and engaging. Through personalized wellness scores, self-directed tools, and gamified experiences, we empower individuals to take control of their well-being. Committed to breaking stigma and serving underserved communities, Shusharoo drives measurable social impact through a scalable, ethical model. Together, we can make mental wellness available to all.

5. Sweet Bonds (by the Him & Me Foundation)

Sweet Bonds is more than a box—it’s a moment. Created to strengthen the emotional bond between fathers and daughters, each Sweet Bonds Box includes guided conversation cards and a candy charcuterie kit. Dads choose their daughter’s favorite treats, and daughters return the gesture—turning sweetness into connection, and simple questions into lasting memories. Because one thoughtful night can build the foundation of a lifetime.

 

Don’t miss the big night!

These ventures are READY to share their visions—and you can have a front row seat. Come watch it live on June 18 in Cleveland, Ohio!

Signature CohortsBrian Kuric (SEAC)Northeast Ohio