Greater Cleveland Partnership Launches Economic Empowerment Portal

Beachwood, Ohio – Regional minority-owned businesses (MBE) have a new tool at their disposal to help them compete for opportunities to meet their needs in growing their organizations. The Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) new Marketplace Portal, developed by Vertex Computer Systems, provides a digital avenue for MBEs to find clients, service providers and capital. Marketplace is an economic empowerment tool that connects approximately 2,500 MBEs in the Greater Cleveland geography to the resources they need to accelerate growth, namely access to information about the demand for their goods and services. This digital, searchable system allows an interchange for MBEs and suppliers to connect to opportunities, services, and capital.

Through the Marketplace portal, MBEs will be able to showcase their company and their services and connect with corporations that may need their offerings. Similarly, corporations can showcase their buying needs, promote specific procurement opportunities and search for service providers that may be suitable for their buying needs. The Marketplace will provide the foundation of a vibrant portal through which local MBEs and corporations can be paired and keep their spending in the local community.

Users can access specific buyer information on opportunities including how to register and who to contact. Promoting buyer-supplier relationships, mentorship, and success stories is another feature of the portal. The portal will provide metrics and analytics to give the stakeholders visibility into the effectiveness of the portal in achieving its mission.

Vertex, a global company headquartered in Beachwood, built this portal, providing the technical expertise to bring this endeavor to fruition. The portal is built using cloud technology and provides an elastic architecture to scale as the demand and usage of the portal increases. This virtual space can be accessed at inclusionmarketplace.com.

“Connecting local minority-owned businesses (MBEs) to opportunities is a priority for GCP,” said Brian Hall, senior vice president of equity & inclusion at GCP, “Our collaboration with Vertex allowed us to create a platform that makes it easy for both MBEs and buyer companies to quickly access resources that will help their businesses grow.”

“This portal is a much-needed tool to help connect businesses and resources. As a minority-owned business ourselves, Vertex recognizes the value in diversity,” says Principal Ganesh Iyer. “Providing the resources to grow a vibrant community is essential to economic growth. Vertex is thrilled to work with and support the mission of the Greater Cleveland Partnership.”

About Vertex

Vertex’s big-picture thinking solves customers’ problems. We deliver custom technology solutions that integrate and automate B2B processes. Our solution scientists join customers on their journeys, offering a strategic view and the technical know-how to create solutions and exceed expectations. Learn more at www.vertexcs.com.