Cleveland leads state, trails nation in venture capital investments.(Technology)

Byline: SHANNON PETTYPIECE

Cleveland leads Ohio when it comes to venture capital investments, but it has a long way to go to catch up with the top-tier technology towns nationwide, according to a study commissioned by the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

Companies based in Northeast Ohio received in 2003 $67 million in early-stage venture capital investments - almost twice as much as Columbus, with $35 million, and more than four times the investments in Cincinnati, which had $16 million, the study found. Figures for 2004 were not yet available.