Startups + VC
This Cleveland startup uses NASA-inspired infrasound technology to neutralize wildfires without water or chemicals. Named a CES 2026 Innovation Award Honoree, Sonic Fire Tech leverages Ohio’s manufacturing base to scale its revolutionary acoustic suppression systems.
Spotlights
Project Medtech founder Duane Mancini helps startups navigate the "Valley of Death" by bridging the gap between medical discovery and commercial success. His Cleveland-based firm provides the regulatory, clinical, and financial strategy needed to turn Ohio into a global entry point for health tech.
Advanced Manufacturing
Congress approved $9.5M in federal funding for Columbus State's Ohio Center for Advanced Technologies, completing a $60M financing package for the 100,000 sq. ft. facility. OCAT will train workers in advanced manufacturing, biotech, and IT as employer demand surges across central Ohio.
The new $60M fund is backed by nearly 1,000 Midwest industrial owners and aims to modernize America’s legacy sectors. Heartland flips the VC script by using factory bosses as investors, giving startups built-in customers to solve the region's labor gap.
Meta inked a 20-year deal with Vistra to upgrade the Perry and Davis-Besse plants and tapped Oklo for a futuristic site in Pike County. This strategy locks in power for the Prometheus supercluster, turning Ohio’s atomic legacy into a decisive advantage in the AI race.
The Cleveland startup digitizing the DMV has raised $55 million in its largest financing round to date. CEO Shane Bigelow calls it a "Netflix vs. Blockbuster" moment for the public sector, as their platform cuts title processing times from 60 days to mere hours for over 35 million Americans.
Ohio’s economic narrative is shifting from industrial manufacturing to high-tech infrastructure. With Columbus now the 6th largest data center market globally, the state anchors a Midwest pivot toward AI through billions in venture capital and semiconductor investment.
Ohio’s future isn’t just a concept—it has names. We narrowed triple-digit submissions to the top 25 innovators 35 and under. From AI to medtech and beyond, these leaders are bridging the gap between legacy strength and the digital frontier. Meet the 2025 class defining Ohio’s next chapter.
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Ohio's transformation from potential to performance is accelerating. From a $4.35B fintech challenger to autonomous jets shipping this spring, here's what happened across the state in recent weeks—featuring the founders and leaders building the future in the Heartland.
Srini Koushik argues that AI Fluency, not just literacy, is the only defense against systemic risk. By moving beyond "machine-speak" to a native understanding, leaders can use a 5-pillar framework to navigate "unknown unknowns" and re-architect competitive strategy.
As enterprises struggle to control AI and cloud spending in real time, this Cincinnati startup's $4.45M raise signals a shift from passive dashboards to autonomous intervention—positioning the region as a hub for AI infrastructure governance.
Federal policy shifts threaten massive coverage losses by late 2026. The AI firm founded by Explorys' Steve McHale just raised a Series A to keep vulnerable populations enrolled—using agentic AI to navigate bureaucratic friction.
As CEO of Seven Hills Technology, Brian Adams utilizes AI-enabled tools to accelerate software delivery and strategy. His leadership extends to policy as the Butler County Government Liaison for the Cincinnati AI Catalyst, bridging local governance with emerging technology.
Housed in a historic paper mill, this 375,000-square-foot facility is a radical rethink of the American classroom. By blending robotics arenas with real-world industry labs, Ohio is building a high-tech talent pipeline that bridges the gap between high school training and PhD-level engineering.
As Area Vice President at Expedient, Keith Steele leads the firm's top-performing team across Columbus and Cincinnati. Under his leadership, the region has achieved record growth, helping Ohio enterprises modernize their operations via advanced cloud, AI, and data center services.
The O.H.I.O. Fund has hit a $356M capital milestone, generating $75M in returns while bringing Hyperframe’s manufacturing from California to Columbus. With new leadership and 30 deals closed, the firm is proving that Ohio’s "balanced" investment model is the new engine for Midwest growth.
One year after Palmer Luckey promised to bring "hyperscale" defense manufacturing to central Ohio, the vision is becoming concrete reality. Arsenal-1's first autonomous jets will roll off the line by Q2—a timeline that would've been impossible just a decade ago.
AI Engineering is now the #1 fastest-growing job, with salaries hitting $350k. While 53% of roles are remote, many engineers are missing out. Bridge the gap with a project-based Master’s from Saras AI. Scale your ROI and lead the revolution. Cohort starts Feb 2.
Haima Therapeutics co-founder Christa Pawlowski is developing SynthoPlate, a synthetic, shelf-stable drug that stops severe bleeding. By transforming Case Western research into lifesaving tech, she is helping establish Ohio as a premier hub for scaling global life science companies.
Ohio is fueling the next wave of innovation as the Dept of Development opens a new round of TVSF grants. From $1M institutional awards to $200k startup funds, the Ohio Third Frontier is bridging the gap between lab research and the global market. Applications are due by Feb. 6, 2026.
