Women in Analytics (WIA) and Women in Data™ (WiD) are uniting to expand opportunities in AI and data science through the 2025 DataConnect Conference Series. The partnership brings together 30,000+ global members, fostering education, mentorship, and collaboration. Events will take place in San Francisco (May) and Columbus (October), focusing on AI innovation and data quality.

Anduril Industries is in talks to raise $2.5 billion, pushing its valuation to $28 billion. This comes as the defense tech company invests $900 million in Arsenal-1, a massive 5 million-square-foot manufacturing facility near Columbus. The site will create 4,000+ jobs by 2035, producing autonomous military systems and AI-driven defense technology. Ohio’s skilled workforce, infrastructure, and growing defense sector make it a prime location for Anduril’s expansion.

Columbus has been ranked among North America’s top 10 emerging tech hubs, according to Site Selection Magazine. The city’s data center boom, fueled by major investments from companies like AWS, Google, and Meta, is driving growth in cloud computing and AI infrastructure. With low-cost power, strong fiber connectivity, and pro-business policies, Columbus is cementing itself as a leader in the digital economy.

Anduril Industries, a global leader in advanced defense manufacturing, has announced plans to build a new 5-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Ohio. The project, known as "Arsenal-1," is the largest economic development initiative in Ohio’s history, set to create more than 4,000 jobs by 2035 and support critical national defense manufacturing.  The facility will be located in Pickaway County, near Rickenbacker International Airport in Central Ohio.

Following the groundbreaking Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies introduced by the NCAA, two former Ohio State cheerleaders have developed an exciting new platform called Five Star Fans. Designed to transform how college sports fans engage with athletes, this Columbus-based startup offers real-time financial support to collegiate players.

Google has its continued its strong commitment to Central Ohio with the announcement of more than $1.1 million in direct grants to 13 local nonprofit organizations. The funding targets critical community needs, including education, STEM initiatives, mental health services, and digital equity programs.

Columbus is about to get a major tech infusion. Rev1 Ventures, the Ohio State University, and the City of Columbus announced last week plans to create Ohio’s two newest innovation destinations: a software startup space in downtown Columbus and a life sciences facility at the Carmenton district.

Ohio Life Sciences (OLS), the industry trade association for biotechnology and life sciences organizations in Ohio, delivered a $250,000 gift to Columbus State Community College to create the Ohio Life Sciences Biotech Bootcamp in an effort to build a vibrant workforce.

Microsoft is investing $1 billion as part of a first phase of data center development into Central Ohio, One Columbus announced this week. Located in New Albany, Heath, and Hebron, these data centers will support Microsoft’s global cloud infrastructure, expanding capacity for Azure cloud services to meet growing demands in digital services and data storage.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has continued its efforts to empower the next generation of female scientists and engineers by hosting its AWS Girls’ Tech Day for female students in central Ohio. The annual event took place as the region’s economy continues to diversify with a variety of high-tech, digital-focused industries even as women remain underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). 

In a significant boost to Columbus's growing reputation as a hub for healthcare technology, Gifthealth has announced a major expansion that will create 751 new jobs in the region. This exciting development, approved by the Columbus City Council on October 8, 2024, marks a new chapter for the innovative online pharmacy company and underscores Ohio's appeal to forward-thinking tech firms.

Path Robotics, a Columbus-based AI-powered robotic welding startup, has raised a $100 million Series D fundraising round led by Matter Venture Partners and Drive Capital. The investment will accelerate Path’s mission to revolutionize the manufacturing industry by addressing labor shortages and advancing autonomous welding solutions.

Microsoft continues its investment in Ohio, announcing plans to build a $420 million data center in New Albany. This news bolsters the state’s role in the tech giant’s growing cloud computing infrastructure and reinforces Ohio’s status as a technology and data hub. Yesterday, the New Albany City Council approved a resolution for Microsoft to proceed with the construction of a new data center at the New Albany International Business Park.

The Ohio State University has been awarded $26 million in federal funding to begin natural rubber production in the U.S. and enhance workforce development to support the industry. The National Science Foundation announced funding for the creation of the Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security” (TARDISS) Engineering Research Center (ERC).

Columbus AI Week, a three-day event dedicated to exploring and advancing artificial intelligence in the Greater Columbus area, kicked off yesterday with attendees from across the region. Organizers call it the ‘open-sourced, un-conference’ on all things AI.

Columbus-based Doohickey AI has raised $500,000 from Drive Capital to build a conversational, low-code platform powered by generative Al to help companies quickly and seamlessly integrate technology systems. 

Power to Hydrogen, a leader in advanced electrolysis technologies for the production of green hydrogen, has raised over $18 million in a Series A funding round led by Rev1 Ventures and Worthington Enterprises. The funding will support Power to Hydrogen's global expansion through R&D, manufacturing, sales, and marketing.

Columbus-based HubiFi, an advanced financial intelligence and revenue recognition solution, has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to build a foundational team with a focus on product and engineering and add to the team with CPA and accounting expertise.

The 4th annual Healthcare Capital Markets and Innovation Summit (HCMIS) took place in downtown Columbus, Ohio, June 5-6. Over 300 healthcare leaders, innovators, dealmakers, and adjacent professionals attended the event hosted by Lawrence, Evans & Co., LLC.

Three former employees of renowned augmented reality (AR) company Magic Leap have raised $2 million to build their own AR business with headquarters in Ohio. Founded in 2021, Trace builds location-based branded AR experiences and counts among its customers Qualcomm, Telefónica, T-Mobile, and Lenovo. The company is led by “boomerang” founder Greg Tran, who spent time in Miami and San Francisco before returning to Columbus. Tran talked with OhioTechNews.com about what they’re building, why Ohio, and how they managed to land funding from a wide range of investors.