In a region with a proud history of innovation, Baiju Shah is steering Greater Cleveland toward a future of even greater possibilities. As the President and CEO of the nation’s largest regional chamber of commerce, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Shah brings a deep-rooted connection to the region and a wealth of experience in tech and innovation to his leadership. In this exclusive Q&A with OhioTechNews.com, Shah delves into how technology and innovation are woven into the fabric of Cleveland's economy and why he believes the region is primed to lead in the clean tech revolution.

The Department of Radiology at University Hospitals (UH) was recently recognized as a leader for its use of artificial intelligence (AI). The American College of Radiology’s® Recognized Center for Healthcare-AI (ARCH-AI) is the first national AI quality assurance program for radiology facilities. The ACR recently issued this “seal of approval” for the UH Department of Radiology.

The Greater Akron Polymer Industry Cluster has been named Ohio’s third applicant to receive an award from Ohio’s Innovation Hubs Program. Funding from the program is anticipated to lead to nearly 2,400 new jobs in the Akron area, 500 new STEM credentials, and $68 million of additional investment in the polymer industry.

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.

This past week, the Cleveland Clinic announced its partnership with Sports Data Labs, Inc. (SDL). SDL is a leader in AI-based collection, analysis, and distribution of real-time human data. Their aim of the partnership is to create the largest compilation of sports health data. It's just the latest in efforts that are building towards making Cleveland and Ohio a leading SportsTech hub.

Blockchain and cryptocurrency are not just buzzwords; they are tools with the potential to democratize access to financial services, secure personal data, and create transparent systems. These technologies can address the systemic barriers that have historically excluded marginalized communities from full participation in the tech industry and broader economic opportunities, writes Doug McCollough, Founder and CEO of Color Coded Labs.

As we have seen recently with the city of Columbus and Cleveland, no local government is immune from the threat of cyberattacks. Now, Ohio is taking a proactive step in safeguarding its local governments against these ever-evolving cyber threats. Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted have announced a $7 million grant program through CyberOhio, aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity infrastructure of local government entities across the state.

Announced this week, Ohio's second innovation hub, Dayton's onMain Innovation Hub, will serve as a center for collaboration among the Dayton region’s government, academia, and private industry leaders.

A new trade group is helping to connect venture capital professionals in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes Venture Capital Association (GLVCA) announced its launch in August as a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering VC firms and supporting a thriving network.

NeuroTherapia, Inc., a clinical-stage company and Cleveland Clinic Innovations portfolio company, has raised $12.3 million in a Series B funding round led by Cleveland Clinic. The company, which focuses on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, is using the funding primarily for the continued clinical development of NTRX-07, an orally available cannabinoid receptor agonist, for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The Midwest Pediatric Device Consortium (MPDC) fall grant cycle is now open and includes an initial application due August 31, 2024. In this cycle, applicants can request grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. Most awards will be between $10,000 and $50,000.

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.

Cincinnati’s BrandRank.AI, a pioneer in generative AI-based brand search analytics, has raised $1.2 million in venture seed and angel funding to accelerate technology development, onboard a scalable sales organization, and build support infrastructure.

Ohio’s capital budget recently granted Blue Abyss a one-time investment of $1.8 million to support the development of its extreme environment research center in Brook Park, Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, along with members of the Ohio General Assembly, announced the investment contained in House Bill 2 on June 28th.

The NSF recently awarded the University of Toledo nearly $1 million to support Experiential Learning Opportunities in Mechatronics, providing high school students hands-on learning and mentorship focused on electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing.

The Ohio Grants Alliance, a statewide collaborator and advocate for those seeking federal grants, has facilitated 11 competitive grant opportunities with awards totaling over $4.8 billion since its founding in January 2023.

Blue Abyss is opening the largest-ever extreme environment training center in the city of Brook Park, Ohio. CEO John Vickers recently announced that the company purchased 12 acres of land next to the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, near the NASA Glenn Research Center to house the facility.

Ohio is now one of the first states in the country to offer residents the ability to have their drivers license on their phone. This launch is the latest in Ohio’s commitment to being at the forefront of technological innovation. Yesterday, at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted unveiled the technology and showcased how Ohioans can now use their phone to present IDs at TSA checkpoints.

Cleveland Clinic, IBM, and the Hartree Centre have announced an innovative collaboration to use artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to advance healthcare and biomedical science. “This partnership will play an important role in advancing research into the use of cutting-edge computation in healthcare and life sciences,” said Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow and Director, IBM Research Zurich.

This summer Ohio celebrates the 50th anniversary of Transportation Research Center Inc., one of the state’s most impactful technological and economic landmarks. At TRC Ohio’s sprawling 4,500-acre proving grounds in Logan and Union counties, nearly 500 skilled engineers and other specialists have built an impressive 50-year track record, helping to make today’s cars, trucks and highways safer and more efficient, writes President and CEO Brett Roubinek.