JumpStart is now accepting applications for Cohort 3 of its Trailblazer Software Accelerator. The free, three-month program offers up to $125,000 in non-dilutive support, expert advising, and an in-person investor showcase. Founders must apply by April 27 to be considered for this opportunity to fast-track early-stage software startups in Ohio.

Northeast Ohio-based orthobrain has raised $7.5 million to expand its orthodontic platform that helps general dentists integrate orthodontics into their practices. With backing from CareCapital, JumpStart Ventures, and JobsOhio, the funding will support team growth, technology improvements, and wider adoption.

StartupCincy has launched a redesigned digital platform that centralizes key resources to help founders, investors, and ecosystem supporters navigate Cincinnati’s startup landscape. The new site features six major tools aimed at streamlining access to funding, talent, events, and workspaces.

MorelandConnect, a Cleveland-based software development firm, saw artificial intelligence as an opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation. We spoke with Justin Wray, Executive Partner and Innovation Officer of MorelandConnect, to discuss how the company is leveraging AI to enhance its capabilities, build smarter software, and help other organizations navigate the AI revolution.

Delaware-based sustainable asphalt company, necoTECH, is in the national spotlight for revolutionizing the construction materials infrastructure with cutting-edge, eco-friendly solutions—and they’re making major moves in Ohio.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is hoping to make the Buckeye State the next headquarters of NASA. The pitch, shared on X (formerly Twitter), makes the case for Ohio by highlighting the state’s rich aerospace history and research institutions. The current NASA headquarters lease in Washington D.C. expires in 2028. Other states, including as Florida and Texas, have also expressed interest in landing the future home of NASA.

Hilliard, a growing suburb west of Columbus, has earned national recognition for its efforts to build a high-tech innovation ecosystem, landing a spot on Fast Company’s prestigious 2025 list of the Most Innovative Companies in Economic Development. Local innovations developed through City Lab include a drone for 911 response, a sewer overflow detector, an algae-clearing boat, and even a virtual scoreboard for local sports games.

ZoCo Design has been a powerhouse in Columbus for over 12 years. They deliver high-impact user experience (UX) design for a diverse range of industries, but as of late 2024, their focus sharpened. They’re transforming healthcare and healthtech, partnering with product and technology teams to make understanding people and what to build for them, radically easy.

Growing at lightning speed, Ohio’s cybersecurity industry is emerging as a nationwide leader. According to a new report from Upwind, three Ohio cities, Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, rank among the top ten fastest-growing cybersecurity job markets in the United States.

The tech trailblazer was honored as GCP’s "Best of Tech Rising Star" in 2024 for her outstanding contributions to the NASA Space Apps Challenge Cleveland, which she organizes annually at NASA Glenn Research Center. She is the Founder and President of the International Space Alliance (ISA), a trained analog astronaut who has participated in multiple missions, and a dedicated advocate for pioneering space exploration and promoting inclusivity. 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik recently announced a new Innovation Hub in Youngstown to advance additive manufacturing technology for the national defense industry.

Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill requiring high school students to complete a computer science course to graduate, starting with the Class of 2032. Supported by OhioX and industry leaders, the legislation aims to expand access, strengthen Ohio’s tech workforce, and ensure students are prepared for future digital careers.

71/70 Angels has launched its first fund to expand Ohio’s angel investor network and close the seed capital gap for enterprise software and advanced tech startups. Backed by Rev1 Ventures, the fund streamlines early-stage investments, fueling innovation and strengthening Ohio’s role as a growing tech hub.

Startup success is a long game. The journey to a profitable exit can easily take 7-10 years, especially for startups in the healthcare technology sector. Endotronix’s success and its subsequent exit underscores the power of Northeast Ohio’s health innovation ecosystem, a crucial component in transforming ideas into powerful technology with global implications.

Avandra Imaging, a Cleveland-area startup, has raised $17.75 million to expand its federated network for de-identified medical imaging data. Co-founded by Aegis Ventures and led by CEO Ryan Tarzy, the company aims to improve access to imaging data for healthcare and AI research. Investors include Aegis Ventures, SpringRock Ventures, and MemorialCare Innovation Fund.

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.

Ohio’s 80 Acres Farms secured $115 million to expand retail partnerships, ingredient development, and plant science research. The company also acquired Plantae Biosciences, integrating its innovations into Infinite Acres Israel to advance crop breeding. With 1,500+ retail partners and a commitment to 100% renewable energy, 80 Acres Farms is scaling its impact and reinforcing Ohio’s leadership in AgTech.

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.

In a rapidly evolving aerospace industry, hydrogen is emerging as a game-changer for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). In a new Ohio Tech News op-ed, Bob Tanner, Executive Director of Aerospace Partnerships at Parallax Advanced Research, explores how hydrogen propulsion can overcome key limitations in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, enabling longer flights, reducing emissions, and transforming air transportation.