Ohio’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund is back with $4M in new funding to support early-stage hard tech startups. Backed by JumpStart Ventures, MAGNET, and private investors, the fund aims to scale Ohio’s next wave of manufacturing innovation with capital, mentorship, and a growing statewide investment network.

Cleveland Metroparks CIO Anthony Joy is transforming one of Ohio’s largest civic assets into a national model for smart, secure, and connected public spaces. From drone-enabled planning to sensor-powered trails and cybersecurity “guardrails,” Joy blends tech innovation with nature—redefining what it means to manage a 25,000-acre digital ecosystem.

Joby Aviation is scaling up in Dayton, with plans to build up to 500 electric air taxis per year at its newly renovated facility. The site will play a key role in Joby’s push toward FAA certification and commercial launch—solidifying Ohio’s position as a leader in next-gen aerospace manufacturing.

Ohio just hit a major milestone in workforce development. The latest TechCred round awarded a record $9.9 million to help more than 600 employers upskill their teams with over 8,000 tech credentials. Applications for the next round are open now through July 31.

Inner Peak AI is reimagining student mental health with a powerful blend of empathy and technology. Co-founded by Sean Wheelock and Ben Anandappa, the Ohio-based startup delivers 24/7 personalized support for teens and young adults—designed not to replace therapists, but to extend care in the moments that matter most.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce will host its 2025 Exploring AI Summit on July 16 in Columbus, bringing together business, government, and tech leaders to explore how AI is transforming Ohio’s economy. Panels will cover workforce, education, security, and policy—spotlighting the state’s growing leadership in AI adoption.

A Case Western Reserve–led coalition has been named a semifinalist for the NSF’s $160M Regional Innovation Engines award. Focused on smart materials and advanced manufacturing, the Northeast Ohio–based NEO-SMART initiative could transform the region into a national hub for tech commercialization, sustainability, and workforce development. Final awards expected in early 2026.

Ohio just broke into the Top 5 in CNBC’s 2025 “Top States for Business” rankings—driven by a surge in tech, innovation, and infrastructure. With a booming data center footprint, rising STEM talent pipeline, and massive capital investments, Ohio is quickly becoming a national leader in next-gen industry growth.

Congress just passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, restoring full R&D expensing under Section 174 and delivering a major win for America’s innovation economy. The new law removes a costly barrier for startups and tech companies, unlocking growth, hiring, and investment across industries like AI, HealthTech, and advanced manufacturing.

A new digital-first bank called Erebor is coming to Columbus. It’s backed by tech heavyweights Palmer Luckey, Joe Lonsdale, and Peter Thiel. With a focus on crypto, AI, defense, and manufacturing, Erebor aims to fill the gap left by Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse and serve America’s next generation of innovators from the heart of Ohio.

CHAMP Titles, led by Cleveland-based CEO Shane Bigelow, is transforming the outdated vehicle title system with a fully digital platform. By modernizing government infrastructure and prioritizing trust and partnership, CHAMP is helping states cut costs, reduce fraud, and deliver faster, more user-friendly services. And their work is positioning Ohio as a leader in the GovTech space.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA is investing $1 billion to expand its U.S. manufacturing and R&D footprint, with major developments in Columbus and Cleveland. The initiative will boost domestic production of essential generic medicines, support job growth in Ohio, and help strengthen America’s pharmaceutical supply chain amid growing demand for U.S.-made healthcare solutions.

In a rare bipartisan move, the House Agriculture Committee advanced the CLARITY Act, offering long-overdue regulatory guidance for digital assets. Spencer Gross argues this is a critical step to keep blockchain innovation—and its jobs and investment—rooted in the U.S. The op-ed calls on Congress to finish what this vote started.

Ohio is in the midst of a digital transformation. With nearly $3 billion invested across the state from 2020–2024, AT&T is helping close the digital divide, modernize infrastructure, and equip communities for the demands of a data-driven economy. From rural southeast counties to major metro regions, Ohioans are seeing tangible connectivity upgrades.

Ohio’s data center industry is delivering massive economic gains, adding $11.8 billion to GDP and supporting 95,000 jobs in 2024, according to a new Ohio Chamber study. With over $40 billion in private investment, the sector is transforming the state’s economy and positioning Ohio as a top U.S. data hub.

Ohio’s BMV has saved residents over 10 million in-person trips thanks to technology upgrades that modernized services like license renewals, title transfers, and knowledge testing. From self-service kiosks to online scheduling, these innovations are streamlining experiences, reducing wait times, and making government services more accessible across the state.

Google and CTC Global have launched a major new initiative to modernize America’s electric grid with advanced U.S.-made conductors that double capacity and cut line losses. With a statewide growing energy demand and billions in data center investments, Ohio is poised to play a key role in this effort to power the AI era and reindustrialization.

Becca Wenning, founder and CEO of Dressit, is bringing AI to bridal retail—helping brides find the right dress and boutique with confidence. After a decade running her own shop, she’s transforming an industry stuck in tradition, proving that world-class tech can be built in small-town Ohio.

Remarcable, a Cleveland startup modernizing construction procurement, has raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Insight Partners. The company serves 40% of the top 50 U.S. electrical contractors and plans to use the funding to scale its platform, grow its team, and accelerate AI-powered tools for smarter material management.

Ohio State University has unveiled a bold new AI Fluency Initiative aimed at preparing every student, from art majors to engineers, for the AI-driven future. By embedding AI education across disciplines, the university is equipping students with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving workforce and ensuring Ohio remains a leader in innovation.