Advanced Manufacturing
The Columbus-based welding AI company is bringing its tech to the shipyard floor through a new collaboration with Saronic, the autonomous vessel maker that's betting software-led manufacturing can crack the U.S. shipbuilding capacity problem.
Startups + VC
Ratmir Timashev is funding dedicated sales teams for 100 of the world’s best B2B software startups — built and paid for in Columbus — with a target of 2,000 new tech workers in the city within five years.
Spotlights
Four OhioX leaders name the tech trend that will shape Ohio most over the next 18 months. Their answers all point to one theme: AI's real impact won't come from the technology itself — but from how organizations deploy it.
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.
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.
Healthcare
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.
Spotlights
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.
Advanced Manufacturing
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.
Spotlights
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.
Startups + VC
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.