Cleveland
The Cleveland-based nonprofit venture development organization, has added two executives to its leadership team, naming Terri Bradford Eason as its first chief revenue officer and Daniel Brown as chief services officer.
Startups + VC
Columbus-built “physical AI” is moving from pilot to production in U.S. Navy shipyards, as HII signs a multi-year, performance-based automation deal worth up to $900 million — including a long-term, $600 million allocation that will be engineered out of Central Ohio.
Startups + VC
Generative AI solved the code-creation problem, but legacy CI/CD systems are choking on the output. As autonomous agents take over the developer stack, serial founders Dan Manges and Tommy Graves are scaling the infrastructure needed to validate AI-generated code at machine speed.
Spearheaded by the ESP network and targeted scaling programs like CapitalReady, the nonprofit's support fueled a 60% surge in small business output. By connecting founders to vetted partners, the strategy prepares Ohio tech startups to lead in AI and health.
Artificial Intelligence
AI25, presented by Ohio Tech News and OhioX, recognizes leaders turning artificial intelligence into real-world impact across Ohio, from startups and classrooms to hospitals, public agencies, manufacturing floors, and the capital backing what comes next.
Advanced Manufacturing
Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Ohio is accepting applications for a new dual-use technology accelerator focused on edge AI, autonomy, advanced sensors, resilient communications and other tools built for contested environments. Applications close July 31.
Startups + VC
The Third Coast Foundry creates a Silicon Valley foothold for university-backed startups, offering direct access to investors, programming and partnerships while aiming to keep company growth, talent and operations anchored in the region.
Advanced Manufacturing
The semi-autonomous fighter, built for the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, took 126 days to assemble on a line that started three months ahead of schedule and can produce up to 150 aircraft a year — 143 workers hired in under 12 months are first of future 4,000 people on site.
Startups + VC
Powered by a double opt-in matchmaking tool, this fourth annual gathering extends meeting blocks to 20 minutes for nearly 1,000 attendees. Expanded corporate innovation teams join the Huntington Convention Center floor to offer direct pilots, partnerships, and customer relationships.
Infrastructure
Backed by a $6 million municipal, state, and corporate funding model, crews are completing the remaining line work before year's end. Alongside the network upgrade, local outreach programs and digital literacy courses have already delivered hundreds of laptops to local families.
Startups + VC
SpaceX alumni behind 1872 are using one of Ohio’s largest seed rounds to build an AI-native factory model for energy, utility and industrial customers, aiming to cut steel fabrication lead times from months to weeks with software, robotics and physical AI.
Advanced Manufacturing
Beehive Industries is scaling 3D-printed jet engine production for military drones in Southwest Ohio, targeting 8,000+ units annually. Backed by a $29.7M Air Force contract, the initiative creates over 200 jobs while compressing defense manufacturing timelines from years to months.