Advanced Manufacturing
The Connected Vehicles Rule just got a Solon-based answer. By acquiring Wireless Mobility, Eagle Electronics morphs into the only Western vendor ready to de-risk global automotive and IoT supply chains. With ex-CIA leadership and backing from The O.H.I.O. Fund, this is a massive bet on trusted tech.
Healthcare
Columbus startup DNA Nanobots has secured $3.5 million to revolutionize gene therapy without using viruses. The Ohio State spinout utilizes "DNA origami" to engineer self-assembling vessels that deliver complex payloads. This fresh capital extends their runway to 18 months for future advancements.
Workforce + Education
As Central Ohio’s digital infrastructure expands, Google’s STAR program is moving underrepresented local talent into high-demand careers. With over 160 graduates already placed at firms like Amazon and Meta, this 6th cohort marks a critical win for the region’s skilled labor pipeline.
Advanced Manufacturing
From a 250,000-square-foot plant in Ottawa, Endera is scaling production of vertically integrated electric shuttles. Backed by Mark Kvamme’s O.H.I.O. Fund and Magnetar, the company is anchoring the state's re-industrialization by providing federally compliant fleets for a national market.
Artificial Intelligence
Ohio’s economic narrative is shifting from industrial manufacturing to high-tech infrastructure. With Columbus now the 6th largest data center market globally, the state anchors a Midwest pivot toward AI through billions in venture capital and semiconductor investment.
Healthcare
The expansion adds 400 jobs and a state-of-the-art lab facility to New Albany. Breaking ground in 2026, the move doubles the company's footprint and reinforces Central Ohio's growing reputation as a critical national ecosystem for scaling innovative, tech-enabled patient care.
Ohio’s future isn’t just a concept—it has names. We narrowed triple-digit submissions to the top 25 innovators 35 and under. From AI to medtech and beyond, these leaders are bridging the gap between legacy strength and the digital frontier. Meet the 2025 class defining Ohio’s next chapter.
Spotlights
SkillSpout COO Sarah Slavik warns Ohio business leaders that AI isn't just a headline—it’s a deadline. She outlines the risks of "shadow AI," the critical need for CEO buy-in, and how to use Ohio’s TechCred program for human-centric upskilling. Here's why "wait and see" is a liability.
Research
The hub’s portfolio grows to 13 initiatives with this round, supported by an $8M funding pool. Recipients include Case Western, University of Akron, and two Synthe6 alumni. The capital targets the "valley of death" for hard tech, including bio-dressings, fuel conversion, and recyclable films.
Startups + VC
By acquiring Flatiron Health's research unit and securing $78M, Paradigm Health creates the largest U.S. oncology research network. The deal embeds clinical trials directly into local exam rooms, aiming to fix the industry's "zip code problem" and democratize access to life-saving therapies.
Startups + VC
Dayton-based Dexa has secured a rare FAA waiver for autonomous, beyond-line-of-sight flights. From the "Birthplace of Aviation," CEO Beth Flippo is leveraging AI to empower local businesses with 15-minute delivery speeds that drop goods at precise locations—no address needed.
Startups + VC
Backed by JobsOhio and Rev1 Ventures, the Dayton startup is scaling its FHE silicon from prototype to production. This technology solves a massive bottleneck for the AI era: enabling high-speed computation on data while it remains fully encrypted, ensuring privacy against future quantum threats.