Startups + VC
Cleveland Clinic is partnering with DASI Simulations to co-develop an AI “co-pilot” system for heart procedures — using predictive modeling and real-time guidance to enhance safety and precision in TAVR and other structural heart interventions.
Commentary
The Ohio Chamber Foundation Data Center Study details the state's digital infrastructure boom, which has attracted over $40 billion in private investment. This growth is rebranding the former manufacturing/agriculture hub as the "Silicon Heartland," with Columbus emerging as a top-tier global hub.
Startups + VC
Applications are open for the latest cohort of JumpStart’s Trailblazer Software Accelerator. This three-month program for pre-seed and seed-stage software startups offers up to $275,000 in non-dilutive funding and expert support for scaling.
Workforce + Education
Amazon’s Think Big Experience in Columbus gave nearly 1,000 middle school students hands-on exposure to tech careers. The COSI-hosted STEM event let students build AI-powered robots, explore virtual reality, and connect with successful women in technology.
Startups + VC
Cleveland’s Sonic Fire Tech raised $3.5M from Khosla Ventures and others to scale NASA-inspired infrasound systems that stop fires before they start—using no water, chemicals, or damage. The Ohio startup is aiming for 50 pilot installations by 2026 as wildfires grow more extreme nationwide.
Workforce + Education
University of Toledo President Dr. James Holloway launched Innovate Toledo, a "launch pad" for bold research. It aims to fuel interdisciplinary research, expand university and industry collaboration, and translate academic discovery into real economic growth for the region's future.
Startups + VC
Cincinnati-backed Kernel announced a $22 million Seed and Series A funding round, led by Accel and including Cintrifuse Capital and Y Combinator. Kernel is developing “browsers-as-a-service,” an infrastructure that allows AI agents to interact with the internet like humans to perform tasks securely.
Artificial Intelligence
The O.H.I.O. Fund invested in Dublin-based EASE Logistics, a tech-enabled freight leader and eight-time Inc. 5000 honoree. The minority investment will help EASE expand its AI capabilities and accelerate its position as one of Ohio's top growth stories.
Corprorate Innovation
Cleveland Clinic is teaming up with Silicon Valley’s Khosla Ventures in a new collaboration designed to fast-track the future of healthcare innovation. The partnership links Ohio’s world-class medical research and clinical expertise with one of the nation’s top venture firms.
Corprorate Innovation
Honda is opening a new Advanced Materials Science Lab at Ohio State’s SciTech Campus—a $2.6 million expansion backed by JobsOhio.
Artificial Intelligence
The Ohio State University launched the AI(X) Hub ("AI to the power of X") to accelerate AI research, innovation, and education. The university-wide initiative connects 15 colleges and focuses on six critical pillars, including health, engineering, agriculture, cybersecurity, and trustworthy AI.
Startups + VC
Ohio tech company Heylo, built in Vessel Shipyard, aims to modernize care for people with I/DD. New CEO Brian Hart will scale Heylo's platform, which uses software/hardware to deliver remote supports, boosting independence and easing the human services workforce pressure.