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.

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.

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.

After building a $30M telecom company from scratch, Robert Marks is back with a new venture: Projector, a streaming service that lets families watch their own home videos on TV—just like Netflix. Built in Ohio, Projector blends tech and nostalgia to bring personal memories to the biggest screen in the house.

Tony Pietrocola co-founded AgileBlue in 2020 with no cybersecurity background—just a clear vision. Now headquartered in Cleveland with a statewide team, AgileBlue is scaling fast with AI-powered threat detection. As Ohio emerges as a tech hub, AgileBlue is proving world-class cybersecurity can be built and led from the heartland.

Ohio’s public universities are uniting behind the push to bring NASA’s headquarters to Cleveland. With NASA Glenn’s legacy in aerospace innovation and growing bipartisan momentum, the campaign is gaining steam. The Inter-University Council’s support adds new weight to a statewide effort to make Ohio a national space leader.

Cleveland-based Coologics has raised over $3 million in an oversubscribed seed round to advance its drug-free women’s health device, Vlisse. Backed by Prevail, Dream Ventures, and university investor groups, the funding will accelerate clinical trials and FDA submission for the company’s novel approach to treating vaginal infections without antibiotics.

Sports tech innovators are invited to Cleveland for the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Challenge, launched by University Hospitals and Plug and Play. Startups and research teams can apply for a chance to pilot new technologies, pitch at the SportsLand™ Summit, and help shape the future of sports performance and medicine.

Cleveland-based Auxilium Health has closed a $1.5 million oversubscribed pre-seed round and secured a $275,000 NSF grant to accelerate its advanced biomaterial platform. Designed to prevent infections and aid wound healing, the funding positions the Ohio startup to scale product development and address a growing $50B healthcare challenge.

JumpStart is now accepting applications for Cohort 3 of its Trailblazer Software Accelerator. The free, three-month program offers up to $125,000 in non-dilutive support, expert advising, and an in-person investor showcase. Founders must apply by April 27 to be considered for this opportunity to fast-track early-stage software startups in Ohio.

Northeast Ohio-based orthobrain has raised $7.5 million to expand its orthodontic platform that helps general dentists integrate orthodontics into their practices. With backing from CareCapital, JumpStart Ventures, and JobsOhio, the funding will support team growth, technology improvements, and wider adoption.

MorelandConnect, a Cleveland-based software development firm, saw artificial intelligence as an opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation. We spoke with Justin Wray, Executive Partner and Innovation Officer of MorelandConnect, to discuss how the company is leveraging AI to enhance its capabilities, build smarter software, and help other organizations navigate the AI revolution.

The tech trailblazer was honored as GCP’s "Best of Tech Rising Star" in 2024 for her outstanding contributions to the NASA Space Apps Challenge Cleveland, which she organizes annually at NASA Glenn Research Center. She is the Founder and President of the International Space Alliance (ISA), a trained analog astronaut who has participated in multiple missions, and a dedicated advocate for pioneering space exploration and promoting inclusivity. 

Startup success is a long game. The journey to a profitable exit can easily take 7-10 years, especially for startups in the healthcare technology sector. Endotronix’s success and its subsequent exit underscores the power of Northeast Ohio’s health innovation ecosystem, a crucial component in transforming ideas into powerful technology with global implications.

Avandra Imaging, a Cleveland-area startup, has raised $17.75 million to expand its federated network for de-identified medical imaging data. Co-founded by Aegis Ventures and led by CEO Ryan Tarzy, the company aims to improve access to imaging data for healthcare and AI research. Investors include Aegis Ventures, SpringRock Ventures, and MemorialCare Innovation Fund.

AI is shaping the future of industries, and  is at the forefront, guiding organizations through this transformative journey with a focus on innovation, governance  and security. “We believe AI will be the ultimate business differentiator,” says Tim Hoolihan, a leader in Centric’s AI consulting practice.

Blue Abyss, a United Kingdom-based global leader in extreme environment research and training, has entered into a Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Brook Park, Ohio. The partnership is designed to advance commercial space training and research, bolstering U.S. leadership in space exploration and innovation.

Streamline, a Cleveland-based startup is building a groundbreaking mobile application that combines cutting-edge mobile app development expertise with social media functionality to simplify how people navigate the complex world of streaming. The free app specializes in helping users track, schedule, and share their favorite streaming content with ease. Currently at the end of its initial app development process, Streamline is now available for download on the Apple App Store.

MorelandConnect is reshaping the health tech landscape—and they’re doing it from Cleveland. Founded by two native Clevelanders, John Lurtz and Jeff Kavlick, their vision wasn’t just about software—it was about creating a life, and a legacy of innovation. Those roots have firmly anchored the company in a city that boasts a vibrant healthcare ecosystem, from the Cleveland Clinic to University Hospitals to MetroHealth and beyond.

AgileBlue recently won the AI Innovation category at Greater Cleveland Partnership’s 2024 Best of Tech awards and was a finalist for Cybersecurity Partner Excellence. What makes them best in class? GCP recently sat down with Co-Founder and President Tony Pietrocola to learn more and share some of their AI excellence with OhioTechNews.com.