JumpStart is now accepting applications for the latest cohort of its Trailblazer Software Accelerator. The free, three-month program offers up to $275,000 in non-dilutive support, expert advising, and an in-person investor showcase. Founders must apply by November 2 to be considered for this opportunity to fast-track early-stage software startups in Ohio.

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.

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, opening new pathways for AI, digital health, and next-generation therapeutics to move rapidly from concept to commercialization.

Cleveland students are stepping into the future of work with the launch of the Experiential Robotics Platform. The program brings 1,000 low-cost robotics kits into classrooms, giving kids hands-on experience in coding, design, and 3D printing—skills Ohio leaders say will define tomorrow’s jobs.

For Ohio Tech Day, student Daniel Herrmann visited the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center (MCCTC) and saw firsthand how Ohio schools are preparing the next generation of innovators. In this guest post, he shares how MCCTC blends classroom learning with real-world tech skills to shape Ohio’s future workforce.

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.