*Andrew Cothrel, CEO of Kilele Health Inc., winner of VC Fest’s Startup World Cup Competition with judges (photo courtesy of JumpStart)*

The energy around Ohio’s venture ecosystem was on full display this week as JumpStart hosted the two-day Ohio VC Fest on September 16th and 17th in Cleveland. The gathering brought together founders, investors, and corporate leaders from across Ohio and beyond to spark connections, explore trends, and put the spotlight on Ohio’s growing role in venture capital.

A warm welcome and keynote energy

JumpStart Interim CEO Lorne Novick opened the event, setting the tone for two days of networking and deal-making. Attendees were energized by a keynote from entrepreneur and author Amy Jo Martin, who later hosted a live fireside chat with investor Michael Loeb—recorded for her Why Not Now? podcast.

Conversations That Mattered

The programming and content stretched across industries and trends shaping venture capital, including sessions on:

AI adoption and risk: Panelists including Chris Berry, Amish Shah, Kim Snipes, Kelly Cohen, and Ryan Larcom explored how enterprises are navigating the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence.
Separating hype from reality in AI: Investors Jeffrey Stern, Hardik Desai, Candice Matthews Brackeen, Peggy Roberts, and Jamie Weston shared frameworks for evaluating opportunities.
AI in healthcare: Leaders including Duane Mancini, Michael Dalton, Kaleigh Gallagher, Matthew Zenker, and Jennifer Owens discussed why the Midwest is uniquely positioned to lead in AI-driven healthcare innovation.
Venture Pipeline Report: Jeff (J.D.) Davids, Executive Director of The Ohio Venture Pipeline, unpacked the latest data on venture-style deals in Ohio during the first half of 2025.

Startup Spotlight: The World Cup Stage

One of the highlights came during lunch on Day 2, when the Startup World Cup regional pitch competition lit up the main stage. Nine Ohio startups competed, with Andrew Cothrel of Kilele Health Inc., a Dayton-based medical equipment manufacturer developing real-time diagnostic monitoring solutions for chronic disease management, securing the win and earning a spot at the global finale in San Francisco.

Connections at the core

Beyond the stage, curated one-on-one Venture Connections sessions gave founders and investors space to form partnerships. A dedicated Women’s Breakfast on Day 2 created a powerful forum for female founders and investors to build community. Networking receptions and accelerator showcases filled the agenda, ensuring deal-flow conversations carried beyond panels.

A high-profile guest

Day 2 also featured a fireside chat with investor and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who shared his perspectives on entrepreneurship, capital, and the future of innovation.

Why it matters

Ohio VC Fest was more than an event—it was a signal. With capital and talent converging in Cleveland, the state’s startup ecosystem is building momentum. Panels highlighted Ohio’s strengths in AI, healthcare, and enterprise technology, while curated networking fostered the kinds of connections that drive deals forward.

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Photos courtesy of JumpStart