Techstars Columbus turns 2, welcomes Fall 2025 cohort
Techstars Columbus Powered by The Ohio State University is marking its two-year anniversary with another milestone: the launch of its fourth cohort. Since its debut in 2023, the accelerator has backed 42 companies, invested nearly $6 million, and helped its portfolio raise four times that amount while creating tens of millions in market value.
Attracting tech from the coasts
Five of the eight companies selected hail from outside Ohio—places like New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Boulder. That’s a notable shift. Historically, Ohio hasn’t imported many tech companies from coastal hubs. The fact that startups from San Francisco and New York are choosing Columbus signals that the Midwest—and Ohio in particular—is becoming a magnet for emerging innovation.
The program continues to be anchored by Ohio State and the Center for Software Innovation, as well as the network of mentors, investors, and early adopters who make Columbus one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in the country.
“Ohio is rich with innovation in critical sectors like healthcare, aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing, and this density is a proven attractant for companies building on the coasts, and this class is no exception,” said Tim Grace, Managing Director at Techstars Columbus.
Meet the Fall 2025 Techstars Columbus Class
Clear Solar (New York, NY)
Revolutionizing the solar panel cleaning market with electrostatic robotics.
FelixFusion (San Francisco, CA)
AI platform matching manufacturers to government contracts.
FibrX (Las Vegas, NV)
Platform-as-a-Service solution for structural health monitoring using fiber optic sensors to measure strain, temperature, and corrosion in real time.
KeystoneBio (Columbus, OH)
Modernizing novel biotech product development via AI-powered R&D and data analytics.
Khaki AI (Columbus, OH)
A first-of-its-kind consumer email experience, curated by AI and designed to delight.
hey nouri (New York, NY)
Expert, compassionate obesity care for children, combining medical nutrition therapy, behavioral support, and targeted therapeutics.
Origami Space (Boulder, CO)
Dual-use, multi-domain antennas that stow small and deploy on command, extending the reach of RF systems while maintaining maneuverability, low SWaP, and stealth.
Theanna (Columbus, OH)
Milestone-based AI platform to help women tech founders grow their businesses from $0 to $1M+.
Why it matters
The mix of homegrown Columbus startups alongside those from coastal markets underscores Techstars’ growing pull as a national program.
For Ohio, it’s a sign of progress: the state is not just producing innovative companies but also attracting them. In sectors ranging from biotech to aerospace, AI to healthcare, the Fall 2025 class highlights both the diversity of challenges being tackled and the growing appeal of building in a growing tech hub.