Startups + VC
Founders, investors, operators and creators converge in Cincinnati July 14–16 for Black Tech Week, with sessions on capital, AI, corporate partnerships and career pathways plus JobsOhio-led programming linking attendees to statewide tech and startup resources.
Startups + VC
The equity-free Trailblazer program provides non-dilutive capital and hands-on mentorship to pre-seed and seed-stage founders. Beyond tapping a network of 200 service providers, the group will present their traction to Ohio's investment community at a showcase on August 27.
Artificial Intelligence
AI25, presented by Ohio Tech News and OhioX, recognizes leaders turning artificial intelligence into real-world impact across Ohio — from startups and classrooms to hospitals, public agencies, manufacturing floors, and the capital backing what comes next.
Capital + Deals
By absorbing the former AWH and its proprietary TransformOS framework, Red Hawk is buying its way up-market. The deal pairs a predictable software subscription model with heavy-duty enterprise AI infrastructure, positioning the remote Midwest firm to capture larger corporate clients.
Artificial Intelligence
Launched in partnership with Experience Columbus, Satisfi Labs’ new Agentic City model connects AI across local attractions to handle 24/7 visitor inquiries. By sharing a verified knowledge base, understaffed venues can streamline operations and capture valuable zero-party data.
Advanced Manufacturing
Central Ohio is about to build the Air Force’s next generation of semi‑autonomous “robotic wingmen,” as Anduril’s FQ‑44 Fury fighter and Lattice mission autonomy software move from rapid prototyping into full production at the new Arsenal‑1 campus.
Workforce + Education
The Columbus-based R&D organization is awarding $968,000 to 16 Central Ohio nonprofits, expanding STEM programs that will reach more than 14,000 students and 1,400 educators while shifting the focus toward artificial intelligence, aviation, and applied engineering.
Energy
Advanced nuclear’s biggest bottleneck—fuel—may finally be easing as Oklo secures domestic HALEU from Centrus’s Piketon plant to anchor a 1.2 GW campus in Southern Ohio, linking local enrichment, new reactors, and surging AI data center demand in one project.
Workforce + Education
Facing a projected shortage of more than 540,000 skilled workers over the next decade, Ohio is launching a $300 million workforce initiative. The program aims to reach roughly 25,000 Ohioans by providing financial incentives for hybrid work-and-education models in critical industries.
Startups + VC
Dayton’s aviation innovation legacy met its culinary scene as autonomous logistics company Dexa and All The Best Delicatessen executed Ohio’s first commercial drone sandwich delivery. Under clear skies, the FAA-certified aircraft completed a flawless 1.5-mile suburban round trip.
Artificial Intelligence
A new workforce academy will train electricians, plumbers and fiber technicians with stipends, credentials and direct job pathways. The effort targets a growing labor gap as data center expansion accelerates across key states, including Ohio.
Startups + VC
Spun out of Ohio's veteran venture studio, this new independent, for-profit firm aims to bridge the coastal funding gap by targeting enterprise AI, deep tech, and life sciences. Backed by a strong Central Ohio network, the team delivers critical talent, customers, and execution strategy.