Spotlights
Based in Cleveland, Cal Al-Dhubaib leads Further’s AI and data science teams to scale ethical, high-risk automation. Following the 2024 acquisition of his firm, Pandata, he continues to design human-centered systems for some of Ohio's biggest brands and industry leaders.
Spotlights
JPMorgan Chase product designer Omari Hitson leads a global community of 400 experts to scale spatial computing and XR programs. As President of the VR/AR Association’s Ohio chapter, he is building a "Concept-to-Production Pipeline" to turn the state into a global hub for immersive tech.
Spotlights
Patricia Colella leads SportsLand™, an initiative positioning Ohio as a national hub for sports tech. Her "moonshot" vision is the Human Performance & Sports Innovation Corridor, a statewide network linking hospitals and startups to accelerate healthcare discovery and economic growth.
Spotlights
As Senior Product Manager at Hyland, Tyler Conn launched Knowledge Discovery, an AI platform turning unstructured content into actionable insight. His work enables healthcare and government sectors to move from static documents to fast, data-driven decisions in seconds.
Spotlights
As Co-Founder of Aplos Innovation, Ian Ferré uses Palantir Foundry to turn data chaos into clarity. The Columbus tech leader and DevCon Fellow envisions Ohio as the nation's engine for operational excellence, proving that practical tech builds durable growth.
Spotlights
One year since its launch by Ray Leach and Mark Kvamme, The O.H.I.O. Fund has raised $238 million and backed 19 projects in AI and infrastructure. Leach discusses the fund's rapid sprint, the shift in investment culture, and why Ohio is poised for a major breakout year in 2026.
Spotlights
SkillSpout COO Sarah Slavik warns Ohio business leaders that AI isn't just a headline—it’s a deadline. She outlines the risks of "shadow AI," the critical need for CEO buy-in, and how to use Ohio’s TechCred program for human-centric upskilling. Here's why "wait and see" is a liability.
Spotlights
Merging physics theory with shipping code requires a rare dual mindset. MorelandConnect Chief AI Architect Caden Kacmarynski explains why AI and quantum computing are converging tracks for the region. He details how a physics-first approach helps industries prepare for a hybrid future.
Spotlights
JumpStart's CEO, Lorne Novick, sees Ohio VC Fest as key for creating "collisions" between founders and funders. The Cleveland event showcases Ohio's promising startups, helping entrepreneurs secure meetings and ensuring capital and opportunity flow through the state's growing economy.
Spotlights
Robert Marks has built big before. In 1999, he launched Fidelity Voice and Data with just $600 and a bold vision to expand internet access across Ohio. Over the next 15 years, he scaled it into a $30 million telecommunications and cloud services business, building data centers in Cleveland, Columbus,