Advanced Manufacturing
Forget the pilots and the custom hardware. Anduril’s AI Grand Prix is a high-stakes software battle for a $500,000 purse and a seat at the defense giant. With identical drones and zero human control, the global pursuit of autonomous perfection culminates in Ohio this November.
Startups + VC
The new $60M fund is backed by nearly 1,000 Midwest industrial owners and aims to modernize America’s legacy sectors. Heartland flips the VC script by using factory bosses as investors, giving startups built-in customers to solve the region's labor gap.
Startups + VC
The Cleveland startup digitizing the DMV has raised $55 million in its largest financing round to date. CEO Shane Bigelow calls it a "Netflix vs. Blockbuster" moment for the public sector, as their platform cuts title processing times from 60 days to mere hours for over 35 million Americans.
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.
Statewide Roundups
Our analytics revealed an undeniable trend: you care about the mega-builds. From defense hubs to crypto banks, the most-viewed stories of 2025 weren't about potential—they were about production. See how the physical and financial backbone of American innovation is being built in Ohio.
Startups + VC
Backed by Lux Capital and Founders Fund the ‘stablecoin-native’ challenger aims to fill the post‑SVB gap for high‑growth companies. With new federal approvals in hand, the Columbus‑based bank is positioning itself as a key financial backbone for the nation’s AI and defense sectors.
Advanced Manufacturing
The Connected Vehicles Rule just got a Solon-based answer. By acquiring Wireless Mobility, Eagle Electronics morphs into the only Western vendor ready to de-risk global automotive and IoT supply chains. With ex-CIA leadership and backing from The O.H.I.O. Fund, this is a massive bet on trusted tech.
Healthcare
Columbus startup DNA Nanobots has secured $3.5 million to revolutionize gene therapy without using viruses. The Ohio State spinout utilizes "DNA origami" to engineer self-assembling vessels that deliver complex payloads. This fresh capital extends their runway to 18 months for future advancements.
Advanced Manufacturing
From a 250,000-square-foot plant in Ottawa, Endera is scaling production of vertically integrated electric shuttles. Backed by Mark Kvamme’s O.H.I.O. Fund and Magnetar, the company is anchoring the state's re-industrialization by providing federally compliant fleets for a national market.
Research
The hub’s portfolio grows to 13 initiatives with this round, supported by an $8M funding pool. Recipients include Case Western, University of Akron, and two Synthe6 alumni. The capital targets the "valley of death" for hard tech, including bio-dressings, fuel conversion, and recyclable films.
Startups + VC
By acquiring Flatiron Health's research unit and securing $78M, Paradigm Health creates the largest U.S. oncology research network. The deal embeds clinical trials directly into local exam rooms, aiming to fix the industry's "zip code problem" and democratize access to life-saving therapies.
Startups + VC
Dayton-based Dexa has secured a rare FAA waiver for autonomous, beyond-line-of-sight flights. From the "Birthplace of Aviation," CEO Beth Flippo is leveraging AI to empower local businesses with 15-minute delivery speeds that drop goods at precise locations—no address needed.