Telhio becomes first credit union to join Rev1 Ventures' partner network

Rev1 Ventures has added Telhio Credit Union to its Partner network, marking the first time a credit union has joined the Columbus venture studio's Funding Partner roster.

The partnership plugs Telhio — a member-owned institution that has served central Ohio for more than 90 years — into Rev1's startup pipeline, programming, and ecosystem of software, advanced technology, and life sciences founders. For Telhio, it's a bet that staying competitive in financial services increasingly means getting closer to the companies building its future.

"For a member-owned institution like Telhio, this is about staying ahead of change while continuing to serve their members in new ways," said Julia Dewey, Chief Partnerships Officer at Rev1 Ventures. "The pace of innovation in financial services is accelerating, and partnering with Rev1 gives them earlier visibility into emerging technologies and business models."

Partners at Rev1 are embedded in the studio's day-to-day work — attending curated programming, meeting founders, exploring pilots, and getting a read on market signals before those signals become headlines. For Telhio, that means its team will gain hands-on exposure to startups building in and around financial services, alongside access to founders working in adjacent categories where the most interesting insights often emerge.

"As a partner, Telhio supports Rev1's Venture Studio, plugging into the work that drives startup growth and regional innovation," Dewey said. "Through market insights, curated programming, and events, Telhio builds relationships with founders while creating hands-on exposure for their broader team."

Nick Biratsis, Vice President of Marketing at Telhio Credit Union, framed the move as a long-horizon investment rather than a transactional play. The goal isn't to source a single vendor or technology, it's to build internal innovation capabilities that compound over time.

Why a credit union, and why now

Credit unions occupy a distinct position in the financial services landscape. They're not-for-profit, member-owned, and historically more conservative in their technology adoption than large commercial banks. That makes Telhio's decision to embed itself in a venture studio ecosystem a noteworthy signal, both for the credit union sector and for Ohio's innovation economy.

Dewey said the timing reflects a broader acceleration in financial services. "It's a proactive investment in learning, innovation, and long-term relevance, while also supporting the growth of the regional economy," she said.

The partnership also lands at a moment when Rev1 is deliberately broadening the mix of its Partner network. Rather than concentrating corporate participation in a handful of industries, the studio is recruiting partners across sectors who want a genuine seat at the innovation table.

"We're building a diverse network of  Partners across industries, including financial institutions, as each brings a unique and valuable perspective," Dewey said. "The goal isn't volume but bringing in partners who actively engage, collaborate meaningfully with startups, and believe in the power of a strong innovation ecosystem to help shape their industry's future."

While the fintech connection is the obvious entry point, both Rev1 and Telhio are positioning the relationship as intentionally broader. Rev1's portfolio spans software and AI, advanced technologies, and life sciences — sectors where trends routinely cross-pollinate into financial services in ways that aren't immediately visible.

"We expect meaningful engagement with startups in that space. However, the model is intentionally broader," Dewey said. "Often, the most valuable insights come from adjacent areas where trends are actively shaping the future of technology."

That framing matters. It suggests Telhio isn't joining to shop for a payments platform or a fraud detection tool. 

What year one looks like

Success in the first year won't be measured in deals closed or pilots launched, at least not primarily. Both organizations are focused on embedding Telhio into the ecosystem and identifying where collaboration or pilot opportunities could take hold.

"In year one, we'll build momentum through meaningful engagement with startups, identifying high-potential areas for collaboration or pilot opportunities, and embedding Telhio into the ecosystem," Dewey said. "Success comes when partners are not just observing innovation, but actively participating in it, gaining insights they can bring back into their organization."

For Rev1, Telhio's arrival also doubles as an open invitation to other Columbus Region corporates weighing a similar move. "Columbus Region corporates that want to actively shape the innovation ecosystem and accelerate their own path to new ideas, I'd love to connect," Dewey said.