UC 1819 Innovation Hub is the heartbeat of the Cincinnati Innovation District
An ecosystem of trailblazing entrepreneurs
The University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub is the heartbeat of the Cincinnati Innovation District, as reported by the Cincinnati Business Courier’s sister publication, Cincy Inno.
Attendees at Cincy Inno event. Photo/Greg Glevicky
This ecosystem fosters the growth of trailblazing entrepreneurs, drawing students, researchers and innovators to Cincinnati.
Serving the region as a comprehensive resource suite, the 1819 Innovation Hub programming and networking opportunities include investor connections, mentorship, industry expertise and licensing support.
Cincy Inno's "Inno on Fire" event occurred on Aug. 19. Dozens of startup founders and industry professionals gathered at the 1819 Innovation Hub to explore Cincinnati’s active startup ecosystem.
The event featured a panel discussion led by Cincy Inno Editor Liz Engel, with insights from Emma Off, CEO and president of CincyTech; J.B. Kropp, CEO of Cintrifuse; and Ryan Hays, UC's executive vice president and chief innovation and strategy officer. Engel's discussion delved into the current state of Cincinnati's startup industry, its new leaders' vision and the local ecosystem's future direction. These leaders underscored the critical role that UC and its partners play in driving Cincinnati's entrepreneurial landscape, channeling funds and resources into the region’s burgeoning talent pool.
Feeding the talent needs not just for our startups but for our big companies is something we take a lot of pride in as a public institution.
Ryan Hays UC executive vice president and chief innovation and strategy officer
Ryan Hays, UC executive vice president and chief innovation and strategy officer. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
High-quality research, particularly in the social sciences, is a magnet for innovative startups and local investors like CincyTech and Main Street Ventures, both of which are key partners in UC's 1819 Innovation Hub.
Engel asked about talent in the region.
Panelist Ryan Hays spoke about how UC's 1819 Innovation Hub, a key player in nurturing local talent, feeds that pipeline. "If you look at innovation ecosystems around the country, you've got talent, technology, and capital. We see our role as filling the entire gamut," said Hays. "Feeding the talent needs not just for our startups but for our big companies is something we take a lot of pride in as a public institution. We think it's our mission to help with that economic development piece of talent, workforce development, and it's something we think about every day."
As interest in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence continues to grow, investors are increasingly eager to support ventures in this space, positioning Cincinnati as a potential leader in the field.
The event brought together the people, companies and organizations that are igniting innovation and fueling growth, a testament to the region's vibrant startup scene and its potential to produce the following big success stories.
Featured image at top: Ryan Hays (far right) speaks to attendees along with panelists J.B. Kropp (far left) and Emma Off (center). Photo/Greg Glevicky
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