Founders + Funders Summit brings business talent to Cincinnati

The Founders + Funders 2024 Summit is homegrown yet global in reach. Bearcat alumni broke down technological advances, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and Greater Cincinnati’s place in the business world.

In a key moment for advancing UC’s innovation agenda and solidifying the 1819 Innovation Hub as the Center for the Silicon Heartland, attendees were treated to a keynote speech from GitHub co-founder and former UC Bearcat, Chris Wanstrath. Original “Shark Tank” panelist Kevin Harrington and other corporate giants also shared their expertise, underscoring Cincinnati’s pivotal role in entrepreneurship and innovation.

• Chris Wanstrath, co-founder and former CEO of GitHub
• Peter Mulford, executive vice president and chief innovation officer of BTS
• Kevin Harrington, original panel member on “Shark Tank”
• Tim Spence, chairman, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank

Ryan Hays, UC’s executive vice president and chief innovation and strategy officer, hosted a fireside chat with Wanstrath. They discussed his time at UC, his first forays into entrepreneurship and his evolving leadership style at GitHub.

Wanstrath was particularly impressed by the 1819 Innovation Hub’s role as a startup incubator and a link between UC students and Cincinnati’s corporate community.

“This would’ve been heaven for me when I was a student,” Wanstrath said. “It’s a reason to come to this school.”

After Wanstrath’s speech, attendees heard about the future of AI in business and joined breakout sessions on the following topics:

• Midwest Founders: Unicorn Building Behind the Scenes
• The Future of Health Tech
• Today’s Changing Venture Capital Environment
• Shark Tank: Masterclass from the Original Shark
• Strategies for Building a Trusted Brand
• Entrepreneurship and Sports

The Founders + Funders 2024 Summit wrapped up with a discussion about ways Fifth Third Bank is innovating and making an impact in Cincinnati. Afterward, guests enjoyed complimentary food and beverages while networking with other attendees.

UC President Neville Pinto considers it an honor for the school to play a critical role in lifting Cincinnati’s national profile.

“We’re privileged to be able to shape the next generation of our society’s leaders, creators and innovators,” Pinto said, “and we want to remember every single day that the next generation lives on our campus today. That’s what ‘Next Lives Here’ means.”

The Founders + Funders 2024 Summit was laser-focused on the future, and its attendees should be as well. Further actions for business leaders include year-round engagement with the 1819 Innovation Hub’s Ground Floor Makerspace, Venture Lab startup pre-accelerator, Esports Innovation Lab and Technology Transfer team.

Another next step: preparing for UC’s Founders + Funders 2025 Summit. While this year’s event provided an unparalleled experience for hundreds of guests, the next one promises to be even more exceptional. Innovation, after all, never stops — as anyone who attended this year’s event at 1819 knows well.

Featured image at top: A crowded room at UC's Founders + Funders event. Photo/Alex Dudash