StartupCincy Week showcases Cincinnati’s entrepreneurial prowess
Founders and business leaders alike gain entrepreneurial inspiration at StartupCincy Week
Cincinnati’s bustling entrepreneurial environment moved into the spotlight from Oct. 7-10 for StartupCincy Week.
The Cintrifuse-led event brought together entrepreneurs, established business owners, government leaders and organizations across Cincinnati’s innovation ecosystem to promote the Queen City as “the best place in the Midwest to launch a high-growth startup.”
The University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub played multiple roles in StartupCincy Week, from being a presenting sponsor of the event to having much of its talent highlighted as speakers. As a critical piece of Cincinnati’s innovation community, the 1819 Innovation Hub’s staff enjoyed revealing how founders can tap into its resources.
A collaborative ecosystem
UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub was far from the only entrepreneurial resource showcased during StartupCincy Week. After all, the event aimed to show the collective might of Cincinnati’s entrepreneurial ecosystem — and how founders can enjoy the advantages of all entities involved.
Entrepreneurs learned how to leverage resources from the following organizations, among others, during StartupCincy Week:
The wealth of entrepreneurial options available in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky is impressive but can be overwhelming. Kesha Williams, founder and CEO of Cool Comforts, recommends that founders work across various organizations for maximum benefit, focusing closely on each one’s specialties.
“You may end up receiving some duplication of services and information [from startup partners],” Williams said. “If we deter duplication, we can increase revenue that those organizations can spend in other places; at the end of the day, as a founder, that is what I care about.”
Sessions addressing all needs
There was no shortage of compelling topics discussed during StartupCincy Week. From sessions about finding capital for your startup to seminars about bolstering one’s mental well-being, few topics were left unaddressed.
UC's Office of Innovation shared its expertise across a bevy of topics during StartupCincy Week. Below are a few topics Bearcats discussed:
- Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem, featuring Kate Harmon, assistant vice president of UC’s Office of Innovation and executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship
- University resources for startups, featuring Tony Almaguer, chief of staff of UC’s Office of Innovation
- Navigating IOT transitions, featuring Patrick Brown, commercialization navigator on UC’s Tech Transfer team
- Marketing mentorship, featuring Nicola Ziady, chief marketing officer at UC
- First-time startup founding, featuring Marvin Abrinica, director of UC’s Venture Lab
Entrepreneurs heard from talented speakers with experience across all sizes of companies, gaining practical takeaways on a plethora of topics. With this information — and an understanding of the region’s entrepreneurial choices — founders left StartupCincy Week ready for business growth.
Where innovation reigns
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval speaks during StartupCincy Week. Photo/Savannah Bumgarner
Cincinnati’s rapid startup growth in recent years has led to an entrepreneurial rebirth felt throughout Southwest Ohio. Companies are taking note of the Queen City’s innovative path, leading to it being named the Center for the Silicon Heartland.
Mayor Aftab Pureval believes Cincinnati’s future lies in the ambition and potential of the city’s startup founders. He’s optimistic that Cincinnati will lead the United States as an entrepreneurial mecca, with partners like the 1819 Innovation Hub and Cintrifuse leading the way.
“Every person in this audience is a risk-taker,” Pureval said while speaking at StartupCincy Week. “Don’t tell me how challenging your work will be; tell me how transformational it will be.”
Featured image at top: Startup organization leaders at StartupCincy Week 2024. Photo/Savannah Bumgarner
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