The stories behind the building.
Weekly startup news, founder stories, and venture deals from across the Heartland.
Heartland Venture Network opens coverage across nine states
Heartland Venture Network is expanding its initial coverage to Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Ohio remains the starting point, with Pennsylvania coverage s
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Ohio VC Fest brings more than 900 to Cleveland; 2027 dates announced
Ohio VC Fest concluded its September 29–30, 2026 gathering in Cleveland with more than 900 participants, according to the organizer’s post-event update. JumpStart has announced that the event will return September 21–22,
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1872 puts $15M behind automated steel fabrication in Cincinnati
Cincinnati startup 1872 announced a $15 million seed round on July 22, 2026, alongside its autonomous steel-fabrication factory model. The company was founded by three former SpaceX engineers and is developing its operat
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BrandRank.AI announces initial closing of $3M seed financing
BrandRank.AI announced the initial closing of a $3 million seed financing on July 28, 2026. Grit Capital Partners and QCA Ventures co-led the financing, with participation from SideCar Angels and other investors.
Read the story Deals & milestonesFlashpass raises $4.25M for its skills platform
Columbus-based Flashpass announced $4.25 million in seed funding on April 9, 2026. The company’s release says the financing closed on March 18 and was led by J2 Ventures.
Read the story Deals & milestonesGo.AI raises $85M to expand private AI infrastructure
Chicago-based Go.AI announced an $85 million Series A on September 22, 2026. Updata Partners led the round, with existing investors GFT Ventures and LAUNCH participating. The financing brings the company’s total funding
Read the story Deals & milestonesHealia’s $14M Series A expands a Columbus benefits business
Healia announced $18 million in total funding on July 28, 2026, including a $14 million Series A led by 111° West Capital. The Columbus company’s backers also include Y Combinator, First Round, Pioneer, GoAhead, and Nort
Read the story Deals & milestonesLetter AI secures $40M for deal-specific sales enablement
Chicago’s Letter AI announced a $40 million Series B on February 24, 2026, led by Battery Ventures. Participants included Y Combinator, Lightbank, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, Stage 2 Capital, and existing invest
Read the story Deals & milestonesmemQ closes $10M Series A for quantum connections
Chicago quantum startup memQ announced the close of a $10 million Series A on March 31, 2026. Quantonation and Ocean Azul co-led the financing.
Read the story Deals & milestonesSonic Fire Tech closes out $15M in seed financing
Cleveland’s Sonic Fire Tech completed financing that brought its seed funding to $15 million, according to an August 17, 2026 announcement from The O.H.I.O. Fund. The fund led the latest investment, with Khosla Ventures
Read the story Deals & milestonesStack Health launches with $21M in seed backing
Stack Health emerged in September 2026 with $21 million in seed funding led by 8VC. The O.H.I.O. Fund confirmed its participation in the Columbus company.
Read the story Deals & milestonesSygaldry’s $105M Series A backs quantum hardware for AI
Sygaldry announced $139 million in combined funding on April 14, 2026, including a $105 million Series A led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The Series A closed in March 2026. The combined headline also includes a prior
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