Startup stories, deals, and events across Ohio. Updated weekly as new reporting is published.
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 spanning the full state.
Read the storyEcosystemOhio 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, 2027.
Read the storyDeals & milestonesCincinnati 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 operation in Camp Washington. Private funds advised by The O.H.I.O. Fund backed the financing.
Read the storyDeals & milestonesBrandRank.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 storyDeals & milestonesColumbus-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 storyDeals & milestonesHealia 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 North Coast.
Read the storyDeals & milestonesCleveland’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 reinvesting.
Read the storyDeals & milestonesStack 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 story7 listings · Dates checked October 1, 2026. Check organizer links before making plans.
Founder programming spanning capital, growth, and student entrepreneurship.
Dates follow the current 2026 agenda. Older sponsor copy differs; confirm individual sessions.
Organizer & details ↗AI adoption and the statewide technology community.
Confirm venue and current program with OhioX.
Organizer & details ↗Venture capital, founder showcases, and investor meetings.
Organizer reports 900+ participants. Next edition: September 21–22, 2027.
Organizer & details ↗A citywide window into founders, technology, and the local ecosystem.
Organizer & details ↗AI builders, enterprise adoption, and technology leadership.
Organizer & details ↗Community-led technology events across Central Ohio.
Organizer & details ↗OhioX’s statewide gathering for technology companies and ecosystem leaders.
Organizer reports 827 attendees in 2026. Next edition: May 13, 2027.
Organizer & details ↗An editorial resource, not a confirmed HVN partner. MyVCmatch is a separate product; this link does not share your profile.
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