Ohio VC Fest, the state’s premier venture capital event, wrapped up another sold-out year with over 700 attendees from 6 countries and 27 states, fueling exciting connections and investments for Ohio’s growing startup community. Hosted by JumpStart and JumpStart Ventures, the two-day event held September 17 and 18 at the Huntington Convention Center brought together founders, investors, corporate leaders and policymakers to drive venture capital activity across the state.

More than 1,000 founder and investor meetings were facilitated during the two-day summit, resulting in valuable opportunities for investment and collaboration. In addition to matchmaking, 41 expert presenters and speakers offered insights into the latest trends and challenges in the venture capital and startup space.

“Ohio VC Fest is a testament to the strength of Ohio’s startups and the investors who believe in their potential,” said Julie Jacono, CEO of JumpStart and JumpStart Ventures. “This year’s event showcased the untapped talent and innovation in our state and the connections sparked during Ohio VC Fest will have a lasting impact.”

A highlight of the event was the Cyrannus competition, where two standout founders took home a combined $50K in capital. Becca Wenning of Dressit.ai won $10K in non-dilutive capital for the best elevator pitch.

Chris Lee of Airtrek Robotics received $40K in venture capital investment for the strongest business plan.

“We’re thrilled to have been the presenting sponsor of Ohio VC Fest and to award two game-changing startups,” said Lee Mosbacker, CEO of Cyrannus. “Events like this are essential for investing in under-recognized talent and innovation. By connecting startups with the right capital and expertise, we’re helping to grow and strengthen the tech economy in Ohio and beyond.”

The Demo Hall spotlighted 28 Ohio-based tech startups, giving them the opportunity to showcase their innovations in health tech, software, hard tech, and sports tech. The event included 14 Trailblazer Accelerator Startup Showcase pitches, highlighting some of the state’s most promising companies.

Ohio VC Fest continues to grow as a catalyst for venture capital investments in Ohio. With over 75 venture investors representing over $1B under management, the event has cemented itself as a vital meeting point for startups and investors across the Midwest and the coasts.

Ohio VC Fest 2024 was made possible by presenting sponsor Cyrannus and sponsors such as Thompson Hine, JobsOhio, Cleveland Clinic, and many others. The event has sold out for two consecutive years, highlighting the growing interest and enthusiasm for Ohio’s startup ecosystem.

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About JumpStart
JumpStart is a nationally recognized venture development organization that provides capital, services and connections to help entrepreneurs grow. In 2024, JumpStart celebrates 20 years of empowering entrepreneurs and driving regional economic impact through its comprehensive support services and investments across Ohio.

About JumpStart Ventures
JumpStart Ventures is a division of JumpStart investing in Seed and Series A-stage technology startups throughout Ohio and beyond. With four investment funds under management, the organization provides a continuum of capital to startup founders as they move through critical growth phases. To learn more, visit JumpStart.VC.