CincyTech USA

01/05/2026

Reset. Refresh. Recharged. Refuel. 🔋🚀

While the year-end noise has settled, our momentum is just beginning. We took the time to reset so we could start this year with focus and purpose.

As we return to build today, we are looking back at how CincyTech showed up across the ecosystem this past year.

From university labs to boardroom pitches, and from startup hubs to statewide summits, we were on the ground fueling the next generation of Ohio innovation.

While our roots are in Southwest Ohio, our mission and results drive growth across the entire state.

CincyTech in the Numbers ⤵️

🔸18+ year track record
🔸90 startups seeded
🔸$92.3M in direct investments
🔸$2B+ in co-investments
🔸$36.5M co-invested with JobsOhio
🔸1,600+ jobs created and retained
🔸In partnership with our ESP collaborators, realized 84:1 ROI from $40M+ of Ohio Third Frontier funding to support the broader ecosystem
🔸26 technologies developed by research institutions and universities, including: Cincinnati Children's, Cleveland Clinic, University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Case Western Reserve University.

To our ESP collaborators, founders, investors, and partners across the state: thank you for being a part of this journey.

This success belongs to each of you as we, together, build the next generation of industry leaders in Ohio. Thank you for being part of the drive!

12/29/2025

How do we ensure that the "Endless Frontier" of scientific research doesn't end at the laboratory door?

In a recent op-ed for the Cincinnati Business Courier, our Life Sciences Analyst, Logan Hille, explores the "complex translation" from academic research to commercial reality. While Cincinnati’s engine of basic research is strong, Logan argues we must be intentional about building sharper feedback loops between researchers and industry partners.

At CincyTech, we are proud to serve as the bridge, knitting together researchers, industry partners, and investors to turn "what if" into "what’s next.

Read Logan’s full take on engineering serendipity in the Ohio Discovery Corridor here ➡️ https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2025/12/16/my-view-engineer-serendipity.html

Cincinnati Business Courier

12/24/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, the CincyTech team is reflecting on the incredible growth of our region’s innovation ecosystem.

To our partners, founders, and supporters: Thank you. Your engagement is the engine that allows us to back the life science and tech startups fueling job creation and economic impact across Ohio.

Together, we aren't just funding companies; we’re mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs and building the future of Cincinnati and the State of Ohio.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year! ✨

12/20/2025

🍪 Custom Branding Never Tasted So Good!

The CincyTech team has some serious talent in our extended family. Huge shout-out to Leah Hille, wife of our Life Sciences Analyst Logan Hille, for bringing our brand vision to life with these incredible custom treats.

Leah wears many hats. When she isn’t crafting edible masterpieces for her cookie business, she is dedicated to serving our community as a Pediatrics Resident at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. 🏥🩺

We can officially attest that not only do these look stunning, but they taste just as delicious.

It’s innovation you can actually eat! 💡😋

Check out more of Leah’s amazing work at !

12/16/2025

We are incredibly proud to see our portfolio company, ActionStreamer, featured in Business Insider for their groundbreaking work with the United States Air Force.

Fuel tank maintenance is known as one of the "dirtiest, hardest" jobs in aviation. It involves working in confined spaces, handling hazardous vapors, and performing complex inspections. ActionStreamer’s IRIS (Integrated Respirator Information System) technology is changing the game by turning standard safety gear into a powerful connectivity tool.

By enabling hands-free, real-time video streaming directly from inside the fuel tank, they aren't just improving efficiency they are keeping maintainers safer and getting aircraft back on the flight line faster.

This is what happens when innovation meets mission-critical needs. Congratulations to the entire ActionStreamer team on this well-deserved recognition!

👇 Read the full story below

Tanker maintenance workers spend their days crawling in and out of fuel tanks. New tech might make a hard job a little easier.

12/03/2025

We’ve got even more exciting mid-week news to share! 📣

We are keeping the momentum going by announcing our newest additions: our 2025 Redhawk Venture Fellows: Jeff Amapps and Matthew Brady.

Both students are joining us from Miami University and Redhawk Ventures to immerse themselves in the core economics of a venture fund, tackling complex market landscape analysis and forward-looking capitalization table models.

👋Meet Jeffrey Amapps, Miami University Finance Major (Class of '27)

Jeff brings impressive experience as an incoming Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Guggenheim Partners and the founder of The Venture Canyon Newsletter. At CincyTech, Jeff will work directly with our team to update comparable company sheets, conduct deep-dive market research, and review fund metrics.

Off the clock: You can find Jeff exploring the local restaurant and nightlife scene, or on the court playing basketball and tennis.

👋 Meet Matthew Brady, Miami University Double Major in Finance and Accounting (Class of '27)

Matt joins us with a strong background in real estate and venture, including roles at Refinery Ventures and as an incoming Proptech Summer Analyst at Starwood Capital Group. Matt will be supporting our early-stage deal flow by assisting with comps work, cap table reviews, and valuation analysis.

Off the clock: Matt is an avid golfer, a fan of classic rock, and loves to travel.

We are excited to see the impact they will make on our portfolio companies and the Ohio startup ecosystem!

12/02/2025

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our Life Sciences Fellow, Issac Choi, on being named a "New Idea" award recipient by CancerFree KIDS! 🔬✨

Issac’s proposal, "Defining the role of IRAK4 signaling on LSC chromatin state," was selected for funding to support his critical research into Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

🧬 Simply put: He is hunting the "Queen Bee" of cancer cells.

To break down the science: Most cancer cells are like worker bees; they do damage, but chemotherapy can kill them. But Leukemic Stem Cells (LSC) are like the Queen Bee. They hide, they survive treatment, and they can restart the cancer even after a patient is in remission.

Issac is researching a specific "messenger" (IRAK4) that tells the Queen Bee’s DNA to stay active. If his research is successful, it could lead to new ways to "hang up the phone" on that messenger, stopping the cancer at its source.

Getting a thumbs-up from CancerFree KIDS is a massive validation. Their grants are reviewed by a board of top-tier faculty from across the nation.

We love seeing our team members thrive. Whether it’s an undergrad intern getting their first taste of the startup world or a PhD candidate like Issac pushing the boundaries of science, we are honored to be part of their journey. Supporting students at every stage of their "learning" - from the classroom to the lab to the venture capital table is one of the best parts of what we do.

Congratulations, Issac! 🚀

12/01/2025

Starting the week with some positive post-holiday news ✨

We’re proud to share that our President & CEO, Emma Scharfenberger Off, has been named to Cincinnati Magazine’s Cincinnati 300 in the Manufacturing & Tech segment. This recognition reflects Emma’s vision, leadership, and dedication to advancing innovation and economic growth in our region.

At CincyTech, Emma leads our mission to fuel high-potential founders, strengthen the tech ecosystem, and help shape a more vibrant future for Cincinnati. Her inclusion in the Cincinnati 300 highlights the impact that strong leadership can have on the broader community.

11/25/2025

What an incredible evening! 🎉

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual holiday party last Thursday. We know it was a busy night across Cincinnati, and it means the world that you chose to celebrate with us.

Your support, partnership, and dedication to our community have been the driving force behind everything we've accomplished this year. As we look ahead to 2026, we're energized by the possibilities and grateful to have you alongside us as we continue building Cincinnati's innovation ecosystem.

Here's to the connections we've made, the progress we've shared, and the exciting opportunities ahead.

Thank you for being part of the CincyTech family.

11/11/2025

Today, we honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of all who have served in our armed forces.

We're continually grateful for the veterans who have defended our freedoms and continue to contribute to our communities in countless ways. Your service has shaped the world we live in, and your leadership strengthens the innovation ecosystem we're privileged to support.

To all veterans: Thank you for your service.

11/06/2025

🎉 Proud portfolio milestone! Invirsa, Inc has secured $18M to advance Phase 3 clinical trials for their innovative eye drop treatment targeting diabetic dry eye—a condition affecting 54% of people with diabetes.

This funding marks a critical inflection point for the Columbus-based biotech as they work toward FDA approval, with results expected by the end of 2028. Co-founder and CEO Dr. Robert Shalwitz and his team are developing a therapy that could do more than just address symptoms—it has the potential to truly improve patients' day-to-day vision.

The funding includes:
✅ $2.9M venture capital round led by Ohio investors including Rev1 Ventures Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio Innovation Fund, and JobsOhio Growth Capital Fund
✅ $15.2M from BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) under an ongoing federal contract

To date, Invirsa has raised $52 million, with $35 million from non-dilutive government funding—a testament to capital-efficient ex*****on in life sciences.

What makes this even more compelling: the eye drops were initially developed as the first treatment for chemical warfare exposure (sulfur mustard gas), demonstrating how innovative therapeutics can address multiple critical needs.

Congratulations to Dr. Robert Shalwitz, Isaiah Shalwitz and the entire Invirsa team on this milestone. This is exactly the kind of high-impact innovation Ohio's life sciences ecosystem is built for. 👏

Read more: Invirsa raises $18M for diabetic dry eye treatment trials - Columbus Business First

A Columbus biotech has landed millions toward seeking FDA approval for an eye drop to treat diabetic dry eye.

11/05/2025

What gives Southwest Ohio an edge in AI?

Hint: It's not what you'd expect.

Our Partner Doug Groh breaks down why our region is uniquely positioned to win in AI, not by competing with Silicon Valley on foundational models, but through a different strategy entirely.

Learn more about how Southwest Ohio startups are building competitive advantages that Silicon Valley can't easily copy.

Discover how local companies, including Vixiv, BrandRank.AI, Vurvey Labs, and Mined XAI, are shaping the future, plus insights on how Procter & Gamble, Kroger, GE Additive, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are shaping our AI ecosystem.

Read Doug's full piece in Cincinnati Business Courier to discover our region's AI advantage. ⤵️

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/inno/stories/news/2025/11/04/tech-develop-ai-vixiv-brandrank-mined-xai-vurvey.html?utm_source=st&utm_medium=en&utm_campaign=ae&utm_content=CI&j=42341341&senddate=2025-11-04&utm_term=ep10&empos=p10

Cincinnati Business Courier Cincy Inno

Southwest Ohio is unlikely to produce the next ChatGPT or Claude. But here's what matters: we don't need to.