Union Hall - Beer Hall

A fast-paced look at Cincinnati’s innovation momentum featuring startup wins, emerging trends, and what’s next for the region’s venture scene.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
StepStone Group, one of the world’s largest and most active allocators to venture capital and growth equity, will lead a discussion on the current state of venture. With 25+ years of experience, a global team, and deep relationships across seed to growth equity, StepStone brings a unique perspective on market dynamics. This session will cover today’s key venture trends, shifting investor preferences, and what it means for founders, funds, and startup communities in the Midwest and beyond.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

What makes Cincinnati a smart bet for startups and investors alike? In this double fireside chat, founders from Cintrifuse Capital portfolio companies Vixiv and Cloverleaf sit down with their leading investors from Outlander and Origin Ventures—both part of Cintrifuse’s Fund of Funds. Together, they’ll explore why national VCs are backing Cincinnati startups, how the Cintrifuse model drives growth, and what it means for the region’s future as a startup hub.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Ever wondered how angel investing really works—and how it fuels the startup ecosystem? Join Queen City Angels for an inside look at early-stage investing, including how angel groups operate, what they look for in entrepreneurs, and why angels provide nearly 90% of outside equity for startups. Hear directly from founders and investors about the realities of the entrepreneur–angel relationship, the risks and rewards of investing, and how you can get involved in supporting innovation in Greater Cincinnati.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Cincinnati has long been a launchpad for top tech talent—but too often, those innovators take their skills elsewhere. In this candid conversation, local-born leaders in the tech space reflect on their journeys: how they broke into the industry, why they left Cincinnati, what could draw them back, and the lessons learned along the way. Expect honest stories of challenges, growth, and possibility—and insights into how our region can better cultivate, retain, and welcome back the talent it helps create.

The Eagle
Raising capital? Understanding term sheets is critical. Over lunch, Thompson Hine experts will break down key terms, common pitfalls, and negotiation tips to help founders protect their vision while building strong investor relationships. Connect with peers and get practical insights to navigate your next deal with confidence.

The Eagle
Raising capital? Understanding term sheets is critical. Over lunch, Thompson Hine experts will break down key terms, common pitfalls, and negotiation tips to help founders protect their vision while building strong investor relationships. Connect with peers and get practical insights to navigate your next deal with confidence.

Krueger's

Fast, Cheap, and Weird: Experiments that Build Resilient Companies

As large corporations, creating a resilient company that can thrive in the face of crisis and opportunity comes down to running fast, cheap, and weird experiments. Discussions around how you are evaluating experiments to run, what corporate innovation initiatives you are trying/tried, the venture strategy chessboard, and more

Bakersfield

Join us over lunch for a forward-looking conversation on artificial intelligence and Cincinnati’s role in its future. We’ll explore how AI is being applied across industries today, where the biggest opportunities lie for our region, and what it will take for Cincinnati to become a leading voice in this rapidly evolving field.

Marketer Collaborative
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about gut instincts—it’s about applying creativity and innovation strategically. This session explores the “inventure engine” that powers successful ventures, revealing how science-backed approaches can give founders a competitive edge. Learn how to harness structured creativity to identify opportunities, make smarter decisions, and drive your startup forward in today’s fast-moving market.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
The founder’s playbook for turning what you share into funding, hires, and growth.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Step into an intimate, conversational setting where top venture capitalists share unfiltered stories, personal journeys, and the real lessons behind their biggest wins—and misses. This lunchtime chat is designed to go beyond the formalities, offering attendees a rare chance to engage directly with the investors shaping the future of innovation.

Marketer Collaborative

Learn how to uncover inefficiencies, optimize processes, and use outsourcing and automation to deliver better customer experiences—and fuel scalable growth. Practical tools for making your business run smarter, not harder.

Miami Center
How to pitch, position, and run your raise so investors want in.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Between patents, trade secrets, training data, and prompt chains, what parts of an AI startup can actually be protected? This session demystifies the legal landscape with startup-savvy counsel and operators who’ve done it right—and wrong. Panelists will use Disagree/Agree pads and be asked hard hitting questions - some will be asked to validate their choice.

Reaching $2 million in revenue is a major milestone, but it’s just the beginning. The path from $2M to $20M requires founders to shift from doing everything themselves to building scalable systems, teams, and strategies. This panel brings together serial founders and operators who’ve made that leap—highlighting the inflection points that matter most: defining a Life-Changing Target (LCT), clarifying your Unique Value Proposition (UVP), and preparing your organization structurally and emotionally for scale.

We’ll explore how to sell beyond your personal and professional network (B2C and B2B0, when and how to finance your growth intelligently, and why founders should start exit planning long before a liquidity event. Expect candid stories, practical advice, and emerging models—from non-dilutive capital to evolving leadership roles. Whether you’re at $2M in ARR, or if you are pre-revenue and planning to scale, this conversation will give you the mindset and a playbook to drive value and get to your next stage.

Marketer Collaborative

Raising your next round? Understanding cap tables, valuations, and dilution is essential for making informed decisions and attracting the right investors. Join Fidelity experts for a practical, startup-focused session that breaks down these critical concepts, explains how they impact ownership and fundraising strategy, and provides actionable tips to prepare for your next round with confidence.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Join us for an afternoon of exceptional networking and a chance to hear VCs pitch their investment theses, target industries, check sizes, key differentiators, portfolios, and what they look for in founders!

Union Hall - Homeroom

If "sales" makes you cringe, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: if you’re a founder, you’re in sales. This workshop will show you how to approach GTM in a way that feels natural, builds momentum, and actually works—no tactics required.

Union Hall - Homeroom
In the early days of a startup, no one can sell your product better than you. Founder-led sales aren’t just a temporary phase—they’re a strategic advantage. This session breaks down how selling your own product validates market fit, shapes your company’s story, and lays the groundwork for a scalable sales strategy. You’ll walk away with practical tactics for selling confidently, even if you’ve never considered yourself a “salesperson.”

Marketer Collaborative

Your first hires will shape your startup’s future. This session dives into how to strategically plan and execute your early hiring roadmap. From prioritizing roles to avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll walk away with a blueprint for building a high-impact, high-trust team from the ground up.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Connetic Ventures will share insights and learnings from the experience of using a proprietary data-driven investment process to demonstrate opportunities of development for founders and startups on how to optimize their chance for success in the fundraising process.

Miami Center

Think you need funding to get traction? Think again. In this practical, no-fluff session, you’ll learn how to take your idea from concept to customer without raising a dime. Our speaker will share a proven process for identifying your ideal customer profile, approaching them with confidence, and securing real sales that validate your idea and generate revenue. You’ll walk away with a roadmap to build tangible traction that can help you bootstrap sustainably—or put you in a stronger position when it’s time to raise. Perfect for first-time founders who want momentum without waiting for investor checks.

Marketer Collaborative

This session brings together three perspectives — research, founder experience, and investor insight — to explore the realities of entrepreneurial identity. We’ll begin with key findings to set the stage, then move into a dynamic dialogue that connects evidence with practice.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Fostering Innovation. Fueling Growth. The Cincinnati Way.

Join us for the week's very first pitch competition, powered by Connetic Ventures, with a game-changing $200,000 prize. A live-stage opportunity for early-stage founders to pitch, impress, and plug directly into one of the most data-driven VC pipelines in the country.

No warm intros. No fluff. Just real exposure.

Alice OTR

Join us for Hustle & Flow Happy Hour, presented by Pieces.app, where founders and innovators come together to relax, connect, and keep the StartupCincy Week energy flowing.

The Strietmann Center

Borrowing its name from the magical light just after sunrise or before sunset, this event reimagines “golden hour” as the moment where the technical meets the artistic. It’s a networking experience bringing together creators, engineers, and creatives for an evening of networking.

Marketer Collaborative

Join us for a special live taping of On the Fly! straight from the podcast studio at The Marketer Collaborative. Hosted by Samuel Baker of Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, this conversation features Joey Scarillo and Joan Kaup exploring how businesses can successfully balance profit with purpose. Expect candid stories, practical lessons, and inspiring insights on building companies that drive both financial success and social impact.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Feeling drained no matter how many productivity hacks you try?

It’s time to reset the way we think about burnout. In this powerful and unconventional panel, four experts share rapid-access tools that go beyond to-do lists and time management. Discover how energy healing, vibrational frequency work, mental clarity practices, and counseling techniques can restore your internal balance—and help you operate from a place of peace and power.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Join Core Impact and 80 Acres Farms to discover how consumer research creates the foundation for both clear brand positioning and strategic product innovation. We'll explore how 80 Acres uses consumer insights to define their market positioning, moving from "Local" to" Fresh", then leverages that positioning as a guide for product development decisions, creating alignment between brand promise and product delivery that has supported their growth to over 1,500 retail locations.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

In the world where top talent is always in high demand, startups struggle to compete with larger well established organizations.  With a tight budget, startups need to figure out how to retain top talent above and beyond offering creative compensation.  Learn some tips and approaches that will help startups grow with the stellar talent without fear of losing them.

Miami Center

Big decisions shouldn’t be made in a vacuum—and you don’t have to go it alone.

In this tactical session, we’ll break down how small business owners can assemble an advisory board that brings experience, insight, and strategic value to the table. Whether you're navigating growth, entering new markets, or just want a sounding board that gets it, the right advisors can be a game-changer.

You’ll learn:

- When it’s the right time to form an advisory board

- How to identify and attract the right mix of skills, perspectives, and personalities

- What to offer (and what to expect) in return

- How to run effective advisory meetings and build lasting, productive relationships

This session is perfect for founders and operators who want support without the formality of a full board—and who are ready to level up with the help of trusted guides.

Walk away with a roadmap for building your advisory dream team—one that’s aligned with your mission, your vision, and your next chapter.

Marketer Collaborative
Dive into the current landscape of hardtech innovation in Ohio with a session designed to provide both a macro and micro perspective. The first half of the program will present a high-level overview of hardtech trends, opportunities, and challenges shaping the region. Attendees will gain a clear sense of where Ohio stands on the national and global stage for hardtech innovation. In the second half, hear directly from hardtech founders as they share candid stories of building and scaling their ventures. They will discuss the unique hurdles and breakthroughs they've experienced offering valuable lessons and practical advice for fellow innovators and stakeholders. This session is perfect for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding both the big picture and the founder-level reality of advancing hardtech in Ohio.

Union Hall - Homeroom
Successful companies don’t just meet customer needs—they anticipate them. Join top brands and startups like L.L. Bean, Warby Parker, and Duolingo to learn how they gather real-time insights and keep a pulse on their customers at every stage of the journey. From acquisition to retention, discover practical strategies to engage your audience, adapt to changing needs, and turn customer feedback into growth opportunities.

Miami Center
Women entrepreneurs: you didn’t start your business just to stay stuck, overwhelmed, or invisible. You started it to make an impact — and to create income and freedom on your terms.

In this high-energy, inspiring talk, you’ll discover what it truly means to be a V.I.P. Entrepreneur — a woman who leads with Vision, builds meaningful Income, and stands confidently in her Power. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to grow to the next level, this session will help you realign your strategy, your mindset, and your momentum.

If you’re ready to shift from reactive to intentional and claim your space as a leader in your business, this talk will show you how to step into your full V.I.P. potential.

Marketer Collaborative

Discover how leveraging local supply chains and regional infrastructure can give your business a powerful competitive edge. This session will explore practical strategies for reducing inventory levels, freeing up cash flow, and cutting lead times by tapping into nearby manufacturing resources, suppliers, and logistics networks. Whether you’re a startup or an established company, this session will provide actionable insights to help you streamline operations, boost profitability, and create stronger connections within your community’s supply chain ecosystem.

Union Hall - Homeroom
Growth doesn’t have to mean chaos. In this workshop, I’ll walk founders through how to map and optimize their client journey—step by step—from first lead to loyal fan. We’ll explore how automation, thoughtful systems, and strategic touchpoints can unlock more time, increase revenue, and improve retention without hiring a massive team. Attendees will leave with a practical client journey map, clarity on where their process breaks down, and easy wins to implement right away. This session is ideal for service-based startups and founders juggling delivery, sales, and admin who want to scale sustainably.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
You don’t need a $100K marketing plan to launch a successful product. This session is packed with real-world, scrappy tactics to start, validate, and grow your business on a tight budget. Learn how to test your ideas, attract early customers, and create meaningful impact without breaking the bank—perfect for founders who want to move fast and stay lean.

Miami Center
Learn from the real stories and hard-earned lessons of seasoned women business owners. This panel features Aviatra Accelerators alumni founders and board members sharing what they wish they’d known earlier in their entrepreneurial journeys—from navigating challenges to seizing opportunities. Walk away inspired, informed, and ready to apply their insights to your own path as a founder.

Marketer Collaborative
Ready to turn your ideas into reality? Join us for an in-depth exploration of the prototyping process—from initial concept to a functional prototype. Whether you're developing an electronic device, a hardware product, or an innovative system, this session will guide you through key steps such as planning, schematic design, PCB layout, material selection, and testing. We’ll cover best practices, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to iterate quickly and effectively. Perfect for engineers, makers, and entrepreneurs looking to bridge the gap between idea and implementation.

Washington Park

Out of Office: A Fresh Perspective is a guided urban nature walk and conversation experience designed to help StartupCincy attendees step away from the hustle, reset their mindset, and return recharged. This isn't your typical networking session—it’s an opportunity to connect in motion, breathe deeper, and get those “conference wiggles” out.

Led by We Outside, this session blends mindful movement with intentional dialogue in a low-pressure, open-air setting. Attendees will walk through a nearby green space while engaging in reflection prompts and conversation starters that cultivate authentic connection and personal clarity—no slide decks or formal pitches required.

This session is a reminder that rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership tool. Studies show that just 20 minutes in nature can significantly reduce cortisol levels and improve cognitive function. In a week packed with panels, pitches, and pressure to perform, Out of Office offers a necessary pause—especially for those who know how hard it is to turn big ideas into functioning realities. Founders, small business owners, and support staff carry a unique kind of weight. As a startup founder myself, I know how overwhelming it can be to constantly build, adapt, and show up with energy.

By stepping outside—literally—we create room for clarity, creativity, and connection. Because when your mind has space to breathe, your next move becomes more grounded, your ideas sharper, and your relationships more intentional.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Raising capital doesn’t have to be a mystery. In this session, top ecosystem leaders share practical insights on what types of financing are available, where to find support, and how to secure the resources your startup or small business needs to grow. Learn actionable strategies, uncover hidden funding opportunities, and leave ready to take your venture to the next level.

Marketer Collaborative

This session is all about turning your vision into reality—focusing on the people you're building for and the standards that define product success. Because without the right understanding of your customer, you might build it—but no one will buy it.

Workshop Overview

This workshop is heavily focused on how to uncover deep customer insights without introducing bias—a challenge that’s especially tricky when your ideas are exciting and your passion is high. We’ll help you ground that creative energy in real-world needs, ensuring your product decisions are driven by evidence, not assumptions.

- Acceptance Criteria (AC): Learn how to set clear, actionable benchmarks for product development. We’ll explore how Acceptance Criteria translate business assumptions into concrete, functional requirements.

- Product Requirements Document (PRD): Move from high-level criteria to detailed specifications. We’ll walk you through crafting a PRD that reflects your design, materials, and technology choices—ensuring alignment with your overall business strategy.

Join us for this interactive session and gain practical tools to master how to create products that resonate with customers and meet the highest standards of quality and performance—by building what people actually need, not just what excites us to make.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Founders Stock, Restricted Stock, Options or RSUs, if you’re launching or growing your startup, you should know the ins and outs of Equity-Based Compensation.  We’ll provide an overview of all things employee equity from launch to exit, and walk through how your equity comp plans impact your cap table.

Learn how to choose the right type of equity for your stage of growth and fundraising strategy. Understand common pitfalls in structuring equity grants—and how to avoid costly mistakes. Gain insights into how equity decisions today affect ownership, dilution, and future fundraising rounds.

Bakersfield
Join us for a Real Talk Lunch - a safe space for honest conversation about being a woman business owner. Attendees share challenges in their businesses and receive ideas, feedback and support.

Miami Center

What happens when students aren’t just learning entrepreneurship—they’re living it? This session explores the 14-week journey of Miami University’s RedHawk Ventures Pitch Competition, where student founders in ESP 401: New Ventures transform ideas into investor-ready startups. Led by the faculty and organizers at Miami University's Entrepreneurship Department, this session dives into how students develop startups and, along the way, develop entrepreneurial mindsets and transferable skills, like adaptability, communication, resilience, and problem-solving.

Attendees will get an inside look at how the program bridges education and ecosystem, culminating in a pitch event that connects student teams with real investors and startup mentors. With data-informed insights drawn from ongoing dissertation research on workforce readiness and talent acquisition, this session highlights how applied entrepreneurship education cultivates the kind of adaptable, high-potential talent today’s innovation economy demands.

Marketer Collaborative

In the fast-paced world of startups, protecting intellectual property can be a critical advantage—but navigating the patent process can feel overwhelming, expensive, and confusing. This session demystifies the essentials of patent strategy specifically for startup founders, product builders, and early-stage teams.

Led by experienced IP attorneys and startup veterans, Practical Patents for Startups will explore the most efficient, cost-effective ways to protect your innovation while maintaining the agility your venture needs to grow. We’ll break down:
- What makes an invention patentable (and when to patent vs. when not to)
- Provisional vs. non-provisional patents and how to time your filings
- The role of patents in fundraising, valuation, and competitive positioning
- Common mistakes startups make with IP—and how to avoid them
- Global strategy for startups expanding beyond the U.S.

This session is designed to be highly actionable and approachable—no legal background needed. Whether you're building deep tech, SaaS, hardware, or something entirely new, you'll walk away with clear next steps for making smart patent decisions that support your startup's goals.

Ideal for: Founders, CTOs, product managers, and anyone involved in technology commercialization at a startup.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Forget the press releases. This session breaks down the real calculus behind adopting AI in the enterprise. When should a company build in-house, partner with a startup, or just buy a product off the shelf? Hear from leaders who’ve made each choice—and lived to explain the consequences.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Fundraising was not created equal. This panel will tackle the persistent gender and identity gaps in venture capital, exploring the challenges faced by women, LGBTQ+ founders, and other underrepresented groups. 

Moving beyond labels, panelists will unpack the data, share real-world stories, and highlight strategies that investors and founders are using to break bias and create more equitable access to capital. Learn what actually works to close the funding gap—and how you can be part of the solution.

Union Hall - Homeroom

This session is built for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to better understand and use their own data, without hiring a data team. During the session we'll break down how AI and analytics can be leveraged to uncover insights, make smarter decisions, and automate what used to take hours. From simple dashboards to emerging AI tools, we’ll share real examples and strategies to help business leaders take control of their metrics and become the go-to data expert in their space.

Marketer Collaborative

Securing the right domain name is an important step for every startup—it's often your first step. But what makes a good domain? How much should you pay? And do you still need a .com, or are alternatives like .ai and .dev worth the cost savings and brand fit? Join this session for actionable takeaways on how to land the right domain for your startup.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

This panel brings together Black entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey to share the behind-the-scenes stories of taking the leap into full-time entrepreneurship—and making the hard decisions to pivot when things no longer work.

Through honest conversation, personal storytelling, and practical advice, this session will explore the emotional, financial, and strategic realities of building something from scratch. It centers the unique challenges and creativity of Black founders navigating a startup world that often expects them to bootstrap and outperform with fewer resources.

This session aims to connect emerging entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and seasoned founders around the moments that define a business—and a person.

Miami Center

This session explores the unique challenges and advantages of launching a startup within academia.  Starting a business is hard. Starting a business inside academia, even harder... and, it’s even more difficult when student-run! [We call it Start-up Jujitsu.]  

Hear from innovators within the start-up ecosystem, academia, and current student-run business leaders making it happen. Explore the ins & outs and how-to's of starting a student-run business inside academia. Everything from external partners, academic leaders, campus resources, and creating a culture of innovation among students.  

Perfect for aspiring student entrepreneurs, faculty champions, and anyone entrepreneurial–minded or curious about the next generation of founders. 

Miami Center

Have a big idea AND a full-time job? In this tactical session, Ben Wolber of InsightX breaks down how they went from early concept to scalable startup, all while juggling a demanding schedule. He'll walk through the exact tools, calendar systems, and mental models used to keep making progress, and share what changed when the idea started to take off.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

An honest conversation with Cincinnati founders who are growing companies while raising kids. From sleepless nights to investor meetings with spit-up on their shirts, these parents are navigating the chaos of early-stage startups alongside early-stage parenting. Hear from moms, dads, and caregivers with kids ranging from babies to teens—because there’s no one way to build both a family and a business.

Union Hall - Homeroom
Tired of the AI buzz but curious how it can actually save you time (and sanity)? This session is built for non-tech founders who want practical, no-fluff ways to put AI to work. You’ll see how tools like NotebookLM can turn your own business docs into a smart assistant for marketing, training, and onboarding—without coding, jargon, or overwhelm. Think fewer repetitive emails, faster client responses, and more time to focus on growth. No hype. No headaches. Just a smarter way to work.

Miami Center

Join us to learn how you can leverage a relationship with your local university. Hear insights from students and startups on best practices in finding top talent and walk out the door with actionable insights and strategies to leverage these collaborations for your own hiring needs!

Marketer Collaborative
When capital is scarce, creativity becomes your most valuable currency. In this candid conversation, three regional life sciences startups share how they navigated the recent funding drought, stayed lean, and still moved their companies forward. Learn the strategies, scrappy tactics, and mindset shifts that helped them innovate, execute, and grow—without the luxury of big budgets. Whether you’re in biotech, medtech, or any entrepreneurial field, these lessons will inspire you to do more with less and turn constraints into catalysts.

Union Hall - Homeroom

As artificial intelligence transforms how businesses operate, leaders must stay ahead of rapidly evolving legal and regulatory challenges.  This presentation provides entrepreneurs  and business professionals with a strategic overview of the key legal considerations surrounding the use and deployment of AI technologies.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Diverse experiences and non-traditional backgrounds can be powerful drivers of innovation. Join Kevin and Katie Jackson, father-daughter co-founders of Level 6 Cybersecurity, as they share their journey as minority tech entrepreneurs. Learn how embracing unique perspectives can shape your team, fuel creativity, and create a competitive edge in the startup world.

Miami Center

How artificial intelligence is reshaping accounting, forecasting, and investor relations. This session explores the tools and strategies founders can use to future-proof their financial operations in an AI-driven world.

Union Hall - Homeroom

AI is everywhere—but most founders don’t realize they’re either building with a vulnerable model or defending against one. This session breaks down the two sides of modern AI security: startups protecting AI systems themselves (against prompt injection, model theft, deepfakes), and startups using AI to build faster, smarter cybersecurity tools.

Whether you’re launching an AI product or scaling security features, knowing the difference is critical. You’ll hear from startup CEOs solving both problems with real-world tools already in market—offering a behind-the-scenes look at how AI is being secured, and how it's being used to secure everything else.

Miami Center
How do I get the attention and support of key stakeholders? Am I doing the right things to reach my customers/beneficiaries? How do I attract the talent and key partners I need? What are the things funders are looking for? This workshop will help you examine your value proposition, your business model, and the way you present them to get the buy-in you need from the people and organizations that matter most to your social enterprise.

The Cincinnati Healthcare Professional Network is a group of healthcare leaders who live in Greater Cincinnati and meet up in person to ideate on hot topics in healthcare to ultimately unleash the untapped potential of the Cincinnati healthcare ecosystem.  The group aims to:

1) Be Local: Focus on healthcare leaders and companies in the Greater Cincinnati area;
2) Be Casual: Event formats are smaller groups with high-engagement conversation with Subject Matter Experts from the area
3) Be Enabling: Aim to connect leaders in ways that result in new companies formed, new investments, new partnerships, new coworkers, and new community health initiatives...and more!

Join us!

Hard Rock Casino

Go all in at The Big Bet Happy Hour, presented by Hard Rock Casino, and celebrate StartupCincy Week with high-energy networking, bold ideas, and plenty of winning conversations.

LifeSciKY

Step inside Greater Cincinnati’s brand-new home for life sciences innovation! Join us for an exclusive guided tour of LifeSciKY’s shared BSL-2 lab at the OneNKY Center and see firsthand where science, startups, and community come together. Explore our state-of-the-art equipment, collaborative spaces, and learn how we’re helping entrepreneurs bring life-changing ideas to market.

Parking & Arrival:  Please enter through the main lobby doors on Greenup St, and our team will direct you upstairs.

LifeSciKY

Step inside Greater Cincinnati’s brand-new home for life sciences innovation! Join us for an exclusive guided tour of LifeSciKY’s shared BSL-2 lab at the OneNKY Center and see firsthand where science, startups, and community come together. Explore our state-of-the-art equipment, collaborative spaces, and learn how we’re helping entrepreneurs bring life-changing ideas to market.

Parking & Arrival:  Please enter through the main lobby doors on Greenup St, and our team will direct you upstairs.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Sustaining momentum through the toughest months isn’t just about strategy—it’s about energy, culture, and connection. In this hands-on session, you’ll explore simple, practical rituals that keep teams engaged, energized, and aligned. Experience how intentional movement, shared practices, and team rituals can transform your startup’s culture, boost retention, and prevent burnout before it starts.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Founders spend weeks laboring over pitch decks—most still miss the mark. In this tactical, fast-paced session, we will share the exact AI tools and workflows we've used to help founders raise over $1B+ with compelling investor stories, from pre-Seed teams to Series B. You’ll learn how to use AI to go from blank slide to sharp, investor-ready narrative in under an hour—without sounding like a robot. Whether you're raising or selling, this talk will give you a high-leverage AI workflow for founder storytelling.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Designed for entrepreneurs, this experience will help you build unshakable confidence from the inside out. You’ll learn mindset tools to quiet self-doubt, along with practical strategies to strengthen your physical presence—think posture, voice, gestures, and body language. Whether you're in a pitch meeting, networking event, or on stage, you'll leave knowing how to command attention, communicate your value, and lead with presence and power. No more hiding—it's time to own the room.

Union Hall - Homeroom

AI isn’t just reshaping technology, it’s reshaping the job market. In this session, Emil Barr (Founder Flashpass, $30M) will explore the surprising jobs emerging inside the AI startup economy and what they reveal about the future of work.

Union Hall - Homeroom

As many traditional DEI programs face rollbacks, this panel brings together four founders with diverse lived experiences to explore what inclusion can look like when driven by leadership, culture, and strategy—not corporate mandates. Panelists will share candid stories of navigating bias, building resilient teams, and shaping workplaces where people can thrive without falling into performative frameworks. From raising capital as an underrepresented founder to reimagining ownership models for historically marginalized communities, the discussion will highlight practical tools and lessons learned. This session is designed for founders who want substance over slogans—an honest, founder-led dialogue about inclusion in today’s business landscape.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Turning an idea into a market-ready product isn’t just about building fast—it’s about building smart. In this session, we’ll explore practical approaches to validating your ideas, managing budgets against ROI, and striking the right balance between minimalism and viability. Learn from real-world examples and discover strategies to test, refine, and launch products that truly resonate with customers.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Everyone in startups feels like a fraud at some point. Good news: you’re not. You’re just doing something hard, in public, before it’s fully baked.

In this session, we’ll debunk the myth of imposter syndrome, laugh at our own delusions, and walk away with a few mindset hacks for building big things while feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing. (Because sometimes… you don’t. And that’s the point.)

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Presented in partnership by the Cincinnati Artist Network (CAN) and Aviatra Accelerators, this session brings together CAN’s mission to elevate and economically empower regional artists with Aviatra’s legacy of helping women entrepreneurs launch and grow thriving businesses.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

This isn’t just a walk—it’s a moving conversation about what it takes to build not just startups, but sustainable ecosystems. Along the route, we’ll stop for mini “prompt points” where participants reflect on and share,

Washington Park

Before we wrap up StartupCincy Week, join us at Washington Park to check out some of Cincinnati’s favorite local food trucks. Grab a bite, connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy the energy of our city’s vibrant food scene before we head into the week’s grand finale session.

Washington Park

Cincinnati’s future isn’t being written by business alone—it’s being shaped by the vibrant intersections of food, art, entertainment, and cultural investment. This dynamic panel brings together leaders from across the region to explore how cultural placemaking, storytelling, and shared experiences are fueling growth, attracting talent, and strengthening our identity as a city. From public art and music to hospitality and regional events, the conversation will highlight how culture is not just an amenity, but a driving force in economic development and community vitality.

The Porch at Washington Park

Toast with us and the rest of the entrepreneurial community as we raise our glasses to another StartupCincy Week in the books!

Union Hall - Homeroom

Ever wondered how angel investing really works—and how it fuels the startup ecosystem? Join Queen City Angels for an inside look at early-stage investing, including how angel groups operate, what they look for in entrepreneurs, and why angels provide nearly 90% of outside equity for startups. Hear directly from founders and investors about the realities of the entrepreneur–angel relationship, the risks and rewards of investing, and how you can get involved in supporting innovation in Greater Cincinnati.

Miami Center
How to pitch, position, and run your raise so investors want in.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Raising capital doesn’t have to be a mystery. In this session, top ecosystem leaders share practical insights on what types of financing are available, where to find support, and how to secure the resources your startup or small business needs to grow. Learn actionable strategies, uncover hidden funding opportunities, and leave ready to take your venture to the next level.

Marketer Collaborative

Learn how to uncover inefficiencies, optimize processes, and use outsourcing and automation to deliver better customer experiences—and fuel scalable growth. Practical tools for making your business run smarter, not harder.

Reaching $2 million in revenue is a major milestone, but it’s just the beginning. The path from $2M to $20M requires founders to shift from doing everything themselves to building scalable systems, teams, and strategies. This panel brings together serial founders and operators who’ve made that leap—highlighting the inflection points that matter most: defining a Life-Changing Target (LCT), clarifying your Unique Value Proposition (UVP), and preparing your organization structurally and emotionally for scale.

We’ll explore how to sell beyond your personal and professional network (B2C and B2B0, when and how to finance your growth intelligently, and why founders should start exit planning long before a liquidity event. Expect candid stories, practical advice, and emerging models—from non-dilutive capital to evolving leadership roles. Whether you’re at $2M in ARR, or if you are pre-revenue and planning to scale, this conversation will give you the mindset and a playbook to drive value and get to your next stage.

Union Hall - Homeroom

If "sales" makes you cringe, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: if you’re a founder, you’re in sales. This workshop will show you how to approach GTM in a way that feels natural, builds momentum, and actually works—no tactics required.

Union Hall - Homeroom
In the early days of a startup, no one can sell your product better than you. Founder-led sales aren’t just a temporary phase—they’re a strategic advantage. This session breaks down how selling your own product validates market fit, shapes your company’s story, and lays the groundwork for a scalable sales strategy. You’ll walk away with practical tactics for selling confidently, even if you’ve never considered yourself a “salesperson.”

Marketer Collaborative

Your first hires will shape your startup’s future. This session dives into how to strategically plan and execute your early hiring roadmap. From prioritizing roles to avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll walk away with a blueprint for building a high-impact, high-trust team from the ground up.

Miami Center

Think you need funding to get traction? Think again. In this practical, no-fluff session, you’ll learn how to take your idea from concept to customer without raising a dime. Our speaker will share a proven process for identifying your ideal customer profile, approaching them with confidence, and securing real sales that validate your idea and generate revenue. You’ll walk away with a roadmap to build tangible traction that can help you bootstrap sustainably—or put you in a stronger position when it’s time to raise. Perfect for first-time founders who want momentum without waiting for investor checks.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Join Core Impact and 80 Acres Farms to discover how consumer research creates the foundation for both clear brand positioning and strategic product innovation. We'll explore how 80 Acres uses consumer insights to define their market positioning, moving from "Local" to" Fresh", then leverages that positioning as a guide for product development decisions, creating alignment between brand promise and product delivery that has supported their growth to over 1,500 retail locations.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

In the world where top talent is always in high demand, startups struggle to compete with larger well established organizations.  With a tight budget, startups need to figure out how to retain top talent above and beyond offering creative compensation.  Learn some tips and approaches that will help startups grow with the stellar talent without fear of losing them.

Miami Center

Big decisions shouldn’t be made in a vacuum—and you don’t have to go it alone.

In this tactical session, we’ll break down how small business owners can assemble an advisory board that brings experience, insight, and strategic value to the table. Whether you're navigating growth, entering new markets, or just want a sounding board that gets it, the right advisors can be a game-changer.

You’ll learn:

- When it’s the right time to form an advisory board

- How to identify and attract the right mix of skills, perspectives, and personalities

- What to offer (and what to expect) in return

- How to run effective advisory meetings and build lasting, productive relationships

This session is perfect for founders and operators who want support without the formality of a full board—and who are ready to level up with the help of trusted guides.

Walk away with a roadmap for building your advisory dream team—one that’s aligned with your mission, your vision, and your next chapter.

Union Hall - Homeroom
Successful companies don’t just meet customer needs—they anticipate them. Join top brands and startups like L.L. Bean, Warby Parker, and Duolingo to learn how they gather real-time insights and keep a pulse on their customers at every stage of the journey. From acquisition to retention, discover practical strategies to engage your audience, adapt to changing needs, and turn customer feedback into growth opportunities.

Union Hall - Homeroom
Growth doesn’t have to mean chaos. In this workshop, I’ll walk founders through how to map and optimize their client journey—step by step—from first lead to loyal fan. We’ll explore how automation, thoughtful systems, and strategic touchpoints can unlock more time, increase revenue, and improve retention without hiring a massive team. Attendees will leave with a practical client journey map, clarity on where their process breaks down, and easy wins to implement right away. This session is ideal for service-based startups and founders juggling delivery, sales, and admin who want to scale sustainably.

Marketer Collaborative

In the fast-paced world of startups, protecting intellectual property can be a critical advantage—but navigating the patent process can feel overwhelming, expensive, and confusing. This session demystifies the essentials of patent strategy specifically for startup founders, product builders, and early-stage teams.

Led by experienced IP attorneys and startup veterans, Practical Patents for Startups will explore the most efficient, cost-effective ways to protect your innovation while maintaining the agility your venture needs to grow. We’ll break down:
- What makes an invention patentable (and when to patent vs. when not to)
- Provisional vs. non-provisional patents and how to time your filings
- The role of patents in fundraising, valuation, and competitive positioning
- Common mistakes startups make with IP—and how to avoid them
- Global strategy for startups expanding beyond the U.S.

This session is designed to be highly actionable and approachable—no legal background needed. Whether you're building deep tech, SaaS, hardware, or something entirely new, you'll walk away with clear next steps for making smart patent decisions that support your startup's goals.

Ideal for: Founders, CTOs, product managers, and anyone involved in technology commercialization at a startup.

Union Hall - Homeroom

This session is built for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to better understand and use their own data, without hiring a data team. During the session we'll break down how AI and analytics can be leveraged to uncover insights, make smarter decisions, and automate what used to take hours. From simple dashboards to emerging AI tools, we’ll share real examples and strategies to help business leaders take control of their metrics and become the go-to data expert in their space.

Marketer Collaborative

Securing the right domain name is an important step for every startup—it's often your first step. But what makes a good domain? How much should you pay? And do you still need a .com, or are alternatives like .ai and .dev worth the cost savings and brand fit? Join this session for actionable takeaways on how to land the right domain for your startup.

Union Hall - Homeroom
Tired of the AI buzz but curious how it can actually save you time (and sanity)? This session is built for non-tech founders who want practical, no-fluff ways to put AI to work. You’ll see how tools like NotebookLM can turn your own business docs into a smart assistant for marketing, training, and onboarding—without coding, jargon, or overwhelm. Think fewer repetitive emails, faster client responses, and more time to focus on growth. No hype. No headaches. Just a smarter way to work.

Union Hall - Homeroom

As artificial intelligence transforms how businesses operate, leaders must stay ahead of rapidly evolving legal and regulatory challenges.  This presentation provides entrepreneurs  and business professionals with a strategic overview of the key legal considerations surrounding the use and deployment of AI technologies.

The Strietmann Center

Borrowing its name from the magical light just after sunrise or before sunset, this event reimagines “golden hour” as the moment where the technical meets the artistic. It’s a networking experience bringing together creators, engineers, and creatives for an evening of networking.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Founders spend weeks laboring over pitch decks—most still miss the mark. In this tactical, fast-paced session, we will share the exact AI tools and workflows we've used to help founders raise over $1B+ with compelling investor stories, from pre-Seed teams to Series B. You’ll learn how to use AI to go from blank slide to sharp, investor-ready narrative in under an hour—without sounding like a robot. Whether you're raising or selling, this talk will give you a high-leverage AI workflow for founder storytelling.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Turning an idea into a market-ready product isn’t just about building fast—it’s about building smart. In this session, we’ll explore practical approaches to validating your ideas, managing budgets against ROI, and striking the right balance between minimalism and viability. Learn from real-world examples and discover strategies to test, refine, and launch products that truly resonate with customers.

The Eagle
Join us for food, friends, and fodder as we discuss the excitement and challenges of the world of intrapreneurship!

Sam Adams Taproom

Raise a glass to entrepreneurship as we kick off an exciting week of innovation, inspiration, and connection—powered by our friends at Sam Adams!

The Eagle
Raising capital? Understanding term sheets is critical. Over lunch, Thompson Hine experts will break down key terms, common pitfalls, and negotiation tips to help founders protect their vision while building strong investor relationships. Connect with peers and get practical insights to navigate your next deal with confidence.

Krueger's

Fast, Cheap, and Weird: Experiments that Build Resilient Companies

As large corporations, creating a resilient company that can thrive in the face of crisis and opportunity comes down to running fast, cheap, and weird experiments. Discussions around how you are evaluating experiments to run, what corporate innovation initiatives you are trying/tried, the venture strategy chessboard, and more

Bakersfield

Join us over lunch for a forward-looking conversation on artificial intelligence and Cincinnati’s role in its future. We’ll explore how AI is being applied across industries today, where the biggest opportunities lie for our region, and what it will take for Cincinnati to become a leading voice in this rapidly evolving field.

Alice OTR

Join us for Hustle & Flow Happy Hour, presented by Pieces.app, where founders and innovators come together to relax, connect, and keep the StartupCincy Week energy flowing.

Bakersfield
Join us for a Real Talk Lunch - a safe space for honest conversation about being a woman business owner. Attendees share challenges in their businesses and receive ideas, feedback and support.

The Cincinnati Healthcare Professional Network is a group of healthcare leaders who live in Greater Cincinnati and meet up in person to ideate on hot topics in healthcare to ultimately unleash the untapped potential of the Cincinnati healthcare ecosystem.  The group aims to:

1) Be Local: Focus on healthcare leaders and companies in the Greater Cincinnati area;
2) Be Casual: Event formats are smaller groups with high-engagement conversation with Subject Matter Experts from the area
3) Be Enabling: Aim to connect leaders in ways that result in new companies formed, new investments, new partnerships, new coworkers, and new community health initiatives...and more!

Join us!

Hard Rock Casino

Go all in at The Big Bet Happy Hour, presented by Hard Rock Casino, and celebrate StartupCincy Week with high-energy networking, bold ideas, and plenty of winning conversations.

Washington Park

Before we wrap up StartupCincy Week, join us at Washington Park to check out some of Cincinnati’s favorite local food trucks. Grab a bite, connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy the energy of our city’s vibrant food scene before we head into the week’s grand finale session.

The Porch at Washington Park

Toast with us and the rest of the entrepreneurial community as we raise our glasses to another StartupCincy Week in the books!

Miami Center
You don’t have to start your own company to think like a founder. In this fireside chat, discover how bold professionals are launching new ideas, driving change, and building ventures inside established organizations. While StartupCincy Week often celebrates those who take the leap into entrepreneurship, this conversation shines a light on the innovators who are transforming industries from within.

Union Hall - Homeroom
Behind every great business is a network of strong, trusted relationships. In this session, we’ll explore how entrepreneurs can intentionally build and nurture connections that open doors, spark collaborations, and fuel long-term success. From finding the right mentors and partners to creating a community of champions around your vision, you’ll learn how relationships can be your most valuable—and most overlooked—business asset.

Miami Center

You don’t need a fancy title to make a difference. This session is designed for ambitious students new to the StartupCincy ecosystem. Learn from former startup intern, Jimmy Sauter, who turned his early-stage role into a meaningful contribution, and eventually longer term career. Walk away with actionable tips on how to stand out, create value, and make a lasting impact—no matter where you start.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Cincinnati has long been a launchpad for top tech talent—but too often, those innovators take their skills elsewhere. In this candid conversation, local-born leaders in the tech space reflect on their journeys: how they broke into the industry, why they left Cincinnati, what could draw them back, and the lessons learned along the way. Expect honest stories of challenges, growth, and possibility—and insights into how our region can better cultivate, retain, and welcome back the talent it helps create.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Feeling drained no matter how many productivity hacks you try?

It’s time to reset the way we think about burnout. In this powerful and unconventional panel, four experts share rapid-access tools that go beyond to-do lists and time management. Discover how energy healing, vibrational frequency work, mental clarity practices, and counseling techniques can restore your internal balance—and help you operate from a place of peace and power.

Miami Center
Women entrepreneurs: you didn’t start your business just to stay stuck, overwhelmed, or invisible. You started it to make an impact — and to create income and freedom on your terms.

In this high-energy, inspiring talk, you’ll discover what it truly means to be a V.I.P. Entrepreneur — a woman who leads with Vision, builds meaningful Income, and stands confidently in her Power. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to grow to the next level, this session will help you realign your strategy, your mindset, and your momentum.

If you’re ready to shift from reactive to intentional and claim your space as a leader in your business, this talk will show you how to step into your full V.I.P. potential.

Miami Center
Learn from the real stories and hard-earned lessons of seasoned women business owners. This panel features Aviatra Accelerators alumni founders and board members sharing what they wish they’d known earlier in their entrepreneurial journeys—from navigating challenges to seizing opportunities. Walk away inspired, informed, and ready to apply their insights to your own path as a founder.

Washington Park

Out of Office: A Fresh Perspective is a guided urban nature walk and conversation experience designed to help StartupCincy attendees step away from the hustle, reset their mindset, and return recharged. This isn't your typical networking session—it’s an opportunity to connect in motion, breathe deeper, and get those “conference wiggles” out.

Led by We Outside, this session blends mindful movement with intentional dialogue in a low-pressure, open-air setting. Attendees will walk through a nearby green space while engaging in reflection prompts and conversation starters that cultivate authentic connection and personal clarity—no slide decks or formal pitches required.

This session is a reminder that rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership tool. Studies show that just 20 minutes in nature can significantly reduce cortisol levels and improve cognitive function. In a week packed with panels, pitches, and pressure to perform, Out of Office offers a necessary pause—especially for those who know how hard it is to turn big ideas into functioning realities. Founders, small business owners, and support staff carry a unique kind of weight. As a startup founder myself, I know how overwhelming it can be to constantly build, adapt, and show up with energy.

By stepping outside—literally—we create room for clarity, creativity, and connection. Because when your mind has space to breathe, your next move becomes more grounded, your ideas sharper, and your relationships more intentional.

Miami Center

Have a big idea AND a full-time job? In this tactical session, Ben Wolber of InsightX breaks down how they went from early concept to scalable startup, all while juggling a demanding schedule. He'll walk through the exact tools, calendar systems, and mental models used to keep making progress, and share what changed when the idea started to take off.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Sustaining momentum through the toughest months isn’t just about strategy—it’s about energy, culture, and connection. In this hands-on session, you’ll explore simple, practical rituals that keep teams engaged, energized, and aligned. Experience how intentional movement, shared practices, and team rituals can transform your startup’s culture, boost retention, and prevent burnout before it starts.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Designed for entrepreneurs, this experience will help you build unshakable confidence from the inside out. You’ll learn mindset tools to quiet self-doubt, along with practical strategies to strengthen your physical presence—think posture, voice, gestures, and body language. Whether you're in a pitch meeting, networking event, or on stage, you'll leave knowing how to command attention, communicate your value, and lead with presence and power. No more hiding—it's time to own the room.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Everyone in startups feels like a fraud at some point. Good news: you’re not. You’re just doing something hard, in public, before it’s fully baked.

In this session, we’ll debunk the myth of imposter syndrome, laugh at our own delusions, and walk away with a few mindset hacks for building big things while feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing. (Because sometimes… you don’t. And that’s the point.)

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Presented in partnership by the Cincinnati Artist Network (CAN) and Aviatra Accelerators, this session brings together CAN’s mission to elevate and economically empower regional artists with Aviatra’s legacy of helping women entrepreneurs launch and grow thriving businesses.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

What happens when centuries of biological intuition collide with machine-learned prediction?

This fireside-style session brings together two distinct schools of thought: a traditional drug discovery veteran grounded in lab-based, iterative science, and a next-gen AI drug discovery innovator leveraging computational power to reimagine how we identify and develop new therapies. Through open debate and moderated discussion, we’ll explore:

- Whether AI can truly replace traditional trial-and-error approaches

- Where human expertise still leads—and where it’s already lagging

- What AI-native platforms are doing differently (and why pharma is paying attention)

- The cultural and operational tensions between wet lab science and algorithmic modeling. 

This is a session for scientists, founders, and investors who want to see what’s hype, what’s real, and where opportunity lies in the rapidly evolving world of AI x drug discovery.

Marketer Collaborative
When capital is scarce, creativity becomes your most valuable currency. In this candid conversation, three regional life sciences startups share how they navigated the recent funding drought, stayed lean, and still moved their companies forward. Learn the strategies, scrappy tactics, and mindset shifts that helped them innovate, execute, and grow—without the luxury of big budgets. Whether you’re in biotech, medtech, or any entrepreneurial field, these lessons will inspire you to do more with less and turn constraints into catalysts.

Marketer Collaborative
Ready to supercharge your brand and clarify your message? Join us for a unique Branding & Messaging Speed Dating event designed just for small business owners like you!

In this high-impact, high-energy session, you’ll meet one-on-one with three different branding and marketing experts, each for a focused 20-minute session. Bring your logo, tagline, elevator pitch, or just your ideas—and get ready to brainstorm, refine, and walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your brand and attract your ideal customers.

Whether you’re launching something new or refreshing your existing brand, this is your chance to get expert feedback, fresh perspectives, and creative direction—all in one power-packed event.

Spots are limited—reserve yours today and get ready to fall in love with your brand all over again!

Union Hall - Beer Hall

This workshop is for people and teams facing challenges requiring innovative thinking. It’s for those looking for ways to bring out the creative side of themselves and others to create winning ideas and solutions for those they serve while driving business success.  It includes subjects like: asking the right questions to think inside the box; A hybrid model for AI/human teamwork in creativity; tools for uncovering insights leading to big ideas: better brainstorming; The importance of storytelling in the “sell-in”; and developing your and your team’s creative confidence.  

Marketer Collaborative
Ready to turn heads and earn buzz without a massive marketing budget? This workshop is built for startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to amplify their brand through smart, scrappy activation strategies and earned media. You’ll learn how to create attention-grabbing moments, pitch your story to the media, and build authentic connections that spark growth. Whether you’re pre-launch or scaling fast, you’ll leave with actionable tools to get your startup seen, heard and talked about.

Led by Pomme PR founder Allison Schroeder, this session will take your outreach well beyond the press release. The workshop will feature case studies, special guests and workalong tools that empower participants to leave with actionable, ready-to-implement plans. 

Marketer Collaborative

If you’re still relying only on static images to sell your product or service, you're missing a massive opportunity. In this session, we'll explore why video is one of the most powerful (and underutilized) tools for startups—and how to use it strategically.

We’ll break down the kinds of videos every brand should be making, how to tailor them for different platforms (Amazon, Instagram, LinkedIn, your website, etc.), and what video length, tone, and style actually move the needle. You'll walk away knowing when to use video, what to create, and how to do it without blowing your budget.

Marketer Collaborative
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about gut instincts—it’s about applying creativity and innovation strategically. This session explores the “inventure engine” that powers successful ventures, revealing how science-backed approaches can give founders a competitive edge. Learn how to harness structured creativity to identify opportunities, make smarter decisions, and drive your startup forward in today’s fast-moving market.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
The founder’s playbook for turning what you share into funding, hires, and growth.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
You don’t need a $100K marketing plan to launch a successful product. This session is packed with real-world, scrappy tactics to start, validate, and grow your business on a tight budget. Learn how to test your ideas, attract early customers, and create meaningful impact without breaking the bank—perfect for founders who want to move fast and stay lean.

Marketer Collaborative
Dive into the current landscape of hardtech innovation in Ohio with a session designed to provide both a macro and micro perspective. The first half of the program will present a high-level overview of hardtech trends, opportunities, and challenges shaping the region. Attendees will gain a clear sense of where Ohio stands on the national and global stage for hardtech innovation. In the second half, hear directly from hardtech founders as they share candid stories of building and scaling their ventures. They will discuss the unique hurdles and breakthroughs they've experienced offering valuable lessons and practical advice for fellow innovators and stakeholders. This session is perfect for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding both the big picture and the founder-level reality of advancing hardtech in Ohio.

Marketer Collaborative

Discover how leveraging local supply chains and regional infrastructure can give your business a powerful competitive edge. This session will explore practical strategies for reducing inventory levels, freeing up cash flow, and cutting lead times by tapping into nearby manufacturing resources, suppliers, and logistics networks. Whether you’re a startup or an established company, this session will provide actionable insights to help you streamline operations, boost profitability, and create stronger connections within your community’s supply chain ecosystem.

Marketer Collaborative
Ready to turn your ideas into reality? Join us for an in-depth exploration of the prototyping process—from initial concept to a functional prototype. Whether you're developing an electronic device, a hardware product, or an innovative system, this session will guide you through key steps such as planning, schematic design, PCB layout, material selection, and testing. We’ll cover best practices, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to iterate quickly and effectively. Perfect for engineers, makers, and entrepreneurs looking to bridge the gap between idea and implementation.

Marketer Collaborative

This session is all about turning your vision into reality—focusing on the people you're building for and the standards that define product success. Because without the right understanding of your customer, you might build it—but no one will buy it.

Workshop Overview

This workshop is heavily focused on how to uncover deep customer insights without introducing bias—a challenge that’s especially tricky when your ideas are exciting and your passion is high. We’ll help you ground that creative energy in real-world needs, ensuring your product decisions are driven by evidence, not assumptions.

- Acceptance Criteria (AC): Learn how to set clear, actionable benchmarks for product development. We’ll explore how Acceptance Criteria translate business assumptions into concrete, functional requirements.

- Product Requirements Document (PRD): Move from high-level criteria to detailed specifications. We’ll walk you through crafting a PRD that reflects your design, materials, and technology choices—ensuring alignment with your overall business strategy.

Join us for this interactive session and gain practical tools to master how to create products that resonate with customers and meet the highest standards of quality and performance—by building what people actually need, not just what excites us to make.

Marketer Collaborative

Social impact is trending, but too often, founders treat it like a marketing accessory or worse, an option rather than a mission-critical business strategy. In this energizing and practical session, we’ll unpack how early-stage startups can build equity into their operations from the jump without sounding like a walking DEI pamphlet.

You’ll learn how to align your company’s purpose with its policies, shape a values-driven story that doesn’t feel like spin, and avoid the common traps of performative branding. Whether you’re a scrappy solo founder or leading a growing team, you’ll walk away with real tools to embed impact into your culture, customer journey, and company DNA.

Marketer Collaborative

Join us for a special live taping of On the Fly! straight from the podcast studio at The Marketer Collaborative. Hosted by Samuel Baker of Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, this conversation features Joey Scarillo and Joan Kaup exploring how businesses can successfully balance profit with purpose. Expect candid stories, practical lessons, and inspiring insights on building companies that drive both financial success and social impact.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Fundraising was not created equal. This panel will tackle the persistent gender and identity gaps in venture capital, exploring the challenges faced by women, LGBTQ+ founders, and other underrepresented groups. 

Moving beyond labels, panelists will unpack the data, share real-world stories, and highlight strategies that investors and founders are using to break bias and create more equitable access to capital. Learn what actually works to close the funding gap—and how you can be part of the solution.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

This panel brings together Black entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey to share the behind-the-scenes stories of taking the leap into full-time entrepreneurship—and making the hard decisions to pivot when things no longer work.

Through honest conversation, personal storytelling, and practical advice, this session will explore the emotional, financial, and strategic realities of building something from scratch. It centers the unique challenges and creativity of Black founders navigating a startup world that often expects them to bootstrap and outperform with fewer resources.

This session aims to connect emerging entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and seasoned founders around the moments that define a business—and a person.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

An honest conversation with Cincinnati founders who are growing companies while raising kids. From sleepless nights to investor meetings with spit-up on their shirts, these parents are navigating the chaos of early-stage startups alongside early-stage parenting. Hear from moms, dads, and caregivers with kids ranging from babies to teens—because there’s no one way to build both a family and a business.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Diverse experiences and non-traditional backgrounds can be powerful drivers of innovation. Join Kevin and Katie Jackson, father-daughter co-founders of Level 6 Cybersecurity, as they share their journey as minority tech entrepreneurs. Learn how embracing unique perspectives can shape your team, fuel creativity, and create a competitive edge in the startup world.

Miami Center
How do I get the attention and support of key stakeholders? Am I doing the right things to reach my customers/beneficiaries? How do I attract the talent and key partners I need? What are the things funders are looking for? This workshop will help you examine your value proposition, your business model, and the way you present them to get the buy-in you need from the people and organizations that matter most to your social enterprise.

Union Hall - Homeroom

As many traditional DEI programs face rollbacks, this panel brings together four founders with diverse lived experiences to explore what inclusion can look like when driven by leadership, culture, and strategy—not corporate mandates. Panelists will share candid stories of navigating bias, building resilient teams, and shaping workplaces where people can thrive without falling into performative frameworks. From raising capital as an underrepresented founder to reimagining ownership models for historically marginalized communities, the discussion will highlight practical tools and lessons learned. This session is designed for founders who want substance over slogans—an honest, founder-led dialogue about inclusion in today’s business landscape.

Miami Center

Join us as UC's very own Kate Harmon kicks off our University progamming for StartupCincy Week 2025! In this space we'll learn about the importance of entrepreneurship research, understand the challenges and opportunities of working with higher ed, and begin to forecast what the future looks like for these students and for the world!

Miami Center
Cincy-area universities aren’t just teaching entrepreneurship—they’re shaping the future of it. Join a panel of researchers from Miami, UC, Xavier, Dayton, and NKU to discover why entrepreneurship research matters, how it impacts real-world business, and what insights you can apply to your own ventures. Learn from the experts who are studying trends, behaviors, and strategies that drive innovation, and see how research can give you a competitive edge.

Miami Center

Each year, the NEXT Innovation Scholars program at the University of Cincinnati conducts a 9 month futures research project using strategic foresight to uncover emergent trends and drivers of change that will affect the future. We'll share insights in 4 key areas including the future of energy, adaptation to extreme weather, our evolving relationship with food, and the complexities of navigating a hyper connected world where information is a commodity. In addition to research-backed insights on specific drivers of change from each of these areas, we'll share speculative future scenarios and "artifacts from the future" that offer attendees the opportunity to visualize how the future may create new opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs.

Miami Center

What happens when students aren’t just learning entrepreneurship—they’re living it? This session explores the 14-week journey of Miami University’s RedHawk Ventures Pitch Competition, where student founders in ESP 401: New Ventures transform ideas into investor-ready startups. Led by the faculty and organizers at Miami University's Entrepreneurship Department, this session dives into how students develop startups and, along the way, develop entrepreneurial mindsets and transferable skills, like adaptability, communication, resilience, and problem-solving.

Attendees will get an inside look at how the program bridges education and ecosystem, culminating in a pitch event that connects student teams with real investors and startup mentors. With data-informed insights drawn from ongoing dissertation research on workforce readiness and talent acquisition, this session highlights how applied entrepreneurship education cultivates the kind of adaptable, high-potential talent today’s innovation economy demands.

Miami Center

This session explores the unique challenges and advantages of launching a startup within academia.  Starting a business is hard. Starting a business inside academia, even harder... and, it’s even more difficult when student-run! [We call it Start-up Jujitsu.]  

Hear from innovators within the start-up ecosystem, academia, and current student-run business leaders making it happen. Explore the ins & outs and how-to's of starting a student-run business inside academia. Everything from external partners, academic leaders, campus resources, and creating a culture of innovation among students.  

Perfect for aspiring student entrepreneurs, faculty champions, and anyone entrepreneurial–minded or curious about the next generation of founders. 

Miami Center

Join us to learn how you can leverage a relationship with your local university. Hear insights from students and startups on best practices in finding top talent and walk out the door with actionable insights and strategies to leverage these collaborations for your own hiring needs!

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Cincinnati’s food scene has become one of the city’s most dynamic industries, fueled by chefs who are not only redefining cuisine but also shaping culture, neighborhoods, and community. This conversation spotlights some of the region’s most influential culinary builders as they share their journeys: challenges and benefits unique to the Cincinnati region, and why Cincinnati is the place they choose to call home for their brand. From creative kitchens to community impact, hear how these chefs are leaving a lasting mark on Cincinnati’s future

Union Hall - Marketer Collaborative

Take a break, grab a box, and connect with fellow founders, investors, and community members over a delicious ‘Build Your Own Lunch Box’ featuring tastings from some of Cincinnati’s favorite local spots. This midday gathering is equal parts networking and culinary showcase—an opportunity to experience the flavors of the Queen City while building meaningful connections across the StartupCincy ecosystem. Featuring Young Buck Deli, Juniper Seed, Bee's BBQ, Nolia Kitchen, and Baker's Bookmark

Union Hall - Homeroom

Join us as Kroger kicks off our Food Founder Series and sets the stage for conversations with the entrepreneurs and visionaries redefining the culinary and consumer experience, right here in Cincinnati.

Union Hall - Homeroom
Food entrepreneurs juggle endless moving parts—ordering, scheduling, inventory, production. In this session, we’ll explore how AI can simplify the chaos. Learn how smart tools can handle repetitive tasks like procurement, recipe scaling, and staff scheduling, so you can focus on growth, creativity, and customer experience.

Union Hall - Homeroom
Being a food entrepreneur can be as stressful as it is rewarding. Join a diverse panel of industry leaders as they discuss the mental health challenges unique to running a food business and share strategies for staying resilient while building your brand. From managing stress and burnout to finding support networks, this session offers practical insights to help food founders maintain their well-being while pursuing their culinary dreams.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Your passion is in your product, your craft. Often, especially as a food and beverage entrepreneur, so much of your focus is perfecting your product and running a business that your product doesn’t get the quality spotlight it deserves! Join us for an incredible panel of industry leaders as they discuss the strategy, methods, and resources around brand storytelling to connect with more customers. From conceiving your brand values to executing digital marketing, brand storytelling is essential to growing your business. This session’s content will largely be focused on food and beverage entrepreneurs but all concepts can be translated to small businesses of every industry.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Following our panel, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet with marketing, photography, design, and digital marketing professionals as you seek the solutions to grow your business. All are welcome and light bites will be made available before the StartupCincy Happy Hour.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Most people treat Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT) like a vending machine—drop in a prompt, grab a quick answer, and move on. But serious leaders don’t need quick snacks; they need trusted advisors who deeply understand their context, goals, and style. In this practical, hands-on workshop, you'll learn the "4 Ms" framework (Memory, Mind, Mission, Methods) to transform your Generative AI interactions from casual Q&A into strategic conversations that deliver meaningful results. Expect relatable examples, ready-to-use templates, and interactive exercises. You'll leave knowing exactly how to turn your AI into a high-performing chief of staff.

Miami Center
Your next hire will work with AI. Your current employees already are. The question is: What is AI Literacy, and how do we develop it?

The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 reveals a critical divide—while traditional roles decline, positions requiring human experience expertise are among the fastest-growing globally. For Cincinnati's startups and businesses, this creates both opportunity and urgency.

At Miami University, over three semesters, I've taught "Creating With Generative AI: Shaping the Future," where I instructed approximately 130 students across dozens of majors to work with AI rather than fear it or use it as a crutch. In May 2025, Miami conducted a campus-wide student survey on Generative AI, and the data shows that students are using these tools and asking the right question: "How do I stay relevant?" The answer isn't avoiding AI—it's becoming irreplaceable by doing what AI cannot.

The technological change is accelerating, but the organizations that thrive will be those that enhance human potential rather than eliminate it. Leave with concrete strategies for building an AI-ready workforce while maintaining the human advantages that drive innovation.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Between patents, trade secrets, training data, and prompt chains, what parts of an AI startup can actually be protected? This session demystifies the legal landscape with startup-savvy counsel and operators who’ve done it right—and wrong. Panelists will use Disagree/Agree pads and be asked hard hitting questions - some will be asked to validate their choice.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Forget the press releases. This session breaks down the real calculus behind adopting AI in the enterprise. When should a company build in-house, partner with a startup, or just buy a product off the shelf? Hear from leaders who’ve made each choice—and lived to explain the consequences.

Miami Center

How artificial intelligence is reshaping accounting, forecasting, and investor relations. This session explores the tools and strategies founders can use to future-proof their financial operations in an AI-driven world.

Union Hall - Homeroom

AI is everywhere—but most founders don’t realize they’re either building with a vulnerable model or defending against one. This session breaks down the two sides of modern AI security: startups protecting AI systems themselves (against prompt injection, model theft, deepfakes), and startups using AI to build faster, smarter cybersecurity tools.

Whether you’re launching an AI product or scaling security features, knowing the difference is critical. You’ll hear from startup CEOs solving both problems with real-world tools already in market—offering a behind-the-scenes look at how AI is being secured, and how it's being used to secure everything else.

Union Hall - Homeroom

AI isn’t just reshaping technology, it’s reshaping the job market. In this session, Emil Barr (Founder Flashpass, $30M) will explore the surprising jobs emerging inside the AI startup economy and what they reveal about the future of work.

Woodward Theater
Cintrifuse’s Best of Demo Night is back! Once a year, we spotlight the most exciting innovators from our monthly demo nights. From AI to Aerotech—and everything in between—experience live presentations from the region’s top startups as they showcase cutting-edge ideas, breakthrough technologies, and the next big opportunities in entrepreneurship. Don’t miss this chance to see innovation in action and connect with the tech leaders shaping Cincinnati’s startup ecosystem.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

A fast-paced look at Cincinnati’s innovation momentum featuring startup wins, emerging trends, and what’s next for the region’s venture scene.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
StepStone Group, one of the world’s largest and most active allocators to venture capital and growth equity, will lead a discussion on the current state of venture. With 25+ years of experience, a global team, and deep relationships across seed to growth equity, StepStone brings a unique perspective on market dynamics. This session will cover today’s key venture trends, shifting investor preferences, and what it means for founders, funds, and startup communities in the Midwest and beyond.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

What makes Cincinnati a smart bet for startups and investors alike? In this double fireside chat, founders from Cintrifuse Capital portfolio companies Vixiv and Cloverleaf sit down with their leading investors from Outlander and Origin Ventures—both part of Cintrifuse’s Fund of Funds. Together, they’ll explore why national VCs are backing Cincinnati startups, how the Cintrifuse model drives growth, and what it means for the region’s future as a startup hub.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Step into an intimate, conversational setting where top venture capitalists share unfiltered stories, personal journeys, and the real lessons behind their biggest wins—and misses. This lunchtime chat is designed to go beyond the formalities, offering attendees a rare chance to engage directly with the investors shaping the future of innovation.

Marketer Collaborative

Raising your next round? Understanding cap tables, valuations, and dilution is essential for making informed decisions and attracting the right investors. Join Fidelity experts for a practical, startup-focused session that breaks down these critical concepts, explains how they impact ownership and fundraising strategy, and provides actionable tips to prepare for your next round with confidence.

Union Hall - Beer Hall
Join us for an afternoon of exceptional networking and a chance to hear VCs pitch their investment theses, target industries, check sizes, key differentiators, portfolios, and what they look for in founders!

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Connetic Ventures will share insights and learnings from the experience of using a proprietary data-driven investment process to demonstrate opportunities of development for founders and startups on how to optimize their chance for success in the fundraising process.

Marketer Collaborative

This session brings together three perspectives — research, founder experience, and investor insight — to explore the realities of entrepreneurial identity. We’ll begin with key findings to set the stage, then move into a dynamic dialogue that connects evidence with practice.

Union Hall - Beer Hall

Fostering Innovation. Fueling Growth. The Cincinnati Way.

Join us for the week's very first pitch competition, powered by Connetic Ventures, with a game-changing $200,000 prize. A live-stage opportunity for early-stage founders to pitch, impress, and plug directly into one of the most data-driven VC pipelines in the country.

No warm intros. No fluff. Just real exposure.

Union Hall - Homeroom

Founders Stock, Restricted Stock, Options or RSUs, if you’re launching or growing your startup, you should know the ins and outs of Equity-Based Compensation.  We’ll provide an overview of all things employee equity from launch to exit, and walk through how your equity comp plans impact your cap table.

Learn how to choose the right type of equity for your stage of growth and fundraising strategy. Understand common pitfalls in structuring equity grants—and how to avoid costly mistakes. Gain insights into how equity decisions today affect ownership, dilution, and future fundraising rounds.