Ready to Thrive? Startup with StartupCincy.

StartupCincy cultivates a fertile ground for entrepreneurship across all stages by connecting businesses & startups looking to scale with the resources, funding, and community to do so.

Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Tap into resources and connections to grow your business while contributing to Cincinnati’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Startup Founders & Employees

Access funding, mentorship, and a collaborative community to turn bold ideas into impactful ventures.

Investors & Funders

Discover high-potential startups and connect with a robust network of founders and business leaders.

Discover what makes Cincinnati a hub for innovation and growth.

Venture activity is a key measure of an ecosystem’s vitality—and Cincinnati is thriving. With over 390 startups building here, our momentum continues to grow. Dive into Dealroom to explore the region’s top startups, recent fundraises, and exciting investment opportunities.

Startups
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Ecosystem Value
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raised through non-dilutive funding in the last 5 years
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jobs associated with Cincy startups
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jobs created in the last 5 years
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Find the Right Resources to Grow Your Startup.

Navigating the startup journey is easier when you have the right support. The StartupCincy Resource Hub connects founders with the tools, funding, mentorship, and spaces they need to scale. Whether you’re looking for accelerators, coworking spaces, or investor connections, our curated network helps you find the perfect fit—fast.

From Idea to Outfit: Get your Gear at the StartupCincy Store

Show your pride in Cincinnati’s startup community with exclusive StartupCincy gear,  limited-edition apparel, accessories, and branded merch that celebrates the bold founders, builders, and innovators shaping our region.

Every purchase helps fuel the momentum of our ecosystem, supporting the programs, events, and resources that make Cincinnati the best place in the Midwest to grow a startup.

Meet the People of StartupCincy.

We’re excited to spotlight Ben Wolber, Founder & CEO of InsightX, who’s transforming how MedSpas use data to grow, operate, and make smarter decisions. Here’s a closer look at what he’s building:

“My background is in FP&A and healthcare consulting, where I spent years helping hospitals use analytics to improve financial and operational performance. On the side, I started taking on fractional data projects for local companies and CFOs around Cincinnati, and that hands-on work showed me something important: so many growing businesses were sitting on valuable data they couldn’t actually use.

I always had the itch to start something of my own, and that insight became the spark for InsightX, an AI-powered analytics and strategy platform built specifically for MedSpas and aesthetic practices. InsightX integrates with the systems these businesses rely on and turns raw information into real-time dashboards and clear, prescriptive recommendations. The goal isn’t just to show numbers; it’s to help owners grow revenue, improve patient retention, and streamline operations with confidence.

2025 has been a huge growth year for us. We’ve expanded our presence across the MedSpa industry and partnered with Pink Sky and SpaKinect, two leading players in aesthetics technology and compliance. These partnerships are helping us bring InsightX to more practices and embed deeper into the MedSpa ecosystem. In early 2026, we’re rolling out additional collaborations as we continue to scale nationally.”

When reflecting on the role Cincinnati has played in the journey, Ben shared:

“The StartupCincy community has been instrumental to our growth. From connections through Cintrifuse’s Venture Velocity Program to mentors and peers who shared guidance when we needed it most, this ecosystem helped us turn ideas into traction. The collaboration and accessibility here are unmatched. People genuinely want to see each other win.”

Ben Wolber is building a smarter, more connected future for MedSpa operators and showing how data, strategy, and the right relationships can unlock real growth. #PeopleOfStartupCincy
We’re excited to introduce Gaby Blocher, CEO of Sunflower Fuels, who is combining operational expertise, military discipline, and a deep commitment to sustainability to build a cleaner energy future for the Midwest. Here’s a closer look at what she’s building:

“My background is in operations and business strategy, and I’ve always been drawn to organizations solving real-world challenges. I’m also a Marine veteran and longtime sustainability advocate, so when I saw an opportunity to create cleaner, scalable energy solutions in our region, I couldn’t ignore it.

That’s how Sunflower Fuels was born. We’re focused on developing supply chains for Miscanthus x giganteus, a high-yield, low-carbon perennial crop, and partnering with local farmers, fuel companies, and utilities in Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia. Miscanthus is one of the most promising feedstocks for sustainable fuels, and our mission is to build a system that benefits both the planet and the communities growing it.

Right now, we’re deep into our Kentucky pilot projects, expanding partnerships, and preparing for our first commercial harvests. Over the next year, we aim to secure more feedstock agreements, grow acreage, and move toward our first major revenue milestone. It’s an exciting moment for the company and for the future of low-carbon energy across the region.”

Gaby shared how meaningful the StartupCincy community has been to their progress:

“StartupCincy has been instrumental in connecting us with other founders, investors, and ecosystem partners. The support here is incredible, and people are genuinely willing to share resources and open doors that would have taken us much longer to unlock on our own.”

And her advice for anyone looking to tap into Cincinnati’s innovation ecosystem?

“Dive in. Show up to events, reach out directly, and don’t be shy about asking for help. The community here is welcoming and collaborative, but you have to take the first step.” #PeopleOfStartupCincy
We’re excited to introduce Marc Johnson, CEO and Co-Founder of TeamCentral, who turned two decades of enterprise IT experience into a no-code platform helping businesses tackle one of digital transformation’s biggest challenges: data chaos. Here’s a closer look at what he’s building:

“I’ve spent over 20 years designing and delivering systems across industries—from financial services and utilities to retail and manufacturing. Before launching TeamCentral, I led architecture and innovation at Centric Consulting, where I helped clients solve complex integration and data challenges.

Over time, I kept seeing the same problem: companies adopting great SaaS tools, but creating siloed systems, messy data, and disconnected workflows. Traditional integration solutions weren’t keeping up.

That’s why we built TeamCentral.

Our platform, Central iPaaS, is a no-code integration and data automation solution that helps businesses sync systems, streamline workflows, and prepare their data for AI. It bridges the gap between easy-to-use tools and enterprise-grade functionality—empowering teams to move faster, without the high cost or complexity.

Right now, we’re expanding Central with pre-built integrations and launching our semantic AI layer, which will help organizations interact with their data more intelligently—through natural language queries, proactive alerts, and smart automation inside the tools they already use.

We just closed a $3.875M seed round, backed by partners like CincyTech USA and Queen City Angels. That support helped us accelerate product development and fuel our next phase of growth.

Cincinnati has been an incredible place to build. The corporate presence, collaborative culture, and access to talent make it uniquely powerful for startups. While the local funding environment remains challenging, we’d love to see more robust capital access to help startups scale and stay rooted in the region.

At TeamCentral, we’re helping businesses move beyond integration—toward a smarter, AI-powered future.” #PeopleOfStartupCincy

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