University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub is expanding its ecosystem with the announcement of five additional startup partnerships.
It's part of an initiative to nurture such local businesses. Kate Harmon, UC’s executive director at the Center for Entrepreneurship, told me the move is a direct push from UC's Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer Ryan Hays.
“Having early-stage founders work alongside world-class corporate partners in a learning-driven environment is what makes 1819 so unique and impactful," Hays said in a news release.
These startups have been moving in over the last few weeks and are now actively operating in dedicated spots on the campus:
- Disrupt Now, a brand elevation app
- Airtreck Robotic, an aviation safety company that focuses on the aircraft ground handling process
- 1000Zebras, a company that focuses on helping the ecosystems of business fluently transact with each other
- Innovation Acceleration, which guides everyone from startup founders to corporate innovators through the ever-changing technological environment
- ANVL, a connected worker platform.
Harmon believes 1819's proximity to the university plays a major factor in attracting partners. “People are being very picky over where they want to be,” she said. “Having access to students is so different … just the access we have to student talent here."
She added the innovation hub is equally as picky when it comes to its partnerships.
“We really want to make sure it's the right fit for both of us,” Harmon said. “We want to have someone that's here regularly because we see the value of our partners and of our students having connections."
The innovation hub prides itself on being able to offer startup partners more than just a space to work. “It provides unparalleled networking opportunities,” UC said in the release. “Sharing a workspace with established corporate partners and fellow startups opens doors ... amplifying the prospects for success.”
Startup founders are provided with flexible workspace within the venture lab, with access to various other gathering spaces, both enclosed and open, including the makerspace on the first floor.
Corporate partners, meanwhile, receive a dedicated suite, accompanied by specialized programming. UC offers a dedicated concierge team to facilitate connections between corporate partners, faculty and co-op students or interns.
Rob Richardson, founder of Disrupt Now and chief curator of Midweston, said being in the space allows him to generate more concepts, come up with more innovative ideas and foster additional collaboration.
“From my point of view, there’s no other place like it in the city,” Richardson said.
The 1819 Innovation Hub, located at 2900 Reading Road, is considered the nerve center of the Cincinnati Innovation District.
Its corporate partners include Altafiber, BTS, CincyTech, Fifth Third Bank, FIS, Heapy, Kao, Kroger, Main Street Ventures, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Tembo, Western & Southern Financial Group and Village Life Outreach Project.
