If you’ve followed Ohio Tech News or caught up with us at an OhioX event, you know we’ve been tracking something extraordinary: Ohio’s transformation from potential to performance.
For years, we talked about what this state could become. Today, we’re documenting what it is: a $4.35 billion FinTech challenger backing America’s re-industrialization, a $356 million fund bringing California manufacturing back to Columbus, and nuclear energy propelling our state’s AI infrastructure boom.
We’re watching Ohio rewrite its economic identity in real-time. Whether it’s a Cincinnati startup raising millions to automate AI cost controls, a Cleveland biotech securing $40 million to replace animal testing, or a Solon company becoming the only Western answer to tech supply chain risks, the breadth and speed of innovation is unlike anything we’ve seen in generations.
But these headlines aren’t just about big rounds and billion-dollar valuations—they’re about the founders, engineers, and leaders building the future right here in Heartland.
As I like to say, you need to be paying attention to Ohio tech.
Here are some recent headlines…
FinOpsly raises $4.45 million Seed Round to automate AI and cloud costs.
The Cincinnati startup is moving beyond passive dashboards to autonomous intervention, positioning itself as a leader in AI infrastructure governance.
Graici raises $7.5 million Series A to automate Medicaid renewals.
The Cleveland AI startup, founded by Explorys’ Steve McHale, uses agentic AI to help vulnerable populations stay enrolled amid federal policy shifts threatening coverage losses.
Miami University and Butler Tech unveil $31 million Innovation Hub.
Housed in a historic paper mill, the 375,000-square-foot facility blends robotics arenas with industry labs to build Ohio’s high-tech talent pipeline from high school through PhD programs.
The O.H.I.O. Fund hits $356M milestone, lures California company to Columbus.
The fund has generated $75M in returns while bringing Hyperframe’s manufacturing from California to Ohio, proving the state’s balanced investment model drives Midwest growth.
Anduril’s Arsenal-1 plant taking shape, first jets ship this spring.
One year after Palmer Luckey’s announcement, the massive Ohio defense manufacturing facility will roll out its first autonomous jets by Q2. Photos included.
Ohio opens new funding round for tech commercialization.
The Department of Development’s TVSF grants offer up to $1M for institutions and $200k for startups, bridging the gap between lab research and global markets. Applications due February 6, 2026.
Anduril announces AI Grand Prix competition coming to Ohio.
The software battle features identical drones with zero human control and a $500,000 purse, culminating in Ohio this November.
Endera grows production 15x from Ottawa, Ohio plant.
The specialty bus maker blends legacy business with EV innovation using 65% Ohio-sourced parts, achieving 215% growth with The O.H.I.O. Fund backing.
Cleveland Clinic and Amazon One Medical open Shaker Heights location.
The new tech-enabled office, number two in Ohio, integrates 24/7 virtual care with Cleveland Clinic’s specialty network for hybrid primary care.
Heartland Ventures launches $60 million Fund III.
Backed by nearly 1,000 Midwest industrial owners, the fund aims to modernize legacy sectors by using factory bosses as investors who become built-in customers for startups.
Google invests $1 million in Central Ohio STEM and workforce pipelines.
The tech giant is backing local talent development to drive the region’s rapid growth and secure its digital economy future.
Trailhead Biosystems secures $40M to industrialize human cell production.
The Beachwood-based Cleveland Clinic spinout is scaling a robotic platform to replace animal testing and solve pharma’s reproducibility crisis.
Meta signs 20-year deal for Ohio nuclear power.
Meta partnered with Vistra to upgrade Perry and Davis-Besse plants and tapped Oklo for a Pike County site, powering its Prometheus supercluster for AI leadership.
Joby Aviation acquires 700,000 sq. ft. Vandalia factory.
The advanced air mobility company is doubling its aircraft production by 2027, accelerating the shift to full-scale manufacturing in Dayton.
The Hartford opens new Columbus tech hub with 75 employees.
The insurer’s fifth global tech hub at Easton will focus on AI and cloud architecture, betting on Central Ohio’s engineering talent.
CHAMP Titles raises $55 Million Series D to digitize DMVs.
The Cleveland startup’s platform cuts title processing from 60 days to hours, serving over 35 million Americans in what CEO Shane Bigelow calls a “Netflix vs. Blockbuster” moment.
Palmer Luckey’s Columbus-based bank hits $4.35 billion valuation.
Backed by Lux Capital and Founders Fund, the stablecoin-native challenger is filling the post-SVB gap for high-growth companies and positioning itself as financial backbone for the nation’s AI and defense sectors.
Eagle Wireless merges to create western defense against supply chain risks.
The Solon-based company acquired Wireless Mobility to become the only Western vendor ready to de-risk global automotive and IoT supply chains, backed by The O.H.I.O. Fund and ex-CIA leadership.
DNA Nanobots secures $3.5 million for “Origami” gene therapy.
The Columbus startup and Ohio State spinout uses DNA origami to engineer self-assembling vessels that deliver complex payloads without viruses, extending their runway to 18 months.
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Chris Berry is the President and CEO of OhioX, a statewide nonprofit trade association, and the publisher of Ohio Tech News. He leads a growing coalition of Fortune 500 companies, startups, tech SMBs, universities, and more building Ohio’s tech hub. Connect with him on LinkedIn or X.
