StartupCincy Week 2024: A Catalyst for Change

StartupCincy Week 2024 showcased a vibrant startup ecosystem. The four-day event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from across the country. It was my first time attending.

Even before the event started, attendees were buzzing with activity. At 9:00 AM on Monday, the line entering Union Hall was busy with introductions, elevator pitches, and business card swaps. That energy continued throughout the event.

I attended StartupCincy Week as a service provider (growth marketing), so the agenda wasn’t 100% geared toward me. Regardless, I learned a lot about the programs available to founders and met tons of interesting people.

Three Recurring Themes That Inspired Me

1. Cincinnati’s Evolving Relationship to Risk

Entrepreneurs and businesses are making big moves in Cincinnati. Collectively, our relationship to risk is changing.?

Too often, the city and region’s storytelling omits risk, favoring a narrative of legacy, tradition, and steady growth.

It is up to us to become better storytellers because the last twenty years have produced new success stories. These are stories of innovation, technology, finance, bold bets, and growth that were born from risk. Our appetite for risk is increasing. We need to do a better job of showcasing what is happening in our region.?

The local startup ecosystem is fueling change, and the national startup ecosystem is starting to notice. Organizations like Cintrifuse , Refinery Ventures , Main Street Ventures , Fireroad , CincyTech , Alloy Development Co. , Queen City Angels , 1819 Innovation Hub , and the University of Cincinnati are investing in and providing infrastructure for entrepreneurs to succeed.

2. Culture as a Flywheel

Culture fosters innovation, growth, and more culture.

Cincinnati’s culture is rooted in arts, food, and local pride for each of its historic neighborhoods. But it’s not just about having history. Our community members are making efforts, now, to enrich and expand our cultural landscape. And that purpose-led effort has set a flywheel in motion.

Inclusivity needs to be the heartbeat of this cultural flywheel. Only a diverse range of voices and hands will deepen what the region has to offer.

New art, food, and a business-friendly ecosystem are attracting talent and capital, nurturing a community ripe for continued transformation. Initiatives like BLINK and the culinary wave in Over-the-Rhine are just the beginning.

The tools are in place—the creative community was on full display at StartupCincy Week.

3. Cincinnati is Next

The University of Cincinnati’s campaign, “Next Lives Here,” embodies the forward-thinking mentality that resonates throughout our city (s/o to Nicola Ziady ). I hate transposing the line to a broader context, but it fits too well.

The final session of StartupCincy Week, featuring Kristen Schlotman , Dan Reynolds , Chad Munitz , and Natasha Williams, WSET I (moderated by Tim Schigel ), was a rallying cry for shaping the city’s future. They directly challenged the audience to lay a new foundation for what the city will be like in 75 years.

We standing at the precipice of a transformative moment. Our long-term commitment to community and innovation will be the key to sustaining momentum.

If the week was any indication, the future is bright.

Blueprints and A Challenge to Think Bigger

The blueprints for growth, tools gathered, and connections made will be carried with attendees for a long time.

Personally, I’ve been challenged to think bigger and expand the scope of my goals. And I know other attendees were motivated to do the same.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the programming of this incredible week.

I can’t wait to watch our home team continue to win.

“Don’t just tell me how challenging it will be—tell me how transformational it can be!” - Please claim your quote, my notes don't have attribution.