A new digital-first bank called Erebor is coming to Columbus. It’s backed by tech heavyweights Palmer Luckey, Joe Lonsdale, and Peter Thiel. With a focus on crypto, AI, defense, and manufacturing, Erebor aims to fill the gap left by Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse and serve America’s next generation of innovators from the heart of Ohio.

CHAMP Titles, led by Cleveland-based CEO Shane Bigelow, is transforming the outdated vehicle title system with a fully digital platform. By modernizing government infrastructure and prioritizing trust and partnership, CHAMP is helping states cut costs, reduce fraud, and deliver faster, more user-friendly services. And their work is positioning Ohio as a leader in the GovTech space.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA is investing $1 billion to expand its U.S. manufacturing and R&D footprint, with major developments in Columbus and Cleveland. The initiative will boost domestic production of essential generic medicines, support job growth in Ohio, and help strengthen America’s pharmaceutical supply chain amid growing demand for U.S.-made healthcare solutions.

In a rare bipartisan move, the House Agriculture Committee advanced the CLARITY Act, offering long-overdue regulatory guidance for digital assets. Spencer Gross argues this is a critical step to keep blockchain innovation—and its jobs and investment—rooted in the U.S. The op-ed calls on Congress to finish what this vote started.

Ohio is in the midst of a digital transformation. With nearly $3 billion invested across the state from 2020–2024, AT&T is helping close the digital divide, modernize infrastructure, and equip communities for the demands of a data-driven economy. From rural southeast counties to major metro regions, Ohioans are seeing tangible connectivity upgrades.

Ohio’s data center industry is delivering massive economic gains, adding $11.8 billion to GDP and supporting 95,000 jobs in 2024, according to a new Ohio Chamber study. With over $40 billion in private investment, the sector is transforming the state’s economy and positioning Ohio as a top U.S. data hub.

Ohio’s BMV has saved residents over 10 million in-person trips thanks to technology upgrades that modernized services like license renewals, title transfers, and knowledge testing. From self-service kiosks to online scheduling, these innovations are streamlining experiences, reducing wait times, and making government services more accessible across the state.

Google and CTC Global have launched a major new initiative to modernize America’s electric grid with advanced U.S.-made conductors that double capacity and cut line losses. With a statewide growing energy demand and billions in data center investments, Ohio is poised to play a key role in this effort to power the AI era and reindustrialization.

Becca Wenning, founder and CEO of Dressit, is bringing AI to bridal retail—helping brides find the right dress and boutique with confidence. After a decade running her own shop, she’s transforming an industry stuck in tradition, proving that world-class tech can be built in small-town Ohio.

Remarcable, a Cleveland startup modernizing construction procurement, has raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Insight Partners. The company serves 40% of the top 50 U.S. electrical contractors and plans to use the funding to scale its platform, grow its team, and accelerate AI-powered tools for smarter material management.

Ohio State University has unveiled a bold new AI Fluency Initiative aimed at preparing every student, from art majors to engineers, for the AI-driven future. By embedding AI education across disciplines, the university is equipping students with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving workforce and ensuring Ohio remains a leader in innovation.

Cincy AI Week is back. The second annual event kicks off today in Cincinnati, focusing on building an intelligent region through AI. Running June 10-12, the event features daily themes and events like demo nights and awards.

After building a $30M telecom company from scratch, Robert Marks is back with a new venture: Projector, a streaming service that lets families watch their own home videos on TV—just like Netflix. Built in Ohio, Projector blends tech and nostalgia to bring personal memories to the biggest screen in the house.

Defense tech company Anduril has raised $2.5 billion in a new funding round led by Founders Fund, which contributed $1 billion—the largest investment in the firm’s history. The raise comes as Anduril’s Ohio-based Arsenal-1 facility begins to take shape, signaling a major step forward in U.S. defense manufacturing and autonomous systems.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Air Force Research Lab Commander Brig. Gen. Jason Bartolomei have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to deepen collaboration between the state and AFRL. The agreement aims to accelerate advanced research, drive economic growth, and bolster national security through innovation in AI, semiconductors, and autonomous systems.

Meta celebrated its 2025 Community Action Grant recipients at the New Albany Data Center, recognizing local nonprofits and schools advancing STEAM education, sustainability, and opportunity. With new projects ranging from electric trams to tech-equipped recovery programs, the initiative underscores Meta’s growing footprint and long-term investment in Central Ohio communities.

Tony Pietrocola co-founded AgileBlue in 2020 with no cybersecurity background—just a clear vision. Now headquartered in Cleveland with a statewide team, AgileBlue is scaling fast with AI-powered threat detection. As Ohio emerges as a tech hub, AgileBlue is proving world-class cybersecurity can be built and led from the heartland.

Columbus's tech scene is buzzing as Forbes names its 30 Under 30 Class of 2025, packed with innovative founders from real estate AI to medical tech. This announcement prefaces the 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit arriving in Columbus this September, underscoring Ohio's growing prominence as a growing tech hub.

Verizon is investing $5 billion over five years into U.S. small business suppliers, bolstering the economy and supply chain. Simultaneously, the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program offers new $10,000 grants, open until June 30th. This national initiative provides vital support and opportunities for Ohio's small businesses.

TeamCentral, a Cincinnati- based innovator in no-code automation, announced a $3.875 million seed round. This investment accelerates their AI-driven platform and the launch of Corbi, an AI Agent designed to integrate with enterprise systems. The goal: transform data into actionable intelligence, optimizing efficiency and decision-making for businesses navigating data chaos.