Artificial Intelligence
SoftBank, AEP Ohio, and the federal government unveiled a 10-gigawatt data center and power generation campus — one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever announced in the U.S. — on a former Cold War site in southern Ohio.
Advanced Manufacturing
Months ahead of its July target, Arsenal-1 in Pickaway County is open and ready for production. The billion-dollar mega-factory will begin assembling autonomous combat drones in a matter of days, with 4,000 jobs and a $2B economic impact on the horizon.
Advanced Manufacturing
A historic $500 million commitment is coming to Lima as Google officially selects Allen County for its latest data center hub. The project delivers a $50 million infrastructure boost and recurring funding for local schools, signaling a major economic shift for the Northwest Ohio region.
Ratmir Timashev is funding dedicated sales teams for 100 of the world’s best B2B software startups — built and paid for in Columbus — with a target of 2,000 new tech workers in the city within five years.
One year after Palmer Luckey promised to bring "hyperscale" defense manufacturing to central Ohio, the vision is becoming concrete reality. Arsenal-1's first autonomous jets will roll off the line by Q2—a timeline that would've been impossible just a decade ago.
The new $60M fund is backed by nearly 1,000 Midwest industrial owners and aims to modernize America’s legacy sectors. Heartland flips the VC script by using factory bosses as investors, giving startups built-in customers to solve the region's labor gap.
Ohio’s future isn’t just a concept—it has names. We narrowed triple-digit submissions to the top 25 innovators 35 and under. From AI to medtech and beyond, these leaders are bridging the gap between legacy strength and the digital frontier. Meet the 2025 class defining Ohio’s next chapter.
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Dayton-based Dexa is tackling the FAA’s ultimate test: dense urban airspace. Partnering with Grubhub in New Jersey, the startup is proving its "airline" status alongside giants like Amazon. Backed by Ohio capital, Dexa’s pilot is the final hurdle before it targets the five boroughs.
Columbus-based Aplos Data is emerging from stealth to help organizations operationalize AI and real-time data. Focused on implementing Palantir Technologies, the firm unifies fragmented systems into a single "operational layer" that moves beyond analytics to help leaders decide what to do next.
To bridge the innovation execution gap, this Columbus firm acts as a technical co-founder for established companies. By utilizing fixed-bid structures and blended teams, they help firms validate new digital bets and scale market-ready software without disrupting core business operations.
New federal data shows Case Western Reserve University is the nation’s fastest-growing top-tier research institution. With R&D spending surging 37.5% and a new $300M science hub opening later this year, CWRU is outstripping its AAU peers to set a new pace for Ohio’s innovation economy.
The 2026 Ohio Tech Summit features a powerhouse lineup, including leaders from Nationwide, Path Robotics, Anduril Industries, and more. Focused on AI, national security, and re-industrialization, the May 14th event in Columbus connects Ohio's tech leaders.
No fluff, just the signal. We asked eight Ohio tech leaders—from CEOs to engineering deans—to share the one resource they actually vouch for. From quantum mechanics on YouTube to the psychology of team dynamics, here is the shortlist of what’s helping inspire and inform Ohio's leaders in 2026.
Following a decade that saw $7 billion in statewide economic impact and the opening of a 43,000-square-foot innovation hub at The Peninsula, Rev1 Ventures CEO Tom Walker will transition to Executive Chairman to focus on next-generation fund strategies.
Ohio has secured a top national IT award for turning AI into a lifeline for the unemployed. By automating document processing and launching 15-language virtual assistants, the state has cut manual workloads by 50% and established a new national benchmark for digital government.
Beyond the bricks of Oxford, Miami University is anchoring its future in Cleveland. By taking over the fourth floor of CedarTech, the university is bridging the gap between campus life and the Cleveland Innovation District to scale quantum computing and healthcare talent.
With over $500B in domestic biomanufacturing investment at stake, Ohio is moving to bridge the "skills gap" that often stalls major pharma expansions. By anchoring this hub in New Albany’s existing biotech cluster, the state aims to turn a local success story into a 88-county talent engine.
Rev1 Ventures has opened Rev1 at The Peninsula, a 43,000-square-foot innovation hub in downtown Columbus. Designed for software and tech startups, the space offers Scaleup Suites and venture services to accelerate capital formation and job creation within Ohio's tech ecosystem.
Ohio tech leaders are shifting hiring priorities toward traits AI can't replicate. Beyond technical skills, they value high agency, curiosity, and written communication. As AI commoditizes hard skills, the ability to translate complexity and take ownership has become irreplaceable.
