Ohio’s tech hub transformation is on everyone’s radar. And, thanks to the concentrated efforts of academic institutions and both federal and state initiatives, the state of Ohio is a hotbed of innovation and advancements that reshape the state—and the world.

Ohio Tech Day 2024 officially kicked off at C-TEC of Licking County on Wednesday with an event designed to inspire students and educators to explore future career opportunities in tech and skilled trades. The statewide launch event, organized by OhioX, Meta’s New Albany Data Center, at C-TEC marked the first Ohio visit from the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop, a national nonprofit that provides hands-on experiences with cutting-edge technology and trade skills.

Ohio’s High School Tech Internship program, spearheaded by Lt. Governor Jon Husted, saw nearly 1,000 students from 250 schools gain hands-on tech experience in 2024—a near doubling from last year. This initiative connects young talent with tech roles in software, cybersecurity, and broadband, building the state’s future workforce. Applications for 2025 program intermediaries, who help coordinate internships regionally, are now open.

Cincinnati takes center stage this week as Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit kicks off, celebrating Ohio’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and talent. Brought to the Buckeye State by JobsOhio, the event is set to showcase a new generation of entrepreneurs, disruptors, and leaders from diverse industries. Young leaders from across the country will gather in the Queen City to network, collaborate, and celebrate their impact across sectors like tech, finance, healthcare, and social impact.

Tech enthusiasts and innovators are set to descend on Cleveland for one of tech’s biggest celebrations of the year tomorrow night. The Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) 18th Annual Best of Tech Day will transform Cleveland Browns Stadium into a hub of innovation, featuring cutting-edge leaders in HealthTech, AI, and more. From a spotlight interview with tech unicorn Steve Potash to over 25 partner showcases, this year’s event is a celebration of the visionaries shaping Greater Cleveland’s tech future.

The Ohio State University has been awarded $26 million in federal funding to begin natural rubber production in the U.S. and enhance workforce development to support the industry. The National Science Foundation announced funding for the creation of the Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security” (TARDISS) Engineering Research Center (ERC).

A new TechCred application round is now open. This latest round of the state program that helps businesses address their workforce needs by upskilling current and prospective employees is open through September 30th. TechCred program provides funding to businesses of all sizes and from any industry eligible for up to $30,000 per round and up to $180,000 per year to upskill employees.

Columbus AI Week, a three-day event dedicated to exploring and advancing artificial intelligence in the Greater Columbus area, kicked off yesterday with attendees from across the region. Organizers call it the ‘open-sourced, un-conference’ on all things AI.

Columbus-based Doohickey AI has raised $500,000 from Drive Capital to build a conversational, low-code platform powered by generative Al to help companies quickly and seamlessly integrate technology systems. 

In a region with a proud history of innovation, Baiju Shah is steering Greater Cleveland toward a future of even greater possibilities. As the President and CEO of the nation’s largest regional chamber of commerce, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Shah brings a deep-rooted connection to the region and a wealth of experience in tech and innovation to his leadership. In this exclusive Q&A with OhioTechNews.com, Shah delves into how technology and innovation are woven into the fabric of Cleveland's economy and why he believes the region is primed to lead in the clean tech revolution.

The Department of Radiology at University Hospitals (UH) was recently recognized as a leader for its use of artificial intelligence (AI). The American College of Radiology’s® Recognized Center for Healthcare-AI (ARCH-AI) is the first national AI quality assurance program for radiology facilities. The ACR recently issued this “seal of approval” for the UH Department of Radiology.

The Greater Akron Polymer Industry Cluster has been named Ohio’s third applicant to receive an award from Ohio’s Innovation Hubs Program. Funding from the program is anticipated to lead to nearly 2,400 new jobs in the Akron area, 500 new STEM credentials, and $68 million of additional investment in the polymer industry.

Power to Hydrogen, a leader in advanced electrolysis technologies for the production of green hydrogen, has raised over $18 million in a Series A funding round led by Rev1 Ventures and Worthington Enterprises. The funding will support Power to Hydrogen's global expansion through R&D, manufacturing, sales, and marketing.

This past week, the Cleveland Clinic announced its partnership with Sports Data Labs, Inc. (SDL). SDL is a leader in AI-based collection, analysis, and distribution of real-time human data. Their aim of the partnership is to create the largest compilation of sports health data. It's just the latest in efforts that are building towards making Cleveland and Ohio a leading SportsTech hub.

Blockchain and cryptocurrency are not just buzzwords; they are tools with the potential to democratize access to financial services, secure personal data, and create transparent systems. These technologies can address the systemic barriers that have historically excluded marginalized communities from full participation in the tech industry and broader economic opportunities, writes Doug McCollough, Founder and CEO of Color Coded Labs.

As we have seen recently with the city of Columbus and Cleveland, no local government is immune from the threat of cyberattacks. Now, Ohio is taking a proactive step in safeguarding its local governments against these ever-evolving cyber threats. Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted have announced a $7 million grant program through CyberOhio, aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity infrastructure of local government entities across the state.

Announced this week, Ohio's second innovation hub, Dayton's onMain Innovation Hub, will serve as a center for collaboration among the Dayton region’s government, academia, and private industry leaders.

A new trade group is helping to connect venture capital professionals in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes Venture Capital Association (GLVCA) announced its launch in August as a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering VC firms and supporting a thriving network.

NeuroTherapia, Inc., a clinical-stage company and Cleveland Clinic Innovations portfolio company, has raised $12.3 million in a Series B funding round led by Cleveland Clinic. The company, which focuses on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, is using the funding primarily for the continued clinical development of NTRX-07, an orally available cannabinoid receptor agonist, for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The Midwest Pediatric Device Consortium (MPDC) fall grant cycle is now open and includes an initial application due August 31, 2024. In this cycle, applicants can request grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. Most awards will be between $10,000 and $50,000.