Ohio Life Sciences (OLS), the industry trade association for biotechnology and life sciences organizations in Ohio, delivered a $250,000 gift to Columbus State Community College to create the Ohio Life Sciences Biotech Bootcamp in an effort to build a vibrant workforce.

If you’re a tech pro in Ohio, you know the importance of great coffee—whether it’s the fuel for early mornings, late nights, or a quick break between coding sessions. But instead of heading to the usual chains, we’re showcasing something better: the local gems. We’ve gathered some favorite spots from tech pros across the state. These local coffee shops not only serve good drinks but also are the place you’ll see working, meeting, and building something new.

Microsoft is investing $1 billion as part of a first phase of data center development into Central Ohio, One Columbus announced this week. Located in New Albany, Heath, and Hebron, these data centers will support Microsoft’s global cloud infrastructure, expanding capacity for Azure cloud services to meet growing demands in digital services and data storage.

A fresh round of funding is now available to help bring groundbreaking technologies from research labs to the global marketplace. The Ohio Department of Development's Technology Validation and Start-Up Fund (TVSF) is offering Phase 2 awards of up to $200,000 per project.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has continued its efforts to empower the next generation of female scientists and engineers by hosting its AWS Girls’ Tech Day for female students in central Ohio. The annual event took place as the region’s economy continues to diversify with a variety of high-tech, digital-focused industries even as women remain underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). 

The Ohio Third Frontier Commission has just approved nearly $6.5 million in grants to accelerate groundbreaking technologies across the state. This funding round supports 15 innovative projects through the Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF), targeting advances in healthcare, artificial intelligence, military applications, and more.

More than 100 Ohio business CEOs and tech leaders have come together to advocate for computer science education through the newly launched “Ohio for Computer Science” initiative. Spearheaded by OhioX, the group released an open letter urging state policymakers to make computer science a priority in K-12 education.

Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC), North America's leading automotive research organization, has taken a significant step forward in enhancing highway safety and passenger protection. The center recently broke ground on a new 66,000-square-foot Impact Laboratory at its East Liberty campus, marking a new era in automotive testing and development.

Cybersecurity is a major concern for both public and private sector leaders across Ohio, and as cyber threats increase, so, too, does the need for organizations to prepare and respond accordingly. We chatted recently with two cybersecurity leaders, Kirk Hearth of the State of Ohio and Dan Poliquin from Deloitte & Touche, LLP, who have experience helping local governments prepare for cyber threats, and discussed some of the resources available to help agency leaders and IT workers build up their cyber defenses. 

In a significant boost to Columbus's growing reputation as a hub for healthcare technology, Gifthealth has announced a major expansion that will create 751 new jobs in the region. This exciting development, approved by the Columbus City Council on October 8, 2024, marks a new chapter for the innovative online pharmacy company and underscores Ohio's appeal to forward-thinking tech firms.

Augment Therapy is teaming up with Niantic, creators of popular augmented reality (AR) games like Pokémon GO and Peridot, to transform physical rehabilitation. The collaboration integrates Niantic’s beloved virtual pets, called "Dots," into therapeutic exercises, offering patients a fun and engaging way to improve mobility.

Path Robotics, a Columbus-based AI-powered robotic welding startup, has raised a $100 million Series D fundraising round led by Matter Venture Partners and Drive Capital. The investment will accelerate Path’s mission to revolutionize the manufacturing industry by addressing labor shortages and advancing autonomous welding solutions.

The second annual Ohio VC Fest is in the books and has set new records by drawing over 700 attendees from 6 countries and 27 states. Hosted by JumpStart and JumpStart Ventures, the two-day gathering was held on September 17th and 18th in downtown Cleveland. The event’s growth reflects Ohio’s growing opportunity in the national tech scene, with founders, investors, and corporate leaders connecting to drive innovation and economic growth.

Microsoft continues its investment in Ohio, announcing plans to build a $420 million data center in New Albany. This news bolsters the state’s role in the tech giant’s growing cloud computing infrastructure and reinforces Ohio’s status as a technology and data hub. Yesterday, the New Albany City Council approved a resolution for Microsoft to proceed with the construction of a new data center at the New Albany International Business Park.

Toledo’s Inner Peak AI is on the forefront of delivering real-time access to mental health services for school- and college-age with its revolutionary AI model. The platform uses artificial intelligence to provide students with on-demand resources created by licensed therapists at a fraction of the cost of traditional in-person therapy sessions.

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.