Entrepreneurship has a substantial impact in Ohio and throughout Postindustrial America, driving job creation and empowering local economies.
First, some exciting announcements!
Cincinnati and Dayton are scheduled to showcase entrepreneurship with their annual Startup Weeks in October and September, respectively.
These are multi-day events that celebrate and support the region’s growing startup ecosystems, serving as catalysts for connection, collaboration, and economic growth. These events demonstrate how cities in the Postindustrial Midwest are investing in the future through entrepreneurship.
StartupCincy Week
What initially began as a grassroots effort to showcase and connect local business founders, StartupCincy Week (SUCW) has evolved into a nationally recognized event that attracts a diverse range of people and organizations associated with entrepreneurship and innovation.
Organized by Cintrifuse, a venture-backed organization that supports high-potential local startups, StartupCincy Week is designed to educate and connect founders and business owners.
The event empowers venture capitalists and other investors to engage with company founders and small business owners, identifying opportunities to help them grow. Additionally, major corporations like Kroger and Procter & Gamble send buyers to SUCW to discover new brands that could serve their customers.
The event also allows students at local colleges, especially those studying entrepreneurship and business, to volunteer, work with event organizers, and network with local business owners.
Additionally, members of the entrepreneurial support ecosystem, including accelerators, coaches, and consultants, attend the event, lead workshops, and participate in panels.
Now in its eighth year, StartupCincy Week boasts impressive stats. In 2024, organizers hosted over 1,000 attendees across 80 sessions, featuring workshops, panel discussions, keynotes, and networking opportunities, and showcased more than 120 founders.
Moreover, 35% of attendees traveled to Cincinnati from outside the region, many of them investors. With most of these investors based on the coasts, the event offers a valuable opportunity to highlight investable ideas and founders from Middle America.
Nikki Boehmker, Executive Director of Cintrifuse, said, “We can’t wait for the energy this week brings, but more importantly, we’re excited about the outcomes. It’s time for Cincinnati to get loud about the support, capital, and pathways we offer high-growth founders.” This October, Cintrifuse anticipates welcoming over 1,500 innovators from across the country to experience Cincinnati’s vibrant startup scene.
Dayton Startup Week
Dayton, Ohio, has launched a similar initiative aimed at connecting and supporting entrepreneurs and startup founders in the Dayton region. Dayton Startup Week, produced by Launch Dayton and the Entrepreneurs’ Center, is now in its 10th year.
While smaller than Cincinnati’s event, Dayton Startup Week has a dramatic impact on the city.
Leslie Klenke, Director of Marketing for the Entrepreneurs’ Center, explained, “Over the years, thousands of entrepreneurs have used this platform to launch ideas, build meaningful connections, and take their next big step. The ripple effect is real—new businesses, new jobs, and a stronger local economy rooted in innovation and collaboration. Startup Week proves that when we invest in our entrepreneurs, we invest in Dayton’s future.”
The event occurs at Dayton’s iconic and historic The Arcade Innovation Hub. Built in the early 1900s as a center for commerce, a partnership between the University of Dayton and the Entrepreneurs’ Center brought The Arcade back to life after it was shuttered for 30 years.
Today, the Hub is the largest university-anchored innovation center in the country, housing over 180 small businesses and support organizations, and hosting more than 550 students from the University of Dayton and Sinclair College every semester.
In 2024, Dayton Startup Week brought together more than 400 founders, funders, educators, and supporters to learn from one another, network, and share resources. This September’s event will feature workshops, talks, and other activities designed to support founders across various fields, including technology, services, retail, food and beverage, and more.
Replicating Startup Week Success
In Postindustrial America, many other communities prioritize supporting entrepreneurs. The organizers of StartupCincy Week and Dayton Startup Week shared key insights into the success behind their events.
- Timeline: Planning takes a full year. Both cities begin by soliciting program ideas from founders, support organizations, and other stakeholders. Organizing teams then create the roster of educational and networking events.
- Team: According to Emma O’Dell, Marketing & Communications Manager for Cintrifuse, “It’s a significant team effort from event logistics to content coordination,” with over 30 staff and volunteers who support planning and event execution.
- Revenue: Sponsorships are the primary source of funding. StartupCincy Week is a ticketed event, while Dayton Startup Week is free. Merchandise sales offer a small additional revenue stream.
- Investors: Attracting venture capital and angel investors is a critical element for the success of these events. Connecting founders with the money they need to grow is a primary goal of Cintrifuse and the Entrepreneurs’ Center.
The Impact of Entrepreneurship
Why this heavy focus on early-stage entrepreneurs? The economic impact of startups is significant.
- Job creation: Over the past five years, more than 8,700 jobs have been created by startups in the Cincinnati region.
- Economic impact: The startups and small businesses supported by the Entrepreneurs’ Center surpassed one billion dollars in revenue in 2024.
- Financial empowerment: These entrepreneurs aren’t waiting for jobs; they are creating their own companies, allowing them to build wealth on their terms and create employment opportunities for others in their communities.
Bottom Line: Startup Weeks, such as those in Cincinnati and Dayton, are impactful and empowering platforms for launching ideas, building connections, and fueling local economies. By investing in entrepreneurs, these cities are investing in their long-term economic growth.
