Six Trailblazing Entrepreneurs to Compete for Seed Money and Services at Women’s Venture Summit 2024

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 14, 2024 — Stella Foundation proudly marks a decade of empowering female entrepreneurs through its 10th Annual Women’s Fast Pitch, a premier national competition spotlighting innovative women-led ventures. This year, six exceptional finalists have emerged from a competitive pool of 25 remarkable founders, earning their place at the prestigious Women’s Venture Summit 2024 (WVS). The finalists, selected from five regions and one wildcard, will compete at WVS in San Diego from September 25 – 27, 2024, for over $50K in grants, investments and in-kind services.

The Women’s Fast Pitch 2024 winner will receive:

• $25K in-kind legal services from Holland & Knight
• A minimum $5K grant
• A minimum $10K investment from She Invests
• And additional valuable resources!

“At Stella Foundation, we are committed to championing the innovative and transformative ventures led by women,” says Flossie Hall, CEO of Stella. “The Women’s Fast Pitch competition showcases the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit of female founders from across the nation. We are thrilled to celebrate these six remarkable finalists and look forward to witnessing their impact at the Women’s Venture Summit 2024. Their success is a testament to the power of diversity and the importance of investing in women-led businesses.”

The 2024 Women’s Fast Pitch finalists include:

• Northeast: Heather Lawver – Ceemo.Ai – Washington, DC
  Ceemo.Ai automates the creation of marketing and pitch assets a company needs to launch, sell and fundraise. It enhances the storytelling journey for startups and fosters a more equitable venture capital landscape.
• Southeast: Kimberly Evans – Just Her Rideshare – Charlotte, NC
  Just Her Rideshare, Inc. is a rideshare and community mobility company prioritizing women’s safety, comfort, and empowerment, offering women a choice in their rideshare experience.
• Midwest: Haley Marie Keith – MITO Material Solutions – Indianapolis, IN
  MITO® Material Solutions develops advanced additives for resin systems, enhancing composite components used in manufacturing across various industries such as planes, cars, trains, wind turbines – even sporting goods.
• Northwest: Janice Williams Oliver – MisTee PRO – San Jose, CA
  MisTee PRO has revolutionized hair care for curly/coily hair, using advanced steam technology to serve the needs of billions worldwide.
• Southwest: Lauren Fang – MedAssent DDS – Los Angeles, CA
  MedAssent DDS is the exclusive, dental-specific resource dedicated to streamlining medication management, enhancing patient safety, and improving practice efficiency. Through the integration of AI tools, MedAssent DDS provides a seamless, patient-centric experience by empowering dentists with instant, reliable medication insights.
• Wildcard: Joanna Shu – FreezeNit – Marblehead, MA
  FreezeNit offers an innovative solution to treatment-resistant head lice using cold carbon dioxide gas, ensuring effective and quick elimination of lice and their eggs in a single, short treatment.

The Women’s Venture Summit, now in its 11th year, is a landmark event that bridges the gap between female founders and investors. This three-day conference includes transformative workshops, panels and the pitch competition, all designed to increase female founders’ access to capital and grow the number of investors in female-led startups. Since its inception, the summit has been instrumental in facilitating over $200 million in fundraising for women-led companies. It serves to inspire, empower and equip attendees to drive significant change for women in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

About Stella Foundation:
Founded in 2012, Stella connects women founders and investors to the right resources – at the right time – in their journeys. From ideation to funding to exit, women founders and investors look to Stella for its powerful constellation of support made up of an inclusive community, curriculum, access to capital events including the annual Women’s Venture Summit, advisory services and funding opportunities. For more information, please visit https://stella.co/.

Media Contact:
Laura Henson
917-539-7812
[email protected] 

SOURCE Stella Foundation

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2024 — Actuate, a leading innovator in computer vision technology for remote video guarding, proudly announces the successful closing of an $11.5 million funding round. This investment was led by Gray Line Partners, with significant contributions from existing investors Tribeca Venture Partners, Bling Capital, Tensility Venture Partners, and Upside Partnership.

The remote video guarding industry is the fastest growing segment in the physical security industry, catalyzed by increasing waves of organized property crime and the challenges in security guard hiring. Actuate’s AI solutions are instrumental in enabling remote video guarding operations, allowing a handful of operators to effectively monitor thousands of cameras.

Nathan Varn, Vice President of Sales of Envera Systems, said, “We’ve very metrics-driven in terms of the operational efficiency of our monitoring center. Ever since we moved our cameras to Actuate, we achieved the lowest false alarm rate in company history.”

The new funding will enable Actuate to accelerate its growth, enhance its cutting-edge technology, and expand its market presence. As a trailblazer in AI-driven security solutions, Actuate leverages advanced computer vision to provide unparalleled remote monitoring and protection, ensuring safety and operational efficiency for a wide range of industries.

Eddie Kang, Managing Partner at Gray Line Partners, commented, “Actuate is making businesses and people safer. Their AI is more accurate than the competition and they have incredible trust across the ecosystem. We’re very excited to support Actuate as they continue to push the industry forward.”

Sonny Tai, CEO of Actuate, stated, “This funding is a significant milestone for Actuate. It will allow us to deepen our technical moat and scale our market share within the industry. We are excited to partner with Gray Line and our other esteemed investors to drive the next phase of our growth. With this support, we will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in video surveillance and security.”

Actuate’s platform harnesses the power of AI and computer vision to offer highly accurate, real-time monitoring and threat detection, significantly reducing the need for manual oversight. The company’s solutions are designed to enhance security protocols, minimize response times, and provide actionable insights for proactive threat management.

The investment marks a pivotal moment for Actuate as it aims to further its mission of redefining remote video guarding and establishing new benchmarks in security technology.

For more information about Actuate and its innovative solutions, please visit https://actuate.ai or contact:

About Actuate:

Actuate is a New York-based AI company specializing in computer vision software for remote video guarding. Through advanced AI and machine learning algorithms, Actuate delivers superior security solutions that enhance monitoring, threat detection, and operational efficiency across various industries.

About Gray Line Partners:

Gray Line Partners is a growth equity firm that focuses exclusively on enterprise software businesses at the early growth stage. They partner with founders that are looking to build transformative businesses that will shape industries in the decades to come.

Media Contact: Sonny Tai, [email protected] 

SOURCE Actuate

Tau Capital recently led a strategic investment in Sepio

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 13, 2024 — Sepio, the innovator of the physical layer-based asset risk management solution, ensuring customers can see, assess, and mitigate the risk of all known and shadow IT assets at any scale, today announced a new investment, extending its series B funding. The investment, led by Tau Capital, will support the growing company’s customer facing organizations needed to address an exceeding demand from tier-1 enterprises for Sepio’s solutions. It will also go toward allocating resources for Sepio’s recently introduced Hardware Detection and Response (HWDR) managed service.

Supporters of Sepio’s past significant investment rounds include U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), Hanaco Ventures, Munich RE Ventures, Merlin Ventures, Citi Ventures, Pico Partners, Standford University additional private investors. The current funding brings the current funds raised to $48 million.

“We are thrilled to have Tau Capital lead this extension round,” said Yossi Appleboum, CEO of Sepio. “Their expertise and strategic insights will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and scale our growing customer base operations and maintain our leadership in the asset risk management space.”

Appleboum continued, “This funding will allocate additional resources as we see the continued growing traction for global players across multiple verticals and territories. These organizations are instrumental in our recently formed Customer Advisory Board (CAB), providing invaluable insight and feedback, to influence and validate our exciting product roadmap.”

Tau Capital, known for its focus on transformative technology companies, sees Sepio as a key player in the cybersecurity landscape. “Sepio’s unique approach to asset risk management is critical in today’s increasingly complex and interconnected digital world,” said Andrea Mollica, Managing Director at Tau Capital. “We are excited to support Sepio’s vision and look forward to their continued success.”

Andrea continued, “I strongly believe that Sepio will continue to experience growing traction from Tier-1 customers, as prioritizing and managing asset risks is crucial for every cybersecurity plan.”

The industry analyst firm Frost & Sullivan stated, “Sepio stands out from competitors based on its commitment to innovation, creativity and ability to launch new solutions with far-reaching impact and application. Sepio’s solutions are vital for government agencies, financial institutions, critical infrastructure, managed security service providers, healthcare, manufacturing and retail. The company pairs its technology focus with customer-centric values, thus earning a solid reputation in the network access control market.”

Gartner also shared its praise of the company in its annual Cool Vendor Awards, writing “By providing enterprises with the ultimate visibility of what assets are on their network or are connected to their endpoints, Sepio empowers organizations to effectively secure networks and endpoints, significantly reducing attacks using rogue hardware to launch supply chain attacks or succumb to inside threats.”

About Sepio

Sepio provides the first hardware asset risk management platform based on device existence. The company’s solution offers customers actionable visibility, policy enforcement and mitigation capabilities, allowing them to manage their assets’ risk. The solution does not require any traffic or activity monitoring – and as such is use case and device agnostic, whether it is IT/OT/IoT or IoMT. If an asset connects to your infrastructure, Sepio will report it. At any scale, within less than 24 hours, you can see, assess and mitigate your assets’ risks, streamline your operations and strengthen your cybersecurity posture.

About Tau Capital

Tau Capital, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is a premier investment firm dedicated to fostering the growth of innovative technology companies. With a keen focus on identifying and supporting high-potential ventures, Tau Capital partners with visionary entrepreneurs to drive transformative impact and create long-term value. Tau’s strategic investments span across various sectors, including cybersecurity, spacetech, biotech, robotics, and more, reflecting a commitment to advancing cutting-edge solutions that shape the future. Leveraging deep industry expertise and a collaborative approach, Tau Capital empowers portfolio companies to scale rapidly and achieve their full potential.

Media Contact
Katie Shugars
Sepio
[email protected]
+1 (240) 660 – 8690

SOURCE Sepio

Marking the third investment in Fund III

BOSTON, Aug. 13, 2024 — Fort Point Capital, a Boston-based private equity firm, announced that it has acquired NewBold Corporation (“NewBold” or the “Company”), a leading provider of managed technology services to the quick service restaurant, retail, warehousing, and healthcare industries. Headquartered in Greenville, SC, NewBold supports point-of-sale (“POS”), automatic identification and data capture (“AIDC”), and payment device product lines, with services including on-site service response, depot repair services, technology procurement and deployment, configuration and integration, help-desk support, and payment device encryption and injection services.

“Over the past five years, Keith Howerin and the talented team at NewBold have made investments in new capabilities and executed on strategic acquisitions to build a leading technology services platform, and we are very excited to support the Company’s next phase of growth,” said Paul Lipson, Partner at Fort Point Capital. “NewBold’s reputation as the partner-of-choice for technology OEMs and multi-site enterprises with complex, mission-critical technology needs is a testament to the Company’s outstanding service record and unique expertise.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Fort Point Capital team,” stated Keith Howerin, CEO of NewBold. “This investment comes at an exciting time for NewBold – as field technology proliferates, customers are looking for a partner that can deploy, manage, and support their critical hardware assets across complex real estate footprints. Through continued investments in talent and technical capabilities, we see tremendous opportunity to expand our service suite with existing customers and support new accounts across end markets.”

“We have been extremely impressed by NewBold’s track record of growth and ability to serve customers at all stages of the technology cycle,” added Michael Duffy, Vice President at Fort Point Capital. “The Company also has a track record of expanding its commercial and technical reach through successful acquisitions, and we will seek to build on and accelerate that strategy during our partnership.”

Old Second National Bank and Brookside Mezzanine provided debt financing for the transaction. Akerman LLP and Forvis Mazars, LLP advised Fort Point Capital, while Artisan Investment Banking and Metz Lewis Brodman Must O’Keefe advised the Company.

About NewBold:

Founded in 1994, NewBold is a leading technology managed services provider, providing OEMs and multi-site enterprises with specialized deployment, integration, repair, and maintenance services for point of sale and automated identification and data capture equipment. NewBold also operates a PCI-compliant key injection facility, serving as a one-stop payment device solutions provider to end users and channel partners throughout the payments ecosystem. To learn more, please visit https://www.newboldcorp.com.

About Fort Point Capital:

Fort Point Capital, a Boston-based private equity firm, employs a management-led, growth-oriented approach to private equity investing. Since its inception in 2011, Fort Point has partnered with founders and management teams to accelerate growth, expand service offerings, access new markets, and support follow-on acquisitions. With a portfolio that reflects over 50 acquisitions, Fort Point Capital continues to deliver enduring value to its partners, employees, and shareholders. Currently, the firm is investing from FPC Small Cap Fund III. To learn more, please visit https://fortpointcapital.com/.

SOURCE Fort Point Capital

Shinkong’s contribution to the leading material science company’s facility will help expand global production capacity for its premium material made from end-of-life textiles. It builds on three years of collaboration that harnessed Ambercycle’s molecular regeneration technology and Shinkong’s extensive experience in the premium polyester market to jointly manufacture regenerated yarns and meet the growing demand for cycora® material.

“This investment signifies a crucial milestone in our endeavor to make circular materials widely available,” said Shay Sethi, Co-founder and CEO of Ambercycle. “We are excited to deepen our partnership with Shinkong. This investment enables us to scale up to meet the growing demand of our customers and push the boundaries of sustainable textile production.”

Demand for decarbonized polyester is expected to reach approximately 7 million metric tons annually in 2026, up from 5 million metric tons in 2015, as more brands seek out circular materials to reach their sustainability goals.

“Recognizing Ambercycle’s leadership in circular solutions, we are eager to support their expansion,” stated Eric Wu, Chairman at Shinkong Synthetics. “Investing in their new facility is not just a strategic move—it’s a commitment to pioneering a future with decarbonized polyester, which we see as critical to our business. This collaboration will further amplify our capacity to deliver high-performance, sustainable products to the global market.”

Ambercycle expects to commence operations at the new facility in 2026, further strengthening the partnership between both companies. This strategic expansion will significantly enhance their ability to support circularity and scale next-gen materials within the textile industry, aligning with global efforts to transition towards more decarbonized production practices. 

About Shinkong Synthetics

Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Co., Ltd. is a leader in Taiwan’s polyester industry and one of the important polyester manufacturers in the world. Founded in 1967, having more than half a century of rich experience and occupies an important position in the fields of polyester fiber, polyester granules, polyester film and engineering plastics etc.

As one of the core enterprises of Shinkong Group, Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Co. is committed to innovation and sustainable development. The company continues to invest in research and development to develop high-quality and high-value-added products, including functional fibers and environmentally friendly fibers. In recent years, having actively responded to the global sustainable development trend and vigorously promoted green manufacturing and circular economy.

In terms of environmental protection, Shinkong Synthetic Fibers Co. has invested a lot of resources to develop recycled fibers and biological polyesters, and are committed to reducing oil dependence and carbon emissions. The company also implements a strict environmental management system and strives to reduce energy consumption and waste emissions in the production process.

About Ambercycle 

Ambercycle is powering circularity in fashion. Established in 2015, this Los Angeles-based company is revolutionizing the fashion industry with its award-winning molecular regeneration technology. cycora® regenerated polyester is the company’s first premium material solution made from end-of-life textiles. Driven by the vision to improve humanity’s relationship with materials, Ambercycle is minimizing the impact of raw material extraction on our environment and paving the way to decarbonize fashion.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Ambercycle

• For the first time, Chaberton Energy makes Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list, placing No. 34, with three-year revenue growth of 7,300%.
• The Maryland-based, national solar developer is the third-fastest growing energy company on this year’s Inc. 5000 list, underscoring the company’s position as one of America’s top start-up clean energy companies after only four years since its founding.

ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 13, 2024 — Chaberton Energy today was ranked No. 34 on this year’s Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of America’s fastest growing privately held companies. This is the company’s first time being named to the list.

The Maryland-based national solar developer achieved profitability in its second year of operations and has seen 73x revenue growth since its founding in February 2020. Chaberton is the second-fastest growing company in Maryland on this year’s Inc. 5000 list and is the nation’s third-highest ranked energy company. Chaberton is also the fastest growing community solar company on the list.

“We are so humbled by the recognition from Inc. Magazine, and while we have only been in business for less than five years, this award validates all the hard work and thoughtfulness that our entire team has put into fulfilling a vision we had from the beginning,” said Stefano Ratti, Chaberton’s CEO and founder. “Our company values of creativity, excellence, and humanity formed the building blocks to this amazing growth story, and they will continue to fuel our growth well into the future.”

The Inc. 5000 class of 2024 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate is 1,637%. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three years.

Chaberton develops solar projects for businesses and for communities. These projects save money, provide access to clean energy for communities and residents who may not be able to have their own solar arrays, and support economic growth and environmental justice. The company is active in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, New Mexico and California, among others, focusing on states with supportive solar and clean energy policies.

This year the company announced that it was developing solar projects at more than 100 sites. It has gone from zero project pipeline in 2020 to 740 megawatts of electric generating capacity in just four years. That’s enough to power roughly 128,000 homes and eliminate 770,000 tons of carbon emissions each year.

Chaberton’s top-two ranking in Maryland highlights the company’s position as a leading community solar developer in its home state. As of this July, Chaberton has over 60 megawatts of community solar generating capacity completed or under development in the state.

“Chaberton is demonstrating how states with strong community solar policies can develop impactful clean energy projects that support the transition to renewables while directly helping residents,” said Erica Brinker, Chaberton’s Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer “As the world makes the necessary transition to affordable, economy-building clean energy sources, Chaberton will be here to help. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds.”

As a public benefit corporation, Chaberton has achieved its impressive growth while doing good for the communities it serves. Chaberton builds on this commitment with Chaberton Cares. Through this program, Chaberton provides direct funding to nonprofit organizations local to its solar projects. For every megawatt of new community solar capacity Chaberton develops, the company provides $5,000 per megawatt in funding to local organizations.

In 2020, Chaberton received a corporate-level investment from Greenbacker’s Development Opportunities Fund (GDEV), which makes corporate investments in sustainable infrastructure development companies. Managing director and group head of GDEV, Ben Baker shares, “We are proud to be a part of Chaberton’s story and look forward to their continued success. The discipline that led to this growth, further enabled by GDEV’s catalytic capital, is something we all should be proud of.”

About Chaberton Energy 

Headquartered in Maryland, Chaberton Energy is a public benefit corporation focused on developing sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Chaberton’s work ranges from site conception to full operations, emphasizing distributed energy, community solar, and commercial and industrial initiatives.

Chaberton deeply values the communities it serves, including employees, landowners, neighbors, customers, regulators, development partners and investors. Rooted in creativity, excellence and humanity, the Chaberton team is dedicated to creating sustainable renewable energy solutions. These projects not only support the transition to clean energy and reduce pollution, but they also benefit residents and businesses economically. Learn more at chaberton.com.

More about the Inc. 5000

Companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2020. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2023. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2020 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.

Chaberton Media Contact 
Erica Brinker
412.715.3652
[email protected]

SOURCE Chaberton Energy

CHICAGO, Aug. 13, 2024 — Livly, a leading provider of technology-driven residential management platforms, has announced the successful completion of a third investment round. The $10M in funding will support several new initiatives designed to increase net operating income for developers, property operators, and third-party property management companies.

“We’re committed to delivering unparalleled value and return on investment by providing a highly engaged platform that enhances the quality of life for all stakeholders in multifamily properties,” stated CEO Alex Samoylovich. “This new round of funding will enable us to expand our market presence further and develop innovative products and services that deliver even greater value to residents, property owners, and operators.”

The investment will fuel Livly’s expansion into new markets and support the development of cutting-edge technology solutions to enrich resident experiences and optimize property management processes. Anticipated enhancements include increased access and IoT integrations and expanded AI functionality in maintenance, touring, and sentiment analysis.

“We are thrilled to receive robust support for our vision and validation of our original hypothesis from both institutional and strategic investors,” remarked Executive Chairman Brian Duggan. “This funding solidifies Livly’s position as a leader in the prop-tech industry and will enable us to continue delivering innovative solutions that set new standards for the multifamily housing sector.”

Livly’s advanced apartment technology offers a modern and user-friendly alternative to traditional prop-tech offerings within the industry. Through Livly’s platform and app, property operators can seamlessly manage community events, resident communication, maintenance requests, package deliveries, rent payments, and amenity reservations—all within a centralized digital hub. Additionally, Livly’s portfolio management capabilities, AI-powered Maintenance assistant, and advanced analytics for renewal predictor scores and overall sentiment provide valuable insights and efficiencies to enhance operational performance.

About Livly, Inc.

Founded in 2017, Livly has built the first enterprise-grade resident operating system combining both technology and services which acts as the connective tissue within resident communities and an intuitive remote-control to apartment living. Livly’s suite of mobile and web applications offer a one-app solution for property management teams and residents to deliver an improved resident experience, streamline building operations, and increase property NOI. For more information, please visit Livly’s website at www.livly.io.

SOURCE Livly

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 13, 2024 — Today PayZen, a technology company tackling healthcare affordability with AI-powered solutions, announced an oversubscribed Series B, led by NEA, with full participation from existing investors including 7wireVentures, SignalFire, Viola Ventures, and others. The round includes $32M Equity and a new $200M credit warehouse from Viola Credit and a syndicate of insurance companies. This additional credit facility will support its continued rapid growth and market expansion.

Leveraging proprietary AI/ML models, automation, and seamless integration into EMR/EHR systems, PayZen simplifies the patient payment process for health systems while making it easier for millions of patients to access and afford the care they need. Specifically, its award-winning, data-driven, personalized payment plans ease the financial burden for patients while improving financial results for health systems. PayZen has spearheaded a culture of innovation and high-quality delivery in the Revenue Cycle Management market, challenging the status quo that has left many patients unable to afford care and has exacerbated the friction and administrative burden on healthcare providers.

Over the last 2 years, PayZen has consistently achieved a remarkable 6x YoY growth. It also boasts 100% customer retention and 132% net retention. PayZen aims to continue this momentum into the second half of 2024, bringing its affordable, customized healthcare payment options to even more Americans and introducing new AI-driven solutions that further address the affordability needs of patients.

“This latest round is the next step in our journey to remove financial barriers to care for patients,” says Itzik Cohen, CEO & Co-Founder at PayZen. “We are honored to have found partners in both our investors and our health systems network that share the same vision for the future. This milestone, marked by a highly competitive and oversubscribed round, positions us to continue perfecting our platform and bridge healthcare’s financial gap for good.”

In conjunction with the financing, Mohamad Makhzoumi, Co-CEO, NEA, will be joining PayZen’s Board of Directors. Makhzoumi has more than two decades of experience at NEA, partnering with transformative healthcare startups across all stages of company-building.

“Healthcare affordability is an enormous pain point for patients and providers in the U.S.,” says Makhzoumi. “We believe PayZen’s AI-enabled platform is a category leader, as evidenced by the company’s explosive traction in the past year and ability to disrupt a market that’s been historically difficult to address. Itzik and the PayZen team are driving positive change in healthcare payments, and we’re thrilled to partner with them on this next phase of growth and expansion.”

About PayZen
PayZen is a mission-driven healthcare fintech company that is solving the growing patient payment responsibility problem with superior technology and a modern approach. PayZen is backed by leading equity and credit capital investors and is led by proven technology veterans with a successful track record of helping millions of Americans overcome financial struggles. To learn more about PayZen, please visit https://payzen.com.

Contact
Kathy Osborne
[email protected] 

SOURCE PayZen

CLEVELAND, Aug. 13, 2024 — Ohio VC Fest, the state’s leading venture capital event, will take place September 17-18, 2024, at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Hosted by JumpStart and JumpStart Ventures, this annual two-day event will bring together over 500 startups, investors, industry leaders and policymakers.

“Ohio VC Fest is a place where visionary ideas evolve into successful businesses simply by pulling the right people together,” said Julie Jacono, CEO of JumpStart and JumpStart Ventures. “This summit brings together the change makers needed to boost Ohio’s startup scene. It’s about making real connections and empowering entrepreneurs to thrive.”

Showcasing Ohio as a premier destination for tech startups and venture capital investments, Ohio VC Fest features curated one-on-one meetings, expert sessions and networking opportunities to spark meaningful connections.

The summit promises to infuse new capital into the state to accelerate VC investment, drawing over 75 venture investors representing more than $1B under management to Cleveland. This premier event will create opportunities for Ohio-based startups to build valuable partnerships with top firms from the coasts and the Midwest, including Advantage Capital, Fulcrum Equity Partners, and Edison Partners.

Ohio VC Fest ’24 is presented by Cyrannus, a trailblazing venture capital disruptor offering the first AI-powered platform utilizing industry experts to rapidly evaluate promising seed-stage startups at scale, delivering a safe harbor and liquidity to investors. During the two-day event, Cyrannus will award a $40K investment to one Ohio-based company and provide $10K in non-dilutive capital to another deserving startup.

Ohio VC Fest ’24 will include over six hours of Venture Connection meetings across two days. Founders, investors and corporates will be matched based on fit, delivering targeted elevator pitches and co-investment opportunities.

In addition to the matchmaking sessions, Ohio VC Fest offers a diverse program of workshops and panels where industry thought leaders can share insights and inspire new ideas. This year, the event also boasts an expanded demo hall, with 30 Ohio-based tech startups selected through a rigorous screening process showcasing health tech, software, hard tech and sports tech innovations.

This event is possible thanks to sponsors, including Thompson Hine, JobsOhio, Big Kitty Labs, Rev1 Ventures, Cleveland Clinic, Silverline Consulting and many others. Registration is now open. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit OhioVCFest.com.

About JumpStart
JumpStart is a nationally recognized venture development organization that provides capital, services and connections to help entrepreneurs grow. In 2024, JumpStart celebrates 20 years of empowering entrepreneurs and driving regional economic impact through its comprehensive support services and investments across Ohio. To learn more, visit jumpstartinc.org.

About JumpStart Ventures
JumpStart Ventures is a division of JumpStart investing in Seed and Series A-stage technology startups throughout Ohio and beyond. With four investment funds under management, the organization provides a continuum of capital to startup founders as they move through critical growth phases. To learn more, visit JumpStart.VC.

SOURCE JumpStart Inc.