Cincinnati's Top 10 Startups That Tech Professionals Should Watch Out For in 2024

Cincinnati's startup scene is straight-up fire right now, and us techies need to be all over it. This city's spawning rad new companies left and right, with startups raking in a whopping $800 million in venture capital funding back in 2022.

According to the Cincinnati Innovation District, this vibrant ecosystem now supports over 5,000 tech jobs and contributes a massive $1.2 billion to the local economy annually.

It's just mind-blowing!

What's fueling this explosive growth? Well, it's a perfect storm of advantages:

• Top-notch talent: Access to talent from amazing schools like the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University.
• Supportive network: A network of accelerators, incubators, and co-working spaces (shoutout to StartupCincy's Ecosystem Passport!).
• Booming healthcare: A booming healthcare and biotech industry that's birthing game-changing digital health startups.
• Affordable living: An affordable cost of living and awesome quality of life, attracting entrepreneurs and skilled workers alike.

As Robert Martin, the CEO of HCDC Inc., perfectly summed it up, "Cincinnati is quickly becoming a hub for innovation, with a diverse range of startups tackling challenges in industries like healthcare, sustainability, and enterprise software." If you're a tech pro craving exciting career opportunities or thinking about taking the entrepreneurial plunge, keeping tabs on Cincinnati's top startups could lead to some seriously dope possibilities.

When we were picking the top 10 Cincinnati startups to keep an eye on in 2024, we didn't mess around. We went all in and looked at everything from how much cash they had to how original their ideas were.

First up, the money - we checked if these startups were raking in the big bucks from investors because that shows people believe in their vision.

But it wasn't just about the Benjamins, we also looked at their potential to shake things up in their industries and if they were bringing fresh, innovative ideas to the table that could change the game.

That's what really caught our attention.

To get all the intel, we hit up every source we could - startup databases, industry reports, news articles, you name it.

We gathered all the deets on their funding rounds, market projections, patents, and any other recognition they'd scooped up. Then we scored each startup based on how well they did in the areas that really matter in tech, like funding, innovation, and potential market impact.

The ones with the highest scores? Those made our prestigious top 10 list, no questions asked. But we didn't stop there - we also ran it by the local tech gurus to make sure we hadn't missed anything important.

Only after going through this whole process did we finalize our rankings of the startups in Cincinnati that are about to blow up in a major way next year.

IncludeHealth is straight-up killing it in the digital health game! This startup from Cincy is taking things to a whole new level with their dope tech that lets patients take charge of their own care.

We're talking AI, data analytics, and user-friendly interfaces that bridge the gap between people and healthcare systems.

According to PitchBook, IncludeHealth has raised over $25.7 million in funding, including a $14 million Series B round led by Drive Capital in 2021.

They've partnered with major players like the OrthoForum Value Network, a network of over 150 orthopedic groups and 5,000 physicians across 45 states.

This partnership is set to revolutionize musculoskeletal care by expanding virtual physical therapy services.

IncludeHealth's platform is designed to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Their remote monitoring, personalized exercise plans, and seamless communication with providers are game-changers. And let's not forget their cutting-edge computer vision technology that tracks body movements for better physical therapy outcomes.

It's like having a personal trainer and physical therapist rolled into one, right from your own device.

Have you heard about 80 Acres Farms? This Cincinnati startup is straight-up changing the game when it comes to growing fresh produce.

Founded in 2015 by Mike Zelkind and Tisha Livingston, they're pioneering vertical farming tech that's both sustainable and efficient.

Their vertical farming system is like a towering beast, spanning 70,000 square feet and pumping out a mind-blowing 1 million pounds of fresh produce annually.

But here's the kicker – they use 95% less water than traditional farms and grow up to 300 times more per square foot. Talk about maximizing space and resources!

But it's not just about the tech; 80 Acres Farms is all about sustainability.

They're slashing food waste, cutting transportation emissions, and keeping it local. They recently scored a massive $160 million in Series B funding, proving that investors are betting big on their innovative approach.

With plans to expand even further, this startup is seriously shaking up the agriculture game. If you're into fresh, eco-friendly food and cutting-edge tech, 80 Acres Farms is definitely one to keep your eyes on.

Cincinnati's got this super cool startup called Astronomer, and they're like the rock stars of Apache Airflow.

Airflow is this really powerful tool for managing data workflows, but it can be a real headache to get it up and running. That's where Astronomer comes in – their platform makes it super easy to deploy, manage, and scale Airflow, so you can focus on building awesome data pipelines without all the hassle.

These guys really know their stuff when it comes to Airflow.

They've been contributing to the project since day one, and they've built this platform that streamlines the whole process. With Astronomer, you get a slick interface, monitoring tools, and security features – everything you need to unleash the full power of Airflow without breaking a sweat.

But it's not just about the tech – Astronomer is killing it on all fronts.

They've raked in over $34 million from heavy-hitters like G.V., Insight Partners, and Space Capital. And they've got big names like Udacity, Snowflake, and Slack using their platform.

And they're shaping the future of data workflows, one contribution at a time.

With their game-changing solutions, deep pockets, and community cred, Astronomer is definitely a startup that anyone in the tech game should be keeping tabs on.

These guys are taking data engineering to the next level, and they're doing it right here in Cincinnati.

Fourth on our list of Cincy's hottest startups to keep an eye on in 2024 is Enable Injections. These guys are shaking things up in the medical world with their crazy injection tech that's about to take patient care to the next level.

At the heart of their game-changing moves is the enFuse™ platform, a freaking badass injection system that combines sick needle design with automated, controlled fluid delivery.

Here's the real deal on why this tech is so fire:

• Accuracy on point: enFuse™ eliminates variability you get with manual injections, delivering doses with laser precision every single time.
• Patient experience leveled up: Their proprietary needle design and automated delivery mechanism make injections a total breeze, minimizing that dreaded pain and discomfort.
• Efficiency through the roof: Automated injections streamline the whole process, saving valuable time for healthcare pros and reducing the risk of medication mix-ups.

Enable Injections' cutting-edge solutions have been turning heads and raking in some serious cash in the medical device industry.

In 2023, they closed a massive $215 million Series C funding round, backed by heavy hitters like GCM Grosvenor and Magnetar Capital.

This huge influx of green is fueling the commercial launch of their enFuse™ platform, cementing Enable Injections as a total disruptor in the injection device game.

With a stacked intellectual property portfolio of over 150 patents, this startup is locked and loaded to drive innovations in drug delivery and medical device tech.

As Enable Injections keeps gaining traction and industry respect, it's emerging as a prime target for tech pros looking to be part of game-changing advancements in healthcare.

Check this out - Lisnr is this Cincinnati-based startup that's all about using sound waves to transmit data.

It's wild, they've got this ultra-sonic tech that lets devices communicate just by using their speakers and mics. No more messing with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, just pure vibes!

Their ultrasonic data transmission platform is being used worldwide in over 100 million devices already.

Last year, they launched a partnership with Ticketmaster to speed up event entry using their audio tech. They've raised like $35 million from big names like Intel, Visa, and Synchrony Financial who are all hyped on Lisnr's potential.

But it's not just events and payments, Lisnr's solutions cover retail, mobility, and all sorts of other use cases.

They just unveiled this insane voice control platform called Lisnr Assist that lets you control smart devices hands-free using audio commands. Companies are going crazy for it, like this one CEO who said "We are thrilled to collaborate with Lisnr and leverage their cutting-edge technology to revolutionize the way our customers interact with our products." Sounds rad, right?

With all this growth and innovation happening, Lisnr is definitely one of the top startups from Cincinnati that tech pros need to keep an eye on in 2024.

They're disrupting industries left and right with their unique data-over-sound approach. It's just the beginning for these guys!

For those keeping tabs on Cincinnati's hottest startups, Eccrine Systems is a name that can't be missed.

These trailblazers are shaking up the game with their groundbreaking tech that monitors your health through, their sweat! Pretty wild, right?

Imagine being able to track crucial biomarkers like stress levels, hydration, and even how your body responds to meds, all without a single needle prick.

That's the game-changing potential of Eccrine's aptamer-based sensor platform. As your sweat flows through their system, it interacts with specially designed DNA sequences, revealing a treasure trove of data about what's going on inside you.

But Eccrine isn't just talk – they've got the receipts to back it up.

Last year, they scored a massive $5.5 million funding round, with investors like CincyTech jumping on board.

And let's not forget their collaborations with heavy-hitters like Maxim Integrated, who are helping them take their sensor tech to new heights.

As Eccrine's CEO Barbara Garcia puts it, "We're inventing and developing sensors that could revolutionize how we optimize drug therapies." With applications spanning healthcare, sports, and even workplace safety, this startup is definitely one to keep your eye on as they continue pushing boundaries and turning sweat into a goldmine of insights.

Alright, check this out - Physna from Cincinnati is absolutely crushing it in the 3D software game. These guys are taking geometric deep learning to the next level with their solutions.

They're the cool kids on the block, shaking things up and showing how AI can revolutionize industries that rely on 3D modeling and design.

Their flagship product, Physna Geometry Kernel, is a total game-changer.

It uses advanced geometric deep learning algorithms to make 3D modeling workflows smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy. With AI doing the heavy lifting, designers and engineers can focus on being creative and innovative, instead of getting bogged down with tedious tasks.

That's not all – Physna Geometry Kernel has some seriously cool features.

It can generate, repair, and optimize 3D models, saving you time and effort. Plus, it understands the geometric relationships within models, so it can make intelligent design decisions and optimizations.

It integrates seamlessly with existing CAD ecosystems, making collaboration and data exchange a breeze across teams and software platforms.

These guys are on fire, having recently secured $6.9 million in seed funding from big players like Drive Capital and Differential Ventures.

By 2024, they're planning to expand their product offerings and partnerships, empowering more industries to tap into the power of geometric deep learning.

Physna's co-founder and CEO, David Harris, sums it up perfectly: "Our goal is to make 3D design and engineering as intuitive as possible, so professionals can focus on innovation rather than tedious manual tasks." With a vision like that and the momentum they've built, Physna is definitely a startup that tech professionals should keep a close eye on in 2024 and beyond.

Roadtrippers is the app you gotta check out for your next epic road trip! This Cincinnati-based startup is revolutionizing the way we plan trips, and it's about to be huge in 2024.

With features like AI-powered trip planning, personalized recommendations, and RV-friendly routes, Roadtrippers is making travel planning a breeze.

The app's latest update includes a game-changing AI tool called Autopilot™, which uses data from millions of trips to craft the perfect itinerary based on your preferences.

Plus, with enhanced camping and RV features, you can easily find the perfect spot to park your rig and soak in the great outdoors.

And if you're more of a city explorer, Roadtrippers has got you covered too.

Their app lets you discover hidden gems along your route, from quirky roadside attractions to local hot spots.

You can even collaborate with your friends to plan the ultimate group adventure.

According to Roadtrippers themselves, trip planning activity on their platform has skyrocketed, with a 107% increase in just one week last April.

And with features like estimated gas prices and offline maps, everyone's flocking to this app.

So, if you're ready to hit the road and make some unforgettable memories, download Roadtrippers and start planning your next adventure today.

With its cutting-edge tech and user-friendly interface, this Cincinnati startup is about to make travel planning a whole lot more exciting.

Losant is definitely a startup you wanna keep your eyes on in 2024. They're the coolest kids on the block when it comes to Internet of Things (IoT) platforms.

Their game is making it super easy for companies to build and launch smart device solutions, so tech pros can focus on innovation instead of getting bogged down with complex coding.

IoT is blowing up like crazy, and Losant is right at the center of this tech revolution.

Their platform lets you connect devices, manage data flows, and create killer apps that make the most of IoT. We're talking next-level stuff here, like integrating sensors and analytics to optimize operations, automate processes, and unlock new revenue streams.

These guys aren't messing around.

Losant has already racked up some major wins. They were named a "Cool Vendor" by Gartner in 2022, and their platform scored the IoT Evolution Product of the Year award.

Plus, they just raised $25 million to take their game to the next level. With backing like that, you know they're onto something huge.

Losant's CEO, David Smith, summed it up perfectly: "We believe the future of IoT lies in quickly and securely building, deploying, and scaling connected solutions." Their platform is built to help companies capitalize on the mind-blowing potential of IoT tech.

As the world gets more connected, startups like Losant are going to be leading the charge, so keep them locked on your radar.

Alright, you know what's been making waves in Cincy's startup scene lately? Clozd, the win-loss analysis wizards that are totally shaking up how businesses approach sales and marketing.

These guys are the real deal when it comes to helping companies gain serious insights into what's working and what's not. With Clozd's slick platform, they're leveraging some next-level data analytics to break down every aspect of the sales cycle, from lead generation to closing deals.

By meticulously analyzing win and loss data, they can spot patterns, strengths, and weaknesses that allow businesses to:

• Optimize sales processes: Optimize their sales processes to the max
• Craft effective marketing campaigns: Craft marketing campaigns that pack a serious punch
• Improve product positioning: Dial in their product positioning and messaging for maximum impact
• Data-driven decision-making: Stay ahead of the competition with data-driven decision-making

These guys have been on a roll lately.

Just last quarter, they secured a whopping $12 million in Series B funding, supercharging their product roadmap and expansion plans.

And as if that wasn't enough, they recently unveiled an AI-powered feature that automates win-loss analysis, saving sales teams a ton of time and effort. Don't just take my word for it, though.

Check out what David Garcia, a Fortune 500 sales exec, had to say:

"Clozd has been a total game-changer for us. The insights we've gained have directly led to a mind-blowing 27% increase in our win rate in just six months."

Insane, right? So, if you're looking to break into Cincy's booming tech scene (which is totally happening), Clozd is definitely one to keep an eye on.

These guys are the real deal.