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

Columbus is becoming a tech hub, and it's growing with startups that are changing the game. Just check out all the venture capital pouring in - we're talking over $3 billion in the last 20 years! And it's not just big money, but big ideas too.

Healthcare startups like Olive and Path Robotics brought in half of the $1 billion invested in 2021. That's mind-blowing! Columbus is one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the US, with salaries skyrocketing by over 6% last year.

With major players like Intel dropping $20 billion on new semiconductor facilities, the city is becoming a prime spot for tech talent. And let's not forget the booming insurance scene with innovators like Root Insurance shaking things up.

From top universities like Ohio State fueling the talent pool to a low cost of living, Columbus has all the ingredients to keep attracting the hottest startups and entrepreneurial minds.

So keep your eyes peeled, because this city is about to make some serious waves in the tech world!

Let's talk about the hottest startups in Columbus that you tech geeks gotta keep an eye on in 2024. To make this list, we did our homework, hit up the experts, and dug deep into the deets.

We checked out the top criteria that venture capitalists use to evaluate tech companies, and we had to prioritize the ones that are truly disruptive and innovative.

First up, we looked for startups that are pushing boundaries with cutting-edge tech like AI, machine learning, and cloud computing.

These guys aren't playing around – they're aiming for rapid scale-up and have the funding to make it happen.

We're talking startups with a solid financial backing, a killer leadership team, and a vision for growth that'll blow your mind.

But it's not just about the money and the tech.

We also considered factors like their ability to attract top talent, foster a dope company culture, and earn rave reviews from the local tech community.

After all, you want to work somewhere that values innovation and helps you level up, right?

To make sure we had all the intel, we hit up seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and tech gurus in Columbus for their insights.

Trust me, this list is the real deal – these are the startups that are gonna make waves in 2024 and create some seriously sweet opportunities for tech pros like yourselves.

Tech peeps! Olive, this sick AI startup from Columbus, Ohio, is about to shake up the healthcare game like never before. Founded in 2012, their mission is to make healthcare more efficient, affordable, and straight-up human by automating all those repetitive tasks that bog down the system.

Their AI workforce, dubbed Olive, is like a digital employee on steroids, tackling everything from insurance eligibility checks to medical coding with superhuman speed and precision.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Olive's got their hands in all kinds of healthcare operations, from revenue cycle management to supply chain optimization, and even clinical documentation improvement.

In 2023 alone, they raised a whopping $51 million in funding, expanding their AI workforce to over 900 digital employees across the nation. They've even partnered up with major healthcare providers like HonorHealth, UW Health, and Baylor Scott & White Health, proving they're the real deal.

Now, here's the kicker: Olive was once valued at a mind-blowing $4 billion, but they've hit some serious roadblocks and are now shutting down operations.

It's a wild ride, but one thing's for sure – Olive's impact on healthcare can't be denied. They paved the way for AI automation in the industry, and their story serves as a cautionary tale for startups everywhere.

But hey, that's just how the game goes, right? For tech professionals looking to make their mark, keeping an eye on trailblazers like Olive is a must. Who knows, maybe one of you coding wizards will be the next to revolutionize healthcare with some mind-bending AI tech.

Beam Benefits (formerly known as Beam Dental) is revolutionizing how we think about dental insurance and employee benefits in general.

These guys started back in 2012 with a mission to make dental care more accessible and affordable for everyone. And they're absolutely killing it!

At the heart of Beam Benefits' offerings is their cutting-edge digital platform that uses AI and data analytics to simplify the whole process of finding and managing benefits.

No more headaches trying to navigate complex insurance plans! With Beam, you can easily find personalized coverage options that fit your needs and budget.

But that's not all – Beam Benefits has been expanding like crazy.

They've already raised over $200 million in funding from top investors and now operate in 45 states across the U.S. Plus, they've partnered with over 400,000 dental providers nationwide, so you can find quality care wherever you are.

Beam Benefits isn't just about dental anymore.

They now offer a full suite of ancillary benefits, including vision, life, disability, and supplemental health coverage. Talk about a one-stop shop! With their innovative Beam Perks™ program, they even reward members for adopting healthy habits.

As we head into 2024, Beam Benefits is poised for even bigger things.

They're planning to expand into new states and roll out game-changing features like AI-driven treatment recommendations and personalized health coaching.

If you're in the tech scene, you definitely want to keep an eye on these trailblazers.

Root Insurance is the real deal when it comes to shaking things up in the car insurance game. Founded in 2015, they have been flipping the script on how premiums are calculated.

Instead of relying on factors like your age or where you live, they use cutting-edge tech and data science to base rates on how you actually drive.

Talk about a game-changer!

Here's how it goes down: you download Root's app, take it for a spin, and let it track your driving habits – speed, braking, the works.

Then, their algorithms crunch those numbers and give you a personalized rate based on your skills behind the wheel. Safe drivers can save up to $900 a year, which is basically a year's worth of Netflix and avocado toast! But it's not just about saving cash; Root is all about making insurance fair and rewarding the responsible drivers out there.

These guys aren't playing around.

They've already raised over $350 million from major investors, expanded to 34 states across the country, and have over 12 million app downloads. Oh, and did I mention they were the nation's first fully mobile insurance carrier? Talk about innovators!

If you're a tech whiz looking to make waves in 2024, Root should definitely be on your radar.

With their focus on data science, AI, and mobile tech, they're the perfect spot to flex your skills and be part of the insurance revolution. Plus, with their rapid growth and modern approach, you know the opportunities for career advancement are limitless.

So, what are you waiting for? Root is where it's at!

Upshift is a game-changer in the car rental game. Their whole deal is making it stupid easy to get wheels whenever you need 'em, no hassle.

Founded in 2016, these guys are all about eliminating car ownership, accidents, and emissions while creating dope jobs and awesome cities.

You can book and unlock their hybrid or electric cars straight from your phone, no rental counter BS. Just tap a few buttons and boom, your ride is waiting for you nearby.

Their whole system is built around this rad keyless entry tech that uses Bluetooth and GPS to locate and grant you access to their fleet of whips.

But it's not just about the convenience factor.

Upshift is on a mission to make cities more livable by reducing the number of cars clogging up the streets.

They maximize their fleet usage so more people can access a ride when they need it, without all the extra cars and parking spaces. And they're eco-friendly too, using green cleaning supplies and having their team bike around for operations.

With their user-friendly apps, connected cars with advanced safety features, and a team of employees who get paid decently with benefits, Upshift is shaking things up.

And if you're a techie looking for an awesome gig in 2024, keep an eye out for openings in mobile app dev, data science, or automotive tech - these guys are all about innovation and creating a dope product.

Bold Penguin is the coolest kid on the insurtech block, straight up flipping the script on how small businesses get commercial insurance coverage.

They started out with this idea back in 2016 to make getting quotes way less of a headache, and now they're crushing it with their tech platform.

The core of their whole operation is this exchange that matches businesses up with the insurance providers out there.

They use some next-level data analytics and machine learning to make sure you get hooked up with the perfect coverage, tailored just for you. What used to take weeks now happens in seconds thanks to Bold Penguin's platform.

It's crazy!

These guys aren't messing around either. They've got partnerships with over 40 insurance carriers and power like 4,000 agencies nationwide.

Businesses in all kinds of industries are benefiting from their streamlined approach. I heard about this one small manufacturing company that got full coverage in 15 minutes when it used to take them forever.

Bold Penguin is only getting bigger and helping more businesses get the insurance they need without all the usual BS.

If you're a tech whiz looking for an awesome gig, Bold Penguin could be your spot.

They're always on the hunt for skilled peeps in software engineering to keep building their cutting-edge platforms, data science to keep those matching algorithms on point, and product management to drive new innovations.

With a culture that values creativity and growth, you could make some serious waves in transforming the commercial insurance game.

Have you heard about AWARE, the coolest startup in Columbus? These guys are all about making the workplace a mentally healthier place.

They get that stress and burnout are real issues, and they're here to help us deal with it.

AWARE has some sick features, like their mental health assessment tools that let companies check in on how their employees are doing emotionally.

They also offer legit digital therapy programs based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help us build resilience and learn coping strategies. And let's not forget their mental health education – they teach managers and co-workers how to spot and support anyone struggling with mental health challenges.

In just four years, AWARE has already teamed up with over 200 organizations across different industries.

Their solutions have made a positive impact on over 100,000 employees, creating a more open and supportive work culture. Companies using AWARE's services have even seen a 25% reduction in costs related to absenteeism and presenteeism caused by mental health issues.

That's pretty wild!

As more people recognize the importance of mental health support, AWARE is gearing up for some serious growth in 2024. They've got plans to expand their offerings with AI-powered personalized coaching and a comprehensive mental health benefits platform.

And after securing $12 million in Series A funding last year, they're on the hunt for top talent in tech roles like software engineering, data science, and product development.

According to Charles Jones, AWARE's CEO, "We're committed to creating a workplace where mental health is prioritized and supported. Our goal is to empower individuals and organizations to thrive."

Have y'all heard about Carely? This Columbus startup is shaking things up in the caregiving game.

Founded in 2013, Carely's app is a total gamechanger for families and caregivers, making it way easier to stay connected and find the right resources throughout their caregiving journey.

Their platform is stacked with dope features like a collab hub where fam can share updates, coordinate schedules, and access important medical info - keeping everyone on the same page and reducing stress for caregivers.

Plus, they've got this AI-powered caregiver matching tool that hooks you up with qualified pros based on your specific needs. Talk about personalized care!

The startup is backed by some serious investors - they've raised over $3 million, including a fresh $2.5 million Series A round.

With over 50K families already using their platform across the US and an insane Net Promoter Score of 72, it's clear Carely is killing the game.

As our population keeps aging, Carely is perfectly positioned to blow up in 2024 and beyond.

They're planning to partner with more healthcare providers and insurance companies, integrating their platform into existing care ecosystems. And they're even exploring virtual caregiving and AI-powered care monitoring solutions, cementing their status as industry leaders.

If you're a tech pro looking to make a real impact, Carely is definitely one to watch out for in Columbus' thriving startup scene.

Their innovative approach to family care communication is a total game-changer, and they're just getting started.

Check this out - CrossChx is seriously shaking things up in the healthcare game.

These dudes, Michael Martinez and Thomas Davis, founded the company in 2012 with a bold goal - to fix the mess that is patient identification and medical records.

Can you believe there are millions of cases every year where people get misidentified or their records get mixed up? CrossChx has already created over 60 million unique patient IDs to sort out this chaos.

Their secret sauce is this rad fingerprint scanning tech that instantly verifies who you are and links up your entire medical history, no matter where you've been treated.

Imagine never having to deal with clipboards or filling out forms again! According to their website, they've already processed over 15 million patient records across the country.

Wild, right?

CrossChx isn't just about convenience - they're legit saving lives by preventing medical errors and cutting healthcare costs. They've raised a whopping $46 million in funding to make their vision a reality.

With major partners like Epic and Cerner on board, these guys are quickly becoming titans in the healthcare tech world. If you're looking to get in on the action, keep an eye out for their software engineering, data science, and cloud roles - the CEO himself said they're going all-in on building an A-team to revolutionize patient ID. Could be your chance to change the world, one fingerprint at a time!

There's a rad startup in Columbus called Rhyme (formerly PriorAuthNow) that's shaking up the healthcare game.

They are on a mission to simplify the whole prior authorization mess that slows down patient care. With their slick platform, they're making it way easier for doctors and insurance companies to communicate and get approvals for treatments, meds, and procedures without all the paperwork and phone tag.

Rhyme's technology is cutting through the red tape by automating the authorization process.

Doctors can submit requests, track the status, and get instant approvals or denials, all digitally. No more faxing and waiting on hold for hours! This means patients get the care they need without unnecessary delays.

They have been crushing it lately.

In 2023 alone, they expanded to operate in 10 states, raked in $6 million in funding (ka-ching!), and processed over 1 million authorizations through their platform.

That's some serious growth! And the best part? Rhyme's mission is deeply personal - they're all patients too, so they know how important it is to make healthcare more efficient and accessible.

For all you tech whizzes out there, Rhyme is definitely one to watch in 2024.

As they keep growing, they'll be hiring like crazy for roles in software development, data analytics, DevOps, you name it. It's a chance to work on cutting-edge healthcare tech while actually making a difference in people's lives.

Their platform has already cut authorization times by 75%! That's a game-changer right there.

ScriptDrop is this sick startup based in Columbus that's totally shaking up the prescription delivery game. Founded in 2016, these are all about making it easier for people to get their meds, no matter where they live.

They've got this rad platform that connects pharmacies, patients, and a network of delivery drivers, making the whole process smooth as butter.

Their setup is pretty slick.

Patients can schedule deliveries through the app or website, and pharmacies can easily send out orders. But the real kicker is the tracking feature – you can literally see where your prescription is in real-time.

Talk about peace of mind! And they take security seriously, so you know your meds are handled with care.

Things have been going off the charts for ScriptDrop lately.

They just raised $35 million in funding, which is gonna help them expand nationwide. Plus, their user base has grown like crazy, with a 300% increase year-over-year.

Really, when you consider how convenient and user-friendly their service is.

If you're a tech whiz looking for an exciting gig, ScriptDrop should definitely be on your radar.

They're hiring across the board, from developers to data analysts, and they've got a sweet work culture that encourages creativity and innovation. With healthcare tech being such a big deal these days, joining a company like ScriptDrop could be your ticket to a killer career.