Companies founded by University of Cincinnati alumni and graduates of UC's Venture Lab program are among the startups to watch in 2024, as identified by Cincy Inno.
Cincy Inno highlighted 24 Cincinnati startups in its sixth annual Startups to Watch list. Each of the startups are in the early stages of launching their companies but have outsized potential in 2024, according to the publication.
Cooler Keg, founded by Venture Lab graduates Anthony Bernas and Racine Gruberman, finished 2023 by delivering the first orders of its portable draft system that allows people to take draft beer, and numerous other drink options, anywhere.
The company, which raised $215,000 on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, started 2024 off by showcasing its partnership with robotics firm Ottonomy at CES, the world's largest tech show. Together they developed Ottobot Brew, an automatic draft beverage robot.
Camryn Ellis was one of three winners of a pitch competition called Launch It: Cincy, hosted by Main Street Ventures, a Cincinnati-based organization that provides entrepreneur support. Photo/Camryn Ellis
Venture Lab graduate Camryn Ellis is preparing to launch RYN, a virtual closet and personal styling app, to the public in the first quarter of 2024. The 2023 UC grad is in the process of accepting signups for a beta test of the app.
Other featured startups with UC connections include:
- Preservation Bio, a Venture Lab-backed startup, is developing a novel approach to preserve blood platelets, more than doubling the shelf life of donations
- Todd, a Venture Lab-backed startup that is dedicated to helping individuals and families with estate planning
- Suade, a software platform that can guide salespeople through conversions in real time that was founded by UC alumnus Matthew Terry, a current Venture Lab participant
- Tembo, a commercial open-source platform for database needs that was founded by Venture Lab entrepreneur-in-residence Ry Walker
- Common Kin, founded by UC alumnus Mourad David, is developing a kitchen storage organizer for small spaces
- Narratize, whose founders include UC graduates Catherine O-Shea and Katie Trauth Taylor, is developing a generative AI platform designed specifically for scientific, medical and technical writing
UC's Venture Lab provides a launch pad for entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality. The lab is located in the 1819 Innovation Hub in the Cincinnati Innovation District, providing a connection point to talent, support and funding.
The Venture Lab pre-accelerator program is available for free to all members of the university community. The seven-week program provides guidance for launching a startup and pairs aspiring entrepreneurs with executives for mentoring.
Featured image at top: A woman on a beach pour a drink from the Cooler Keg. Photos/Cooler Keg
