The University of Cincinnati's entrepreneurial spirit is once again front and center.
In a recent Business Courier article touting the finalists in an awards competition by Cincy Inno, 20% were UC-affiliated startups.
The Fire Awards acknowledge innovative technologies across seven diverse categories that have a profound impact on the local ecosystem. The UC-affiliated finalists include:
Honoring the top companies and entrepreneurs for banner achievements that push Cincinnati to the next level
Johnathan Thompson, MD, assistant professor of clinical surgery, UC College of Medicine
Honoring organizations playing a sometimes under-the-radar role in propping up fledgling companies or spurring new events or innovations
George J. Shaw III, MD, PhD, associate professor of emergency medicine, UC College of Medicine
Matthew Flaherty, MD, professor of neurology, UC College of Medicine
Opeolu M. Adeoye, MD, professor of emergency medicine and neurosurgery; chair, Emergency Medicine Research Division, UC College of Medicine
Honoring the companies that have demonstrated the highest levels of innovation over the last 12 months
Tim Metzner , cofounder and member, board of directors, Coterie; alumnus, UC Carl H. Lindner College of Business
Robert Keane lll, chief executive officer, Veltrona; alumnus, UC College of Engineering and Applied Science
Honoring products or services that create positive social or environmental impact
Jonathan Rosales, chief technology officer, Clean Earth Rovers; alumnus, UC College of Engineering and Applied Science
Honoring companies and ideas that aim to deliver better care, improve health and lower costs
Abby V. Hess, APRN, DNP, inventor, EZ Induction; alumna, UC College of Nursing
Abby McInturf, cofounder, Band Connect; alumna, UC College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning
"UC has a long-standing history of pioneering groundbreaking technologies and continues to be a driving force nurturing and empowering the next generation of successful entrepreneurs and changemakers," said Kate Harmon, assistant vice president in the 1819 Innovation Hub and executive director of the UC Center for Entrepreneurship. "From health care and Insurtech to space commercialization, these UC startups offer a diverse array of how Bearcat founders are economically, socially and environmentally impacting the Greater Cincinnati region and beyond."
Some of the finalists have received help from the Venture Lab, which nurtures early-stage ideas; the Center for Entrepreneurship, which supports students and local businesspeople in their entrepreneurial ventures; or Technology Transfer, which assists UC faculty and staff with patents and licensing of innovations.
Winners will be announced and profiled in the June 23 print edition of the Business Courier.
Featured image at top: Cohorts work on their startup ideas in the 1819 Innovation Lab.
