Startups a focus of C-Change inclusion campaign
Jeffrey Shepard, CEO of the healthcare startup MedaCheck, was speaking to college students recently when he started asking them about the region's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
He was shocked that a majority of students hadn't heard of organizations like The Brandery, the nationally recognized consumer branding and marketing accelerator; CincyTech, the seed-stage investor that's also attracting millions of venture capital dollars into the region; and several high-profile startups that have made local and national headlines.
That experience is one reason Shepard will participate in Destination Innovate, a day-long program that will expose 50 local university students on Friday to the region's entrepreneurial assets.
"What many don't realize is that Cincinnati has a vibrant start-up ecosystem. Our city is also unique in the number of top universities within a 100-mile radius which represents a strong feeder system of talent," said Michael Rodarte, a portfolio manager at Victory Capital and Destination Innovate committee member.
"We believed that by focusing our efforts on building awareness between these two sources of strength, we could connect and help keep this strong talent in the region."
Destination Innovate is one of five projects coming out of this year's C-Change class. C-Change is the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber's leadership program for young professionals. Every project this year reflects a larger regional effort to position Greater Cincinnati as friendly, diverse and inclusive.
Destination Innovate will kick off with presentations from the Enquirer and Shepard. The day will also include stops at accelerators UpTech and The Brandery; startups 3DLT, Lisnr and Roadtrippers; and Cintrifuse. A lunchtime panel discussion will feature participants from the Ocean accelerator, People's Liberty, Hamilton Mill and CincyTech. Participants will finish the day at Rhinegeist for a party.
"Cincinnati has, in my opinion, one of the most fertile environments in the country for startups," Shepard said. "Local students need to get exposed and see the excitement that is all around them."
Supporting startups, and creating a more welcoming and inclusive city, are two key pillars of the region's economic development strategy.
In 2012, top CEOs launched Cintrifuse, an organization designed to leverage the region's existing assets for entrepreneurs, and identify gaps that could force promising companies to relocate. Cintrifuse recently named Wendy Lea, an experienced executive and entrepreneur, as its CEO.
Cintrifuse's model includes a fund designed to attract more venture capital to the region, and its new Over-the-Rhine co-working space – scheduled to open in summer 2015 – will house CincyTech and The Brandery.
Diverse by Design, meanwhile, is the regional action plan led by Agenda 360 and Vision 2015. Its goals include growing the base of young talent in the region; attracting more immigrant entrepreneurs and growing more immigrant-owned companies; and improving employee retention by bridging company and social boundaries.
Destination Innovate is itself bridging the region's commitment to startups and inclusiveness.
"Students who don't have other connections in town – if they didn't graduate high school nearby or have family in town or don't have those other cultural roots that keep so many of us here – they may not have put roots down in Cincinnati during their time at school, so they may not feel 'welcomed' by Cincinnati as a city, beyond their experience on campus," said Kari Wethington, a Destination Innovate committee member and associate director of marketing and public relations at Rockfish.
"We wanted to reach those students who would feel welcomed by the entrepreneurial community – and who could explore opportunities here – and show them exactly where their community is and help them tap into that energy. In other words, we want to send the message that you are welcome here."