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July 25, 2024 | Tom Ballard

Cintrifuse launches its “Venture Velocity” cohort with five start-ups

The participants will receive a $100,000 investment and up to an additional $150,000 in follow-on funding.

Cintrifuse, the Cincinnati organization committed to fostering and supporting the city’s next generation of innovators, has launched its first “Venture Velocity” cohort, an initiative designed to equip early stage founders with the essential skills, strategies, and insights needed for a successful venture capital fundraise.

Chosen from a pool of applicants from across the nation, the five start-ups in the program, which all appear to be based in Cincinnati, will receive a $100,000 investment and up to an additional $150,000 in follow-on funding. More important, however, the cohort will benefit from a comprehensive range of benefits, including enhanced pitch decks, refined fundraising strategies, and sales strategy development. Additionally, start-ups will receive exposure to venture-backed founders, a vast network of investors and mentors, and Cincinnati’s rich ecosystem of entrepreneurial support and resources.

By intentionally focusing on empowering local start-ups and preparing them to meet the demands of venture capital – and providing them with critical early-stage investment –  the program aims to help them scale rapidly, attract substantial follow-on investment, and drive significant economic impact in the Greater Cincinnati region.

The five companies are:

  • Ellequate which drives transformative improvements in employee experience and organizational health with a data-driven platform and rigorous third-party certification for workplace equity, helping small and midsize employers attract and retain talent.
  • Holm, described as the future of websites, offering a new way for modern entrepreneurs and creative professionals to establish their online presence through a mobile-first website-building platform.
  • Obai enables the efficient processing of insurance claims after catastrophic storms with an innovative approach that leverages cutting-edge technology.
  • Lyceum AI is an in-class AI Teaching Assistant built by teachers for teachers, designed to engage students with personalized insights and help teachers manage their class time effectively.
  • Airtrek Robotics makes airport ramp operations safer using autonomous robots.


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