Ohio University Center for Software Innovation is set to host Startup Midwest: the premier event for emerging tech entrepreneurs October 24-25, 2023 at the Blackwell Inn & Pfahl Convention Center on the Columbus campus.
Famous leaders in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship will share knowledge with participants and future founders, through keynote speeches by: Ratmir Timashev, software entrepreneur; Carl Eschenbach, co-CEO of Workday and former general partner at Sequoia Capital; and other high-profile figures to be announced. Ratmir Timashev's vision for the Software Innovation Center and the generosity of the Timashev Family Foundation made Startup Midwest possible.
Ohio State and central Ohio are quickly becoming home for entrepreneurs to grow and thrive with increasing access to talent, financial capital, space and resources dedicated to building the next world-changing software idea.
To celebrate and highlight the region's growing innovation ecosystem, the inaugural Startup Midwest will offer training, resources and opportunities to early-stage technology entrepreneurs and others.
“Startup Midwest is an exciting opportunity to showcase the best we have to offer. Innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of Ohio State's commitment to fostering regional economic development,” said Ohio State Associate President Peter Mohler, the university's executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge. “We know that Ohio Central's faculty, students, staff and community are part of a thriving ecosystem for creating the next 'great idea,' and this event will help foster that spirit of collaboration and curiosity.”
Budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from the experts whether their startup idea is marketable, what venture capitalists look for when providing capital, and how to present their startup so that people understand its value. Startup Midwest will feature keynotes from tech leaders, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, as well as sessions focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, cloud infrastructure, blockchain, networking events and more. Selected sessions will be recorded and published after the event for viewing by a worldwide audience.
“Startup Midwest recognizes our region as a hub of entrepreneurship and opportunity,” said Timashev. “Together with the Software Innovation Center and the entire Columbus ecosystem, Startup Midwest invites all makers and disruptors to join us and be a part of this next chapter of innovation.”
Breakout speakers include:
- Ayanna Howard, Dean of the College of Engineering;
- Elodie Dupuy, founder and CEO of Full In Partners;
- Evan Fisher, founder and managing partner of Portal Ventures;
- Sebastian Gunningham, former vice president of Amazon, Apple, Oracle, WeWork and Saks
- Jeff Schumann, CEO and co-founder of Aware
- Bryan Semple, Operating Partner at Francisco Partners; COO at Ambassador Labs
A special panel for Ohio State Entrepreneur Focus will feature representatives from the Ohio State Early Investor Network, the OHI/O Hackathon Group and moderator Tim Keenan from the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship.
Registration is open now. Visit it Startup Midwest website to learn more about the conference, registration and the conference speakers.
