These are exciting times for Innov8ors!
A topic of ongoing conversation lately has been related to the number of amazing things that are happening right now and how it would be wonderful for someone to document them. Like most things, there just isn't enough time to do everything and many of us are so busy "doing" that we don't have time to stop to "document".
To that end, I am not going to "promise" to keep-up with every amazing thing, an effort will be made to document the "big" things when a few minutes can be spared or the inspiration hits. Wish me luck...
So, here we go!
I started to write only about health innovation because this is my passion. Then I quickly realized that the ecosystem that is emerging in Cincinnati is bigger than health and health care and that I would be remiss by excluding the bigger picture.
On the health innovation front, Innov8 for Health is a multi-stakeholder initiative to create a health innovation eco system that will improve health, attract and retain top talent, and create jobs. Innov8 for Health is here to identify, incentive and support health innovators and innovators that are willing to explore the area of health innovation.
This initiative is currently run by volunteers from Viable Synergy, Taft (law firm in Cincinnati), Kincaid Ventures, GE Aviation, and The Greater Cincinnati Health Foundation. Learn more at www.Innov8forHealth.com.
We just completed the 2nd of two community wide initiatives called the Business Concept Expo.
- Business Concept Expo on April 20, 2012 (submissions were due by April 8)
- Submit your business concept to create better health, better care, at lower costs and get exposure to executives from companies like Ethicon Endosurgery, Sanofi, GE Aviation and potential investors from Queen City Angels, Cincy Tech, Allos Ventures, and River Cities Capital
- 8 Innov8ors won one of 8 prizes totally $24,000
- Innov8 for Health Startup Accelerator - June 11 - August 31, 2012, Cincinnati, OH 45206
- 8 teams will be selected from across the US to receive $20,000 and 12 weeks of intensive mentoring to accelerate their startup
- Plus a team of experts working to obtain follow-on funding to build your business
I love to talk about the Bad Girls at Bad Girl ventures. This organization is filling a clear unmet need in this community which is to help women owned business - more lifestyle businesses - startup.
Funny, as I was writing this sitting here at the Echo in Hyde Park eating my egg white omelette and wheat toast w/ no butter when I really wanted pancakes :) - I started talking with the people next to me. Susan with Cakery Bakery Boutique is another potential Bad Girl...
Bad Girls and Boys helping Bad Girls through Bad Girl Ventures
If you don't know the story behind Bad Girl Ventures and the founder Candace Klein then please check-it out at: http://www.badgirlventures.com/
Bad Girl Ventures (BGV) has a way of attracting amazing people working to support women owned businesses and demolishing barriers between all different kinds of people to support women who are working to fuel our economy through building their businesses. We'll share more about BGV in the days to come.
The next big resource of innovators in this community is the Bradery. These guys are GREAT. In one year Dave Knox, J.B. Kropp, Rob McDonald, and Bryan Radtke create a world class Accelerator focused on consumer branding. In only their second year, the Brandery catapulted to one of the top 10 Accelerators in the US. Hat's off to you!
The team, all former P&Gers went on to do many things including assuming leadership positions with organizations like RockFish Interactive and Twitter while still maintaining their leadership for Brandery. They hired, Mike Bott, a former Match.com product leader to assume the General Manager position.
There is much more innovation "stuff" to talk about in Cincinnati. Next time we'll cover a little about the amazing work that is being done by the Cincinnati Business Committee (CBC) and the incredible Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center.
On a quick personal note, want to thank all the aforementioned organizations for the support that you have shown me and Innov8 for Health thus far. Looking forward to future collaborations.
Enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day!
