ANNUAL REPORT
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As I reflect the past year, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude. Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, a path that countless determined individuals embark upon with dreams of making a difference. The vital ingredient for their success is access to capital, something that remains elusive for far too many. In 2023, we witnessed tremendous success in our mission to support thriving small businesses in Greater Cincinnati. We distributed over $1.1 million in grant funding to 64 local entrepreneurs and their businesses. These aren’t just numbers; they represent dreams realized, jobs created, and communities strengthened. The quality of early-stage startups in our community is impressive and each dollar invested in these ventures has a ripple effect that extends far beyond financial figures. Since 2018, Main Street Ventures has injected over $4 million into our region’s startup community.And our impact goes far beyond monetary contributions. We have supported more than 160 small businesses and organizations, providing them with resources and valuable connections. The result? Our grant recipients have collectively generated over $32 million in sales and created jobs for nearly 800 individuals. While celebrating these achievements is essential, it’s equally important to recognize the challenges that lie ahead. In a world where opportunities often intersect with financial resources, we must continue our efforts to bridge this gap. Now, more than ever, we invite you to join us in this journey. Your support, whether through financial contributions, mentorship, or spreading the word about our mission, will enable us to continue transforming dreams into realities, one entrepreneur at a time. As we embark on this exciting new year, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support. Your belief in our mission fuels our determination, and your partnership drives our success.
Sean Parker Executive Director Main Street Ventures
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2023 Highlights STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS 2023 was a pivotal year for Main Street Ventures. We’ve doubled down on our mission to support underrepresented entrepreneurs in different ways. A big push this year has been expanding our reach and telling our story, through partnerships, new initiatives, collaborations, a new space, and more. We’re excited to share just a few of the stories we’re proud of in the following pages.
NKY ENTREPRENEUR FUND Blue North established the Northern Kentucky Entrepreneurship Fund with Horizon Community Funds to support the work of entrepreneurs in Northern Kentucky. We’ve partnered with Blue North to increase Leap & Launch grants made to entrepreneurs who call Northern Kentucky home. Through the first year of this partnership, we’ve distributed $365,000 to Northern Kentucky businesses.
MEDIA PLACEMENTS In 2023, we emphasized sharing our story and the story of our Activators to the Greater Cincinnati community. With this, we were able to secure over 200+ media placements. These stories spanned all forms of media, from on-air opportunities with local news stations and radio stations to on-location shoots with media partners, podcast appearances, print media, and digital media.
COLLABORATION Each year we are thankful for all of the individuals, organizations, and mentors that collaborate with Main Street Ventures to make us even more successful. New collaborations from this year include 1819 Innovation Hub which hosted our Inventure Entrepreneurship Academy for this summer and the countless mentors, speakers, and subject matter experts that supported all of our programs. 4
IN THE NEWS
MAIN STREET VENTURES NAMED CINCY INNO FIRE AWARDS CATALYST WINNER IN 2023 Main Street Ventures was named the Catalyst of the Cincy Inno’s Fire Awards. The annual awards are given to organizations and small businesses setting the innovation scene aflame. In addition to the Main Street Ventures nod, MSV Activator, Nettie Pickleball, was also awarded the winner in the CPG category.
‘Parker sees the potential for Main Street Ventures to become a national model for startup funding, one that’s inclusive of tech but not limited to it.’
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IN THE NEWS
CINCINNATI BROTHERS SCORE INVESTMENT FROM MARK CUBAN ON ABC’S ‘SHARK TANK’ David, Fletcher, and Henry Pease - brothers and Founders of Rekkie were the latest Cincinnati-based company to pitch to the Sharks on ABC’s Shark Tank. The grant from Main Street Ventures helped them get their product to the point where they wowed the Sharks and received a great investment from Mark Cuban.
“From day one, we asked ourselves, what would the sharks say when we were building this when we were just hacking prototypes together,” Henry Pease said at the close of Rekkie’s pitch. “Now we’ve got Mark Cuban.”
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IN THE NEWS
MSV RECENTLY GRANTED LULU’S SWEETS BOUTIQUE FUNDS TO GROW HER BUSINESS Rosanna started Lulu’s Sweets Boutique from her home to remind her of her childhood cooking in her family kitchen in Venezuela. From there it took off - after being a homemaker for 5 years it was time to expand to a storefront, which is where Main Street Ventures helped. Now you can stop in and grab sweet treats from Lulu’s Tuesday-Saturday at their storefront in West Chester!
‘Not only did it help us get equipment and the build-out, it gave us a huge boost of confidence because they are trusting us with this money they believe we can do this” Rosanna Ruwe
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IN THE NEWS
CELEBRATING START UP DAY ACROSS AMERICA WITH EVE FLORAL CO. AND SPECTRUM 1 In celebration of Startup Day Across America, Evelyn Streeter, a third-generation florist and Detroit Native, chatted with Spectrum1 Reporter Katie Kapusta all about her new storefront in Columbia Tusculum that she outfitted with the help of Main Street Ventures. The storefront is open Friday - Sunday where you can pick up a mix of beautiful fresh flower arrangements, candles, vases, glassware, and more.
“Thanks to lots of knowledge and a Main Street Ventures grant, she was able to move into her space in Cincinnati’s Columbia Tusculum, where she’s embraced by other small business owners.”
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IN THE NEWS
SUPPORTING BLACK BUSINESSES ON ELM STREET WITH MEANS CAMERON August is National Black Business Month and CincyLifestyle and Fox19 interviewed Means Cameron about his businesses and his collaboration with the Bengals. Grant Funding from Main Street Ventures helped launch the capsule you could purchase at the Bengals Pro Shop and the BlaCk OWned storefront on Elm Street in Downtown Cincinnati.
‘BlaCk OWned has always been like a family reunion here in Cincinnati, we bring people together, we give people a reason to be excited about where they live culturally’
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INVESTING IN IMPACT Great ideas can come from anyone, but not everyone has the opportunity to turn their great ideas into a reality. BOLD IDEAS. INCLUSION. GROWTH. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs in the Greater Cincinnati Region do not have the opportunity to build upon their good ideas because they lack access to key financial and social capital. And they’re not alone. According to a study from the Kauffman Foundation, 83% of entrepreneurs nationwide cite access to capital as the number one barrier to starting a business. Additionally, women and minority founders face even greater barriers to accessing funding and social capital.
OUR IDEA The equation is simple:
GOOD IDEAS
FINANCIAL CAPITAL
SOCIAL CAPITAL
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES
The reality is anything but simple. That’s why Main Street Ventures is strengthening our investment in local entrepreneurs by launching a community-funded initiative to make entrepreneurship possible for everyone in Greater Cincinnati.
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OUR INVESTMENTS $
•
•
LEARN
LEVERAGE
Potential Entrepreneurs
Startups & Small Businesses
Launch It: Cincy Pitch Competition for Undergraduate Students. Learn Sponsorships for organizations and events.
• •
Launch Funding for prerevenue businesses. Leap Funding for revenue generating businesses.
LEGACY
Grant Recipients •
Level Up Support Program designed to provide critical resources and trainings for business sustainability and long-term success.
YOUR ROLE We are asking local businesses and entrepreneurs to become a Main Street Ventures Supporter. This support is a hand up for talented, dedicated entrepreneurs who lack the social and financial capital to turn their big ideas into a big business.
We want to recognize you as a supporter! There are so many ways to get involved and we’d love to talk about what this could look like for you. Check out the “Get Involved” section of our website for more information!
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IMPACT METRICS 2018 - 2023
OVER
111 LEAP FUNDING GRANTS
$4.1 MILLION
53 LAUNCH FUNDING GRANTS
DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL STARTUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
36 LEARN SPONSORSHIPS
$18.5 MILLION
$32 MILLION
RAISED IN FOLLOW-ON FUNDING BY GRANT RECIPIENT COMPANIES
IN REVENUE GENERATED BY GRANT RECIPIENT COMPANIES
2023 YEAR IN REVIEW
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2023 showcased Main 2023 Main Street Streetshowcased Ventures’ continued Ventures’ continued support for emergingsupport for emerging entrepreneurs entrepreneurs in Cincinnati. in Cincinnati. We’re proud to share our Take a look ouryear... impact impact fromatthis this year...
64 GRANTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN GREATER CINCINNATI
LOCAL JOBS
769
Part-Time 388
Main Street Ventures’ primary initiative is to support emerging businesses that show potential to create jobs and other opportunities in the Cincinnati Region.
LOCAL JOBS
Full-Time 381
SUPPORTING UNDERREPRESENTED FOUNDERS For all initiatives that Main Street Ventures supports, there is a focus on Women and Minority entrepreneurs who have been historically underrepresented in funding.
78%
OF GRANT RECIPIENT FOUNDERS ARE CONSIDERED “UNDERREPRESENTED”
$1 MM
900+
83
IN GRANT FUNDING DISTRIBUTED IN THE CINCINNATI REGION
HOURS SPENT SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS SUPPORTED MAIN STREET VENTURES PROGRAMMING
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FUNDING PROGRAMS LEARN SPONSORSHIPS
LAUNCH FUNDING
Learn Funding provides support for organizations and events that strengthen and connect the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Launch Funding provides emerging, pre-revenue businesses that have a Prototype or Product (showing clear evidence of direct customer engagement validating the business model and product) with $5,000 $10,000 of equity-free funding to continue development and prepare for market entry.
These can include entrepreneur support organizations and other groups that foster resource collaboration and the development of STEM talent.
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LEAP FUNDING
LEVEL UP SUPPORT
Leap Funding provides promising, revenue-generating businesses with $10,000 - $30,000 of equityfree funding to scale their impact and increase the odds of long-term survival.
Entrepreneurship is not one-size-fitsall, so why should the support be? With our Level-Up Support Program, we work with our Grant Recipients to carefully design and curate a support program tailored to meet their needs.
Funding is awarded to businesses that demonstrate the potential to continue to create jobs and opportunities in the Greater Cincinnati Region.
Our goal is to elevate their businesses by providing them the tools, connections, education, and resources you need when you need them.
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Education Programs INVENTURE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACADEMY
We believe that entrepreneurs can change the world. Inventure Entrepreneurship Academy is an immersive experience for high school students interested in entrepreneurship. This program takes students through the ideation process, teaches them valuable leadership skills, and provides business education from Regional Experts.
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HIGH SCHOOLS REPRESENTED
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50
LOCAL VOLUNTEERS
$5,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
IN THE NEWS
SUMMER ACADEMY HELPS TEENS EXPLORE ENTREPRENEURSHIP Year 1 Inventure winner, Aarav Kad, and MSV Executive Director, Sean Parker, joined Cincinnati Edition to chat all about Inventure Entrepreneurship Academy. The program in its second year welcomed even more students from different schools and backgrounds to come together to learn all about Entrepreneurship in a fun and interactive way.
‘On Cincinnati Edition, we learn about Main Street Ventures’ summer Inventure Entrepreneurship Academy and how they are helping to develop the most diverse C-suite of the future.’
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Education Programs LAUNCH IT: CINCY UNIVERSITY PROGRAM
Launch It: Cincy is a pitch competition and summer program exclusively for undergraduate students in the Tri-State Area – stretching from Dayton, OH to Lexington, KY. In 2023, the winning 3 university student-run companies relocated to Cincinnati as part of the comprehensive prize package. For 10-weeks they learned from over 20 subject matter experts, heard stories from other founders, and explored our city!
200
HOURS OF COMPANY SUPPORT
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$30,000 IN GRANT FUNDING DISTRIBUTED
IN THE NEWS
LAUNCH IT: CINCY PROGRAM GIVES STUDENT-LED COMPANIES TOOLS TO MAKE IT BIG In its second year, Launch It: Cincy brought three undergraduate student-run startups to Cincinnati for the summer to live, work, and connect. The winning teams from Miami University and the University of Cincinnati will spend two months working with experienced leaders in fields such as accounting, branding, and law. Each participant also received a housing and living stipend during the eight-week program and free office space.
“The talent of our local university students never ceases to amaze us,” Ober added. “We are excited to have these three talented founding teams join us this summer to work on their businesses and experience all Cincinnati and our entrepreneurial community have to offer.”
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2023 LAUNCH FUNDING Recipients
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program 20
4 MILE WINE CO. 4 Mile Wine Co. is a mead and wine company focusing on honey varietals and fruit.
Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Melbourne, KY
Website 4milewine.com
Founders Ben Studer
6 N’ THE MORNIN 6 ‘N The Mornin’ is a southern-style breakfast/brunch restaurant that serves and welcomes those of all nationalities and backgrounds. Industry Retail
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website 6nthemornin.com
Founders Trey Graham
AIRTREK ROBOTICS Airtrek Robotics creates robotic solutions to automate airport ground handling activities.
Industry Technology
Location Covington, KY
Website Launch Coming Soon
Founders Chris Lee, Jon Taylor, Huzefa Dossaji
ANISOPTERA Anisoptera Inc develops computer vision and artificial intelligence that revolutionizes the recycling and circular economy. Industry Technology
Location Loveland, OH
Website anisoptera.io
Founders Samuel Ares, Sean Kelly
BAILOUT SYSTEMS Bailout Systems is a technology company revolutionizing the fall safety industry with its patented hands-free descent technology. Industry Technology
Location Covington, KY
Website bailoutsystems.com
Founders Michael Ragsdale, Haskell Simpkins, Ben Krupp
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
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BREWED & FROTHY COFFEE CO. Brewed & Frothy Coffee Co. is a small-batch coffee roaster and mobile coffee cart providing coffee catering at private events like weddings, bridal parties, business meetings, anniversary dinners, brunches, birthday parties and more. Industry Retail / Manufactured Goods
Location Florence, KY
Website brewedfrothycoffee.com
Founders Christina Leo
CEREAL BOX STUDIO As a graphic and publication design studio, print shop, and small press, Cereal Box Studio supports clients in producing and publishing unique, hand-crafted print editions utilizing risograph print techniques. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website cerealbox.studio
Founders Julia Warner, Eric Blyth
COARSE CULTURE Coarse Culture is a self-care company that specializes in whipped shea butter products.
Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Oxford, OH
Website thecoarseculture.com
Founders VaLanDria Smith-Lash
COOL COMFORTS Cool Comforts develops innovative products to meet women’s unmet feminine care needs. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website Launch Coming Soon
Founders Kesha Williams
FARMER NATE’S SAUCE CO. Farmer Nate’s Sauce Co. creates unique and flavorful hot sauces, condiments, spices, and snacks with an emphasis on homegrown sustainability and a genuine connection to one’s food. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Covington, KY
Website farmernatessauce.com
Founders Nate Nunemaker, Jordan Huizenga
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
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notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
GEE HORTON STUDIOS Gee Horton Studios is a multidisciplinary art practice that uses hyper-realistic drawings, photography, and fine art printmaking to explore themes of identity, cultural influence, and social work to inspire healing and connection for the collective. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website geehorton.com
Founders Gee Horton
GOFASTER GOFASTER is a Veteran founded, high performance running shoe brand, delivering the most comfortable road shoe with the durability and protection to go off road. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Loveland, OH
Website gofasterathletic.com
Founders Alan Parvis
INLAND SHRIMP COMPANY Inland Shrimp Company has developed proprietary technology that allows foodconscious consumers to enjoy fresh, locally-raised seafood species utilizing vertical farming methods. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Milford, OH
Website inlandshrimp.com
Founders Gary Beatty
KARNEYIUM Karneyuim is an AI-powered geographic information system that accelerates and democratizes clinical trials by unlocking new, untapped, and underserved markets in the United States with tremendous research potential. Industry Technology
Location Mason, OH
Website karneyium.com
Founders Kelvin Brown
LUMINARY BY LA TERZA Luminary by La Terza is a local coffee shop in College Hill that believes a brighter community starts with great coffee. Industry Retail
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website luminarybylaterza.com
Founders Robert Gatesi, Kirsten Zook, David Gaines, Michael Gaines
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
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TRUE SHEA Natural Shea Care is a Black-owned business that produces natural, socially and ethically conscious beauty care products. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website naturalsheacare.com
Founders Manny Addo
NOSHABLE noshable is a tech enabled, grocery delivery service that allows for groceries to be prestocked in the fridge/pantry of short term rentals for guests. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website shopnoshable.com
Founders Connor Paton, Macallan Hoeweler, Evan Fix
OUTMORE OUTMōRE designs, makes, and sells outdoor recreation equipment.
Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Newport, KY
Website outmoregear.com
Founders Preston Knibbe
QUALZ.AI Qualz is the AI-powered co-pilot and one-stop shop for qualitative research.
Industry Technology
Location Loveland, OH
Website qualz.ai
Founders Prajwal Paudyal, Tashi Gurung, Phan Tsan
RICH LIFE FARM & FUNGI Rich Life Farm and Fungi is a self-taught family-owned farm passionately cultivating gourmet mushrooms year-round using organic practices in the Greater Cincinnati area for local restaurants, specialty grocery stores and direct-to-consumer at farmers markets. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location New Richmond, OH
Website richlifefarm.com
Founders Emalee Richman, Pete Richman
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
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notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
RYN Ryn is a mobile app that helps reduce the stress of getting dressed by leveraging AI to provide users with personalized outfit recommendations using their own clothes. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website therynapp.com
Founders Camryn Ellis
SHIFT SHOES Shift Shoes makes premium shoes for nurses which is an underserved target market with exacting needs, high purchasing power and willingness to pay for performance. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website myshiftshoes.com
Founders Jenny Morrissey
THE CONFETTI ROOM The Confetti Room makes planning a rehearsal dinner, bridal shower and baby shower as fun and fancy as planning a wedding. Industry Software / IT
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website confettiroomcincy.com
Founders Simone Cocks-Charles
TODD Todd is an online tool that makes the last chapter of a loved one’s life more manageable by democratizing and automating both estate planning, end of life care, and settling affairs. Industry Technology
Location Covington, KY
Website toddcares.com
Founders Justin Deja, Eron Bucciarelli, Alois Barreras, Steve Peele
TOGETHER DIGITAL Together Digital is a national network of women who work in digital marketing, advertising, and tech who choose to share their knowledge, power, and connections - so we can all go further faster together. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website togetherindigital.com
Founders Amy Vaughan
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
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2023 LEAP FUNDING Recipients
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program 26
BABUSHKA PIEROGIES Babushka Pierogies - Babushka Pierogies is an Eastern European food producer and grocer of imported goods located in historic Findlay Market. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website babushkapierogi.com
Founders Sarah Dworak
BAND CONNECT Band Connect enables physical therapists to reduce the frequency of in-clinic visits and improves quality of care by providing connected exercise equipment to gamify the patient experience at home. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website bandconnect.net
Founders Abby McInturf, Rohit Nayak
BEARDS & BELLIES BBQ Beards & Bellies BBQ focuses on locally sourced, quality ingredients with a Louisiana twist that brings you that Southern Hospitality no matter where you enjoy. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Newport, KY
Website beardsandbelliesbbq.com
Founders Mitch Arens
BELTWAYS Beltways designs and manufactures the world’s fastest, smartest, and safest accelerating walkways. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website beltways.com
Founders John Yuksel, Matine Yuksel, Edip Yuksel
BENSUITE BenSuite is an innovative SaaS platform streamlining the outdated employee benefits industry, fostering modern collaboration between insurance brokers and carriers through a centralized portal. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website bensuite.com
Founders Matt Wilson
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
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BETTER BLEND At Better Blend, we believe in making the world happier and healthier by offering smoothies with nutrient-rich ingredients, eliminating unnecessary sugars, and building products that benefit your nutrition and your tastebuds. Industry Retail
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website betterblend.com
Founders Isaac Hamlin
BOSA LIFE Bosa is a community-powered goal management app that helps you collect, collaborate on, and complete your goals. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website bosa.life
Founders Anastasia Tarpeh-Ellis, EJ Oruche
BOXFULL BoxFull sends a HUG in a BOX for the moments you can’t be there to comfort or celebrate the ones you love. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Mason, OH
Website sendaboxfull.com
Founders Jennifer Barcenas, Juan Barcenas
CINSOY FOODS CinSoy Foods manufactures soy sauce, tofu, miso, and other condiments using 100% Ohio-grown soybeans and ingredients and sells directly to consumers, retail, and food service. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website cinsoyfoods.com
Founders Sam Pellerito
COMMONWEALTH SANCTUARY Commonwealth Sanctuary is Northern Kentucky’s only comedy club, only dedicated listening room, and a premier community events venue. Industry Retail
Location Dayton, KY
Website commonwealthsanctuary.com
Founders Jacoba Wells, Nathan Kroeger, Shawn Braley
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
28
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
CONCERTED Concerted is a nonprofit tech platform igniting civic and community engagement while increasing access to live music and entertainment. Industry Technology
Location Ludlow, KY
Website concertedusa.org
Founders Sarah Murray
COOLER KEG Cooler Keg is draft anything, anywhere; our product is a portable kegerator built into a cooler allowing anyone to have bar/restaurant quality draft anywhere (beer, cocktails, seltzers, bubbly, etc.). Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Covington, KY
Website thecoolerkeg.com
Founders Racine Gruberman, Anthony Bernas
CORK N CRUST BELLEVUE Cork N Crust is a gourmet pizzeria and full bar specializing in wines by the glass and vegan options. Industry Retail
Location Bellevue, KY
Website corkncrust.com
Founders Deborah Rudisell
CREAM & SUGAR COFEEHOUSE Cream + Sugar is a Black-owned coffee shop that serves coffee, breakfast, and lunch with a focus on locally sourced and plant-based ingredients. Industry Retail
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website creamandsugarcoffeehouse.com
Founders Taren Kinebrew, Crystal Grace
DAVIS & BIDDLE Davis & Biddle Properties is a black woman-owned business opening a commissary kitchen in Price Hill. Industry Retail
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website Launch Coming Soon!
Founders Melissa Davis, Tiffany Biddle
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
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EVE FLORAL CO. Eve Floral Co. is an independent woman-owned flower shop and creative studio space in the historic Columbia-Tusculum neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. Industry Retail
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website evefloralco.com
Founders Evelyn Streeter
GOLDEN GELATO COMPANY Golden Gelato makes authentic Italian gelato and sorbet using the traditional Italian hot process while emphasizing our Kentucky roots and resources. Industry Retail
Location Covington, KY
Website goldengelatocov.com
Founders Vanessa Jones, Joe Jones
HERBAN VEGANS Herban Vegans offers quality pan-cultural vegan cuisine with a fresh modern twist, that all can enjoy in an inviting and judgment free establishment. Industry Retail
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website herbanvegans.com
Founders Danielle Delaine
JET BLACK VINTAGE Jet Black Vintage is a sustainable black owned business focused on training young fashion designers and providing unique one of one garments from repurposed materials. Industry Retail
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website jetblackvintage.com
Founders Nigel Agboh
LAUGHING BEES Laughing Bees delivers moments of unexpected joy to our customers through locally sourced honey delights: The World’s Best Honey Caramels, Gourmet Krispie Treats, and other sweets and treats. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Newport, KY
Website laughingbees.shop
Founders Annie Brown
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
30
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
LIVE N LEARN Live N Learn creates impactful international education opportunities for students and families to travel, host, and most importantly, make meaningful connections with peers from around the world. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website livenlearn.com
Founders Robin Hunsucker
MAGNIFICENT MORSELS CATERING Magnificent Morsels Catering is launching a Home Kitchen Collection where customers get to take the MMC experience home. Its 3-n-1 spice blends allow the home chef experience to be an enjoyable one. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website mmcaterz.com
Founders Crystal Render
MICROMERCH Micromerch is a full-service solution that creates, photographs and distributes sustainable branded merchandise for ambitious teams. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website micromerch.com
Founders Gary Darna, David Mette
MODICA Modica produces award-winning cocktail and mocktail mixers made with superfoods, functional ingredients, and up to 70% less sugar than other mixers. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website drinkmodica.com
Founders Eric Wentworth, JD Mitchell
OBA-AI Insurance claims in a snap, OBA AI streamlines insurance claims by instantly and accurately assessing auto damage by leveraging AI and a computer vision model. Industry Technology
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website openbayautos.com
Founders Kam Seabrook, Bulent Tastan
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
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PARTS & LABOR Parts & Labor blends fresh ingredients and bold seasonings, using heat and smoke from hardwood fire, to deliver imaginative, yet familiar, BBQ with unforgettable flavors. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Newport, KY
Website partsandlaborcincinnati.com
Founders Jeffrey Miller
REV3D REV3D is bringing offroad parts and accessories manufactured utilizing additive manufacturing technology to end customers across the United States and abroad. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Batavia, OH
Website REV3D.com
Founders Jordan Boswell, Joseph Carver
RIPPLE Ripple creates bottles that builds wells --- for every 2,000 Ripple bottles sold we build a well for a community in need of accessing clean water on the other side of the world. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website wearetheripple.com
Founders Joe Knopp
SAFEWAVE TECHNOLOGY Safewave Technology provides the deaf and hard of hearing community vibration-based safety and communication alerting at their workplace and homes. Industry Technology
Location Hebron, KY
Website safewavetech.com
Founders Trevon Bruch, Jared Gabbard, Bradley Herald
SATURDAY MORNING VIBES Saturday Morning Vibes is the first cereal bar in the region geared toward nostalgia born of the 90s. Industry Retail
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website smvcerealbar.com
Founders Arielle Nelson
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
32
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
SOUNDTRACE Soundtrace is a B2B SaaS and IoT Company that automates OSHA’s Hearing Conservation Program requirements by providing noise monitoring, audiometric testing, and recordkeeping in a digital, end-to-end solution. Industry Technology
Location Mason, OH
Website soundtrace.com
Founders Jeff Wilson
SPASENSES Elevate your shower routine to a spa-like experience with Spa Senses Shower Steamers the perfect way to say goodbye to dull showers and hello to relaxation. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website spasenses.com
Founders Leilani Moore
SPOTTED YETI MEDIA Spotted Yeti Media is a video marketing and production company that produces videos to promote, educate, and inspire. Industry Media
Location Covington, KY
Website spottedyeti.com
Founders Molly Berens
SUNSHINE CARAMEL COMPANY Sunshine Caramel Company is an artisan gourmet caramel company, producing the world’s finest caramels, buttery melt in your mouth like no other caramel you have ever tasted! Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website sunshinecaramelco.com
Founders Cara Carter
THE BODY BAKERY & CO. The BodyBakery & Co is a high-protein, gluten-free, functional dessert bakery that creates single serve delicious treats for health-conscious customers. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Fort Thomas, KY
Website thebodybakery.net
Founders Rebecca Southern
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
33
THE DELISH DISH The Delish Dish is a full-service catering and events company that specializes in fromscratch food, exceptional service, and unique presentation for events from 10 to 500 guests. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Newport, KY
Website thedelishdish.com
Founders Mavis Linnemann-Clark
THE EMPANADAS BOX The Empanadas Box specializes in Argentine-style gourmet empanadas with taste from around the world & our concept is upscale quick serve. Industry Retail
Location Covington, KY
Website theempanadasbox.com
Founders Diego Nunez, Fabiana Nunez, Lucas Nunez
THE HEIRLOOM CHEF The Heirloom Chef creates fresh, healthy, warm and serve meal options for busy families or individuals, delivered weekly right to their doorstep. Industry Manufactured Goods
Location Cincinnati, OH
Website heirloomchefcincy.com
Founders Jackie Djordjevic
notes recipients of NKY Entrepreneur Fund
34
notes participants in the Launch It: Cincy Program
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TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STAFF
Kelly Bonnell, President
Sean Parker, Executive Director
Tara Noland, Vice President
Brianna Dzuricsko, Director of Funding & Impact
Ryan Watson, Treasurer Rob McDonald, Secretary
Abby Ober, Director of Engagement
Tony Alexander, Board Member
Jazmine Mosby, Manager of Special Events & Operations
Dave Knox, Board Member
Sarah Kubala, Chief Financial Officer
J.B. Kropp, Board Member George Molinsky, Board Member John Moore, Board Member Paula Boggs Muething, Board Member Joel Stone, Board Member
PROGRAM PARTNERS KAO USA, Inc. MACKEY Meriden LLC - Meriden McGraw Level Up Mentors and Subject Matter Experts
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Inventure Entrepreneurship Academy Presenters & Mentors Launch It: Cincy Mentors & Subject Matter Experts
DONORS & SUPPORTERS DONORS Ohio Third Frontier Entrepreneurial Service Provider Program City of Cincinnati Harold C. Schott Foundation Ed and Joann Hubert Family Foundation The P&G Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation KAO, USA Inc. BGR Inc. Dave and Cindy Knox Family Fund Kate and George Molinsky The Jenny and Jim Price Empower Fund The Robert A. and Diane J. McDonald Family Foundation The Sutphin Family Foundation Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP The Burkehaven Family Foundation The Teresa and Paul Spiegelman Family Foundation
Main Street Ventures is able to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs through the generosity of our many donors and supporters. We are thankful for their support of entrepreneurship in Cincinnati. 37