TechStart Partners

TechColumbus' TechStart program has been generously funded largely by the Ohio 3rd Frontier, which has provided grant funding of $20,025,000 to TechColumbus since inception and Ohio TechAngels. The Ohio 3rd Frontier is the state's largest-ever commitment to expand Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promote innovation and company formation that will create high-paying jobs for generations to come.

The city of Columbus was founded in 1812 and has served as the state capital since 1816. The city has gradually grown into the most populous city in the state of Ohio. Helping to facilitate this population growth has been the city's tremendous land area expansion.

As a business advocacy organization representing 2,500 members, the Columbus Chamber leads the way for economic growth in the region.

Columbus College of Art & Design prepares tomorrow's creative leaders for professional careers. With a history of commitment to fundamentals and quality, CCAD advances a distinct, challenging, and inclusive learning culture that supports individual development in art, design, and the humanities.

Columbus State Community College provides quality educational programs that meet the life-long learning needs of its community. Through its dynamic curriculum and commitment to diverse learners, the college will serve as a catalyst for creating and fostering linkages among the community, business and educational institutions. The college will proactively respond to the changing needs of our community and its role in the global economy through the use of instructional and emerging technologies.

Located just 15 minutes north of Columbus, Dublin is one of the area's fastest growing suburbs and home to the headquarters of a number of companies, including Wendy's, Cardinal Health, Ashland Inc., and OCLC.

The Franklin County-TechColumbus partnership helps  nurture, coach and fund high tech companies in the region and put the region at the cutting edge of the development of the light technology of the future.  

Rich in heritage, diversity and a friendly environment, Gahanna is supported by a strong economy, an exceptional quality of life, affordable housing and one of the best school districts in central Ohio. Together, these attributes make Gahanna an attractive place for people of different ethnic, socio-economic, cultural and religious backgrounds to live and do business.

Greif is a world leader in industrial packaging products and services. The Company creates competitive advantage for its customers through extensive experience in steel, plastic, fibre, corrugated and multiwall containers and protective packaging for various industries.

Huntington Bank delivers easy access to competitive products, innovative features, and tools to help customers manage their money and their business. They provide personal banking for individuals and families, small business banking, banking for middle market businesses and nonprofit organizations, and specialty financial services through more than 600 local branches, more than 1,300 ATMs, and via online and mobile banking across six states: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Huntington Bank is headquartered right here in Columbus, Ohio and has $52 billion in assets and more than 11,000 employees.*

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including car insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a primary pediatric hospital in Ohio, with more than 950 medical staff members and over 6,000 total employees. In recent years, the hospital has been ranked as one the best hospitals in the United States by US News & World Report. It is also the pediatric teaching hospital for The Ohio State University School of Medicine

NCT Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Columbus, Ohio. Their main focus is on early-stage growth companies with revenue and profits that are ready to scale

The Village of New Albany is a founding partner of the TechStart program and have pledged to contribute $750,000 over the next three years. It has also created a regional office in the village to support TechStart activities in Morrow, Knox, Licking and northeastern Franklin counties.

OhioHealth is a family of not-for-profit, faith-based hospitals and healthcare organizations serving patients in central Ohio since 1891. Together we are saving lives, improving our community's health and delivering extraordinary healthcare. We are connected by a shared mission: to improve the health of those we serve. A code of core values: Compassion, excellence, stewardship and integrity. An unwavering commitment: to deliver quality, convenient, timely healthcare to all members of the community, regardless of ability to pay.

The Ohio State University (OSU) is a public research university in the state of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the largest single-campus university in the United States. Ohio State is currently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the best public university in Ohio, among the top 60 universities in the United States, and among the top 20 public universities in the United States. Ohio State has been officially designated as the flagship institution of the state's public system of higher education by the newly centralized University System of Ohio.

Since 1916, The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business has produced exceptional leaders who meet the challenges of a changing global business environment through creative and effective solutions. In 1993, the college received a gift from alumnus Max. M. Fisher, a leading industrialist, philanthropist and public servant. Mr. Fisher's desire to see his alma mater become one of the premier management institutions in the country spearheaded the construction of a state-of-the-art, six-building campus. In recognition of his commitment, the college was named the Max M. Fisher College of Business.

The Ohio TechAngels (“OTA”) provide investment capital for commercialization of innovations in information technology, advanced materials, and medical technology. The goal of all of our Funds is to support early-stage Ohio-based entities by facilitating risk sharing on opportunities with high upside potential. OTA actively seeks to co-invest with: OTA Members and their networks; State of Ohio supported validation funds; Midwest angel funds; Venture capital funds active in Ohio.

The City of Upper Arlington was incorporated in 1918 and has grown into a primarily residential community of approximately 34,000 residents covering 9.67 square miles. It is actively involved in the development of business and jobs in the area and works with TechColumbus through the Entrepreneurial Signature Program towards that end.

The City of Westerville is nationally recognized as one of "America's Best Places to Live" by Money Magazine, its second consecutive ranking on the list.  Featuring fantastic safety services, more than 46 parks, a community recreation center and 26 miles of leisure paths, Westerville offers unmatched services, programs and opportunities to our residents, visitors and businesses.