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6 enterprising startup ventures graduate from UC’s Venture Lab

The University of Cincinnati’s Venture Lab graduated its six newest startup ventures, with the cohort’s demo day attracting attention from entrepreneurs and potential investors.
kenneysn@ucmail.uc.edu (Stephen Kenney) | Thu, Dec 12, 2024

It’s no secret among Cincinnati’s entrepreneurial community that the 1819 Venture Lab offers one of the region’s most seamless pathways to startup success.

On Dec. 11, six new ventures graduated from the program by demonstrating their products’ merits before potential investors and innovation leaders.

The Venture Lab’s newest cohort spans many topics, from developing a better treatment for sleep apnea to designing a platform for cloud-based educational training videos. One commonality between each venture is the immense potential to become Southwest Ohio’s next great startup.

Curious investors and innovators flocked to the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub on Dec. 11 to consider the promise of six startups:

  • DeltaChase: Creator of a novel breathing device intended to replace CPAP machines for sleep apnea patients by providing them with increased carbon dioxide intake.
  • NES Education Services: A cloud-based video education platform meant to transform how human resources teams enhance, customize and scale employee training.
  • Oopda: A startup building an innovative online interface that simplifies the payment process for health care patients and their families.
  • Qualz.ai: An artificial intelligence-driven platform that streamlines researchers’ process of deriving insights from non-numerical data.
  • SurveyPro: An app allowing architectural engineering and construction firms to find surveyors or post their own surveying jobs quickly.
  • TissuTrak: A mobile health care platform founded by a UC student that empowers those with connective tissue disorders on their health journeys.

Each of these six ventures navigated the rigorous, eight-week Venture Launch accelerator program to elevate their viability and appeal as startups. The training isn’t always easy, but it allows entrepreneurs to discover what’s needed to gain startup funding, stay motivated and find startup mentors, among other responsibilities.

The 1819 Innovation Hub is now accepting applications for the next in-person Venture Launch accelerator, set to begin in February 2025. To be considered, aspiring entrepreneurs must first participate in the Venture Lab’s pre-launch digital accelerator.

Leading the way with startups

A presenter speaks during the Venture Lab's demo day at the 1819 Innovation Hub.

A presenter speaks during Venture Lab's demo day at the 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/Gregory Glevicky

UC’s Venture Lab, located inside the 1819 Innovation Hub, has graduated over 330 startup ventures since its launch in 2018 — many of them reaching market success. The Venture Launch accelerator, which concludes with a demo day where entrepreneurs pitch to regional stakeholders, is popular with the region’s founders.

“Launching a startup begins by taking the idea in your head and manifesting it through the Venture Lab’s programs,” said Marvin Abrinica, director of UC’s Venture Lab. “The more you tell the story of your startup, the more it comes to life.”

Demo day helped push the Venture Lab’s newest cohort forward in launching these six entrepreneurial ventures, which have just touched the surface of 1819’s resources. As each promising business continues to expand, it’ll discover that UC’s team is ready to grow alongside it.

Featured image at top: Attendees speak with presenters during Venture Lab's demo day. Photo/Gregory Glevicky

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