Release: OhioX launches as Ohio’s Technology and Innovation Partnership

OhioX is a nonprofit organization that represents and connects those committed to growing Ohio’s economy through technology and innovation.

OHIO – OhioX, a nonprofit technology and innovation partnership, announced today its launch. The organization represents and connects those committed to growing Ohio’s economy through technology and innovation.

As a nonprofit membership association, OhioX will center its efforts around promotion, collaboration, advocacy and shared learning in order to foster an environment of innovation and economic opportunity.

The mission of OhioX is to unite and promote those building the future and the group envisions Ohio as a world leader in technology and innovation which creates a vibrant economy and opportunities for all.

“OhioX provides Ohio’s businesses and schools the opportunity to connect, educate and discover,” said Jessica Gritzan, Chief Operating Officer at Squirrels, a Canton area software technology company. “A community of diverse members helps build the foundation to create and retain top talent in the area. Partnering with education systems will provide businesses the opportunity to help build what’s needed most in future talent. This will also provide the opportunity to let upcoming graduates know about the opportunities right in their backyard.”

“Ohio's tech community, in all its forms, badly needs an organization like OhioX to help connect start-ups, business owners, students, investors, employees, service providers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and the list goes on,” added David Croft, Partner and Chair at Cleveland-area Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis. “Ohio's tech industry needs a shot in the arm to grow and thrive; to attract talent, money, and business - OhioX is that shot."

“The role of technology and innovation in Ohio’s economy has grown exponentially in the last decade,” said Cory Bailey, of Columbus, and Co-Founder and President of SecurSpace. “Across the state, individuals and companies are making great strides driving change in the market and in society as a whole. What we need to do now is pull these resources together, both tangible and intangible, to ensure we accelerate progress as much as possible. OhioX has been created for this very purpose, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

"Through storytelling, community building and shared learning, OhioX has the potential to shine sunlight on the people, companies and ideas that will positively shape Ohio's future," said Chris Berry, President of OhioX. "By uniting diverse backgrounds from all corners of Ohio, our vision is Ohio as a world leader in technology and innovation which creates a vibrant economy and opportunities for all."

OhioX is a membership organization open to all committed to supporting and growing Ohio’s economy through technology and innovation. Included are Ohio's startups, small businesses, corporations, health care systems, universities and research institutions, investors, service providers and nonprofits.

OhioX will be led by its Advisory Board, which includes:

• Jessica Gritzan, COO, Squirrels LLC

• Kaleb Dumot, Founder and CEO, Integrity Power Search

• Justin M. Bibb, Vice President of Corporate Strategy, KeyBank

• Dr. Suzanne M. Rivera, Vice President for Research and Technology Management, Case Western Reserve University

• Dr. Albert Green, Founder and CEO, AMG Consulting Group

• Barb Ewing, CEO, Youngstown Business Incubator

• Neil Weiss, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Indians

• Bernie Moreno, President, Bernie Moreno Companies

• Kristen Morris, CEO, KDWM Ltd.

• Cory D. Bailey, Co-Founder and President, SecurSpace

• Seth Metcalf, General Counsel, Bold Penguin

• Dr. Arthur Carvalho, Dinesh and IIa Paliwal Innovation Chair, Miami University

• Tim Schigel, Managing Partner, Refinery Ventures

• John Barrett, Regional President - Ohio, TriState Capital Bank

• Carrie Murphy, Director of Northeast Ohio, Venture for America

• David Croft, Partner, Meyers, Roman, Friedberg and Lewis

• Scott Shane, Managing Partner, Comeback Capital

• Ben LaRocco, Director of State and Federal Policy, Lime

• Jennifer Royer Cannizzaro, Head of Product Marketing and Go To Market Strategy, Olive

• Mark Weisman, Managing Director, Navidar

• Rehgan Avon, Head of Solutions, Mobikit / President, Women in Analytics

• Ben Blanquera, Vice President for Client Success and Experience, Columbus Collaborator / Founder, TechLife Columbus

• Ari Lewis, Partner, GreenBlock

• Chris Berry, President, OhioX

For more information, please visit www.OhioX.org.

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