Built in Ohio

What does the next chapter of American industrial growth look like? It looks like abundant, reliable, and clean energy—and it's being deployed right here in Ohio.  John Hanson, Corporate Chief of Staff at Oklo, joins Built in Ohio to discuss their massive new clean energy agreement pairing tech giant Meta's energy demand with domestic fuel producer Centrus.   In this conversation, John e...

Aplos Data is coming out of stealth with a clear focus: helping organizations move beyond disconnected data, stalled use cases, and AI pilots that never reach production. In this episode, Aplos Data co-founders Ian Ferré, CEO, and Sean Dooley, Executive Chairman, join the podcast to discuss how they are helping businesses operationalize AI through data, workflow automation, and Palantir-powered sy...

Accent has grown into a trusted cloud communications provider serving organizations ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. In this episode, Chris Cameron, CEO of Accent, joins the podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey — from working at Accent to buying the company and becoming its president and CEO. Chris discusses how Accent helps businesses modernize communication through clo...

Ohio’s startup ecosystem has grown from early investments and foundational programs into a thriving network of entrepreneurs, investors, operators, and support organizations. In this episode, Michelle Murcia, founder and CEO of Book+Street, joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of the Columbus and Ohio startup ecosystem, her decades of work supporting entrepreneurs, and why she launched Book+...

Modern software promises speed, flexibility, and growth — but too often, businesses find themselves boxed in by legacy systems, rigid “out-of-the-box” features, and digital projects that never fully deliver. In this episode, Brendan Gualdoni, Chief Operating Officer of Aries Solutions, joins the podcast to discuss how companies can modernize complex digital ecosystems through composable commerce,...

Miami University is helping prepare the next generation of technology talent through first-of-its-kind programs in quantum computing and artificial intelligence. In this episode, Beena Sukumaran, Professor and the Dinesh and ILA Paliwal Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at Miami University, joins the podcast to discuss how Miami is building new pathways for students in some of the m...

The AI era is not just about making old systems faster. It is a shift from operating on the ground to operating in the air — requiring new tools, new controls, and a new way for organizations to coordinate work. In this episode, Quentin Fisher, CEO and founder of Aidan Systems, shares how manufacturing and healthcare organizations can move into the AI era with practical, trusted, and operationally...

On this episode of Built in Ohio we’re joined by Anthony Gillespie, Director of Strategic and Technology-Based Partnerships and the Technology Transfer Office at Parallax Advanced Research.  Anthony brings more than 30 years of experience spanning entrepreneurship, government, university tech transfer, and consulting—all focused on advancing innovation and economic impact. At Parallax, Anthony hel...

On this episode of Built in Ohio we’re joined by Novick, the Interim CEO of JumpStart Inc.  Lorne has spent his career at the intersection of law, startups, sports, and venture—always with a focus on driving innovation and impact. At JumpStart, he’s held senior leadership roles overseeing services, deal flow, and strategy, helping to build one of Ohio’s most influential entrepreneurial organizatio...

On this episode of Built in Ohio we’re joined by Alexandra Scheiman, Vice President of People at Path Robotics. Alexandra brings over 15 years of experience in scaling teams, leading people strategy, and driving culture in high-growth environments—from Spotify and Facebook in New York to one of Ohio’s most innovative AI companies. At Path Robotics, Alexandra has built the people function from the...

In this episode of Built in Ohio our guest is Anthony Joy, Chief Information Officer of Cleveland Metroparks. Most people hear “parks” and think of hiking trails and picnic tables. But Anthony, who's the first-ever CIO for Cleveland Metroparks, sees something much more complex: a 25,000-acre network spanning six counties, 18 park reservations, a nationally acclaimed zoo, nine golf courses, ma...

In this epsiode of Built in Ohio we welcome Shane Bigelow, CEO of Cleveland-headquartered CHAMP Titles. Modernizing government systems is a challenge few startups dare to tackle. But Shane and the CHAMP team, is proving it can be done, and done from Ohio. Shane, whose background spans finance, capital markets, and emerging technologies, launched CHAMP to digitize one of the most outdated governmen...

In this episode of Built in Ohio, our guest is Becca Wenning—the founder and CEO of Dressit, a smart technology platform that uses artificial intelligence to power designer websites and guide brides—confidently and effortlessly—to the right dress and the right boutique.  Think of it as a digital matchmaker for the most important outfit a person may ever wear. In 2010, Becca stepped into bridal ret...

In this episode of the Built in Ohio podcast, we sit down with Robert Marks, a serial entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Projector.  Robert is no stranger to building big ideas—he founded Fidelity Voice and Data with just $600 and grew it into a $30 million business, delivering internet and cloud services across the Midwest. After successfully exiting that company, he turned his focus to ne...

In this episode of Built in Ohio, we sit down with Tony Pietrocola, President of AgileBlue, a Cleveland-based cybersecurity company using AI to detect and respond to threats faster than ever before. Tony’s journey is anything but ordinary. With no formal background in cybersecurity, he co-founded AgileBlue to solve a real market need—and scaled it into one of Ohio’s fastest-growing tech startups....

In this episode of Built in Ohio, we sit down with Ratmir Timashev, a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and investor whose impact on cloud data protection and software innovation is felt worldwide. Ratmir is an entrepreneur, technologist, and community leader, best known for his innovations in cloud data protection. Since launching Aelita Software in his dorm at the Ohio State University, Ratmir has...

In this episode we welcome two guests from Cincinnati-headquartered Procter & Gamble (P&G): Guy Persaud, President of the New Business Unit at Procter & Gamble and Board Chair at Cintrifuse and Chetan Parekh, Vice President & General Manager of Zevo. Built in Ohio's host, Chris Berry, speaks with Guy and Chetan on innovation in large corporations, what it's like building...

In this episode, we welcome Katie Comer, Head of Community Development for North America at Meta.  Meta, formerly known as the Facebook Company, is the parent company of the apps you know and love−Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Workplace, Messenger, and Quest.  During our conversation with Katie, we discuss Meta's passion for Ohio, why their company is committed to helping build Ohio's t...

Max Brickman is the Managing Director of Heartland Ventures, a venture capital firm that connects high-growth startups with new customers in the Midwest. We first welcomed Max back as a guest in April 2021. In his second appearance on the show we check in to see how the pandemic crated opportunities for venture capital in the midwest and why connecting high-growth industrial startups on the coast...

Marvin Logan is the Executive Director of Youngstown-based OH WOW! Children's Center for Science & Technology. In this episode, we spoke to Marvin about building a STEM education pipeline connecting education, government, nonprofits, and the tech industry. OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology opened in downtown Youngstown, Ohio on May 12, 20...

Steve Cross is the Founder and Creative Director of iSynergy, an integrated digital marketing agency with a laser focus on maximizing ROI for clients. In this conversation we spoke with Steve about the inspiration to leave a "safe" job and create his own business, why he's so focused on team culture, and his passion for West Coast Innovation with a Rust Belt work ethic. iSynergy, ba...

Angelo Mazzocco is Vice President of Advisory Services at AVAAP. AVAAP is an industry-focused technology management and advisory services partner known for delivering strategic technology solutions and exceptional customer experiences. In this episode, we spoke with Angelo about the amazing community behind Central Ohio's tech growth, some of the keys that have led to innovation success in Co...

Right now, Ohio is in the midst of a generational opportunity with the growth and development of our tech economy.  For this special Built in Ohio Podcast, we welcomed Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted. This episode was built and released for our annual #OhioTechDay celebration.  Held annually on the final Friday in September, #OhioTechDay celebrates and promotes tech in Ohio and inspires students to c...

Kristy Campbell is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Rev1 Ventures.  In this episode, we talk with Kirsty about the Columbus tech scene, how Rev1 Ventures  helps entrepreneurs build great companies, and inclusion in the startup ecosystem. Kristy leads operations for Columbus-based Rev1 Ventures,  providing strategic services and capital to help startups scale and corpora...

Dennis Andersh is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Parallax Advanced Research Corporation.  In this episode we talk with Dennis about solving critical challenges for the Nation's security and prosperity, Parallax's unique model, and their important work linking academia, industry and government research and development programs.  Parallax Advanced Research is a Dayton-based 5...