TechGROWTH Ohio

TechGrowth Ohio is a public-private partnership composed of the Ohio Third Frontier program, Ohio University, and the private investment community.

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Description

TechGROWTH Ohio (TGO) is a public-private venture development organization and part of the Ohio Third Frontier’s Entrepreneurial Services Provider (ESP) program. It is based at Ohio University and serves 19–20 counties in Southeastern Ohio, connecting early-stage tech companies with capital and business expertise.

Pre-seed, Seed, and Startup: TGO primarily invests in very early-stage companies.
Expansion Support: It also facilitates co-investments to help companies achieve later-stage commercialization milestones.
Digital Intake: Founders apply via an online Application for TGO Assistance, detailing their innovation, target market, and current milestones.
Vetting: Applications are screened for technical innovation and high-growth potential within the Southeastern Ohio region.
Mentorship First: Accepted founders often start with intensive technical assistance from Executives-in-Residence (EiRs) to become "investor-ready".
Pitching: "Investor-ready" companies are presented to the TechGROWTH Ohio Fund or partnered angel networks like the East Central Ohio Tech Angel Fund (ECOTAF).

Eligibility

Geography: Startups must be based in the 19-to-20 county region of Southeast Ohio.
Sectors: Core focus areas include Digital Media, Bio-sciences, Bio-agriculture, and Advanced Energy. Other technology-based sectors are also encouraged to apply.
Innovativeness: Priority is given to research-based innovations or scalable technology business models.

What an Applicant can Obtain

Direct Capital: Access to seed-stage investment capital from the TechGROWTH Ohio Fund.
Executive Guidance: Professional services from a deep bench of Executives-in-Residence.
Resource Access: Connections to specialized lab facilities, talent recruitment, and commercialization partners like the Ohio Innovation Fund.
Funding Pathways: Assistance with applying for state and federal grants, such as SBIR/STTR or the Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF).