AI Takes Center Stage
at Ohio VC Fest ‘25
This year’s panel discussions, keynotes and fireside chats will cover the latest in AI and the emerging trends that are redefining industries, business models and investment strategies.
2025 Event Agenda
Designed to inspire new ideas, spark collaborations and drive deal flow, the sessions at Ohio VC Fest ‘25 will challenge conventions, offering actionable insights and practical recommendations from industry experts and innovators.
Day 1
SEPTEMBER 16th
9:00-11:00am
Levels 2 & 3
Registration Open
Demo Zone & Sponsor Walkthrough
Head to the registration table on Level 2 to check in, grab your badge and kickoff your VC Fest ‘25 experience. Then, explore the next-gen tech showcase in the Demo Zone and stop by the sponsor info tables on Level 3.
11:00-11:45am
Main Hall: Level 3
Welcome Address
& Opening Keynote
Head to the main stage for welcome remarks from JumpStart Interim CEO Lorne Novick and the Day 1 Keynote Session, featuring Amy Jo Martin.
Lorne Novick
Interim CEO, JumpStart
Amy Jo Martin
Author, Founder/CEO, Innovation Advocate & Podcast Host
11:45am-12:15pm
Main Hall: Level 3
Fireside Chat
w/ Amy Jo Martin & Michael Loeb
Part two of Amy Jo Martin’s keynote is a fireside chat with Michael Loeb that will be recorded live and adapted for an episode of her “Why Not Now?” podcast.
Amy Jo Martin
Author, Founder/CEO, Innovation Advocate & Podcast Host
Michael Loeb
Serial Entrepreneur, Investor & Founder/CEO of Loeb.nyc
12:30-1:45pm
Main Hall: Level 3
Lunch
Trailblazer Pitch Showcase
Grab your lunch and head to the Software Trailblazer Accelerator Showcase to see the current cohort pitch their startups.
2:00-4:00pm
Level 2
Founder/Investor
Venture Connections
The prescheduled 1:1 curated meetings between investors and startups will take place in the Venture Connections Zone on Level 2.
2:30-3:15pm
Main Hall: Level 3
Founder Focused Panel: How is the Market Wrestling with the Promise of AI?
Explore how enterprises across industries are approaching AI, and how they are adopting, adapting and managing the risks.
Chris Berry
President & CEO, OhioX
Kelly Cohen
Director AI Bio Lab, Digital Futures, University of Cincinnati
Ryan Larcom
Managing Director, Studios, Alloy Partners
Amish Shah
AI Strategic Innovation Leader, Eaton
Kim Snipes
EVP, Head of Commercial Onboarding & Servicing , KeyBank
4:15-5:00pm
Main Hall: Level 3
Heartland Advantage: Why the Midwest is Ripe for AI Health Innovation
Hear why the Midwest is uniquely positioned to lead in AI-driven healthcare thanks to prominent hospital systems and research institutions.
Duane Mancini
CEO, Project Medtech
Michael Dalton
Founder and CEO, Ovatient
Kaleigh Gallagher
VP of Tech Services, JumpStart
Jennifer Owens
Senior AI Program Administrator, Cleveland Clinic
Matthew Zenker
Director of Deal Flow and Investments, UH Ventures
5:00-7:00pm
Terrace: Level 2
Networking Reception
Mix and mingle with other event attendees at the networking reception.
Day 2
SEPTEMBER 17th
8:30-9:30am
Level 3
Breakfast & Networking
Join fellow attendees for breakfast and start day two of Ohio VC Fest ’25 off on the right foot.
9:30-10:00am
Main Hall: Level 3
Venture Pipeline Report
w/ J.D. Davids
Jeff (J.D.) Davids
Executive Director, The Ohio Venture Pipeline & Managing Partner, Smartmoney Ventures
Hear an analysis of all the venture-style investment deals completed across the Buckeye State during the first half of 2025.
10:00am-12:00pm
Level 2
Founder/Investor
Venture Connections
The prescheduled 1:1 curated meetings between investors and startups will take place in the Venture Connections Zone on Level 2.
10:30am-11:15am
Main Hall: Level 3
Panel Discussion:
Investing in AI – Hype vs. Reality
Hear how investors assess AI opportunities and get insights into how to position themselves to raise capital.
Jeffrey Stern
Principal, The O.H.I.O. Fund & Host, Lay of The Land Podcast
Hardik Desai
Managing Partner, JumpStart Ventures
Candice Matthews Brackeen
Founder Partner, Lightship Capital
Peggy Roberts
Managing Partner, The Riverside Company
Jamie Weston
Managing Director, Spring Mountain Capital
12:00-1:15pm
Main Hall: Level 3
Lunch
Startup World Cup Pitch Competition
Grab your lunch and a front row seat for the Startup World Cup regional pitch competition on the main stage.
1:30-2:00pm
Main Hall: Level 3
Day Two Keynote:
Fireside Chat with Vivek Ramaswamy
Head to the main stage for our day two keynote presentation: a fireside chat with investor and entrepreneur, Vivek Ramaswamy.
Bobby Kovey
Managing Director, The Credo Company
Vivek Ramaswamy
Investor, Founder & New York Times Best-Selling Author
2:00pm-4:00pm
Level 2
Investor/Investor
Venture Connections
The prescheduled 1:1 curated meetings for investors to explore partnership and collaboration opportunities will take place in the Venture Connections Zone on Level 2.
2:00-4:00pm
Terrace: Level 2
HealthTech & SaaS Founder Breakouts
Engage with like-minded founders of healthtech and software startups during this targeted networking session.
4:00-5:00pm
Terrace: Level 2
Toast & Happy Hour
Join us for the closing remarks and toast to the memorable moments that have transpired over the last two days. Then, connect over drinks and light bites during the day two happy hour to close out the Ohio VC Fest ‘25 conference.