Startup Midwest for software entrepreneurs; Ohio State to host inaugural event
2-Day event will cultivate world-changing technology ideas and feature keynote presentations from Ratmir Timashev, software entrepreneur; and Carl Eschenbach, co-CEO of Workday
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The Ohio State University |
The Ohio State University’s Center for Software Innovation is set to host Startup Midwest: the premier event for rising technology entrepreneurs October 24-25, 2023 at the Blackwell Inn & Pfahl Conference Center on the Columbus campus.
Renowned leaders in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship will share insights with attendees and future founders, through keynote addresses from: Ratmir Timashev, software entrepreneur; Carl Eschenbach, co-CEO of Workday and former general partner at Sequoia Capital; and other high-profile figures to be announced. Ratmir Timashev’s vision for the Center for Software Innovation and the generosity of the Timashev Family Foundation have made Startup Midwest possible.
Ohio State and central Ohio are quickly becoming the home for entrepreneurs to grow and thrive with increasing access to talent, financial capital, space and resources devoted to creating the next world-changing software idea.
To celebrate and showcase the region’s growing innovation ecosystem, the inaugural Startup Midwest will provide education, resources and opportunities for early-stage technology entrepreneurs and others.
“Startup Midwest is an exciting opportunity to feature the best of what we have to offer. Innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of Ohio State’s commitment to foster regional economic development,” said Ohio State Acting President Peter Mohler, the university’s executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge. “We know our faculty, students, staff and the central Ohio community are part of a thriving ecosystem to create the next ‘great idea,’ and this event will help grow that spirit of partnership and curiosity.”
Emerging entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from the experts if their startup idea is marketable, what venture capitalists are looking for when providing funds, and how to pitch their startup so people understand its value. Startup Midwest will feature keynotes by technology leaders, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs and breakout sessions focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, cloud infrastructure, blockchain, networking receptions and more. Select sessions will be recorded and published following the event for viewing by audiences around the globe.
“Startup Midwest recognizes our region as an epicenter of entrepreneurship and opportunity,” said Timashev. “Along with the Center for Software Innovation and the entire Columbus ecosystem, Startup Midwest invites all builders and disruptors to join us and be a part of this next chapter of innovation.”
Breakout session speakers include:
- Ayanna Howard, Dean of the College of Engineering
- Elodie Dupuy, founder and managing partner at Full In Partners
- Evan Fisher, founder and managing partner at Portal Ventures
- Sebastian Gunningham, former VP of Amazon, Apple, Oracle, WeWork, and Saks
- Jeff Schumann, CEO and co-founder of Aware
- Bryan Semple, operating partner at Francisco Partners; COO at Ambassador Labs
A special panel for Ohio State Entrepreneur Focus will feature representatives from the Ohio State Early Investor Network, the OHI/O Hackathon Group and moderator Tim Keenan from the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship.
Registration is open now. Visit the Startup Midwest website to learn more about the conference, registration and session speakers.
