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With support from Entrepreneurs’ Center, four ventures are turning bold ideas into real-world technologies across Ohio.
DAYTON, OH, October 21, 2025 – Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC) clients Cyrannus, NecoTech, Saturn Sports, and TapIn have secured a combined $800,000 in grant funding from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission through its Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF). These competitively awarded grants support the development and commercialization of breakthrough technologies with the potential to transform industries and improve lives across the state and country.
“These companies represent the very best of what’s possible when innovation is met with the right support,” said Scott Koorndyk, President of EC. “We’re proud to play a role in helping founders across Ohio bring technologies to life that solve real problems and create lasting economic value.”
Cyrannus has secured $200,000 to expand its private equity marketplace. This marketplace connects accredited investors with rigorously vetted early-stage companies and offers liquidity through its Primaries and Secondaries platforms. With a mission to drive more capital into startups and strengthen the broader ecosystem, Cyrannus streamlines sourcing, evaluation, and portfolio management to make early-stage investing more efficient and accessible.
“Entrepreneurs’ Center has been an invaluable partner in our journey,” said Howard Lee Mosbacker IV, PhD, CEO & Co-Founder of Cyrannus. “Their guidance throughout the TVSF application process and continued support in navigating Ohio’s entrepreneurial ecosystem have been instrumental. This funding will accelerate the development of our secondaries product and advance our vision to expand the Ohio investor base and shape the future of venture in the region.”
NecoTech has secured $200,000 to advance its next-generation infrastructure technologies, including innovative asphalt materials and automated equipment designed to modernize road construction. Established in 2019, the company has secured multiple Department of Defense contracts and is now working to scale its 100% recycled hot mix asphalt nationwide.
“Ultimately, our plan is to make full use of Entrepreneurs’ Center as we grow,” said Steve Flaherty, Founder and CEO. “From mentorship and networking to investor access, our priority is to align their support with our most critical challenges at each stage. We recognize that EC’s mission is to help companies like ours succeed, and we intend to be an exemplar success story emerging from EC’s portfolio.”
Saturn Sports has secured $200,000 to develop the first connected chin strap monitoring system for football helmets. The system will give coaches real-time visibility into helmet fit across the entire team. By alerting staff when a helmet is loose, the system ensures athletes stay safer during play, reducing risk and offering peace of mind to coaches, parents, and players alike.
“The EC’s support has been unmatched throughout the TVSF process. As recent graduates of UD, our experience has shown that the EC remains an unparalleled resource for students who truly want to pursue entrepreneurship,” said Hank Veeneman, CEO of Saturn Sports. “This funding allows us to take our vision from concept to reality, building our system and testing it in live practices and games. We are excited to continue working closely with the EC as we take these next steps.”
TapIn has secured $200,000 to expand its mobile-based platform, which transforms a smartphone into a personalized kiosk for real-world experiences. With a simple, secure tap, users can check in, unlock loyalty rewards, or verify attendance—enabling businesses to connect with customers without the need for costly infrastructure or custom apps.
“EC has been invaluable in helping TapIn scale from university pilots to commercial deployment,” said Michael Jones, TapIn Co-founder. Their guidance and the TVSF funding help us refine our technology and expand our partnerships in new markets. With EC’s support, we’re building the infrastructure that connects verified human presence to the AI economy.”
Cyrannus, NecoTech, Saturn Sports, and TapIn are engaged with Entrepreneurs’ Center, which supports a wide range of technology ventures by providing strategic guidance, commercialization support, and access to resources that accelerate growth and drive regional economic impact.
“The TVSF program typically awards just 16 grants across the state of Ohio in an entire year,” said Paul Jackson, VP of Strategic Programs at EC. “In 2025 alone, we helped 16 companies and one research institution secure $3.3 million from the program. That’s not just remarkable—it’s proof that our model is working, and working at scale.”
This milestone underscores the value of sustained investment in Ohio’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. As the innovation economy evolves, Entrepreneurs’ Center remains committed to equipping founders with the tools, guidance, and connections they need to navigate challenges, scale their ventures, and deliver solutions that matter.
About Entrepreneurs’ Center
Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC) is a modern venture development organization that powers progress and prosperity through entrepreneurship. Annually, EC works with over 1,000 entrepreneurs to start and grow companies, create jobs, generate revenue, and attract investment. EC empowers main street and technology businesses through complimentary professional services, including business planning, mentoring, training, networking, commercialization, and capital investment. EC’s talented and experienced team of advisors, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and staff design and facilitate diverse, world-class business acceleration programs on behalf of corporations, higher education institutions, and government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, from their headquarters at The Hub Powered by PNC Bank in the historic Dayton Arcade. Learn more at EC Innovates.
About Ohio Third Frontier
Managed by the Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Third Frontier (OTF) is an internationally recognized $2.1 billion economic development initiative supporting technology entrepreneurship and growing jobs across the state of Ohio, positively changing the trajectory of its economy. Through a statewide robust network of resources, entrepreneurs with compelling business models for near-term market opportunities based on technology and tech-enabled products and services have access to the technology, business assistance, capital, and talent to turn great ideas into thriving companies. OTF is driving this expanding, vibrant community of high-growth technology companies and making Ohio a top destination for tech entrepreneurs. Learn more at Ohio Third Frontier.
For More Information, Contact:
Leslie Klenke, Director of Marketing
Entrepreneurs’ Center
[email protected]
