937-203-0771 
Latest awards to Coverage Wizard and Guarded Edge bring EC-supported companies’ 2026 funding total to $3 million through Ohio’s Technology Validation and Start-up Fund.
DAYTON, OH, October 20, 2026 – Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC) clients Coverage Wizard and Guarded Edge have secured a combined $400,000 in grant funding through the Ohio Third Frontier Commission’s Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF). These competitively awarded grants support the development and commercialization of promising technologies with the potential to strengthen industries, create jobs, and drive economic growth across Ohio.
“Ohio continues to be a place where innovative ideas can become successful businesses,” said Scott Koorndyk, President of EC. “These awards represent more than funding. They’re an investment in entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to real-world challenges and building companies with the potential to grow and create jobs right here in Ohio.”
Coverage Wizard has secured $200,000 to advance its cloud-based platform that helps insurance agencies and benefits brokers identify costly errors in employee benefits enrollment data. By automating the reconciliation of enrollment records with insurance carrier billing and eligibility files, Coverage Wizard reduces audit times from more than 90 minutes to under five while significantly improving error detection. The funding will support the integration of Navy-licensed artificial intelligence technology, enabling the company to scale its platform nationwide.
“Entrepreneurs’ Center was with us at every step of the TVSF process, helping us navigate the program, sharpen the proposal, and prepare for the interview,” said Joe DiPietro, Co-Founder & COO of Coverage Wizard. “That support made a real difference in how we told our story. This award lets us integrate the Navy-licensed AI technology into our platform and move from manual data onboarding to a fully scalable audit engine, which means faster onboarding for agencies, a stronger case for our 2027 equity raise, and new tech jobs here in Ohio.”
Guarded Edge has secured $200,000 to advance its technology for the secure management of Protected Health Information (PHI) in skilled nursing facilities, long-term care organizations, and other post-acute care settings. Validated by more than 100 long-term care providers, its management system helps organizations implement federally required safeguards, strengthen compliance, and reduce the risk of data breaches. The funding will support development of an AI-enhanced software application that integrates proven compliance processes with 3D identity verification technology licensed from Cleveland State University.
“Entrepreneurs’ Center pushed us hard to examine every aspect of our business model and make it better,” said Diane Evans, Founder and HIPAA Subject Matter Expert at Guarded Edge. “The TVSF Phase 2 award allows us to develop management software that, in particular, will effectively address the leading cause of data breaches reported to the federal government: That of impermissible access to private information by insiders, who often share passwords in violation of regulations.”
Coverage Wizard and Guarded Edge are engaged with Entrepreneurs’ Center, which supports technology ventures through strategic guidance, commercialization assistance, and access to resources that help founders secure funding and accelerate business growth.
“With this latest TVSF round, EC has helped Ohio companies secure $3 million in funding in 2026, representing 68% of all TVSF awards made statewide this year,” said Paul Jackson, Senior VP of Strategic Programs at EC. “These results reflect the strength of the companies we work with and the expertise our team brings to the funding process. From evaluating opportunities and strengthening proposals to preparing founders for pitches, we’re helping more Ohio businesses compete successfully for the capital they need to bring new technologies to market.”
The TVSF awards reinforce the strength of Ohio’s innovation ecosystem and the value of connecting entrepreneurs with the resources needed to move promising technologies toward commercialization. Entrepreneurs’ Center remains committed to helping founders navigate that journey, from early validation to long-term growth, while strengthening the region’s innovation economy.
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 complementary 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]
