Promote Exceptional Partnerships and Regional Innovation in Dayton Region Backed by Air Force Research Laboratory leadership and lawmakers, the partnership between The Entrepreneurs Center and Wright Brothers Institute at the 444 innovation building makes a big impact on regional commercialization
Dayton, March 29, 2018: The Entrepreneurs Center announced today a historic visit by Congressman Mike Turner (R), hosted by Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Executive Director Jack Blackhurst, to hear about the impact of unique partnerships at 444 E. Second St, in the heart of Dayton’s emerging Innovation District. “444’s” first floor is the physical and strategic hub for commercialization, infused with AFRL’s research and development technologies, managed by TEC and WBI. Today’s tour highlighted the momentum of collaborative commercialization initiatives, job creation, economic development and the Air Force’s Mission.
“We know our region has tremendous technology resources thanks to Wright Patterson AFB and the Air Force Research Lab,” said Congressman Turner, “Innovations developed right here are being put in the hands of talented entrepreneurs to build exciting new ventures. This forward-thinking leadership by The Entrepreneurs Center and Wright Brothers Institute are setting the bar for nationwide defense-related collaborations and results in high-tech job growth and prosperity for Ohio.”
“We could not do what we do without the tremendous support of lawmakers, the AFRL and the State of Ohio. Congressman Turner has been a key advocate for The Entrepreneurs Center allowing us to grow our programs and increase our impact at warp speed,” said Scott Koorndyk, TEC President. TEC and WBI teamed up to present capabilities and highlight several innovative companies that have spun out of AFRL, WBI, and TEC collaborations including software development company (and 444 tenant) Mile 2 and chemiluminescent company Battle Sight Technologies.
These best practices begin with solid partnerships. The idea for the collaboration space toured today was born in late 2016 by AFRL leadership to accelerate their technology transfer goals. Leveraging their partnership with WBI and TEC, the Air Force’s support for 444 provided proximity to new teams, small businesses and research agreements that weren’t available inside the fence. WBI and TEC work together to shore up the creation of scalable, high-tech businesses with funding and entrepreneurial expertise. Added Rob Klees, Associate Director of WBI, “444 provides an incredibly exciting opportunity for the best minds to collide. Researchers, engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs come together to build great businesses and expand the impact of the ground-breaking work of the AFRL.”
About The Entrepreneurs Center:
The Entrepreneurs Center (TEC) is the Miami Valley’s center for entrepreneurial excellence. TEC drives meaningful connections and provides significant resources to Miami Valley entrepreneurs and research institutes. TEC’s Innovation Program is designed to meet the various needs of all entrepreneurs from lifestyle to large-scale ideas and includes the Entrepreneurial Services Program, Dayton Tech Guide, SBIR TAP, Nucleus CoShare, Small Business Development Center and more. Learn more at TecDayton.com.
About Wright Brothers Institute:
The Wright Brothers Institute is an Innovation Institute, partnered with the Air Force Research Laboratory, serving the Dayton region. Utilizing unique collaboration environments, resident experts, extended networks and innovative processes, Wright Brothers Institute brings value to a variety of customers looking for insights and solutions to their most challenging problems. Learn more at www.wbi-innovates.com or follow Wright Brothers Institute on Twitter @wbiinovates and on facebook @WBIInnovates.
Contact: [email protected]
Phone: 937.531.6595
444 E. Second Street
Dayton, OH 45419
www.tecdayton.com
www.nucleusdayton.com
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A Letter from our President & Board Chair
At the Entrepreneurs’ Center, everything we do is driven by one goal: delivering real impact to the clients and communities we serve. Over the years, we’ve celebrated major milestones—but none more meaningful than the one we’re proud to share today.
Between 2017 and 2024, EC-supported businesses surpassed $1 billion in cumulative economic impact, measured through revenue generated, investment capital attracted, and grant funding secured.
That kind of impact doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of relentless work to make the Dayton Region one of the very best places to build a business—through bold programming, expanded access to capital, and a community that’s more connected than ever.
For high-growth, high-tech startups, we continue to lead the region’s Ohio Third Frontier Entrepreneurial Services Provider program. Today, we support more than 100 tech companies whose innovations are fueling job creation, attracting capital, and reshaping Dayton’s economic future. In 2025, our successes were recognized with a program extension through mid-2027.
At the same time, we remain equally committed to the small businesses that sustain and energize our communities. Through the Miami Valley Small Business Development Center, we served more than 500 Main Street entrepreneurs in 2024, offering education, one-on-one advising, and support to access the funding they need to grow. We also deepened our role as a convener, hosting Dayton Startup Week and welcoming over 400 attendees and 80 speakers to share, learn, and connect.
2024 was also a breakout year for the Arcade Innovation Hub, our flagship innovation space. Now home to more than 160 member companies, The Hub Powered by PNC Bank has become the region’s most dynamic gathering place for entrepreneurs, educators, and creatives. This partnership between the University of Dayton’s Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Entrepreneurs’ Center is a powerful example of what’s possible when institutions work together to spark innovation.
From our earliest days as a startup incubator to today’s billion-dollar milestone, we’ve remained grounded in one mission: to build progress and prosperity through entrepreneurship. The future we envisioned is now happening—and we’re just getting started.
We’re deeply grateful to our public and private partners, our community collaborators, and especially the hundreds of small business owners and startup founders who trust us to walk alongside them. This impact is yours, too.
We believe the next billion is already on its way.
Scott Koorndyk, President
Dr. David Kirschman, Board Chair
The federal SBIR and STTR programs provide billions of dollars in non-dilutive funding to support technology innovation, yet many early-stage companies struggle to navigate the application process and build the commercialization strategies necessary for success.
Water technology innovators often face additional challenges, including high initial capital costs, long adoption timelines, complex regulatory environments, and limited access to commercialization support tailored to the sector.
The SBIR/STTR Accelerator addresses these barriers and aims to support startup fundraising efforts by helping participants:
- Understand and navigate the federal funding landscape
- Develop compelling value propositions and commercialization strategies
- Identify market opportunities and competitive advantages
- Strengthen business planning and investor readiness
- Build actionable plans for pursuing SBIR/STTR funding
A Letter from our President & Board Chair
As we reflect on another year of bold ideas, resilient founders, and transformative growth, it’s our pleasure to present the 2025 Annual Impact Report for Entrepreneurs’ Center—the Region’s venture development leader.
In 2025, our team remained focused on our mission: to accelerate the growth of entrepreneurial businesses across the Dayton region at every stage—from a good idea to a scaling business to a business attracting capital. Through targeted programming, expert mentorship, access to capital, and deep partnerships across the ecosystem, we continued to build a thriving environment where entrepreneurs can turn visionary ideas into economic engines for our community.
In 2024, we reported that our impact exceeded $1B since 2017. That momentum is not just continuing—it’s accelerating. In 2025 alone, EC-supported businesses generated more than $266M in economic impact, signaling a pace of growth that is compounding year-over-year.
These outcomes are more than numbers—they represent real stories of innovation, perseverance, and community reinvestment right here in Dayton. From high-growth technology startups to main-street businesses and neighborhood innovators, the entrepreneurs we serve are strengthening our regional economy and positioning Dayton as a hub for opportunity and progress.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our Board of Directors, our funders, investors, corporate partners, academic collaborators, and dedicated team. Your belief in the power of entrepreneurship fuels our impact across the Miami Valley and beyond.
We invite you to explore the full 2025 Annual Impact Report to see the depth of our programs, the success stories of the founders we are privileged to work with, and the forward momentum we’re building together.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we continue to power progress and prosperity in the Dayton Region.
Scott Koorndyk, President
Dr. David Kirschman, Board Chair
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