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Ohio’s innovation ecosystem continues to thrive as five efforts—ranging from startups to research organizations—receive funding.
DAYTON, OH, April 22, 2024 – Five organizations engaged with the Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC) have secured a combined $900,000 in grant funding from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. EC clients Airtrek Robotics, Bisc Therapeutics, ComHealth Data Solutions, and Volynt Aero, Inc., were each awarded $200,000 in Phase 2 grants, while Parallax Advanced Research & The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) received $100,000 in Phase 1 funding.
These competitively awarded Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF) grants are designed to help accelerate the development and commercialization of groundbreaking innovations, fueling Ohio’s tech economy and advancing solutions that can transform industries and improve lives.
“These awards represent more than funding—they’re a vote of confidence in the bold ideas coming out of Ohio,” said Scott Koorndyk, President of the Entrepreneurs’ Center. “We’re proud to support these visionary entrepreneurs as they push boundaries and shape the future of their industries.”
Airtrek Robotics has secured $200,000 to advance their autonomous robot solution that detects and removes Foreign Object Debris (FOD) from civil and military airfields. Airtrek Robotics’ AI robotics technology is designed to keep airfields consistently clean, enhancing aircraft safety and operational efficiency. With the support of the Entrepreneurs’ Center and the Ohio Third Frontier TVSF funding, Airtrek Robotics plans to finalize its product design, advance prototyping, and prepare for market entry, addressing a critical, unmet need in the aviation industry.
“We’re grateful for support from the Entrepreneurs’ Center and Ohio Third Frontier,” said Chris Lee, CEO of Airtrek Robotics. “This grant will accelerate our product development and help us tackle the critical issue of Foreign Object Debris in the aviation industry.”
Bisc Therapeutics has secured $200,000 to advance the development of its lead oral therapy targeting retinal degenerative diseases, including late-stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and inherited retinal disorders. Based in Cleveland, Bisc is pioneering first-in-class small molecule inhibitors of Bax, a key regulator of cell death, to preserve vision by preventing irreversible retinal cell loss. With strong preclinical data demonstrating superior performance to existing approaches, Bisc is now progressing toward development candidate selection and IND-enabling studies, addressing a critical unmet need for patients with no current treatment options.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Entrepreneurs’ Center and the Ohio Third Frontier, which has been instrumental in helping us shape our commercial strategy and secure the resources needed to move our therapy forward,” said Elizabeth Berezovsky, PhD, CEO of Bisc Therapeutics. “This grant will enable us to complete critical toxicology studies needed to select a development candidate and ultimately bring a transformative treatment to patients facing vision loss.”
ComHealth Data Solutions secured $200,000 to advance its i-Hope Community Data Collection platform, a technology designed to empower Community Health Workers (CHWs) in connecting individuals with essential services that extend beyond traditional healthcare. As an Ohio-based startup focused on translating academic research into real-world solutions, ComHealth has developed a novel system that bridges the gap between electronic medical records and the social, non-clinical needs of underserved populations. The platform’s interoperability enables seamless data sharing with EMRs, health information exchanges, community organizations, and billing services—streamlining referrals, improving feedback, and enhancing whole-person care.
“We are grateful to the Entrepreneur’s Center for their expertise, guidance, and dedication to the needs of new businesses seeking funding in Ohio,” said Dr. William A. Matcham, Founder of ComHealth Data Solutions. “This funding helps us address critical gaps in services for underserved communities and can provide solutions to address the sustainability of services through revenue generation. We look forward to continuing collaboration with the EC as we move forward with commercialization efforts.”
Volynt Aero, Inc. secured $200,000 to advance the development of the Vyper UAS, a hybrid-electric, unmanned aircraft engineered for emergency cargo transport and autonomous power generation in defense and disaster response scenarios. As Ohio’s only homegrown advanced aircraft manufacturer, Volynt Aero is delivering a new class of extended-range, unmanned mobility solutions designed to reduce risk, improve readiness, and save lives. By enabling autonomous aircraft to handle dangerous, distant, and demanding missions, the Vyper frees highly skilled pilots to focus on the most critical tasks—bringing speed and safety to operations where every second counts.
“This TVSF funding will directly benefit improvements to the range, endurance, and payload of the Vyper through weight reductions. These increases to the capabilities of our aircraft will make Volynt’s offerings more impactful to customers in defense and disaster response markets focused on contested and emergency logistics,” said Justin Jantzen, Co-Founder and CTO of Volynt Aero. “This success is in large part due to the continuing support from the Entrepreneurs’ Center, especially Paul Jackson, Elliot Reed, and Natasha Tolentino-Demmings, for which we are very grateful. We look forward to partnering even further with the EC to bring our revolutionary technology to market.”
In addition to the four startup awards, Parallax Advanced Research & The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) secured a TVSF Phase 1 grant to support the early-stage validation of innovative aerospace technologies through their collaborative efforts to accelerate research and development in Ohio. As mission-driven nonprofit institutions, Parallax and OAI are advancing breakthrough solutions by connecting government, industry, and academia to address national challenges and strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem. Their joint focus on aerospace research, education, and workforce development positions Ohio as a leader in next-generation aerospace advancements.
“We are honored to be selected for a Phase 1 TVSF grant from the State of Ohio. This funding is a pivotal step in advancing our pre-licensing work to validate the commercial potential of our technologies. With the support of the Entrepreneurs’ Center, we are accelerating our mission to deliver transformative innovations that address critical global challenges. This grant not only empowers our dedicated teams at Parallax/OAI but also strengthens our collaborative efforts with industry and academic partners to bring groundbreaking solutions to market more efficiently.”
Airtrek Robotics, Bisc Therapeutics, ComHealth Data Solutions, Volynt Aero, Inc., and Parallax Advanced Research & The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) are engaged with the EC, which partners with a diverse range of technology ventures—from early-stage startups to established innovation-driven organizations. EC provides strategic guidance, commercialization support, and growth resources that help these organizations accelerate progress, achieve impact, and contribute to the vitality of the regional economy.
“As we move into the second quarter of 2025, it’s encouraging to see the growth of several of our client companies,” said Paul Jackson, EC’s VP of Strategic Programs. “The continued success with accessing TVSF highlights both the dedication of our entrepreneurs and the effectiveness of our commercialization support.”
About Entrepreneurs’ Center
The Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC) is a modern venture development organization that powers progress and prosperity through entrepreneurship. Annually, the EC works with over 1,000 entrepreneurs to start and grow companies, create jobs, generate revenue, and attract investment. The EC empowers main street and technology businesses through complimentary professional services, including business planning, mentoring, training, networking, commercialization, and capital investment. The 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.
About the Entrepreneurial Services Provider Program
The purpose of the Entrepreneurial Services Provider (ESP) Program is to fill gaps in the entrepreneurial system for high-potential Ohio concept, seed, and early-stage technology companies. Its goal is to significantly increase technology-based entrepreneurial commercialization outcomes in the State. Each ESP represents a coordinated network of high-value services and assistance providers that is visible and easily accessible to technology-based entrepreneurs and small tech-based companies. The ESP providers take an approach that tightly integrates sources of deal flow, entrepreneurial support, and capital to effectively grow each region’s startup ecosystem. Reaching out to minorities, women, veterans, and rural entrepreneurs, the program seeks to position Ohio as a leader in inclusive technology and entrepreneurship. Learn more at ESP Program.
For More Information, Contact:
Leslie Klenke, Director of Marketing
Entrepreneurs’ Center
[email protected]
