The University of Dayton (UD) has re-engineered Flyer Nest, a hands-on component of its Entrepreneurship Program, to provide students with real-world experience in launching and scaling ventures. Originally designed for consulting-style projects with local companies, the program has evolved through a strategic partnership with the Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC), bringing proven startup expertise directly into the classroom.
EC has been a driving force in Ohio’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly through its success with the Ohio Third Frontier’s Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF). In 2024 alone, EC helped 18 Ohio-based startups secure $3.6 million in non-dilutive funding—exceeding the state’s annual average and accounting for over half of the total awards granted.
Paul Jackson, EC’s VP of Strategic Programs, has played a key role in this success. With 15+ years of experience in technology commercialization and economic development, he has led EC’s efforts to expand collaborations and help startups access funding through SBIR/STTR and TVSF. His expertise has been instrumental in guiding entrepreneurs through the funding process and bringing innovations to market.
Recognizing the need for real-world application in entrepreneurship education, UD partnered with EC to integrate practical experience into its curriculum.
“UD is committed to providing students with hands-on entrepreneurial experiences that translate into real-world success. Our partnership with EC strengthens this mission by giving students direct access to proven strategies and industry experts who have helped startups secure millions in funding. This collaboration ensures our students graduate with the skills, network, and knowledge to build thriving businesses.” – Vince Lewis, AVP of Entrepreneurial Initiatives, UD
This collaboration led to the relaunch of Flyer Nest within the MGT 430 Senior Seminar in Entrepreneurship course. Through the program, students engage directly with the startup process—from ideation to execution—under the mentorship of professionals like Jackson.
“At EC, we’ve built a strong track record of helping startups secure non-dilutive funding, including millions through the TVSF program. Partnering with UD to bring that expertise into the classroom was a natural fit. By combining academic learning with real-world funding strategies, we’re equipping students with the tools to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into investable, high-growth ventures.” – Paul Jackson, VP of Strategic Programs, EC
The partnership between UD and EC exemplifies a shared commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. By blending academic rigor with hands-on experience, this collaboration ensures students graduate with the skills, knowledge, and funding strategies needed to launch successful ventures.
Are you a student or entrepreneur ready to launch your venture? The Entrepreneurs’ Center can help. Get in touch with us here.
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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
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
937-203-0771 
