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Ahmic Aerospace
This Dayton-based research and development company creates sensors and other high-performance instrumentation for aerospace customers. Ahmic Aerospace, led by Ryan Meritt, won the 2021 Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) Defense Accelerator pitch competition. Ahmic was one of four local companies, and eight in the state, to participate in the accelerator. The company recently developed new hypersonic vehicle technology. Ahmic recently landed a $50,000 grant from JobsOhio to expand its R&D activities and hire new staff. The company was founded in 2012 and has an annual revenue of more than $1.5 million. The company was also a DBJ Veteran-owned Business of the Year finalist in 2021.
Website: https://www.ahmicaerospace.com/
This Dayton-based research and development company creates sensors and other high-performance instrumentation for aerospace customers. Ahmic Aerospace, led by Ryan Meritt, won the 2021 Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) Defense Accelerator pitch competition. Ahmic was one of four local companies, and eight in the state, to participate in the accelerator. The company recently developed new hypersonic vehicle technology. Ahmic recently landed a $50,000 grant from JobsOhio to expand its R&D activities and hire new staff. The company was founded in 2012 and has an annual revenue of more than $1.5 million. The company was also a DBJ Veteran-owned Business of the Year finalist in 2021.
Website: https://www.ahmicaerospace.com/
Ahmic Aerospace
Bailout Systems
This regional company, with offices in Cincinnati, creates safety equipment for quick and hands-free exits for firefighters and rescuers — even if the person wearing the equipment is not conscious. The company, founded in 2015, won the Early Risers Academy cohort pitch this year at Launch Dayton. Founder and Owner Michael Ragsdale (pictured on right), a veteran in the United States Navy, said fall protection gear has one of the lowest compliance rates in any industry due to its weight, cost and training requirement. The Bailout Systems team is currently working to share its product with military markets. The company also participated in the new OEA Defense Accelerator this year.
Website: https://bailoutsystems.com/
This regional company, with offices in Cincinnati, creates safety equipment for quick and hands-free exits for firefighters and rescuers — even if the person wearing the equipment is not conscious. The company, founded in 2015, won the Early Risers Academy cohort pitch this year at Launch Dayton. Founder and Owner Michael Ragsdale (pictured on right), a veteran in the United States Navy, said fall protection gear has one of the lowest compliance rates in any industry due to its weight, cost and training requirement. The Bailout Systems team is currently working to share its product with military markets. The company also participated in the new OEA Defense Accelerator this year.
Website: https://bailoutsystems.com/
provided by Launch Dayton
Brixilated
This local design operation helps to support Dayton-area organizations and nonprofits using an education model. Brixilated helps to create hundreds of products and experiences with LEGO® for both home and office spaces. The company, founded in 2018 by owner Adam Mullins, partners with the University of Dayton, Dayton Children’s Hospital and Dayton Art Institute. Brixilated recently launched a LEGO Mindfulness Class, a curriculum which flourishes as education is disrupted. The company has a mission to "create products and experiences with LEGO® that change the world."
Website: https://www.brixilated.com/
This local design operation helps to support Dayton-area organizations and nonprofits using an education model. Brixilated helps to create hundreds of products and experiences with LEGO® for both home and office spaces. The company, founded in 2018 by owner Adam Mullins, partners with the University of Dayton, Dayton Children’s Hospital and Dayton Art Institute. Brixilated recently launched a LEGO Mindfulness Class, a curriculum which flourishes as education is disrupted. The company has a mission to "create products and experiences with LEGO® that change the world."
Website: https://www.brixilated.com/
provided by Launch Dayton
Fail Me Not Tutoring
This Dayton tutoring program was founded in recent years to build students’ academic skills while increasing confidence in learning and having fun. Founder and owner Michel'le Curington created the company in 2019 to address the discrepancy in what students are being taught and where they end up in their learning journey. Often students can fall behind due to the small amount of time teachers have to dedicate to each subject or topic. The tutors from Fail Me Not serve students in grades K-8 in reading and math both in-person and virtually. The company is currently under Michel'le Curington’s ownership.
Website: https://www.fmntutoring.com/
This Dayton tutoring program was founded in recent years to build students’ academic skills while increasing confidence in learning and having fun. Founder and owner Michel'le Curington created the company in 2019 to address the discrepancy in what students are being taught and where they end up in their learning journey. Often students can fall behind due to the small amount of time teachers have to dedicate to each subject or topic. The tutors from Fail Me Not serve students in grades K-8 in reading and math both in-person and virtually. The company is currently under Michel'le Curington’s ownership.
Website: https://www.fmntutoring.com/
provided by Launch Dayton
Infinity Labs
This Dayton defense firm has lofty goals in 2021. The company is fundraising for a $25 million project to transform a building in downtown Dayton into its headquarters. The defense firm also plans to create within the new center an academic and business center of excellence, as well as a community-based job training program and business incubator program. The firm was founded in 2020 by a group of military veterans, engineers and senior Department of Defense civilians. CEO Ken Edge leads the company, which specializes in modeling, simulation, cyber, consulting and training services. The company projects $5 million in revenue after only one full year in business and $15 million in revenue for 2022.
Website: https://i-labs.tech/
This Dayton defense firm has lofty goals in 2021. The company is fundraising for a $25 million project to transform a building in downtown Dayton into its headquarters. The defense firm also plans to create within the new center an academic and business center of excellence, as well as a community-based job training program and business incubator program. The firm was founded in 2020 by a group of military veterans, engineers and senior Department of Defense civilians. CEO Ken Edge leads the company, which specializes in modeling, simulation, cyber, consulting and training services. The company projects $5 million in revenue after only one full year in business and $15 million in revenue for 2022.
Website: https://i-labs.tech/
DBJ file photo
Inphlu
Founder and Owner Joshua Reid’s A.I. social media software with a human touch learns the patterns of its 2,700-plus monthly users, crafting automated captions and recommending relevant hot topics over time to enhance the individual experience of each user. Inphlu’s software targets small businesses who don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on marketing. Inphlu, founded in 2020, has an office at the Dayton Arcade as well as in Cincinnati. The startup exceeded its projected $500,000 pre-seed funding needs five months ahead of schedule and expects to kick off its seed round in early 2022.
Website: https://inphlu.com/
Founder and Owner Joshua Reid’s A.I. social media software with a human touch learns the patterns of its 2,700-plus monthly users, crafting automated captions and recommending relevant hot topics over time to enhance the individual experience of each user. Inphlu’s software targets small businesses who don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on marketing. Inphlu, founded in 2020, has an office at the Dayton Arcade as well as in Cincinnati. The startup exceeded its projected $500,000 pre-seed funding needs five months ahead of schedule and expects to kick off its seed round in early 2022.
Website: https://inphlu.com/
provided by Joshua Reid
LunarX Agency
Dayton-based LunarX Agency is a diverse and inclusive end-to-end design and business consultancy agency founded in 2019 by CEO Nate Dillard. The agency is hyper-focused on diverse representation, creativity and technology to support an equitable and inclusive digital economy. LunarX took in $290,000 in gross income since August of 2020 and has grown its consulting team to more than 30 workers. The firm was a finalist for DBJ's Minority Business of the Year this year. The agency has helped to launch several software startups to entrepreneurs throughout the country. The company also retains equity in several of its clients’ tech companies.
Website: https://lunarxagency.com/
Dayton-based LunarX Agency is a diverse and inclusive end-to-end design and business consultancy agency founded in 2019 by CEO Nate Dillard. The agency is hyper-focused on diverse representation, creativity and technology to support an equitable and inclusive digital economy. LunarX took in $290,000 in gross income since August of 2020 and has grown its consulting team to more than 30 workers. The firm was a finalist for DBJ's Minority Business of the Year this year. The agency has helped to launch several software startups to entrepreneurs throughout the country. The company also retains equity in several of its clients’ tech companies.
Website: https://lunarxagency.com/
Knack Video + Photo
Lunnie
Founded in 2021, Lunnie is a postpartum product brand that aims to provide a comfortable and attractive nursing bra to empower new mothers and combat postpartum depression. Surveys conducted by owner and founder Sarah Kallile show 84% of moms are dissatisfied with their nursing bras, which they can wear up to 24 hours a day. Lunnie will launch its first nursing bra in early 2022. The bra is made from high-quality, sustainable fabrics with a leak proof component, manufactured by Columbus Apparel Studio. Presales are expected to open this winter. Nursing bras in additional colors and styles, such as pump bras, will launch in the second quarter of 2022.
Website: https://www.lunnie.com/
Founded in 2021, Lunnie is a postpartum product brand that aims to provide a comfortable and attractive nursing bra to empower new mothers and combat postpartum depression. Surveys conducted by owner and founder Sarah Kallile show 84% of moms are dissatisfied with their nursing bras, which they can wear up to 24 hours a day. Lunnie will launch its first nursing bra in early 2022. The bra is made from high-quality, sustainable fabrics with a leak proof component, manufactured by Columbus Apparel Studio. Presales are expected to open this winter. Nursing bras in additional colors and styles, such as pump bras, will launch in the second quarter of 2022.
Website: https://www.lunnie.com/
Lunnie
MilesAhead Energy
This Dayton-based startup is developing and commercializing solid-state batteries to power automotive, military and aerospace applications. The company was founded in 2021 by Yuxing Wang and Luis Estevez, both former scientists with the University of Dayton Research Institute. The startup expects to achieve proof of concept in 2022 and pilot scale by 2027. MilesAhead Energy was the winner of Launch Dayton's 2021 Early Risers Academy tech cohort. This startup's innovations could transform the global battery market.
This Dayton-based startup is developing and commercializing solid-state batteries to power automotive, military and aerospace applications. The company was founded in 2021 by Yuxing Wang and Luis Estevez, both former scientists with the University of Dayton Research Institute. The startup expects to achieve proof of concept in 2022 and pilot scale by 2027. MilesAhead Energy was the winner of Launch Dayton's 2021 Early Risers Academy tech cohort. This startup's innovations could transform the global battery market.
Audrey Ingram
MinedXAI
This new Dayton-area startup is owned by Morley Stone, who previously worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for 21 years. The startup focuses on "reimagining explainable artificial intelligence offerings to build autonomous and continuous learning cognitive architectures to exploit and interact with data," according to its website. Founded in 2020, MinedXAI’s technology has been refined through 20-plus cases including Covid-19 modeling for Air Force leadership, suicide prevention, special forces training and biometrics and more.
Website: https://www.minedxai.com/
This new Dayton-area startup is owned by Morley Stone, who previously worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for 21 years. The startup focuses on "reimagining explainable artificial intelligence offerings to build autonomous and continuous learning cognitive architectures to exploit and interact with data," according to its website. Founded in 2020, MinedXAI’s technology has been refined through 20-plus cases including Covid-19 modeling for Air Force leadership, suicide prevention, special forces training and biometrics and more.
Website: https://www.minedxai.com/
Noohra Labs
Noohra Labs is a minority-owned, women-led licensed operator to process and manufacture medicinal marijuana in Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program. The company was founded in 2019 in Dayton. The company, owned by Nickole Ross, focuses on supporting and developing the cannabis industry in Ohio as well as carving a path for disadvantaged communities. The company is the first majority-minority owned marijuana processing lab in Ohio, according to Launch Dayton. It also closed some major fundraising rounds this year.
Noohra Labs is a minority-owned, women-led licensed operator to process and manufacture medicinal marijuana in Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program. The company was founded in 2019 in Dayton. The company, owned by Nickole Ross, focuses on supporting and developing the cannabis industry in Ohio as well as carving a path for disadvantaged communities. The company is the first majority-minority owned marijuana processing lab in Ohio, according to Launch Dayton. It also closed some major fundraising rounds this year.
provided by Nickole Ross
Plant Bay ReMedi
This plant-based wellness company was founded in 2018. The company offers local, handcrafted CBD products to support common diseases. Products contain sea moss, an odorless and tasteless algae that grows on rocks in the ocean containing 92 out of 102 minerals which the body requires to maintain a healthy immune system. Company founder and owner Adrian Bailey began practicing herbalism as part of her own diagnosis with Chron’s disease, and after noticing improvements in her health decided to share her findings with the community. Website: https://plantbayremedi.com/
This plant-based wellness company was founded in 2018. The company offers local, handcrafted CBD products to support common diseases. Products contain sea moss, an odorless and tasteless algae that grows on rocks in the ocean containing 92 out of 102 minerals which the body requires to maintain a healthy immune system. Company founder and owner Adrian Bailey began practicing herbalism as part of her own diagnosis with Chron’s disease, and after noticing improvements in her health decided to share her findings with the community. Website: https://plantbayremedi.com/
provided by Launch Dayton
Royal
This Beavercreek startup was launched in 2017 by Centerville native Neil Mehta. What began as an online condom marketplace now offers a wide range of products, including organic lube, eco-friendly wipes, vegan body wash and cruelty-free lotion. The small company's products are now on over 250 Meijer shelves. Royal develops high-quality, all-natural vegan condoms that are affordable. Founder and owner Neil Mehta has sold over one million units in four years. Mehta said he plans to continue building Royal's brand visibility and customer base online. He also wants to expand the company's presence in boutique stores that offer sexual wellness products.
Website: https://www.alwaysberoyal.com/
This Beavercreek startup was launched in 2017 by Centerville native Neil Mehta. What began as an online condom marketplace now offers a wide range of products, including organic lube, eco-friendly wipes, vegan body wash and cruelty-free lotion. The small company's products are now on over 250 Meijer shelves. Royal develops high-quality, all-natural vegan condoms that are affordable. Founder and owner Neil Mehta has sold over one million units in four years. Mehta said he plans to continue building Royal's brand visibility and customer base online. He also wants to expand the company's presence in boutique stores that offer sexual wellness products.
Website: https://www.alwaysberoyal.com/
Royal
Scripted in Black
Dayton native Dana Graham is the founder and creative director of Scripted in Black, an artistic collective. The exclusive multi-disciplinary arts collective was founded in 2018, centering around the work and collaboration of black and brown unconventional creatives to provide good experiences for black and brown communities through diverse yearly installments. Graham also manages daily operations of Genuine Work, a co-working space in the Oregon District.
Website: https://www.scriptedinblack.com/
Dayton native Dana Graham is the founder and creative director of Scripted in Black, an artistic collective. The exclusive multi-disciplinary arts collective was founded in 2018, centering around the work and collaboration of black and brown unconventional creatives to provide good experiences for black and brown communities through diverse yearly installments. Graham also manages daily operations of Genuine Work, a co-working space in the Oregon District.
Website: https://www.scriptedinblack.com/
provided by Dana Graham
Streetlight Entertainment Group
Street Light Entertainment Group is an independent record label company based in Dayton. Street Light manages artists and helps with their music production, marketing and distribution. Founded in in 2003 by owner Ron Blake, the goal of Street Light is to build relationships within the community to better understand the entertainment needs of establishments to provide talent and get artists paid. The company hopes to become the go-to artist management throughout the Midwest. Blake and his team operate in the Daywork 130 space at 130 W. Second St. and will soon expand to a larger space in the building with a recording studio and other high tech equipment.
Website: https://www.streetlightentgroup.com/
Street Light Entertainment Group is an independent record label company based in Dayton. Street Light manages artists and helps with their music production, marketing and distribution. Founded in in 2003 by owner Ron Blake, the goal of Street Light is to build relationships within the community to better understand the entertainment needs of establishments to provide talent and get artists paid. The company hopes to become the go-to artist management throughout the Midwest. Blake and his team operate in the Daywork 130 space at 130 W. Second St. and will soon expand to a larger space in the building with a recording studio and other high tech equipment.
Website: https://www.streetlightentgroup.com/
provided by Ron Blake
Tumble LLC
Co-founders and owners Charles Wheeler and Jeffrey Caldwell, both under the age of 25, created a local on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning service. The company, founded in 2019, saw increased sales during the pandemic and wants to use its traction to take their services to the next level. Tumble is currently working on its own app and plans to expand services within the next three to five years to an all-out concierge service. Tumble won Launch Dayton Startup Week’s 2021 pitch competition.
Website: https://www.tumblego.com/
Co-founders and owners Charles Wheeler and Jeffrey Caldwell, both under the age of 25, created a local on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning service. The company, founded in 2019, saw increased sales during the pandemic and wants to use its traction to take their services to the next level. Tumble is currently working on its own app and plans to expand services within the next three to five years to an all-out concierge service. Tumble won Launch Dayton Startup Week’s 2021 pitch competition.
Website: https://www.tumblego.com/
provided by Jeffrey Caldwell
Vegan Meltz
This startup is providing vegan frozen treats to the Dayton region. Founder Cerenity Miller founded the allergy-friendly dessert company in 2019 as a result of her daughter’s long list of allergies and repeated disappointment in local options. Miller’s frozen treats are currently available at GloDayton and for delivery, with plans for her own dedicated storefront in the future.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/veganmeltz/
This startup is providing vegan frozen treats to the Dayton region. Founder Cerenity Miller founded the allergy-friendly dessert company in 2019 as a result of her daughter’s long list of allergies and repeated disappointment in local options. Miller’s frozen treats are currently available at GloDayton and for delivery, with plans for her own dedicated storefront in the future.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/veganmeltz/
provided by Cerenity Miller
Zoza
Founded in 2020 by owner Jack Randall, Zoza is creating small, wearable SOS devices to be attached to a shoe or zipper intended for endurance athletes who may not carry contact devices or travel through remote areas. A press of a button will send an emergency alert to as many as 10 contacts and works in areas without cell service. Their product is expected to launch in spring of 2022.
Website: https://zozasafe.com/
Founded in 2020 by owner Jack Randall, Zoza is creating small, wearable SOS devices to be attached to a shoe or zipper intended for endurance athletes who may not carry contact devices or travel through remote areas. A press of a button will send an emergency alert to as many as 10 contacts and works in areas without cell service. Their product is expected to launch in spring of 2022.
Website: https://zozasafe.com/
Jack Randall
Amid the unexpected and new challenges businesses faced during the height of the pandemic, many local businesses managed to plant their seeds and blossom bringing new products, ideas and innovations.
The development of local startups is expected to continue as business owners reveal plans to take their companies to the next level.
As part of an ongoing effort to highlight local businesses in the Dayton region and their unique offerings to the community, the Dayton Business Journal has compiled a list of startups to watch for the upcoming year.
Note: Click through the gallery above for 18 startups to watch in 2022.
The Miami Valley's startup scene continues to deepen in the region as scores of budding companies land new financing and participate in local, regional and state accelerators and pitch competitions.
The majority of the startups on our watch list have less than $25 million in funding, 100 employees or less and are under five years old.
