Our Dayton Inno Madness competition is underway. And we have remaining eight local startups vying for the coveted title of 2022 Inno Madness champion.
Inno Madness is our friendly, bracket-style challenge where readers vote to advance companies based on one question: Who would you invest in? Whether you believe in one mission or product slightly over the other or would prefer to back a more established company versus an early-stage startup, how you answer that question is entirely up to you. The bracket is designed to shine a spotlight on 16 innovative, fast-growing local businesses.
The bracket is assembled based on reader nominations, as well as editorial input from the Dayton Inno team. Seeding was determined randomly. Meet the participants below and read the content rules here.
The goal of Inno Madness is to give a snapshot of some of the most-promising tech companies in Dayton. It is by no means a complete list of Dayton's best startups.
Instead, the bracket is meant to represent the full breadth and diversity of the ecosystem. In the end, think of the bracket as just a fun look into tech local companies you need to know in 2022.
Related: 18 Dayton-area startups to watch in 2022
Second-round voting begins at 12:01 a.m. March 9 and continues until 12 p.m. March 14. We'll open up voting round by round, ultimately crowning an INNO MADNESS winner on March 25.
Let's get into Round 2...
Meet the Players (round 1 winner denoted with *):
Gifted Hands CPR and Health Solutions*
The healthcare startup, founded by CEO Tyesha Jones, provides comprehensive and thorough CPR classes and training to equip individuals with the tools to prevent cardiac arrest.
Website: https://www.ghcpr.org/
Airborne Solutions of Ohio LLC
This company aims to provide unmanned aerial services for various entities throughout Ohio, with intention to eventually serve clients without unmanned aerial vehicle equipment on hand.
Tumble LLC*
Co-founders and owners Charles Wheeler and Jeffrey Caldwell, created this local on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning service in 2019 which saw a boom in sales during the pandemic.
Website: https://www.tumblego.com/
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. The technology is expected to launch later this spring.
Website: https://zozasafe.com/
Streetlight Entertainment Group*
Streetlight Entertainment Group is an independent record label company based in Dayton which manages artists and helps with music production, marketing and distribution.
Website: https://www.streetlightentgroup.com/
Mutt’s Sauce
This family recipe turned business manufactures specialty sauces to pair with any meal. The company was founded by Air Force veteran Charlynda Scales and named after her grandfather who created the secret recipe.
Website: https://www.muttssauce.com/
New Season Wellness*
The alternative health store, founded by Anikka and Thomas Masey, provides a range of CBD products to spotlight the benefits of cannabinoids.
Website: https://newseasonwellnesscbd.com/
Niobium Microsystems
Niobium Microsystems’ engineering team develops unique and high-tech integrated chip solutions for its growing defense and commercial client base under the leadership of CEO Robert Wiltbank.
Website: https://niobiummicrosystems.com/
What’s the Biz?
An energetic web series, hosted by TJ Cartwright, highlighting black business owners through storytelling and social media engagement.
Website: https://whatsthebiz.black/index.html
Aeroseal*
Aeroseal uses its non-toxic, water-based product to seal all holes in air ducts in vents to properly direct air flow. The company is currently under the leadership of CEO Amit Gupta.
Website: https://aeroseal.com/
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.
Website: https://inphlu.com/
MinedXAI*
This new Dayton-area startup led by CEO Morley Stone and founder Ryan Kramer 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.
Website: https://www.minedxai.com/
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.
Website: https://lunarxagency.com/
Ceremony*
This local guided-ceremony box kit company was founded in 2019 by Candace Dalmagne-Rouge to help individuals go through experiences of loss and healing as well as events deserving celebration.
Website: https://www.holdceremony.com/
D2 Contracting Solutions
Established in 2018, the residential remodel and rehab company provides connective services between homeowners or companies and contractor services. The company runs on a mission of preventing recidivism through the skilled trades and entrepreneurship, helping contractors released from prison obtain requirements for operation and business.
Website: https://d2consol.com/
Choice Juice Boxx*
Based in downtown Dayton, this eco-friendly juice company founded in 2019 is the first African American woman-owned juice bar in the area.
Website: https://choicejuiceboxx937.com/
Read contest rules here.
