What started with 16 Dayton-area startups ended this week in the final showdown between the two remaining companies.
MinedXAI edged out Tumble LLC, 57.7% to 42.3%, to take the win. A total of 1,603 readers voted in the final round — and over 3,500 readers voted during the four rounds of voting.
MinedXAI is a relatively new Dayton startup led by CEO Morley Stone and Founder Ryan Kramer. The company 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.
Check back on the Dayton Inno website next week for an in-depth feature on the company.
Dayton Business Journal launched its inaugural Inno Madness challenge, a recognition program designed as a friendly competition within the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, last month. The goal was simple: a bracket-style challenge, asking voters which startup they would invest in.
The brackets were built based on reader nominations and editorial input from the Dayton Inno team, with matchups being randomized.
The startups represented a wide range of industries and ideas, from health and wellness to technology and defense to food and lifestyle services.
For more about each of this year's participants, see the summaries below:
Meet the Players:
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/
