The Dayton startup scene is a collaborative and supportive ecosystem. With the help of microloan programs, mentoring and exposure to established business operators, the region's incubator and accelerator system is helping more local startups to take off.
As a way to recognize the region’s most innovative and impactful incubators and organizations, Dayton Inno is introducing our annual “Fire Awards," formally Inno on Fire. It's a recognition for the companies and people setting the local innovation economy ablaze.
Candidates — 15 in total across two categories — were sourced by nominations within the startup Dayton ecosystem and selected by the Dayton Inno editorial team.
This year's winners will be announced in the July 8 print edition of the Dayton Business Journal.
Here are the Inno on Fire nominees in the Incubator/Accelerator Category:
Wright Brothers Institute - The Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) is a cutting-edge center for innovation and technology commercialization. WBI provides breakthrough solutions to U.S. Air Force's most complex initiatives by leveraging resident experts, unique facilities, disruptive innovation processes and extensive networks. WBI’s Small Business Hub provides connective programming and education, along with Air Force partners, to create a network of over 3,000 members with over 40 collider events each year to connect small businesses to Air Force opportunities. WBI is led by Wendell Banks.
Parallax Advanced Research - This local research and development group in Beavercreek works to pioneer advances in science and technology. The nonprofit, which performs applied scientific research and development, aims to tackle global challenges by accelerating innovation, and developing technology and solutions through strategic partnerships with government, industry and academia. Parallax's Launch Dayton group also works to support and connect entrepreneurs with resources across the region. Launch Dayton, formed in 2018, is a collaborative of entrepreneurial resource providers that support the Dayton region’s startup and small business community. Parallax Advanced Research is led by Dennis Andersh.
Greater West Dayton Incubator - This university-led business incubator supports underrepresented entrepreneurs in west Dayton. Established in 2020, the Greater West Dayton Incubator gives entrepreneurs access to working space, consulting, training, capital and other resources. Recent initiatives include Business Blitz resource events and a microloan program supporting local underrepresented businesses. The Greater West Dayton Incubator is operated through University of Dayton's Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The incubator is led by Whitney Barkley.
Aviatra Accelerators - This women's business accelerator operates their Dayton office in the prominent downtown Dayton Arcade. Aviatra Accelerators is a nonprofit organization based in Northern Kentucky. Aviatra has had a presence in Dayton since March 2020. Aviatra is a multi-state organization that enables women to start and sustain businesses by giving them the resources they need to be successful. It provides expertise in business basics, guidance from mentors and coaches, and access to capital, among other services. In 2022, the company is looking to start its new Launch Program, offering about 10 local businesses a specialized set of workshops and help to take their business to the next level. Aviatra Dayton is led by Pamela Cone.
Entrepreneurs' Center - The Entrepreneurs' Center is a Dayton economic development organization that supports local entrepreneurship. Based in downtown Dayton, the EC works with around 1,000 entrepreneurs each year to assist them in starting and growing companies, job creation, revenue generation and attracting investment, according to the EC. In recent years the center has created two new funds to assist small businesses. In 2021, the EC began a revenue-based fund for entrepreneurs called the Rotunda Fund, which provides growth capital for companies that already have sales and are seeking to double their revenue in two to four years. In 2022, EC Angels was created to connect entrepreneurs with local investors to offer financing and and guidance for scaling their business. The EC is led by Scott Koorndyk.
Downtown Dayton Partnership - The Downtown Dayton Partnership is a nonprofit organization that, in part, provides business development, strategic planning, advocacy and marketing services. The group works with downtown property owners, businesses and residents. DDP promotes economic development and a vibrant and creative downtown. DDP facilitates the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab, which provides first-floor business owners an intensive series of workshops, pitch events, and strategic business improvement projects. Each program element connects participants to new mentors, experts, ideas, capital, and resources that will help the businesses thrive and grow in downtown Dayton. DDP is led by Sandra Gudorf.
Co-op Dayton - Co-op Dayton is a nonprofit enterprise that incubates co-operative businesses to create and retain good jobs in the Dayton region, building a local economy that works for all. The group organizes community- and worker-owned co-operatives to support black, brown and working-class families. Co-op Dayton nurtures worker-owned enterprises through coaching and hands-on support with business development, technology, access to capital and advocacy tools to boost neighborhood resilience. The group received the the 2021 J.M.K Innovation Prize, which comes with a $175,000 award to join a learning collaborative. The group was founded in 2016 and is led by Amaha Sellassie and Lela Klein.
Minority Business Partnership - The Minority Business Partnership is part of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. The MBP first launched 12 years ago with a focus on scalable minority-owned businesses generating more than $500,000 in annual revenue. But the chamber in recent years has added more programming and resources to support startups and local businesses owned by minority populations, including women and veterans. The chamber is working to improve access to capital; access to coaching and counseling; and access to customers and contracts. Last year, the MBP partnered with the EC and JPMorgan Chase to launch the Project Enginuity initiative. Project Enginuity is a national accelerator designed to uplift and empower Black, Latinx and women innovators. The partnership is led by Belinda Matthews Stenson.
