Innovation is quickly being redefined at the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub.
From an advanced robotics entrepreneur to a 21-year-old venture capitalist, there's no lack of talent, perseverance or wisdom among the 1819 community. Below, we'll look at a few brilliant individuals whose strengths - and mindsets - set them on 1819's path to success.
Founder and CEO, Cool Comforts
Sheer willpower has always been key for Williams. "Determination has taught me to be comfortable with being uncomfortable," she says. "Determination is making necessary adjustments without losing who I really am. The amount of work I have put in, the sacrifices I've had to endure and the life-changing decisions I've made to get here … that is determination."
Venture catalyst, UC's Center for Entrepreneurship
"Entrepreneurship, in its essence, is synonymous with disruption," Kothari notes. "It's about challenging the status quo, offering radically different solutions and creating meaningful change. To think like an entrepreneur or become one, you have to embrace disruption as a core principle. And for me, that's the journey I'm excited to continue."
Co-founder, Band Connect
"Relentlessness is at the heart of Band Connect's story," McInturf says. "Every milestone - securing funding, building clinical evidence or seeing and hearing firsthand how we've positively impacted patients and clinicians - has reinforced my determination and reminded me why it's so important to continue down this path."
Co-founder and CTO, Airtrek Robotics
That curiosity led to Airtrek Robotics' founding, and the startup keeps innovating today from its home in the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace. Dossaji has a lofty view on his next steps: "The future for me is about creating a legacy of innovation that not only solves meaningful problems but also fosters connection between people and technology. Curiosity is the engine behind that mission."
Dossaji must tap into his curiosity every day as an innovator in a nascent field. "Curiosity challenges me to push boundaries, rethink assumptions and find new ways to show that innovation can enhance our world," he says. "As long as curiosity leads the way, I'll keep striving to create solutions that bring people and technology closer together, transforming skepticism into excitement and hesitation into trust."
Founder and CEO, Fireroad
Metzner's vision for Fireroad - and for himself - is clear, and it's about using entrepreneurship as a force for good. "One of the greatest opportunities for impact that business owners and entrepreneurs have," Metzner says, "is to create jobs that help people come alive in their careers and create a sense of purpose and belonging through work."
One company at a time, Metzner is using Fireroad's investments to pursue that lofty vision. By focusing on meaningful, people-centered startups from his base at the 1819 Innovation Hub, Metzner is crafting an empathetic and high-impact entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cincinnati.
Featured image at top: View of Cincinnati skyline from above. Photo/Adobe Stock
