1819 Innovation Hub

1819 Innovation Hub The University of Cincinnati's front door and the point where students, researchers and businesspeople connect for inspired problem-solving.

06/18/2026

Missed the Future of Commerce: AI + Robotics Summit? We're bringing some of the conversations to you.

Hear from industry leaders and robotics experts as they share insights on the robots they've been working on.

🎙️ Featuring:
🔹 Xiaodong Jia
🔹 Kody Haubeil
🔹 Tarek Yahia
🔹 Maxwell Heuer

Robotics isn't just a concept anymore; it’s being tested and deployed across multiple industries.

Which robot stood out to you the most? 👇

This summer, another incredible group of K–12 STEM/STEAM educators stepped into the University of Cincinnati Ground Floo...
06/15/2026

This summer, another incredible group of K–12 STEM/STEAM educators stepped into the University of Cincinnati Ground Floor Makerspace to explore hands-on learning and new technologies inside the space! 💡

In partnership with Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative, the Makers in Education program brought teachers together for a two-week intensive designed to help them build new skills, gain confidence with maker technologies and bring fresh ideas back to their classrooms.

Throughout the experience, educators explored:
🔩 Design thinking and maker-centered learning
🔩 3D printing and digital fabrication
🔩 Laser cutting and CNC routing
🔩 Classroom-ready projects and curriculum development

These teachers are helping build a culture of making, creativity and innovation that will impact students across the region! Thank you to all of the educators who joined us this summer and continue to inspire the next generation of makers and builders! 👏

UC Clermont College, Harrison Junior High School, Reading Junior High School, Goodridge Elementary, Hughes STEM High School, Winton Woods City Schools, Indian Hill Exempted Village School District, Ignite Institute, ST. Columban"s Academy, Holly Hill Elementary, Willowville Elementary School, Elder High School, Withrow High School, William Mason High School, Fairview-Clifton German Language School, Cincinnati Public Schools, Workforce Academy, Princeton High School, UC Blue Ash, Shroder High School, Wyoming High School

AI is alive and well in Cincinnati. This week, leaders, founders and researchers from across the region came together fo...
06/12/2026

AI is alive and well in Cincinnati.
This week, leaders, founders and researchers from across the region came together for Cincy AI Week to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, organizations and the way we work.

It was great to see so many members of the ecosystem represented throughout the week, University of Cincinnati faculty and researchers and our corporate partners all helping move the conversations forward.

A few takeaways that stood out to our team:
💡 Any size of company can come up with the innovation that will be the aha moment, the Yahoo or the Google, of the next century.

💡 When we don't have the ecosystem - whether it's universities or companies, energy or the workforce - we're not going to succeed in the long term.

💡 AI is a thought partner. It can brainstorm with you and ideate with you to organize your ideas.

One thing was clear: Cincinnati is actively building, testing and applying AI across many industries. We love seeing the momentum continue and we're grateful to everyone helping grow the region's AI ecosystem!

What was your biggest takeaway from Cincy AI Week? 👇

06/11/2026

In high-stakes environments the difference between “trained” and “expert” is all about timing, judgment and precision in the moment. That’s usually something you only build after years on the job.

QURE, Inc., founded by Shahryar Qureshi, is compressing that gap.
Instead of looking at problems after the fact, QURE functions as a real-time AI copilot, seeing what the operator sees and offering guidance as work is happening. The result is a shift from slow, experience-based learning to supported ex*****on on day one.

It’s a different way to think about training, ex*****on and performance at scale.
As a Venture Lab portfolio company, QURE not only completed our Accelerator program but also leveraged the broader innovation ecosystem at 1819. Through collaboration with the University of Cincinnati’s Technology Transfer and Commercialization team, Shahryar was connected with university inventors, researchers and technologies that helped strengthen and enhance the QURE solution.

This access to innovation, partnerships, and commercialization resources positioned QURE to further develop its technology and qualify for Ohio’s Technology Validation and Start-up Fund (TVSF) Phase 2 funding—accelerating the company's path from concept to market impact.

We’re proud to support founders like Shahryar who are leveraging the power of entrepreneurship, university innovation and strategic partnerships to solve real-world challenges.

💡 Real problems. Big innovation. Happening at 1819. Backed by the Venture Lab, BAND Connect Inc. is reimagining orthoped...
06/09/2026

💡 Real problems. Big innovation. Happening at 1819.

Backed by the Venture Lab, BAND Connect Inc. is reimagining orthopedic rehabilitation by helping clinicians stay connected to their patients between visits. Instead of relying solely on in-person appointments, the platform extends the rehabilitation experience into patients' homes through connected exercise equipment and personalized guidance.

Using sensor-enabled resistance training equipment, Band Connect helps providers monitor patient progress while empowering patients to stay engaged in their recovery journey, all without cameras or wearable sensors.

Founded by University of Cincinnati alumna Abby McInturf, the company has evolved from an idea developed through DAAP (official) and 1819 into a venture-backed health technology company that collaborates with providers and patients nationwide.

It's exciting to see a team building technology that strengthens the clinician-patient relationship while improving outcomes for both providers and patients. We're proud to be part of their journey. 👏

📖 Learn more about Band Connect: https://bit.ly/4uUdIqu

06/06/2026

Sensational work coming out of the Venture Lab and Tech Transfer & Commercialization teams and happening right here at 1819!

In just the past few months, our portfolio companies have continued to turn early support into tangible traction:

✨ QURE, Inc
• $200K Ohio Phase 2 award
• $40K Venture Lab funding
• Supported through a technology partnership connecting the team with the University of Cincinnati inventors

✨ Meteora3D
• $200K in state support to push toward commercialization
• Tech Transfer & Commercialization-supported technology at the core of its commercialization pathway

✨ Qualz
• $200K award to accelerate growth

✨ Empatheq
• $500K raised in outside capital
• $40K Venture Lab funding
• Connected with UC capabilities for technology validation and research collaboration

The pathway is clear - idea ➡️ funding ➡️ traction ➡️ scale.
It's happening across the 1819 ecosystem:
• 40 active companies
• 81 jobs created
• 6.06M raised in six months

Prajwal Paudyal, PhD Shahryar Qureshi Lucas Consoli Jon Monahan Prashanth Ravi, Ph.D.

🔗 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dGSEO5

We put collaboration and competition to the test at the 1819 Open Doubles Ping Pong Tournament! 🏓Over the course of the ...
06/05/2026

We put collaboration and competition to the test at the 1819 Open Doubles Ping Pong Tournament! 🏓

Over the course of the week, employees and partners battled through the bracket for a chance to claim ping pong glory and ultimate bragging rights. The tournament brought plenty of energy, teamwork and friendly competition to 1819.

Thank you to our corporate partner HEAPY for organizing the event and congratulations to our 2026 1819 Open Champions: BOKA A featuring Anurag Karki and Ashim Mishra! 🏆

Also, special shoutout to our own Nicholas Partridge and his kids, who served up treats from the Happy Day Ice Cream Sammies cart! 🍦

06/01/2026

When we think of AI today, many people immediately think of the tools, faster prompts, more apps and better outputs. The real advantage starts before any of that.

The people getting the most out of AI right now aren’t just asking better questions; they’re thinking differently. They’re more curious, more adaptable, and more willing to rethink how they work, build and solve problems.

Technology changes fast. Mindset is what determines whether you keep up with it.

"Mindset is your best offense before you go and use AI" - Jason Heikenfeld, Director for "Next Mindset" initiative at the University of Cincinnati.

05/28/2026

A few months in, and these tools are already making a major impact inside the Ground Floor Makerspace! 👀

⚙️ Variblast Compact Safety Air Gun
⚙️ 8.2 SCFM Adjustable E-VAC
⚙️ Cold Gun System with Dual Point Hose Kit
⚙️ Chip Vac System

Students have been using this equipment to create and refine their builds with more precision and efficiency than before.

Thanks again to EXAIR Corporation for helping us level up what’s possible at 1819. 🙌

Learn more about using the equipment at our Makerspace here: https://bit.ly/4wu7PBF

💡 Real problems. Big innovation. Happening at 1819. Backed by the UC Technology Transfer & Commercialization Department ...
05/21/2026

💡 Real problems. Big innovation. Happening at 1819.

Backed by the UC Technology Transfer & Commercialization Department and Venture Lab Cohort team, Sense Neuro Diagnostics is tackling a critical challenge: there’s currently no way to detect strokes or brain injuries in real time in the field.

With non-invasive, portable brain scanners that assess and monitor patients instantly, this device gives doctors, first responders and coaches real-time insight when it matters most. 🧠

This technology has the potential to transform military, sports and clinical settings, backed by significant support from the Department of Defense and FDA submissions.

It’s incredible to see the team turn real problems into big innovations that can make a difference in people’s lives. We’re honored to be part of their journey!

📖 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4rrLII4

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