12 Cincy Startups to Watch in 2020

As 2019 comes to a close, we find ourselves bidding farewell to not just this year, but also the past 10. Time does fly.

That kind of realization inspires both reflection and celebration. We at Cincy Inno want to do just that by looking ahead and considering those startups who will lead the #StartupCincy ecosystem in 2020.

But before we get to that, let's set the stage.

If 2019 is any indication, Cincy's tech and startup ecosystem is in for another monumental year. Consider the amount of funds raised, the headliners drawn to the region's startup community, the major bigco news, and the partnerships established in the past 365 days alone. If Queen City startups and related businesses can get that much done in just one trip around the sun, there's no telling what it can do in the next 10.

That brings us to our Statups to Watch list, which is comprised of companies that we (and other thought leaders) believe have especial promise in 2020.

We've written before about what makes a startup worth watching, but in case you forgot, know that we use various metrics to decide "to watch" status. One is fast-paced scale. Two, representation (and success) in local or national pitch competitions, funding rounds or by receiving significant grants and awards. Three, the startup in question is doing something so new and interesting in the ecosystem that you can't look away. Ultimately, however, this list of startups — some who have been featured in lists like these in years past, some who are more established but haven't had a breakout moment yet, some who represent industries that may seem far removed from the tech scene (at least at first blush) — all have one thing in common: sustained momentum.

If you're curious as to the identities of this year's picks, click on the logos below. Each tile contains a bit of the reasoning behind their inclusion, as well as a link to their site so you can check them out for yourself. And do know that making a manageable list was difficult, as the Cincy ecosystem as a whole is filled with innovative,  growing companies.

To keep tabs on these startups and all the other Cincy startup news in 2020, sign up for The Beat newsletter, where you'll get front-row access to the news you need right in your inbox every other week.

Let's meet the 2020 Cincy Startups to Watch.

80 Acres Farm

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80 Acres Farm

80 Acres Farms, the world's first fully automated indoor farm, may seem like an odd choice for "Startups to Watch." After all, wasn't its $40 million investment from California-based private equity firm Virgo in January a sign that it has already arrived Sure, that's a huge accomplishment, but what warrants the company's inclusion on this year's list is its track record for innovation and the potential the massive investment signals for its future developments.

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Apex Sports

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Apex Sports

Led by three recent Miami grads, Apex Sports allows users to learn sport skills straight from the pros through its exclusive platform. 2018 marked the debut of the company (and an Under Armour partnership), and 2019 followed with additional growth: The Apex team graduating from the UpTech accelerator. With additional sport offerings being added to the site consistently, it will be interesting to see how Apex expands in 2020.

 

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Cladwell

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Cladwell

Cladwell has existed in Cincy since 2015, and has changed focus many times during its short life. Its latest iteration is a subscription-based styling service fueled by users' current clothes. What's different this go-around, however, is its clientele focus — working women as opposed to men. And that's not the only new thing for the company. In August 2019, longtime Cladwell employee Erin Flynn and her husband, Colin, purchased the company for an undisclosed sum. With new senior leadership, website and (forthcoming) app, Cladwell is definitely a startup to keep one's eyes on.

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Hidden Falls Media

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Hidden Falls Media

Digital marketing agency Hidden Falls Media was a MORTAR grad in 2019, and also managed to win the Judges Choice award during its subsequent pitch night. And that's not the only big move for the company this past year: doubling its generated ad spend return for clients to $30 million. If that's the trajectory the company has established the past two years, it will be interesting to see what it does in 2020.

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KCD Cosmetics

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KCD Cosmetics

Kamilah Dotson is the founder and CEO of KCD Cosmetics, a startup that produces makeup and other products developed specifically for women of color. A member of RedHawk Launch Accelerator’s fourth cohort, Dotson, a Miami University student, additionally uses her company’s platform to create a positive social impact.

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Mylai

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Mylai

Led by 24-year-old entrepreneur Jake Tullis and business partner Justin Traister, Mylai connects users with on-demand fitness trainers. The past year included a soft launch and a $100,000 fundraise, with bi-costal expansion on the horizon.

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Ohana Health Coach

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Ohana Health Coach

Ohana Health Coach, a one-stop-shop health platform, store and mentorship program, was a 2019 grad of the MORTAR program. Its work resonated so much with audiences that it won the People's Choice award at the program's pitch night. In the six months since its win, the startup has a new website, an event calendar and offers more products on its online store.

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OrgAnalytix

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OrgAnalytix

Cincy-based OrgAnalytix works with companies to help build internal teams that are both diverse and inclusive. It graduated from UpTech accelerator in early 2019 and already has partnerships with Stanley Black and Decker and Barclays.

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See Word Design

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See Word Design

See Word Design uses evidence-based design methods to help make learning to read an easier process for students. It offers tools specifically for teachers, parents and those looking to sharpen their skills. In 2019, it participated in the 1819 Innovation Hub's pre-accelerator program and received an Innovation and Technology award from the Cincinnati Business Courier.

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TruCircle

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TruCircle

UpTech accelerator grad TruCircle has a simple premise: ensuring users can have easy access to therapy. As telehealth options (and interest) increase, it's worth keeping an eye on this bootstrapped company to see how it grows with the trend.

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Xact Medical

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Xact Medical

Examining Xact Medical's online newsroom and seeing the list of 2019 accomplishments — numerous innovation awards and $225,000 from the National Science Foundation — it makes you feel like you're witnessing a company just getting started. Xact Medical is a spinout of Cincinnati Children's that automates precise needle placement on a patient's body.

 

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Zandaland

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Zandaland

2019 Miami University graduate Christie Currie is the founder of Zandaland, a digital platform and “virtual world” for children’s hospitals. It works to educate, foster connection and comfort pediatric cancer patients. Currie was a member of the RedHawk Launch Accelerator’s fourth cohort and is in the process of sourcing connections to bring the startup to the next level.

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