Fintech71: Where Financial Leadership Meets Industry Innovation
Ohio is a catalyst to never before seen industry collaboration
Andrew Deye
JobsOhio
The program received support from national, industry-leading financial institutions and insurance companies that got involved in the program through mentorship and other means. This includes leaders such as Huntington National Bank, KeyBank, Progressive Insurance, Grange Insurance, CardinalCommerce, Visa, Fifth Third Bank, Mastercard, PNC Bank, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, First Federal Lakewood and Safelite Group.
Eager to share expert insights and do business with fintech innovators, the industry leaders found the program just as rewarding as the cohort did. JobsOhio’s board of directors held its public meeting at Fintech71 on Dec. 18, 2017. The meeting included a presentation from Cheryl Lebens, Vice President, Chief Risk & Strategy Officer of Grange Insurance, and Adrian Becker, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Steady, about the power of collaboration between the traditional and startup companies.
Lebens emphasized that Grange Insurance’s involvement was one of the biggest shakers of the company’s year. Lebens also noted that Grange Insurance intends to innovate to help shape its future, choosing to disrupt itself rather than be disrupted.
Grange Insurance saw that Fintech71 was the right fit for a chance to evolve, strongly identifying with mutual interests in promoting Ohio and furthering financial services. The company hoped that its participation would grow jobs, build relationships and help gain insight around accelerators and startups. Lebens said the benefits of participating in Fintech71 exceeded expectations.
Excitement is Growing for the Digital Futures Building’s Official Opening
When the Digital Futures building officially opens to the public on September 23, the greater Cincinnati region will be one step closer to creating a world-class innovation district in Uptown Cincinnati. The highly anticipated building provides a transdisciplinary space to bring together University of Cincinnati (UC) experts for collaboration that will impact the community, region and global society.
read moreJEDISO Celebrates 10 Years of Job Creation
A new economic development entity was formed in southern Ohio in 2013 from a $126,000 capital commitment by Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth (FBP), the contractor responsible for decommissioning and decontamination of the Department of Energy Portsmouth site. The Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO), led by the economic development directors of Pike, Ross, Scioto and Jackson Counties, has become a driving force for economic development in southern Ohio.
read more5 Reasons Your City Should Try Pop-Ups to “Try Before You Buy”
“Try-it before you buy-it” concept has been disrupting the decision process. A pop-up community project allows you to “test drive” placemaking concepts and get community feedback and buy-in before spending a lot on a permanent installation.
read more