Launch Dayton Startup Week

Sept. 13-16, 2021

Launch Dayton Startup Week is the Dayton region’s premiere opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect and network with both resource providers and fellow founders. Speakers and workshops are curated to spur tangible progress for local businesses and to celebrate the diversity of our startup community.

This free, annual, week-long, entrepreneur-led, volunteer-run, community-focused conference brings together the region’s thinkers, dreamers, doers, makers, entrepreneurs and small business owners.

All experiences are welcome — whether a seasoned entrepreneur or new to the community, there is space to jump in.

Thank you to our awesome Launch Dayton Startup Week 2021 Title Sponsors

Be Inspired:

Monday, Sept. 13 we’ll kick off at 8:30a with inspirational stories and how-to talks from founders offering advice that applies across industry lines, all told from our main stage in the historic Rotunda. Shop local businesses throughout the day at the Launch Dayton Startup Week Startup Market, hosted in partnership with Tae Winston, founder of the The Entrepreneurs’ Marketplace, Shoppe & Connection.

Stick around after the final keynote for a social hour, followed by the Launch Dayton Startup Week Early Risers Pitch Competition, where 10 local startups will compete for cash + prizes, starting at 6p.

Want to pitch & win up to $5K in cash + prizes? Apply here by Aug. 13.

Hear & network with:

Mile Two founders Jeff Graley and Jorge Sanchez talk about growing from a four-man shop during the first Startup Week to landing a $15M government contract;
Maximize the Money You Have — Financial guru Emerald Sparks & Arcani Coil Care founder Jerricha Hoskins will talk about getting out of the mindset that someone else will give you money to launch your business;
A panel of business owners will discuss Doing Business in 2020 — we’ll talk about the challenges of the pandemic and rising hate crimes, as well as opportunities stemming from the recent push for racial justice;
Marketing experts will debunk the most common marketing myths they hear from clients looking to launch or grow their business on a budget;
Neurosurgeon turned entrepreneur & investor Dave Kirschman will share his story, from his entrepreneurial start in a college dorm room to his $90M X-spine Systems exit. His current company, Aerobiotix, produces an air filtration system for operating rooms.
Nickole Ross, cofounder of the only minority-owned and Black woman-operated processing facility in Ohio’s burgeoning cannabis industry, will sit down with What’s The Biz founder Te’Jal Cartwright to talk about breaking into an industry that has disproportionately harmed her community.

Work On Your Business:

Tuesday through Thursday, dig deeper into your business with industry-specific tracks and get hands-on with various workshop opportunities. We’ll kick off after lunch and go until 8p to create more opportunities for aspiring founders to attend. Partners have curated a series of offerings for founders innovating in the areas of:

Tuesday, Sept. 14

MedTech, curated by BioOhio;
SaaS, curated by Technology First;
Business 101 classes, curated by Parallax’s Early Risers Academy;
Marketing workshops, curated by LMG
Elevator pitch practice — in an actual elevator

Wednesday, Sept. 15

Food/Bev/Retail/Consumer Products, curated by Downtown Dayton Partnership and the Arcade Kitchen Incubator;
Artists + Creative Entrepreneurs, curated by Culture Works & hosted by The Contemporary Dayton;
Scaleup workshops on value prop, financials and investment models, curated by the Entrepreneurs’ Center;
A million-dollar women founders panel, curated by Aviatra Accelerators — Dayton

Thursday, Sept. 16

Defense, curated by Parallax Advanced Research and sponsored by Infinite Management Solutions & Treble One Aerospace;
Future Tech, curated by OhioX;
Marketing workshops, curated by LMG

Join us in-person by entering the Dayton Arcade via The Hub Powered by PNC, at 31. S. Main Street, downtown Dayton. Park at the Reibold Garage on Fifth Street, or park at meters available around the building.

Prefer to attend virtually? Register now, and as the conference gets closer, we’ll send you a link to download the official Launch Dayton Startup Week app. The app, available on iOS, Android and the web, will allow you to personalize your schedule, attend sessions, connect with attendees, find resources, and win prizes.

Events Launch Dayton Startup Week