By Katie Aldridge
Can’t seem to connect with your kiddo who loves video games? Bring them out to Connect E-Sports.
Owners Mary and Bob Baldino built the Connect E-Sports space in downtown Dayton to connect people online and in real life through video games. They have classic games like Fortnite, but they also have multiplayer games designed so groups can connect and play together.
Mary Baldino was a member of the 2020 cohort of the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab, powered by Launch Dayton partner Downtown Dayton Partnership. We recently caught up with Mary and Bob to learn more about Connect E-Sports and their entrepreneurial journey.
Bob: Mary and I knew we wanted to do something together. She has always been in the grind of corporate office, and I am an engineer. We went on a personal trip to Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea; it was such an important part of the culture to have places like our space in their neighborhoods and in the city. We thought it would be cool to bring to Dayton.
Bob: We figured that E-Sports is what the next generation and future generations are going to be interested in. It’s people competing with technology and games that anyone can play right now. Anybody can pick up a video game and get enough familiarity with it to associate with the professionals. With that knowledge of the industry, we wanted to create a space where people can participate together. Not only can you rent our space, but we also host tournaments and leagues.
Bob: Mary knew she wanted to do something on her own. I always had the passion to, but I liked my current job. My parents were entrepreneurs. I saw the success with that and thought it was cool. Mary and I talked more and more about starting a business, and once we went to Japan, we realized we could do this, we could write our own content and business model. It took time and preparation, but it was worth it.
Bob: I knew I wanted to be an engineer, I love building things. That’s a reason why we chose this business because I got to build the computers, the structure of how the business was to run with the internet, and the server. Mary’s design inputs and leadership with how things should look determined how the business should present. We didn’t know we had those skills until we jumped in there.
Mary: We signed our lease in 2019 for a physical space and were set to open in spring of 2020. Our landlord gave us some wiggle room with opening and construction, but we had to open in the winter of 2020. Although our business plan was built on people coming to our space and having physical contact, we were able to make new connections and build events solely around online tournaments and events.
Mary: Being able to see people connect with friends and parents through video games. It is common for us to see younger kids host their birthday parties at our location and they turn to their parents excited that they are able to play with their friends right next to them rather than isolated in their own homes.
Mary: I attended the Early Risers pitch events back in 2018 and 2019 when I was forming the business plan of Connect and was first introduced to the Launch Dayton community. I also had several connections through an organization I was a part of, Generation Dayton, early in my career that were a part of the Launch Dayton community.
Spread the word! Our space downtown is for people to rent for groups or birthday parties, and for people who want to play with their friends or who might not have the best equipment.
Learn more about Connect E-Sports online or by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Tackle a real-world problem for one of Dayton’s top companies at the very first Gemtec Hackathon, happening during Launch Dayton Startup Week!
Henny Penny engineers develop cooking equipment for some of the biggest names in fast food — if you’ve ever grabbed a quick bite on a long roadtrip, you’ve probably eaten food cooked in a Henny Penny fryer.
These days, these machines are connected online. They collect a wealth of valuable data ranging from controller id and oil temperature to error codes and element currents.
Henny Penny wants a tool to help pull insights out of this data. They want a solution with a web-based front end that allows the user to select parameters to help sort, filter and analyze the data. Ideally, they’d also like to plug in a little AI to gather insights they don’t know to look for yet.
Have an idea? Build your team in real time, or bring a team to the Gemtec Hackathon and build out a solution in three days to pitch to Henny Penny leaders.
Participants will:
We’ll kickoff Monday, Sept. 12 at 4p — Henny Penny leaders will lay out the problem and be available for questions and answers from you.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, check in regularly with the Henny Penny team as you build out your protoype in the beautiful Rotunda coworking space at Launch Dayton Startup Week.
Teams will pitch to Henny Penny leaders at noon on Thursday, Sept 15 in the Tank. Winners will be announced Thursday at 4p at the closing session of Launch Dayton Startup Week.
Register here — We can’t wait to hear your ideas!
More about Henny Penny:
Henny Penny continues more than 60 years of innovation that began in Eaton, Ohio, U.S., with the first commercial pressure fryer in 1957. Today, we offer a wide range of premium foodservice equipment known for reliability, ease-of-use, and low operating costs. Product lines include pressure and open fryers, combi ovens, holding cabinets, heated merchandisers and more. These products and complete start-up, service, training and technical support, are available through our global distribution network. For more information, visit www.HennyPenny.com.
Project Enginuity, the national accelerator initiative designed for Black, Hispanic, Latino and women founders, is back for a second edition.
Are you a tech entrepreneur looking to secure funding for your innovation that has commercialization potential? If you answered YES, please join a free webinar to hear a panel of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) experts to learn vital information on how to apply and win SBIR/STTR awards. SBIR offers flexible grant funding, commercialization support and the strongest intellectual property rights for small businesses in the federal government.
Join the free informational webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 1p.m.
Panelists include:
Project Enginuity is supported by the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Partnership, Chase, and Entrepreneurs’ Center.
Can’t afford a formal sponsorship, but still want to support Launch Dayton Startup Week? This year, we’re launching two donation-based tickets, in addition to our always-free attendee ticket.
Pay It Forward: Community Supporter ticket buyers can donate any amount to be recognized as an individual community supporter. Community supporters’ names will be listed on the conference website. If tickets are purchased by Aug. 31, names will also be listed on conference signage in the Rotunda.
Pay It Forward: Business Supporter ticket buyers can donate a minimum of $100 to have their business name listed. Business supporters will also be listed on the website, and if tickets are purchased by Aug. 31, listed on conference signage in the Rotunda.
Launch Dayton Startup Week is the Dayton, Ohio entrepreneur community’s largest event, drawing roughly 1,000 attendees annually to celebrate, inspire and equip the Dayton region’s startup founders & business owners.
This year’s lineup features 50+ speakers across 60+ sessions, ranging from inspirational fireside chats with founders sharing stories of failure and success to hands-on workshops that will enable you to dig in and work on your business and leave with something tangible you can implement the next day.
The AES Ohio Summer in the City signature event, Art in the City, returns to downtown Dayton on Saturday, August 6, 2022. 300+ artists will be stationed around downtown’s core to celebrate the visual and performing arts through performances, demonstrations, hands-on projects, a Juried Art Show, Artisan Market and more.
“The arts are a vibrant and integral part of our downtown community,” said Sandra K. Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “Art in the City brings our art organizations, small businesses, residents, and artists themselves together to celebrate art of all kinds while inspiring Dayton’s next wave of creators.”
You’re invited to Make Your Mark downtown alongside the more than 300 artists, educators, and performers taking part in Art in the City. These hands-on community projects were designed and specially selected with YOUR participation in mind!
There will be several stages throughout Art in the City to feature musical acts, spoken word artists, and dancers. Activities and performers will line several downtown streets so visitors can travel easily from one event to the next. Follow the roving artists and pop-up performances to some of the Art in the City art Hot Spots including:
“For the sixth year, we are excited to sponsor the AES Ohio Summer in the City series of events where families across the Miami Valley can actively discover, participate and enjoy all downtown Dayton has to offer. Art in the City is a celebration of Dayton’s outstanding visual and performing arts organizations,” said AES Ohio Director of Community and Social Responsibility Holly Wiggins. “We are committed to our partners who are welcoming to all of our residents in the Dayton region and making a difference where we live, work and play.”
The Art in the City Pre-pARTy will happen during First Friday, August 5. Regular First Friday specials and deals will be in effect alongside additional arts activities happening around downtown. Guests can see the entries for the Juried Art Show sponsored by the Dayton Society of Artists and Dayton.com, or take in a Party on the Patio with live entertainment on street corners and patios, sponsored by Miller Valentine Construction.
Maps and more details about the Art in the City projects, performances, and events will be made available on the Art in the City website as the event date gets closer.
AES Ohio Summer in the City Art in the City is a program of the Downtown Dayton Partnership and is sponsored by AES Ohio, Dayton.com, Montgomery County, and the Ohio Arts Council, with support from CareSource, Miller Valentine Construction, and PNC.
More information about AES Ohio Summer in the City is available online at downtowndayton.org. Pick up AES Ohio Summer in the City calendars at downtown businesses or at DDP info tables during signature events.
We’re so excited to release the full schedule for this year’s Launch Dayton Startup Week presented by Fifth Third Bank conference!
Launch Dayton Startup Week is the Dayton, Ohio entrepreneur community’s largest event, drawing roughly 1,000 attendees annually to celebrate, inspire and equip the Dayton region’s startup founders & business owners.
This year’s lineup features 50+ speakers across 60+ sessions, ranging from inspirational fireside chats with founders sharing stories of failure and success to hands-on workshops that will enable you to dig in and work on your business and leave with something tangible you can implement the next day.
Build your own personal conference agenda — once you register for the conference, you’ll get an invite to customize your personal schedule on Sched.
All experiences are welcome at Startup Week — whether a seasoned entrepreneur or new to the community, there is space to jump in.
The organizing team is committed to hosting a conference that is representative of the community we serve. Last year, main stage speakers were 50 percent women and 50 percent people of color. This year, we are working to meet those ratios across all conference stages.
We’re also mixing the schedule back up — rather than themed tracks by day, we hope that any business owner can find a relevant session whatever day they’re able to attend.
Want to sponsor this year’s conference? Reach out to [email protected].
Can’t afford a formal sponsorship, but still want to support? This year, we’re launching two donation-based tickets, in addition to our always-free attendee ticket.
Pay It Forward: Community Supporter ticket buyers can donate any amount to be recognized as an individual community supporter. Community supporters’ names will be listed on the conference website. If tickets are purchased by Aug. 31, names will also be listed on conference signage in the Rotunda.
Pay It Forward: Business Supporter ticket buyers can donate a minimum of $100 to have their business name listed. Business supporters will also be listed on the website, and if tickets are purchased by Aug. 31, listed on conference signage in the Rotunda.
Apply to be a vendor in this year’s Startup Market! We have a dozen spots each day, and we’re looking for folks with cool products under $30.
Pitch your business! Apply here for the annual Launch Dayton Startup Week Pitch Competition. Our tech category, sponsored by Entrepreneurs’ Center, will receive a $10K award that includes cash & services. Our main street winner will take home up to $5K in cash.
In addition to support from presenting sponsor Fifth Third Bank, this conference is also made possible by our platinum sponsors, Parallax Advanced Research, Entrepreneurs’ Center and Canary Consulting. This year’s event will be fully in-person and will be held in the historic Dayton Arcade and The Hub. We couldn’t do it without their generous support!
Gem City Black Business Month returns Aug. 1 with more than 20 events hosted by local business resource providers and entrepreneurs to celebrate and amplify Black businesses in the Greater Dayton region.
“Gem City Black Business Month is an initiative designed to strengthen the Black entrepreneurial community in our region,” said Whitney Barkley, director of the Greater West Dayton Incubator. “Black businesses have come so far, but still need the full support of our entire ecosystem to truly blaze a path for generational wealth and sustainability.”
This year’s events include educational, cultural and social events to provide Black entrepreneurs and community supporters with opportunities to learn, connect and support Black businesses. Highlighted events include:
Visit the Launch Dayton website for a full listing of events happening during Gem City Black Business Month Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. Registration for events, most which are free and open to the public, is available online as well.
Black Business Month, started nationally in August 2004, brings attention and action to the needs of more than 2 million Black-owned businesses in America. The Gem City Black Business Month, now in its second year, is championed by the Greater West Dayton Incubator and collaborators across the city, including Launch Dayton, Downtown Dayton Partnership, Dayton Metro Library, Co-op Dayton, Scripted in Black, Haya Healing, Entrepreneurs’ Center, the Small Business Development Center and others.
Wednesday, the Ohio Third Frontier Commission awarded an Entrepreneurial Services Provider Program grant for $14.9M to the Entrepreneurs’ Center to support Dayton’s technology startup and early-stage companies.
This record-breaking amount is a 60% increase from the 2019 award. The required local dollar-for-dollar match from project partners will total an impressive $29.8M to fund work from Jan. 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025.
“We are grateful for the continued support of the Third Frontier Commission and the State of Ohio for our ESP program. The size and scope of this project affirms the importance of the EC as an economic development organization, and more importantly, the growing importance of entrepreneurs and small businesses to Dayton’s future,” said Scott Koorndyk, president of the Entrepreneurs’ Center. “This award will enable us to expand our services and really help drive success for technology entrepreneurs across our region.”
The EC has administered Dayton’s ESP program since 2017, tailoring services over the years to meet the evolving needs of the region’s thriving startup scene. The comprehensive program provides funding and strategic assistance to high-potential concept, seed, and early-stage technology companies to accelerate their growth. Joining the EC in this effort is a robust network of partners, including Ascend Innovations, Converge Technologies, Cornerstone Research Group, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Ikove Capital, Ohio Aerospace Institute, Parallax Advanced Research, Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton, and Wright Brothers Institute.
This new project builds on the EC’s past results, a major success story considering the region did not have an ESP program in 2015-2016. The EC’s portfolio has grown to nearly 100 clients, more than 25% of which are led by a diverse founder. Those clients have attracted $100M+ in investment, created 800+ new jobs and generated $180M+ in product sales. These results create over $378 million of total leverage for the EC’s ESP – every $1 of Third Frontier Commission investment generated more than $30 of return.
“These results are remarkable! Our clients’ achievements are having a real impact on the local economy and that benefits the entire Miami Valley. This funding helps fuel the EC so that we can continue to empower entrepreneurs and ensure Dayton reaches its full potential as a leader in technology advancement,” said Gayle Rominger, chair of the EC’s ESP Oversight Committee, member of the Entrepreneurs’ Center Board of Directors, and active angel investor.
We are thrilled to introduce Reginald Henderson, Parallax’s newest project manager, to the Launch Dayton team.
Reginald will be filling KeAnna Daniels’ role and taking over management of Early Risers Academy and the Launch Dayton Mentor Network.
We are so excited to welcome Reginald to the team, and to introduce him to all of you! We sat down with him last week to learn more about his journey here and his goals in the role. Our conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.
I was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. After graduating high school, I earned the McIntosh Leadership Award which landed me at the University of Dayton where I studied business administration. The award also sponsored an internship with the City of Dayton, and I found my place in Planning and Community Development. While working toward my master’s degree at UD, I started my own organization, Elevation Collaborative, which focused on community development initiatives and events for young professionals. Before Parallax, I managed my mother’s pest control business, Ladybug Services. Overall, I’m just a man committed to growth, love, and integrity.
I felt called to this role. I had been on the job hunt for a while because I knew I needed a new challenge and experience. However, I was having trouble finding a situation where I believed I could be authentically me, have an impact on the communities I care for, and continue my professional development. I had watched Ke in this role and how she flourished in this space, but I never really considered taking on her role. That was until she told me the position was opening as she was gearing up for her return to St. Louis. After, I read the job description I knew my skillset, experience, and interests matched well with needs and implications the of the position. I was confident in my ability to add value to Dayton’s entrepreneurial community and put my application in within days.
I anticipate engaging with the community through economics. I’ve done so politically and socially, but I look forward to stretching myself through this lens. It is much different than working inside a business as I did with Ladybug Services because I can now see the landscape of business activity which drives Dayton’s economy.
I also look forward to helping entrepreneurs and business owners achieve their personal and professional goals. The programs Launch Dayton and other resource providers offer seek to benefit marginalized and underrepresented groups, and I’m enthusiastic about being amongst the dynamic people leading this work. This is a great opportunity to learn, lead, and serve.
I learned there is much work to do in this space. With folks starting businesses almost daily, there is a large pool of entrepreneurs and businessowners to connect with to ensure they are supported, knowledgeable of resources, and have the tools and power to thrive.
I love to explore! Whether through reading, traveling, conversations with folks, I just enjoy acquiring new skills, information, and relationships. I’m into all sorts of hobbies. Right now I’m learning bass guitar, picking up tennis, and have a motorcycle coming. I come from playing sports — basketball, track, golf. I love music and food in all its forms. I own several very health plants and looking to add more to the collection! I’m intrigued by design, period, but have a specific love for interiors, architecture, fashion, and experiential.
I consider myself a foodie, so I’m constantly exploring new restaurants. Some of my favorites are El Meson, Nanyea, Thai Table, Canal St. Deli. I love Barrel House, Toxic, and Members Only 937 for drinks. Wholly Grounds for top-tier coffee. Brim for my hat needs!
I’m reading “Startup Communities” by Brad Feld and “Salvation” by bell hooks. My musical interests are expansive, but you may catch me listening to Khruangbin, Smino, Griselda, etc.
Dayton is space that, with a solid effort from some organized people, could be transformed. There is this little pond, big fish scenario going on that opens the door for anyone willing to find a niche and lay the groundwork to make an impact.
Dayton has such a rich history and foundation to be built upon, but I think we have yet to fully recognize our value and utilize it as our competitive advantage. The Gem City is the land of funk music, birthplace of aviation, home of first internationally known Black writer, Paul Laurence Dunbar. There is so much to be inspired by, but what keeps me here is fervor to create a history as significant as those who helped refine this jewel.
Connect with Reginald and Early Risers Academy here, or Reginald and the Launch Dayton Mentor Network here.
31 S. Main St.
Dayton, OH 45402
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