Startups to Watch in 2024
January 2, 2024
As the Launch Dayton startup community continues to grow, we’re excited to see what’s in store for these companies in the new year! (Startups listed alphabetically.)
AIMM
A familiar face, AIMM founder Luis Estevez has made this list before for the self-disinfecting N95 mask he was developing during the pandemic. This year, the startup took the $5,000 second place prize at the Launch Dayton Startup Week Pitch Competition for a new technology it’s developing to address difficult-to-treat water issues, such as forever chemicals, to help provide safe water to all.
The Heart Baker
Founder Jess Kellar whips up nostalgic treats from her base in Spark Fairborn’s commercial kitchen. She’s a graduate of the 6888 Kitchen Incubator’s Sharpen the Axe program and the Entrepreneur Rising Academy. We can’t wait to see how she’ll continue to grow in 2024!
Kilele Health
Kilele Health is developing wearable remote continuous patient monitoring for cardiometabolic diseases, empowering doctors and patients with accurate real-time data. The startup took home the $15,000 first place prize in the Launch Dayton Startup Week Pitch Competition, powered by the Entrepreneurs’ Center.
Kitchen Kanvas
A team of students from University of Dayton, Sinclair College, Cedarville University, and The Modern joined forces to launch Kitchen Kanvas at the 2023 LaunchHack DYT Startup Weekend. Their product — single-serving spices contained in edible, compost-able, tear-able rice sheets. Thought the team did not advance into the second round of the 2024 Flyer Pitch competition, we’re still excited to see where they go this year!
Lunnie
Mompreneur Sarah Kallile launched Lunnie in 2021 with a simple mission — to reinvent the nursing bra for fellow breastfeeding moms. Her first production run in spring 2022 sold out. She wrapped up 2023 by announcing a new partnership with Kettering Health to provide Lunnie’s patent-pending nursing bra to moms in need. We’re excited to see where 2024 takes her!
Naturally Bare
Self-proclaimed community foot fairy, Shayna is the owner and creator of Naturally Bare, a practice focused on medical pedicures. She was the winner of her winter 2022 cohort of Entrepreneur Rising Academy. She wrapped up 2023 advancing as a finalist in the Main Street track of this year’s Flyer Pitch competition. We love to see our ERA grads do big things, and we’re so excited for her to grow in 2024!
Noorah Labs
Noorah Labs is the first majority-minority owned marijuana processing lab in Ohio. In 2021, they closed their initial $2.5 million funding round and started their first production run. Watch cofounder Nickole Ross’s Launch Dayton Startup Week talk with What’s The Biz founder Te’Jal Cartwright here. With Ohio voters passing a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana last fall, we’re curious to see where Noorah Labs soars in 2024.
The Reserve of Third
Erin Parrott’s grand opening of her After 5 boutique this summer in the Fireblocks District was a smashing success. Next year, she’s looking to build on that momentum as part of the team opening the highly anticipated Reserve on Third in the new year. We can’t wait to check it out!
Unlisted Homes
Unlisted Homea is a software platform that helps homebuyers connect with the owners of off-market properties they covet. Want-to-be buyers send a personalized mailing — complete with vanilla frosted cookies — inviting the owners to join the platform to chat one-on-one about their future buying and selling plans. Founder Katie Hill was named an American Inno Female Founder to Watch this year. Unlisted Homes also took first place at the 2023 Flyer Pitch, taking home $60K in cash + prizes. We can’t wait to see what they do in 2024!
