Top Tech Companies In Ohio to Watch in 2026

Ohio is showing up in a big way when it comes to workforce growth and innovation. Across cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dayton, companies are scaling tech teams and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

In Columbus, fintech and biotech are leading the charge — Wells Fargo’s new tech hub is hiring 350+ roles, while Forge Biologics continues to grow as a leader in gene therapy manufacturing. Over in Cincinnati, medtech innovators like Enable Injections and Losant are transforming patient care and connected devices.

Meanwhile, Cleveland is making major moves in digital health and govtech, with startups like Mediview XR bringing AR to the operating room, and CHAMP digitizing legacy systems across state governments. Dayton is becoming a defense-tech stronghold, home to fast-scaling companies like Infinity Labs and Mile Two supporting national security innovation.

From financial services to frontier tech, Ohio companies are hiring, building, and making an impact — all while keeping mission at the center.

Top Companies to Watch in Columbus

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is scaling fast in Columbus with a new tech hub where it plans to hire more than 350 professionals. The Columbus center is part of the company’s larger push to modernize its tech stack and digital infrastructure — rolling out AI-powered personalization and fraud detection, real-time payments, and mobile-first banking. Recent senior hires across AI, cybersecurity, and digital products are accelerating delivery, while machine learning improves underwriting and risk modeling. With hybrid work, a purpose-led focus on financial inclusion for underserved communities, and growth alongside key hubs in Charlotte, Dallas, and Phoenix, Wells Fargo’s Columbus buildout isn’t symbolic; it’s the engine for the bank’s next wave of digital innovation. Recognition from LinkedIn Top Companies and Fast Company underscores the momentum.

Forge Biologics

Forge Biologics is helping lead the charge in cell and gene therapy — and they’re doing it from the heart of Ohio. The Columbus-based biotech company has raised over $330 million to date, including a $90 million Series C in 2023, to scale its end-to-end platform for AAV gene therapy manufacturing. Their flagship facility, The Hearth, spans over 200,000 square feet and supports clients from preclinical development through commercial production, all under one roof. Forge’s platform is particularly focused on rare diseases, with both CDMO services and its own internal pipeline aimed at tackling previously untreatable conditions.

As demand for gene therapy manufacturing surges, Forge continues to expand its capabilities, headcount, and partnerships—cementing its status as a Midwest biotech powerhouse. For professionals looking to make an impact in next-gen medicine, Forge Biologics is a company to watch.

Path Robotics

Path Robotics  is reinventing manufacturing with autonomous robotic welding systems powered by advanced AI and computer vision. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Path is tackling one of the most critical bottlenecks in American manufacturing — skilled labor shortages — by creating robots that don’t just repeat tasks, but actually learn and adapt in real time. The company has raised over $170 million, including a $56 million Series C in 2021 followed quickly by a Series D, to scale its technology and grow its team of engineers, roboticists, and manufacturing specialists.

Today, Path is actively scaling production of its robotic welding cells and investing in its product roadmap to bring high-tech automation to traditionally low-tech, labor-intensive industries. With its mission to reshape the future of fabrication, Path Robotics is one of the most exciting deep-tech companies in the Midwest and a top one to watch for those passionate about AI, robotics, and the future of work.

Invirsa

Invirsa is developing a new class of antivirals that enhance the body’s natural immune response. Its lead compound, INV-102, is targeting viral conjunctivitis, with broader potential across respiratory and skin infections. Unlike traditional antivirals, Invirsa’s platform strengthens innate immunity, offering a powerful, resistance-limiting approach. Backed by federal grants and private funding, Invirsa is a rising player in Columbus’ growing biotech scene and solving real-world health challenges with scalable science.

Finite State

Finite State is securing the software supply chain at scale, helping device manufacturers and critical infrastructure providers identify, assess, and remediate vulnerabilities in firmware and embedded systems. Their platform performs deep analysis of software components (including SBOMs, binary analysis, and vulnerability management) to protect everything from medical devices and industrial control systems to routers and automotive ECUs.

With the explosion of connected technologies and increasing regulatory pressure from frameworks like EO 14028, FDA premarket cybersecurity requirements, and NIST 800-218, Finite State’s solution is more relevant than ever. Trusted by Fortune 500s, government agencies, and some of the largest IoT manufacturers in the world, the company is backed by major VC funding and continues to grow its Columbus-based team. As embedded cybersecurity becomes mission-critical across sectors, Finite State is one of Ohio’s most impactful and strategic security tech companies and a top one to watch for professionals in cybersecurity, firmware, and supply chain risk management.

​​Loop

Loop is transforming the post-purchase experience for modern eCommerce brands by automating returns and exchanges in a way that’s fast, frictionless, and revenue-friendly. Trusted by top DTC brands like Allbirds, Chubbies, and SKIMS, Loop turns what’s often seen as a loss (returns) into an opportunity to retain customers, preserve revenue, and build brand loyalty.

As consumer expectations evolve, Loop is helping brands stand out with a sleek, shopper-friendly platform that integrates seamlessly with Shopify and other major eCommerce tools. The company has recently expanded into international markets, signaling strong demand, and continues hiring across product, engineering, and customer experience. With a bold vision for fixing what’s broken in the post-purchase journey, Loop is a standout in retail tech and one to watch as eCommerce matures.

Branch

Branch Branch is reimagining how hourly workers and gig economy professionals get paid by offering faster, more flexible financial tools that help people take control of their income. Through features like earned wage access, instant digital tips, reimbursements, and fee-free banking, Branch eliminates delays and friction for workers who often need money in real time.

What makes Branch especially powerful is that it doesn’t just benefit workers—it also helps employers improve retention and engagement by supporting employee financial wellness at scale. With major enterprise partners, growing user adoption, and a mission centered on financial equity, Branch is one of the most impactful fintech companies in the Midwest. As real-time payments and worker-first financial tools gain momentum, Branch is absolutely one to watch.

Bold Penguin

Bold Penguin is simplifying the notoriously complex world of commercial insurance through a digital platform that connects brokers, carriers, and small businesses in real time. By streamlining the quoting and binding process, Bold Penguin is making it easier for SMBs to get covered—fast—while improving workflows and efficiency across the insurance ecosystem.

Now a part of American Family Insurance, Bold Penguin continues to operate with startup agility, expanding its tech stack and growing its Columbus-based team. As digital transformation accelerates in legacy industries like insurance, Bold Penguin is leading the way, turning a slow, manual process into a smart, connected experience. For anyone interested in insurtech, B2B marketplaces, or modernizing financial infrastructure, Bold Penguin is a company to keep on your radar.

Upstart

Upstart is using AI to make credit more accessible and accurate. With its roots in Columbus and headquarters in California, the company has built a lending platform that goes beyond credit scores — it analyzes alternative data to better predict risk and expand financial access. Upstart partners with banks and credit unions to offer personal loans, auto refinancing, and small-dollar lending with smarter, faster decisioning. The Columbus office plays a key role in engineering and operations as the company continues to grow. 

Lower

Lower is on a mission to make homeownership more accessible and attainable for more people through a streamlined, digital-first platform. From mortgages and refinancing to savings accounts and home insurance, Lower brings everything under one roof — removing friction from one of life’s most stressful (and financially critical) journeys.

With over $100 million raised and a growing national footprint, Lower is redefining the modern mortgage experience for today’s buyers, especially first-timers and digitally savvy consumers. The company continues to hire across tech, sales, and operations, and is actively investing in both product innovation and customer education. At a time when housing is top of mind for millions, Lower is a company to watch for fintech pros, homeownership advocates, and anyone excited about wealth-building at scale.

AssetWatch

AssetWatch is helping manufacturers stay one step ahead of costly downtime with a predictive maintenance platform that combines real-time sensor data, AI-driven alerts, and machine learning models. Formerly known as Nikola Labs, the company rebranded to better reflect its mission: to give manufacturers total visibility into the health of their most critical assets.

Trusted by leading industrial brands across sectors, AssetWatch has built a powerful solution that not only prevents failure but helps teams plan smarter, reduce maintenance costs, and extend equipment life. As industrial operations increasingly prioritize uptime and data-driven decision-making, AssetWatch is scaling fast and positioning Ohio as a hub for industrial tech innovation. If you're into IoT, AI, or real-world impact, this is a company to keep your eye on.

Beam Benefits

Beam Benefits is modernizing the employee benefits space with a digital-first platform and data-powered approach to insurance. Originally known for shaking up dental coverage with connected toothbrushes and usage-based pricing, Beam has since expanded to offer a full suite of ancillary benefits—including vision, life, disability, and supplemental health plans.

What sets Beam apart is its blend of smart tech and human-centered design, making it easier for HR teams to manage plans while giving employees a more personalized experience. With recent funding, a growing national footprint, and a focus on helping employers stay competitive in today’s talent market, Beam Benefits is one of the most innovative insurtech companies in the Midwest—and one to watch as the future of work evolves.

Top Companies to Watch in Cincinnati 

Gearsupply

Gearsupply is changing the way live events get powered — literally and logistically. Based in Cincinnati, the company connects production teams with the gear they need, when and where they need it, through a streamlined ecommerce platform and growing logistics network. Whether it’s lighting, audio, staging, or power equipment, Gearsupply is making it faster and easier for live event professionals to source high-quality gear with confidence.

In an industry that’s long been offline, word-of-mouth, and fragmented, Gearsupply is bringing modern technology, transparency, and scale to the table — helping everyone from local crews to national tours deliver seamless shows. As demand for live experiences continues to grow, so does the need for smart, efficient production support. Gearsupply is a company to watch for anyone interested in event tech, logistics innovation, or building the backbone of unforgettable experiences.

Enable Injections

Enable Injections is changing how patients receive biologic medications with its enFuse wearable injector. Backed by $215 million in 2025 financing, the medtech company is scaling its manufacturing and partnerships to meet growing demand for its needle-free, at-home delivery solution. With strong IP, support from global pharmaceutical partners, and increasing adoption in clinical and commercial settings, Enable Injections is well-positioned as a leader in patient-centric drug delivery. It’s a standout in Cincinnati’s healthtech space, and one of the most well-capitalized private medtech companies in the country.

Coterie Insurance

Coterie Insurance is making it easier for small businesses to get coverage fast. The insurtech startup simplifies commercial insurance through digital-first distribution and real-time underwriting. In 2025, Coterie secured a strategic equity investment from Allianz X, following a $27 million growth round in 2024. This back-to-back momentum reflects investor confidence and growing market traction. With a modern tech stack and strong mission to support SMBs, Coterie is scaling rapidly and hiring across engineering, data, and product teams.

Losant

Losant is helping global enterprises turn connected devices into actionable data. Its enterprise IoT platform is trusted by brands like Verizon, Bosch, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and the company continues to lead the way with new features in edge computing, AI agent tooling, and code generation. Named in Gartner’s Industrial IoT Magic Quadrant, Losant is quietly building one of the most robust IIoT stacks in the Midwest. 

Frayt

Frayt is on a mission to modernize last-mile delivery for enterprise shippers with an on-demand logistics platform that connects businesses to a nationwide network of drivers. Offering same-day delivery, real-time tracking, and flexible fulfillment, Frayt helps companies move goods faster—whether it’s retail inventory, industrial parts, or B2B shipments. In March 2023, Frayt announced a $7 million Series A led by Refinery Ventures, with support from Capital Midwest and Venture 53. The funding is fueling Frayt’s expansion into new verticals and markets, as well as hiring across product, sales, and operations to meet growing customer demand.

As last-mile delivery becomes one of the most dynamic (and challenging) segments of the supply chain, Frayt is bringing much-needed transparency, flexibility, and speed to the table. Part of the Midwest’s rising logistics tech scene, Frayt is a company to watch for professionals and investors interested in the future of fulfillment, mobility, and real-time delivery innovation.

3Bar Biologics

3Bar Biologics is transforming crop production through living microbes that promote plant growth and soil health, no chemicals required. The agtech startup has developed a patented delivery system that keeps microbes stable until use, helping farmers unlock better yields with fewer inputs. Following a recent multi-million dollar investment, 3Bar expanded its operations with a new production facility in the Columbus Region to meet growing demand. With a clear mission around climate-smart agriculture and a product built for scalability, 3Bar is one to watch in Ohio’s growing agtech scene.

NaviStone

NaviStone is turning direct mail into a precision digital marketing tool — and it’s working. The company uses intent data and advanced targeting to help brands send personalized direct mail to website visitors in real time. Think of it as retargeting, but in your mailbox, and with a much higher ROI. NaviStone is growing its footprint in the martech space and expanding its team across product, data, and engineering, all while staying grounded in a mission to make marketing more relevant, respectful, and results-driven.

S4 Medical

S4 Medical is improving cardiac ablation safety with the ESolution™ device, — designed to protect the esophagus during AFib procedures. With clinical validation in progress and strong support from the medical community, S4 Medical is advancing critical innovation in heart care and helping to establish Cincinnati as a medtech hub to watch.

Top Companies to Watch in Cleveland

Axuall

Axuall is solving one of healthcare’s most outdated problems: clinician credentialing. Their platform uses digital identity, data integration, and blockchain to streamline and secure the credentialing process, saving time for providers and administrators alike. In 2025, the company raised $20 million in Series B funding and released its Workforce Intelligence report, highlighting a growing network of healthcare organizations using the platform. As healthcare staffing and efficiency remain top priorities, Axuall’s infrastructure is gaining serious traction.

Mediview XR

Mediview XR is bringing augmented reality into the operating room. The medtech startup raised a $24 million Series A round in October 2025, led by GE HealthCare and supported by the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic. Their technology overlays real-time imaging onto a surgeon’s field of view, improving precision and enabling minimally invasive procedures. With FDA clearances in motion and top-tier partners on board, Mediview is pushing surgical navigation into the future and positioning Northeast Ohio as a leader in medical innovation.

CHAMP

CHAMP is bringing digital transformation to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The company’s platform modernizes vehicle title and registration systems for state governments, replacing paper-based processes with secure, digital solutions. With over $18 million raised, CHAMP recently launched electronic title programs in Illinois and signed new contracts in Louisiana. As more states look to upgrade legacy infrastructure, CHAMP is showing how govtech can be both innovative and impactful.

MedWish International

MedWish International is a nonprofit combining sustainability with global health impact. The organization collects surplus medical supplies from U.S. hospitals and redistributes them to healthcare providers in underserved regions. MedWish operates at the intersection of healthcare, logistics, and environmental innovation. With growing recognition for its work and measurable impact on waste reduction and global access to care, the organization continues to prove that mission-driven models can scale. As supply chain challenges and medical waste continue to rise, MedWish’s model offers a sustainable, actionable solution that addresses both environmental and humanitarian needs.

Splash Financial

Splash Financial is making student loan refinancing faster, smarter, and more transparent. The company raised a $70 million Series C funding round in September 2025 to grow its digital lending marketplace and expand partnerships. Splash stands out for its clean design, flexible options, and personalized borrower experience — all part of a strategy to challenge legacy lenders. The fintech firm is scaling its team across product, engineering, and operations. With student loan repayments resuming and financial pressure mounting for borrowers, Splash is helping people regain control with modern tools and better lending options.

BoxCast

BoxCast is democratizing live streaming, making it easy for organizations of all sizes to broadcast high-quality video without a big production budget or tech team. From schools and churches to sports teams and businesses, BoxCast’s platform gives users everything they need to stream live events — simply, reliably, and at scale. The Cleveland-based company raised a $20 million Series A led by Updata Partners, with participation from audio giant Shure, signaling major confidence in BoxCast’s technology and growth potential. With streaming now a critical tool for engagement and communication, BoxCast is expanding its suite of tools, improving accessibility, and scaling both its engineering and customer success teams.

As video becomes a must-have — not a nice-to-have — BoxCast stands out for its easy-to-use platform, mission-driven customer base, and commitment to leveling the playing field for live broadcasting. It’s a top company to watch for those interested in media tech, community-focused innovation, and the future of streaming.

Top Companies to Watch in Dayton

Infinity Labs

Infinity Labs is one of the fastest-growing defense tech companies in Ohio, specializing in digital engineering, modeling and simulation, and advanced R&D for national security. The company works closely with the Department of Defense, including prime contracts like the Navy’s $4B SeaPort-NxG program. Infinity Labs combines technical depth with mission-driven work, offering roles at the intersection of AI, autonomy, and systems design. As defense innovation accelerates, Infinity Labs is helping put Dayton on the map as a modern hub for cutting-edge national security tech.

Parallax Advanced Research

Parallax Advanced Research is bridging the gap between academic innovation and national defense. The nonprofit works with the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and other federal agencies to commercialize emerging technologies in AI, autonomy, human performance, and space. In 2025, Parallax secured multiple contracts, including a $9 million Air Force award, fueling its growth and expanding impact. With deep expertise in tech transfer and mission-aligned R&D, Parallax plays a vital role in Dayton’s growing defense innovation ecosystem and offers meaningful work at the intersection of science, security, and society.

Spintech Holdings

Spintech Holdings is pushing aerospace manufacturing forward with smart composite materials designed to improve performance, reduce weight, and enable next-gen capabilities. Based in Miamisburg, Ohio, in 2023 the company announced a $7 million expansion to scale production and meet increasing demand. Its patented shape memory polymer technologies are already being used in advanced defense systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — and the applications continue to grow. As defense and aerospace sectors race to modernize, Spintech is playing a crucial role in delivering the materials innovation required for the next generation of high-performance, mission-ready systems.

Mile Two

Mile Two builds mission-critical software with a focus on human-centered design, partnering with both government agencies and Fortune 100 companies. Their work spans AI tools, decision support systems, and advanced UX, enabling better outcomes in complex, high-stakes environments. In 2025, the Dayton-based company advanced to SBIR Phase III with the U.S. Air Force, following a $22 million contract — a key signal of trust and traction in the defense tech space. At a time when national security, human-AI collaboration, and advanced decision tools are converging, Mile Two is delivering real solutions that are already being deployed in the field.

Soteria Battery Innovation Group

Soteria is tackling one of energy storage’s biggest safety challenges: lithium-ion battery fires by developing lightweight, fire-resistant components that improve battery safety across electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and defense applications. Soteria also leads a global consortium of manufacturers and researchers working to commercialize its patented tech. As demand for safer, smarter energy storage grows, Soteria is making Ohio a key player in the battery innovation ecosystem.

Solar Power & Light

Solar Power & Light (SP&L) is helping accelerate the clean energy transition across the Midwest. With its headquarters in Miamisburg and an active presence in the Toledo region, SP&L develops and manages commercial-scale solar projects for businesses and municipalities. The company has more than 100 MW under management or development and is continuing to hire as demand grows. As solar adoption increases across Ohio, SP&L is well-positioned to lead regional deployment.

American Broadband Services

American Broadband Services is expanding internet access across underserved communities in Ohio. Headquartered in Toledo, the company delivers broadband infrastructure and Lifeline services through a mix of public-private partnerships and federal grant programs. As connectivity becomes essential for education, work, and healthcare, ABS is scaling operations to meet the demand, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged regions.