1819 Partners
At the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Hub, university-industry partnerships empower organizations to support startups, recruit interns, launch new ventures and drive economic growth through world-class research and education. Our innovation partners benefit from white-glove concierge services that source solutions from across UC, the Midwest and the globe.
Impact by the Numbers
- 2,500 companies hire UC co-op students annually
- 7,500 co-op placements each year
- Over 40 organizations supported by the IT Solutions Center
- Over 15 innovation sprints hosted at 1819 annually
Corporate Partners
Discover 1819's corporate partners, who engage with University of Cincinnati students through internships, design sprints and the cultivation of long-term professional relationships.
The Altafiber Innovation Hub fosters collaboration between employees and UC students and faculty, resulting in innovative applications and products that leverage the company's deep fiber network and expertise.
Altafiber at 1819: With more than $800 million invested into its local fiber network — which delivers high-speed internet to consumers and businesses across the region — Altafiber has increased its focus on developing new products to help customers maximize connections.
A global consultancy and leader in modeling roles, businesses, strategies, cultures and workflows, BTS offers tailored digital journeys, deep expertise in leadership and a strong emphasis on co-creation.
BTS at 1819: BTS bases its global innovation and digital transformation center at the 1819 Innovation Hub to host clients, learning programs and field immersions.
CincyTech invests in high-potential digital and life science companies across Southwest Ohio, typically from seed to early stages. Its skilled team’s consulting and funding arms build world-class companies, creating jobs and economic vitality in the region.
CincyTech at 1819: CincyTech assists research institutions like UC to commercialize tech through startups, making it a tremendous addition to the building and the 1819 Venture Lab.
Inside Fifth Third Bank's evolving creative space at the 1819 Innovation Hub, team members are prototyping, learning and collaborating with other businesses. Members of Fifth Third Bank’s innovation team regularly utilize the 1819 innovation space to work with UC students, faculty and industry partners.
Fireroad is a trailblazing holding company fostering innovation at every startup stage, from testing market fit to making investments to implementing processes that catalyze growth.
Fireroad at 1819: By focusing on early-stage tech companies led by visionary founders as well as existing businesses in profitable industries, Fireroad leverages the space and resources at the Hub and offers expertise in the Venture Lab entrepreneurship programs.
FIS is a leading payment provider available in 146 countries. It offers a suite of fintech products and services and processes over 40 billion transactions annually. The company is currently focused on expanding into high-growth markets and customer segments.
FIS at 1819: FIS hosts collaborations with other partners, industry panel discussions and casual coffee hours to discuss matters affecting academia and industry.
Heapy is known for providing comprehensive engineering solutions across Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina. Its substantial portfolio of mechanical, engineering, plumbing and technology engineering design includes the development of LEED green buildings and net-zero and WELL-certified projects.
Heapy at 1819: The 1819 Innovation Hub is a green building with a 12,000-square-foot space equipped with engineering tech. Heapy and other partners can build renewable solutions in the UC Ground Floor Makerspace.
Kao USA Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium beauty care brands, including Jergens and Curel hand and body lotions; Bioré facial care; John Frieda hair care; Ban antiperspirants; Goldwell, KMS and Oribe professional hair care; and Molton Brown products for body and home.
Kao at 1819: Kao USA uses the 1819 Innovation Hub to highlight top innovation initiatives and recruit students as prospective employees. Kao works with the Venture Lab, a technology accelerator and business incubator, to fast-track and test new ideas.
As one of the nation’s largest retailers, Kroger focuses on innovation in areas such as AI, video analytics, the internet of things, streaming analytics, context computing, simulation and more.
Kroger at 1819: The Kroger Advanced Technology and Innovation Lab at the 1819 Innovation Hub hosts design innovation events, connects with student groups like Women in Analytics and fosters innovation in data and analytics.
Main Street Ventures is the region’s premier small business and entrepreneur support organization that provides grants and community connections to emerging businesses.
Main Street Ventures at 1819: Main Street Ventures invests in businesses with the potential to create jobs and vibrant communities in Cincinnati, making 1819 a rich place to find opportunities for startups, students and other partners.
Together, Microsoft and the 1819 Innovation Hub develop programs to upskill students, engage faculty to solve research challenges and enhance enterprises across Cincinnati's innovation ecosystem.
Backed by significant, continued investment from Procter & Gamble, collaborative teams of P&G employees and UC faculty and students have worked on solutions to more than 200 real-world industrial challenges to date. The P&G Digital Accelerator at the University of Cincinnati is credited with expediting cost-effective solutions to critical commercial problems and providing a larger recruiting pool for P&G.
Tembo is a commercial open-source database company focused on simplifying the developer experience. Tembo has been in the business of innovation since 1912.
Tembo at 1819: The 1819 Innovation Hub offers a framework for including the community and startup ecosystems to test and fast-track new technologies and use cases.
Over the last 135 years, the Western & Southern Financial Group has positioned Cincinnati as a fertile location for entrepreneurs and startups.
Western & Southern at 1819: In recent years, W&S joined Cintrifuse, JobsOhio and 1819 partner Fifth Third Bank to launch FinTech Frontier, a Cincy-based collaboration to drive innovation in financial services.
Since 2004, Village Life has worked in partnership with remote villages in East Africa to design and implement projects that fight poverty, augment healthcare and improve lives.
Village Life at 1819: Village Life partners with UC students, faculty and other entities to create sustainable change in healthcare, nutrition, educational opportunities and water quality and access in Tanzania.
Startup Partners
Our startup partners collaborate with the University of Cincinnati community to bring ideas to life. Through mentorship, venture support and access to resources, these startups engage with students and faculty, creating opportunities for hands-on learning and growth in Cincinnati's entrepreneurial ecosystem.