Deal Brief: March Edition
Ohio companies snag FDA approval, wrap Q1 with big funding rounds, and lock in game-changing strategic partnerships
DISCLAIMER: This is informational only, not investment advice. See our full Disclaimer.
Hey there! Welcome to the March Edition of ODP’s Weather Report—a private briefing on all the companies tracked at ODP.
Questions? Email: pauly@thatsgreyt.com
Housekeeping
We’ve revamped the ODP website — take a look around!
Join us at the Ohio Venture Pipeline 2024 Review on May 12, 2025, at the Ohio State House, where Ohio’s economic policy, investment, and startup leaders will unite to triangulate Ohio’s VC terrain. With $1.4B raised by 180+ startups in 2024, let’s map the path to 10x growth—featuring live data, All-Star Awards, and a happy hour! RSVP now to secure your spot.
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Member News
Alloy Growth Lab spotlighted CopilotBuilder, a startup enabling users to create custom AI assistants with a no-code platform, empowering businesses and educators to deploy scalable, user-friendly AI solutions.
Encore Venture Labs announced Maxwell Watters joining their team as part of a partnership with Sycamore Legacy Family Office, aiming to revitalize industrial businesses in Northeast Ohio by integrating emerging technologies and fostering sustainable economic growth.
Encore Venture Labs, six months after launching, have initiated ventures like INTRACT and Aurelia, developed prototypes such as BatCo, and raised $1M in their first close, with plans for more ventures and capital in the next six months.
FirstLook celebrated the acquisition of their alumni brand Mela, led by Dominic Purpura, just 10 months after participating in their May 2024 program.
FirstLook announced they are reviewing brands for their April, May, and June boxes, inviting applications for free participation - brands sign up here.
Fireroad Ventures portfolio company, Nedl, a Cincinnati startup featured in a "25 Startups to Watch" list, which closed a $1M pre-seed round led by Collide Capital, with their first deal involving a local gym.
Interstate Fusion Ventures invested in Validose, a NYC-based precision medication delivery company addressing non-adherence in clinical trials to improve outcomes and reduce inefficiencies in drug discovery.
Ohio Angel Collective portfolio company BistroCat, led by Cecelia Carrera, secured investment from Mars Petcare and Michelson Found Animals Foundation, joining the 2025 Leap Venture Studio to advance cat care through smart technology and data insights.
OhioX announced that Walter "Ted" Carter, the 17th President of The Ohio State University, will keynote The Ohio Tech Summit on May 8, 2025
Stonehenge Capital invested $170 million throughout 2024.
The O.H.I.O. Fund made nine investments across Ohio in real estate, biotech, and small businesses, including a $1M investment in ScaleCo Capital, while raising over $135M toward its $500M target to fuel economic growth.
Dealflow Intelligence
Below, members and subscribers will find dealflow intelligence for every company and venture ODP is tracking.
Note for Members: To access historical records and startup profiles, please visit the ODP Portal—only available to Members. To become a member, visit our Membership Page or subscribe.