Meet the Next25: A new generation reinvents Ohio’s innovation economy
Ohio’s economy is evolving from its industrial roots toward a digital future defined by intelligence and agility. Leading this charge is a new generation of innovators, founders, and change-makers turning bold ideas into scalable impact across the state.
To recognize this pivotal shift, OhioX and Ohio Tech News are proud to introduce the Next25, our inaugural award series honoring the top innovators and future-shapers in Ohio aged 35 and under. These 2025 Next25 honorees are not just participating in the tech ecosystem; they are building the infrastructure, tools, and companies that will define Ohio's next decade of growth.
By the numbers
The response to this launch was overwhelming, highlighting the depth of talent in the region.
Triple-digit submissions were received from across the state.
A competitive selection led by the OhioX Ambassador's Council process narrowed a massive field of talent down to just 25 honorees.
Diverse representation spans the entire economy, including AI, MedTech, manufacturing automation, aerospace, inclusive design, and more.
The following awardees exemplify the talent, creativity, and collaboration required to power Ohio forward. Here are the members of the inaugural Next25 class.
Brian Adams: CEO, Seven Hills Technology (Cincinnati)
Brian Adams leads Seven Hills Technology with a product-driven, AI-enabled mindset that’s redefining software delivery in Ohio. As CEO and co-founder, he has integrated tools like GitHub Copilot and Cursor to improve quality and speed outcomes. Beyond his company, he builds Cincinnati’s tech community through meetups, AI Week workshops, and leadership forums that connect innovators statewide.
Cal Al-Dhubaib: Head of AI & Data Science, Further (Cleveland)
Cal Al-Dhubaib has spent the past decade advancing trusted, human-centered AI in Ohio. After founding Pandata and leading projects for Cleveland Clinic and Progressive, he now heads AI and Data Science at Further, guiding predictive programs for Fortune 500 clients. A national voice on ethical AI, Cal strengthens Ohio’s position as a leader in responsible innovation.
Luke Buchanan: Co-Founder & CEO, Redi.Health (Columbus)
Luke Buchanan modernizes patient support through Redi.Health, a digital platform connecting pharmaceutical companies and patients more directly. His team has scaled to millions of users while maintaining a free, accessible model that streamlines education and medication support. Luke shows how Ohio can produce high-growth healthcare startups that compete nationally while nurturing the next generation of founders.
Aaron Chow: Co-Founder & CEO, Vixiv (Cincinnati)
Aaron Chow uses AI to compress months of engineering work into seconds. As co-founder and CEO of Vixiv, he leads development of generative design tools that accelerate how products are conceived and built. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Aaron demonstrates that breakthrough hardware and software innovation can thrive in Ohio.
Tyler Conn: Senior Product Manager, Hyland Software (Cleveland)
Tyler Conn drives Hyland Software’s shift toward AI-powered knowledge discovery. He led efforts to make decades of content searchable and secure, helping enterprise clients adopt AI with confidence. By mentoring engineers and guiding cross-sector collaboration, Tyler is shaping Ohio’s path toward practical, responsible AI adoption.
Patricia Colella: Lead Innovation Strategist, University Hospitals Ventures (Cleveland)
Patricia Colella advances healthcare innovation through strategic partnerships and new program launches. At University Hospitals Ventures, she helped create SportsLand and supports the Healthcare Transformation IDEATOR to accelerate internal innovation. Named to Crain’s Cleveland “20 in Their 20s,” she connects clinicians, startups, and industry leaders to strengthen Ohio’s health-tech ecosystem.
Aaron Crookes: CEO & Founder, Apricity Robotics (Columbus)
Aaron Crookes leads Apricity Robotics in transforming ultrasound imaging through robotics and AI. His company has earned NSF Phase I and II grants, awarded to fewer than one percent of applicants, and is testing its proof-of-concept device in Ohio hospitals. By building locally and hiring in-state engineers, Aaron draws investment and talent to Ohio’s health innovation sector.
Ian Ferré: Co-Founder & CTO, Aplos Innovation (Columbus)
Ian Ferré co-founded Aplos Innovation, a fast-growing consultancy and the first company in Ohio and the Midwest to become a strategic partner of Palantir Technologies. As CTO, he leads a team building mission-critical software on Palantir Foundry to automate and simplify operations for Ohio-based organizations. Ian is helping define the state’s enterprise AI landscape by mentoring local talent and proving that world-class, venture-scale companies can grow in the Midwest.
Meghan Hoffman: Associate, Life Sciences Investments, Rev1 Ventures (Columbus)
Meghan Hoffman helps early-stage startups turn scientific breakthroughs into viable life sciences companies. In her first year at Rev1 Ventures, she co-led seven investments totaling $5 million and contributing to $90 million in economic impact. Her cross-regional partnerships connect investors and researchers, fueling Ohio’s life sciences growth.
Noor Haj-Tamim: Founder & CEO, Avionova (Columbus)
Noor Haj-Tamim is developing flight-tested wearables that reduce motion sickness and spatial disorientation. As founder and CEO of Avionova, she leads research backed by competitive grants and plans for testing on a HALO Space mission. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Noor builds bridges between Ohio’s aerospace research and global innovation networks.
Omari Hitson: Lead Product Designer, Emerging Tech, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Columbus)
Omari Hitson leads immersive technology design at JPMorgan Chase while growing Ohio’s XR community. He organizes global hackathons, mentors designers, and serves as president of the VR/AR Association’s Ohio chapter. His work connects enterprise innovation with regional talent, helping position Ohio as a leader in spatial computing.
Dr. Isaiah Kaiser: Founder & CEO, Auxilium Health (Cleveland)
Dr. Isaiah Kaiser advances biomaterials that promote faster, smarter healing. At Auxilium Health, he leads development of a color-changing aerogel dressing supported by $2.3 million in funding and national accelerator programs. His leadership turns academic research into scalable medical solutions that strengthen Ohio’s medtech presence.
Tsavo Knott: Co-Founder & CEO, Pieces (Cincinnati)
Tsavo Knott builds AI-powered developer tools that make coding faster and more collaborative. As co-founder and CEO of Pieces, his platform is used by teams worldwide and fuels Cincinnati’s growing startup scene. A Cincy Inno 5 Under 25 honoree, Tsavo invests in local talent and mentors Ohio’s next generation of tech builders.
Andrew Lonsberry: CEO & Co-Founder, Path Robotics (Columbus)
Andy Lonsberry addresses the manufacturing labor shortage with adaptive automation. At Path Robotics, he has raised more than $270 million to scale AI-driven robotic welding systems that improve throughput and precision. His leadership anchors advanced manufacturing jobs in Ohio and inspires new industrial innovation.
Duane Mancini: Founder & CEO, Project Medtech (Strongsville)
Duane Mancini connects innovators, investors, and operators through Project Medtech, a platform that blends consulting, media, and events. His team has guided numerous startups through regulatory and fundraising milestones. Duane’s work strengthens Ohio’s position as a national hub for medical technology entrepreneurship.
Amanda Miller Bartlome: Community Development Regional Manager, Meta (Columbus)
Amanda Miller Bartlome leads Meta’s community partnerships across Ohio, including the New Albany Data Center and a new $800 million AI-optimized facility in Northwest Ohio. She has directed $700,000 in Ohio Community Grants, supporting initiatives like the Meta STEM Instruction Innovation Hub at The Ohio State University. Amanda helps build the state’s tech talent pipeline while linking education and infrastructure to global innovation.
Jade Moyer: Chief Technology Innovation Officer, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (Columbus)
Jade Moyer is driving digital transformation across one of Ohio’s largest public agencies, the Department of Job and Family Services. She led her team during the COVID-19 pandemic to create the Small Business Relief Grant system and is helping modernize the state’s child welfare infrastructure. Jade also established an Automation Center of Excellence that has deployed more than a dozen RPA solutions and AI-powered chatbots, demonstrating how modern technology can transform government service delivery.
Christa L. Pawlowski, PhD: Co-Founder, COO & EVP R&D, Haima Therapeutics (Solon)
Dr. Christa Pawlowski turns scientific discovery into lifesaving therapy. At Haima Therapeutics, she leads development of SynthoPlate, a synthetic platelet treatment nearing first-in-human studies, supported by more than $14 million in funding and Department of Defense partnerships. Her leadership is helping build a world-class biomedical cluster in Northeast Ohio.
Connor Paton: Founder & CEO, Noshable (Cincinnati)
Connor Paton is reshaping grocery delivery into intelligent logistics. As founder and CEO of Noshable, he has built a growing proptech platform recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 for simplifying operations for property managers and residents. Connor’s work highlights how scalable, AI-powered solutions can grow from Ohio’s startup ecosystem.
Molly Rizkallah: CEO, Cincy Carbon (Cincinnati)
Molly Rizkallah converts industrial carbon dioxide into valuable materials through circular chemistry. As co-founder and CEO of Cincy Carbon, she is developing electrolyzers that produce green chemicals while reducing emissions. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Molly promotes sustainable innovation and STEM mentorship across Ohio.
Adithya Ramaswami: Founder & CEO, ParaWave (Columbus)
Adithya Ramaswami builds autonomous drone systems for emergency response and defense through ParaWave. His company has earned recognition from the Department of Defense’s Vector Accelerator and Intel Liftoff and was featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 Columbus. Adithya mentors student entrepreneurs and advises statewide innovation programs, integrating advanced AI into public safety.
Jen Schlegel: Founder, Be Enabled (Columbus)
Jen Schlegel develops technology solutions that expand access for the disabled community. Her startup, Be Enabled, created 119, an Apple Watch-based emergency alert app recognized with Ohio State’s $100,000 President’s Prize. Jen’s focus on accessible, human-centered design strengthens Ohio’s reputation for inclusive tech innovation.
Keith Steele: Area Vice President, Expedient (Columbus)
Keith Steele leads Expedient’s top-performing regional teams across Columbus and Cincinnati, driving cloud adoption and digital transformation for enterprise clients. He has earned multiple Chairman’s Club awards and advises CIOs on AI readiness and IT optimization. Keith contributes to local advisory groups and helps expand professional networks that power Central Ohio’s tech growth.
Stephen Smith: Chief Technology Officer, AgileBlue (Cleveland)
Steve Smith guides AgileBlue’s modernization of cybersecurity with AI. As CTO, he has implemented autonomous threat response and real-time analyst assistance to enhance speed and reliability. His collaborative leadership strengthens Ohio’s standing in secure digital operations and applied AI.
Anu Vora: Founder & CEO, EncaptureIQ (Cincinnati)
Anu Vora is a serial entrepreneur advancing digital identity and automation. As founder and CEO of EncaptureIQ, she builds AI-driven tools that improve business efficiency and data privacy. A mentor and investor, Anu supports women founders and promotes responsible technology development across Ohio.
What's next
Together, these 25 innovators show how Ohio’s technology community continues to lead with purpose, collaboration, and measurable impact. Stay tuned to Ohio Tech News as we go-deeper and profile these future-shapers in the coming months.