Bearcat Ventures is the University of Cincinnati’s venture capital-focused student organization platform. It introduces students to the details of early-stage startup investments and equips them with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions.
The two local startups selected as Bearcat Ventures’ first investments are Tembo (a Postgres developer platform founded by a former University of Cincinnati student) and Band Connect (a connected health platform co-founded by a UC DAAP alumna).
The two startups have deep ties with UC – Tembo resides in UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub and Band Connect went through the first cohort of the 1819 Innovation Hub’s Venture Lab program back in 2019. And each startup received a $25,000 investment from UC Bearcat Ventures.
Under the guidance of the UC Center for Entrepreneurship, the Bearcat Student Venture Fund surpassed $1 million of dedicated venture capital. And its mission is strategically investing in promising startups led by UC alums and standout Cincinnati companies.
Since launching, Bearcat Ventures has attracted students eager to explore venture investing and entrepreneurship. And students take on strategic roles, conduct due diligence, make investment decisions and gain real-world experience.
Bearcat Ventures’ investment committee, which includes local and national venture fund members with ties to UC, oversees the students’ investment recommendations, ensuring a blend of expert guidance and student-led decision-making.
By enabling the next generation of investors and entrepreneurs, Bearcat Ventures is shaping the future of finance and promoting a dynamic and inclusive startup network in Cincinnati. And this innovative student-led venture fund embodies an immersive and hands-on learning approach in the high-stakes investment world.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our team is excited to continue deepening our relationships with the University of Cincinnati, 1819 and the Cincinnati Innovation District. This investment is a great step in leveraging UC within the Cincinnati startup ecosystem, providing essential validation and support for early-stage startups.”
– Ry Walker, founder and CEO of Tembo
“As a former Bearcat, I am incredibly honored that Bearcat Ventures has chosen Band Connect for investment. The support from Bearcat Ventures and the UC community is invaluable, signaling the strength of UC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
– Abby McInturf, co-founder of Band Connect
“The integrity of this program could not have been achieved without a multidisciplinary group of dedicated professionals. We are grateful to those at UC who’ve helped us get to this point, including Marianne Lewis, Ryan Hays, Karl Scheer, Andrew Conley and Joe Maruschak. Bearcat Ventures represents a holistic approach to education that transcends traditional classroom confines and empowers our students with valuable experience to provide capital to fuel the growth of innovative startups.”
– Kate Harmon, assistant vice president of the 1819 Innovation Hub and executive director of the UC Center for Entrepreneurship
“Bearcat Ventures has given me and my peers a unique opportunity to engage with the venture investing industry. Through training, case studies and mentoring, we are making significant contributions to the startup ecosystem.”
– Jay Kothari, a third-year computer science student and managing director of Bearcat Ventures