UToledo Business Incubator’s Annual Tech419 Scheduled Thursday

UToledo Business Incubator's Annual Tech419 Scheduled Thursday

Five groundbreaking startups will take the stage at the annual Tech419, Northwest Ohio's premier innovation and entrepreneurship showcase, on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Nitschke Technology Commercialization Complex.

Hosted by The University of Toledo Business Incubator (UTBI), the event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and the community to celebrate the growing startup ecosystem and innovators shaping its future.

The free, public event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Nitschke Technology Commercialization Complex on Main Campus and will highlight cutting-edge technologies and research-driven ventures competing for more than $20,000 in funding and prizes.

"At its core, Tech419 is about creating opportunities for founders, businesses and the region," said Pamela Moore, director of Incubation and Business Operations. "Each finalist brings a unique vision that highlights how technology can solve real-world challenges and strengthen northwest Ohio's growing startup community."

This year's competition features five high-impact ventures - including two with direct connections to UToledo - spanning from agriculture and medicine to AI and imaging science:

• Astromode - Dr. Youssef Sari, a professor in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Sari is developing next-generation small-molecule therapies to combat alcohol and opioid addiction and prevent overdose, and his NIH-funded research in neuropharmacology has led to novel compounds that restore balance to brain chemistry and offer new hope in the fight against addiction.

• Badger AI - Benjamin Saddoris. Building AI-powered tools that help law enforcement transform rough report drafts into clear, accurate and professional narratives, Saddoris, with his experience in policing and the military, is streamlining report writing while improving consistency, saving time and supporting public safety.

• BG Biologics - Dr. Paul Morris, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Bowling Green State University. Tackling one of agriculture's most costly challenges with PythiumX, a natural microbe that eliminates root rot in hydroponic systems, Morris, with more than 30 years of expertise in plant biochemistry and pathogen biology, is pioneering sustainable solutions that strengthen global food security.

• PlayTime Movement - Dr. Caroline Humberston. Combining movement science and AI, Humberston's platform assesses and improves movement quality to prevent injuries and build lifelong orthopedic health. With over 25 years of clinical experience, she's helping people of all ages move smarter, stronger and with confidence.

• VisioCell - Dr. Aniruddha Ray, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UToledo. Redefining microscopy with a handheld device smaller than a cell phone that delivers lab-grade imaging anywhere, Ray's portable system combines brightfield and fluorescence capabilities with cloud-based software, making advanced imaging accessible to researchers, educators and professionals worldwide.

The judging panel consists of Dr. Barbara Ritter, dean of the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation; Christine Michaels, president and CEO of ConnecToledo; Evan Marsh, managing partner of WynHouse; Dr. Sridhar Viamajala, a professor in the Department of Bioengineering, the 2024 Tech419 grand prize winner and founder of Plastinuva; and Tom Bush, CEO of Actual Reality Technologies.

All competitors are invited to join UToledo's Business Incubator program, which nurtures innovation in northwest Ohio by providing access to personalized mentorship, affordable office and lab space, and access to funding opportunities.

Seating is limited, online registration is requested.

For more information about Tech419 and the UToledo Business Incubator, visit the Tech419 Competition website.