Introduction
September 10-12 marked the return of Dayton Startup Week to downtown Dayton, a significant gathering for the region's entrepreneurial community. This event, filled with powerful talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, showcased the dynamic and emerging ecosystem taking shape in real-time. As OSB emerges as an industry leader in ecosystem measurement, our engagement in this new ecosystem provides an opportunity to apply our expertise in analyzing and fostering innovation, helping to catalyze growth, collaboration, and sustainable development within the local startup community. As a relatively new Dayton resident, I was happy to dive into the ecosystem.
Event Overview
I attended “The Alternative Capital Lookbook: Finding the Right Fit for Your Business” led by Gloria Ware, Founder and President, Get The Bag LLC. As the title suggests, the session was focused on identifying, pursuing, and securing the right funding sources for startups. She began by categorizing four types of startups: budding “side hustles”, startups ready to scale, social enterprises, and edgy innovators (e.g. tech startups). Gloria then introduced user personas that defined each type and asked participants (including me!) were then asked to identify which of the four they felt best described their enterprise. She then moved on to identifying the core team that each founder needed to have around them to be successful regardless of enterprise type. Finally, she explored various funding sources available to each type of startup, recommending a mix of sources to each persona and company type.
Key Lessons
Entrepreneurial Spirit is Everywhere: Certain cities are synonymous with emerging and dynamic ecosystems: Silicon Valley, New York City, and San Francisco are widely recognized as innovation hubs. Cities like Austin, Charlotte, and Detroit are emerging as vibrant new players. Yet, it became clear upon entering the room that even a less heralded Midwestern city like Dayton is brimming with entrepreneurial spirit. When our speaker asked the attendees to identify their business types, I saw representation from every category of startup. This diversity highlighted that entrepreneurial spirit exists beyond typical innovation hubs. Innovation isn't confined to well-known cities; it can emerge from any community, fueled by the unique talents and aspirations of its residents.
Funding is Broader Than I’d Imagined: At Orange Sparkle Ball, we support a wide range of startups and organizations across sectors—public, private, academic, and hybrid models. As a for-profit consulting firm collaborating with academic institutions and nonprofits, we’re familiar with diverse funding opportunities and pathways. Yet, as the speaker walked through her presentation, I realized there were several options I had never encountered before and others that reimagined familiar funding sources in innovative ways.
Diverse Company Types Require Customized Solutions: Here at Orange Sparkle Ball, we pride ourselves on identifying the specific needs of our clients and working with them to create tailored solutions as they navigate their unique ecosystems. While we often consider this across the solution lifecycle, this presentation reminded me that funding solutions can also be customized to meet clients’ needs. This approach ensures that every aspect of our service—from strategy to execution—is fully aligned with our clients' evolving goals and challenges.
How Orange Sparkle Ball is Entering the Local Ecosystem
Attending this event is a key part of OSB's broader effort to actively engage with the local community, allowing us to gain valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in the area. By connecting with local innovators and thought leaders, we're positioning ourselves to contribute meaningfully to the region's growth and development. We look forward to identifying future partners and opportunities to bring our skills, talents, and insights into this clearly talented and dynamic ecosysteM.
conclusion
Engaging with the local startup community through my attendance at Dayton Startup Week has provided invaluable insights into the vibrant innovation happening right here in our city. As OSB continues to expand its presence and expertise in the Dayton region, our goal is not just to observe, but to actively contribute to the success and development of this ecosystem. We are excited to build on the connections and ideas sparked during startup week and look forward to playing a vital role in shaping the future of the local ecosystem.
Odiraa Okala, Innovation Strategist
