Startups to present their ideas in Shark-Tank style competition while competing for investor attention and more than $25,000 in cash and prizes

DUBLIN, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — COhatch, the economic developer of historical properties and coworking company, and the City of Dublin are hosting the fourth annual Dublin Pitch competition on October 15 at COhatch Dublin. Created to connect promising entrepreneurs with capital, visibility and strategic business relationships, the fast-paced Shark-Tank style event invites entrepreneurs from across Ohio to pitch their innovations while vying for funding opportunities, investor interest and more than $25,000 in cash and prizes.

“The Dublin Pitch event started as a small—but mighty—way to put support behind entrepreneurs that are working within our COhatch communities,” said Ryan Fogelman, co-founder of COhatch. “When you look at what our first three winners have accomplished—more than $30 million raised, FDA clearances, major research funding and national innovation recognition—it shows what can happen when Ohio entrepreneurs receive the right resources and build relationships at the right time. These companies are not simply building products. They are strengthening the healthcare, safety and innovation infrastructure our society will depend on in the future.”

Entrepreneurs are invited to submit a three-minute video pitch of their business or idea by October 1 that will be judged on viability, scalability and concept impact. The four-judge panel, consisting of former Dublin pitch winners and investor and entrepreneur Rich Wartel, will review all submissions and select three finalists to pitch live at COhatch Dublin at 6:30 p.m. on October 15. Finalists will be given five to seven minutes for their final pitch and to answer questions.

“Dublin’s economic strength is rooted in our willingness to invest in innovation, connectivity and collaboration,” said Jeremiah Gracia, director of economic development for the City of Dublin. “The Dublin Pitch brings those priorities together by giving emerging companies access to the people, resources and visibility they need to grow. Supporting these entrepreneurs strengthens Dublin’s business ecosystem while helping create technologies, new companies and more jobs that benefit communities throughout Ohio.”

This year’s judges feature prior winners, who have collectively raised more than $30 million since the event started in 2023, and include:

• Teri Sirset, MS, and DASI Simulations, based in the City of Dublin, are transforming structural heart care with AI and 3D modeling. The company has secured FDA clearances, established commercial agreements with leading heart centers and raised more than $12 million.

  Aaron Crookes and Apricity Robotics are developing an AI-powered robotic ultrasound platform. Since winning Dublin Pitch, Apricity has raised more than $10 million and received a $1 million NSF Phase II award. Apricity Robotics is in the City of Dublin.

  Geoff Bruder and Cleveland-based Sonic Fire Tech are pioneering technology that uses sound waves to suppress fires without water or chemicals. The company was named a CES 2026 Innovation Awards honoree and has now raised $15 million in seed financing—one of the largest seed financings in Ohio’s history.

A key sponsor of this year’s event is the Ohio Access Fund, an initiative designed to bring the O.H.I.O. Fund‘s investment opportunities to smaller investors and allow more people to participate in Ohio’s growing innovation economy.

The Dublin Pitch is open to the public, with tickets available through EventBrite. COhatch and the City of Dublin are also seeking sponsors, investors, business leaders, and community members who want to support Ohio entrepreneurship, connect with emerging startups, meet founders, and help identify the state’s next success story.

The 2026 Dublin Pitch will be held in conjunction with tours of Dublin’s developing Riverview Village, an innovation district, and COhatch’s planned new headquarters within the campus. The public-private development is designed to connect entrepreneurs and small businesses with flexible workspace, advanced connectivity, economic incentives and collaborative programming in the heart of Historic Dublin.

For those interested in participating in the Dublin Pitch event, ideas can be submitted at: https://www.cohatch.com/coworking/dublin-2026-pitch-event.

About The City of Dublin, Ohio, USA
Dublin is a city of around 50,000 residents located just northwest of Columbus, Ohio. It offers residents and corporate citizens responsive services, attractive housing, superior public education, direct regional highway access, abundant park space, thoughtful and strategic planning, innovative ideas and technology and a dynamic community life. Dublin is ranked the number one small city in Ohio and is consistently ranked one of the safest cities in the nation. It is home to more than 20 corporate headquarters, an entrepreneurial center, 4,300+ businesses, world-class events and the urban, walkable Bridge Street District. For more information, visit DublinOhioUSA.gov or call 614.410.4400.

About
COhatch is a thriving ecosystem designed to create opportunities and empower thousands of non-profits, startups, small businesses, and freelancers—giving them a place to work where they belong, pursue their ambitions and lead fuller, healthier lives. Members enjoy access to services, event spaces, activities, and amenities that integrate work, family, well-being, and community impact. Founded in 2016 in Columbus, Ohio by a group of friends inspired to build better lives and stronger neighborhoods, COhatch has grown into a hub of innovation, collaboration and connection, helping to anchor and uplift local economies. Learn more at www.cohatch.com and follow COhatch on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media contacts:

COhatch

Janet Brumfield

614.582.9636

janet@idealprplus.com 

City of Dublin

Aisling Babbitt
Deputy Director of Communications & Marketing
614.410.4508
ababbitt@dublin.oh.us 

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SOURCE COhatch