Main Street Ventures awards $172K in grants to Cincinnati startups

Thirteen small businesses across Greater Cincinnati have received a combined $172,098 in equity-free grants from Main Street Ventures to help grow their companies and deepen their impact.

The Cincinnati-based nonprofit announced the awards this week as part of its Launch and Leap funding programs – its two flagship funding programs target companies at different stages of development. Launch Funding supports pre-revenue startups that are at the prototype or product stage with grants of $5,000 to $10,000, helping them move closer to market entry. Leap Funding provides $10,000 to $30,000 to revenue-generating companies to help them scale, expand their impact and improve their odds of long-term survival.

This latest round of support includes innovative startups such as Ecoshell, which is developing an eggshell-derived alternative to plastic; Fruleef Juicery, a health-focused juice bar and café; and Delightful Hearts Home Care, which provides care for medically complex patients.

For the fourth year, Main Street Ventures also funded a pitch competition in partnership with Cincinnati State’s Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Student entrepreneurs from the latest cohort pitched their ideas to the Main Street Ventures team and received industry feedback. 

The four winners range from providing family-focused, cost-effective care for medically complex patients to a vegan deli at Findlay Market.

A full list of grant recipients is below.

“Entrepreneurship and small businesses are the lifeblood of our region, and we are proud to be able to support this latest group of entrepreneurs,” said Kelly Bonnell, board chair of Main Street Ventures. “Their work is promising, practical, and has the potential to significantly shape the way our communities and industries operate.”

Investing in Greater Cincinnati’s future

Main Street Ventures provides equity-free, non-dilutive funding to emerging companies, with the goal of supporting innovation and inclusive economic growth. The goal of doing so is to reduce systemic funding gaps and empower more entrepreneurs to build businesses that reflect and serve their communities.

Grant funding is made possible through partnerships with organizations such as Ohio Third Frontier, the Hubert Family Foundation, the McDonald Family Foundation, The P&G Fund, and the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust, among others. Main Street Ventures also collaborates with groups like Blue North, Represent Cincy and Horizon Community Funds to expand its reach across the region.

Since launching its funding efforts in 2018, the Main Street Ventures has distributed more than $4.5 million to over 200 startups.

“For our region to thrive, it is essential for small businesses to succeed, and we look forward to seeing these entrepreneurs continue to grow and innovate,” Bonnell said. “From building eco-conscious solutions to creating cost-effective technologies and streamlining operations through automation, this group is tackling real-world challenges with purpose.”

Launch Funding

• Ecoshell – Offers a patented, eggshell-derived solution to the plastic crisis with cost parity for brands aiming to meet sustainability goals.
• Jukebox – Operates a sparkling beverage studio that combines nostalgic, handcrafted sodas with flavor and wellness customization.
• Perbacco – Offers a generative AI-powered “HR in a Box” solution designed for startup hiring managers.
• Soul Care – Developing Wired Hope, an AI mental health companion for Gen Z featuring CBT-based chat support and emotional tracking.
• SPORK – A SaaS platform that aligns individual and organizational efforts using a flexible business operating system designed to boost productivity and performance.

Leap Funding

• Fruleef Juicery – A health-focused juice bar and café offering nutrient-rich juices, smoothies and meals.
• Karneyium – Automates site selection and patient recruitment for clinical trials using GIS and AI technology.
• Spice Spice Baby – A fun, bold seasoning brand bringing unique flavors to home kitchens.
• The Urban Farming Initiative – Builds neighborhood-based food systems through urban gardening, controlled-environment agriculture, and education programs.

Pitch Competition

• Delightful Hearts Home Care – Provides family-focused, cost-effective care for medically complex patients.
• Harmony Plant Fare – A vegan deli at Findlay Market specializing in handcrafted plant-based meats and cheeses.
• Honey Child Pops – Makes blended fruit pops free from dairy, cane sugar and gluten.
• San Jeanetta’s Table – A chef-driven restaurant launching a catering and box lunch program.

Main Street Ventures