VNDLY to be acquired

Workday announced plans to acquire Mason, Ohio-based VNDLY, a provider of cloud-based workforce management tech, for $510 million. The California-based tech company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire VNDLY before Jan. 31, 2022.

Ohio’s VC so far this year more than double of 2020

The Buckeye State startup scene is hitting its stride. So far this year, Ohio-based companies have raised over $2.2 billion in venture funding across all stages, according to new Crunchbase data. That’s more than double the sum raised in all of 2020. Cincy standouts include 80 Acres Farms, CinCor Pharma, and Physna (which started in Cincinnati). Click here to read our interview with Physna CEO from earlier this year.

Take that, HAL!

If you’ve ever watched 2001: A Space Odyssey, you know that robots aren’t really amenable to opening doors. But this functionality is important for helper robots that vacuum and disinfect buildings. Engineering students at UC have designed an autonomous robot that can find and open doors in 3D digital simulations. Next up: Building the hardware for an autonomous robot that not only can open its own doors but also can find the nearest electric wall outlet to recharge without human help.

Joot releases new suite of products

In October, we interviewed Bo Howell, CEO of Joot, a company that offers automated compliance tools for SEC-registered investment advisors. Joot has just partnered with London-based startup MySocialPulse on a new suite of investment products that uses AI.

Blue Ash to gain 450 jobs over the next five years 

California-based Protiviti will lease space in the Northmark I office building in Blue Ash, solidifying its commitment to its Americas Delivery Center in the Cincinnati region. The global firm provides consulting services in finance, technology, operations, data, analytics, governance, risk and internal auditing. With the new space, the company will bring 450 jobs over the next four to five years

New tech for burn victims  

UC Health is the first in the region to use a new technology for burn patients. The tech, called RECELL, is sprayed on the skin, reducing the number of unnecessary skin grafts that have to be performed. Chad McGarvie, program director at the UC Burn Unit, sees it as a game changer because it can decrease the amount of dressing changes post-operative recovery times.