TLDR:
– UC Bearcat Ventures, a venture capital-focused student organization platform at the University of Cincinnati, has made its first investments in two local startups: Tembo and Band Connect.
– Both startups have deep ties with UC, with Tembo residing in UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub and Band Connect going through the first cohort of the Venture Lab program back in 2019.
UC Bearcat Ventures recently revealed its first investments in two local startups, Tembo and Band Connect. Tembo, a Postgres developer platform founded by a former University of Cincinnati student, and Band Connect, a connected health platform co-founded by a UC DAAP alumna, are the first recipients of $25,000 investments from the student venture fund. These startups have close ties with UC, with Tembo residing in UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub and Band Connect being part of the Venture Lab program. The Bearcat Student Venture Fund, under the guidance of the UC Center for Entrepreneurship, has surpassed $1 million of dedicated venture capital. By strategically investing in promising startups led by UC alums and standout Cincinnati companies, Bearcat Ventures is shaping the future of finance and promoting an inclusive startup network in Cincinnati. The student-led investment committee, comprised of local and national venture fund members with ties to UC, oversees the students’ investment decisions to provide a blend of expert guidance and student-led decision-making. The program has attracted students eager to explore venture investing and entrepreneurship, enabling them to take on strategic roles, conduct due diligence, and gain real-world experience. Through its immersive and hands-on learning approach, Bearcat Ventures is preparing the next generation of investors and entrepreneurs for the high-stakes investment world.
