Cincinnati might not be Silicon Valley, but it’s not trying to be. What it is building is a place where entrepreneurs feel welcome to begin.
"There are countless times every month where someone just walks in off the street and says, 'I heard about this place. Can I pitch you something?'" David shares. "I'm not the guy to give you an investment, but I can connect you to someone who might be."
That openness isn't just a vibe. It's a strategy. Cintrifuse works with partners across the city—from accelerators like CincyTech to grassroots founders—to create a visible, permeable ecosystem.
"We go to their events. They come to ours. It shows that we stand with them, and they stand with us. It makes all the difference."
The whole city shows up one week a year
While Cintrifuse operates year-round, October is their Super Bowl. That's when StartupCincy Week takes over all four floors of Union Hall.
"We build each day around a theme, like food and beverage, AI, health tech," David says. "And then founders, investors, community builders share what’s worked for them. What hasn’t. It gets real."
The programming is collaborative. The energy is contagious. And the numbers are growing: attendance, partnerships, social engagement. All on an upward climb.
"This last year was our biggest one yet," David notes. "The support from the city was massive. Organizations were quick to sponsor or send speakers. It felt like all of Cincinnati showed up."
Demo nights that spark curiosity
StartupCincy Week is a high note, but it’s not the only tune playing. Cintrifuse also hosts monthly demo nights featuring four startups per event, curated around themes like fintech or health.
"We tell them: no slide decks. Just pitch. Let people feel what you’re building," says David.
These aren’t investor-only showcases. They’re for the whole community. Founders get face time with potential collaborators. Neighbors get inspired. And sometimes, something bigger gets sparked.
"We had a guy who created a wristband for kids with special needs. So if a police officer sees them behaving in a certain way, they know this person might be autistic. That was powerful. That kind of stuff gets people talking."
Operations is just hospitality with better software
When it comes to coworking management, David relies on software for booking, invoicing, and reporting—but not without a few caveats.
"The booking tools are solid. I like how easy it is to invoice or apply discounts," he says.
David Walters isn’t trying to be the hero. He’s more like the person making sure the lights are on, the chairs are out, and the people feel welcome.
"I'm just a small piece of this place," he says. "But it's fun to be part of something that's really working."
His job is messy and multi-faceted—from scheduling demo nights to helping a taco vendor set up at an event. But the through line is simple: connection.
"People aren’t always patient. But the ones who are? They’re always worth going the extra mile for."
That’s the heartbeat of Union Hall. And it’s beating strong.
