Cincinnati-based business accelerator
The Brandery
began moving in late June into a three-story office space in the 1400
block of Vine Street. The rehabilitated building features high ceilings,
an open floor plan and skylights that let in light to all floors - all
desirable features in rapidly-revitalizing
Over-the-Rhine.
But
The Brandery founders J.B. Kropp and Dave Knox say the features that go
beyond the architecture are what will attract creative energy -- and a
new generation of startup businesses -- from across the country.
"We
looked at a couple of spots," says Kropp, who adds that the
revitalization underway in Over-the-Rhine has turned what was once a
no-go part of the city into a powerful introduction to Cincinnati for
startups from out of town. "If we're going to pull in 15 to 20 people
for their first experience of Cincinnati, this is going to be great for
it."
Knox added that, although the team considered other sites in
Over-the-Rhine, Vine street's placement between Main Street and
Washington Park made it ideal.
"It's more the heat of what's happening," he says of the glass-fronted office.
Along
with being a fitting introduction to the Queen City, Kropp and Knox say
the 4,500-square-foot office is designed to cultivate idea sharing and
connectivity among like-minded entrepreneurs. To that end, they say The
Brandery office will be open for local startups and startup-related
businesses to gather and work.
"We envision seeing more people
in Cincinnati coming in," Kropp says. "They might be saying, 'I'm not
ready for funding yet, but can I just hang out?'"
Knox adds that
The Brandery hopes to serve as a meeting place for area tech and startup
meetups, establishing the office space as a central gathering place for
people to generate and cultivate new ideas.
"It's a good experience from all sides," Kropp says.
The
Brandery's newest class of startups will begin the business development
program August 1. Knox says he's excited to begin the program in the
new space, a location that he noted is much as he and Kropp envisioned
when they launched The Brandery with Bryan Radtke and Rob McDonald in
2010.
"We've been looking for a permanent home ever since we started," he says. "This place has power in its proximity."
By Matt Cunningham
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