The Cincinnati startup community is riding to the rescue this Saturday to save last-minute shoppers from their holiday woes.
Seven companies will post up on 13th Street in Over-the-Rhine that day, their tangible products in hand and ready to sell. The event, called the Cincy Startup Store, is the first of its kind in the area and takes place at
Simple Space, an all-purpose, revolving use venue designed to be the "Airbnb for retail space." The 600-square foot venue was recently remodeled by Levi Blethune to accommodate these types of collaborations and make them affordable to just about anyone who hopes to use them. The Cincy Startup Store is one of the first few events to put the space to use.
Kapture, Cincinnati's audio-wristband startup, will be hosting the shopping event. The company has recently gained attention for its appearance on
The Price Is Right for its new wearable technology. Kapture's product helps consumers record audio after-the-fact by constantly recording audio data on a 60-second loop wherever the wearer goes. The Kapture wristband, in its many different colors, will be just one of the items on sale at the Startup Store.
Other companies expected to appear are
Artfully Disheveled, a local tie, bowtie and pocket square designer and retailer;
PlusBlue, who will be selling custom engraved mobile battery packs;
Frameri, an online eyewear retailer that came out of
The Brandery;
Petbrosia, a custom pet food company who
recently opened an office in Over-the-Rhine;
Beluga Shave Co., the
one-man company responsible for an easy-to-use single blade razor; and
GoSun, makers of portable solar stoves that have already gained international attention.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Small Business Saturday in Cincinnati, but it's the first time startups have been included in the equation.
"We're hoping there will be many more like it," says Stephanie Johnson, marketing and business development manager at Kapture.
Cincy Startup Store will be open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday at 16 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine. The event is sponsored by several well-known Cincinnati startup supporters, including
Cintrifuse,
CincyTech,
Hamilton County Development Co. and The Brandery.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.