Our 2024 Impact Report to the Community

As February begins, we witness both the advances technology brings to daily life and our limitations amid ongoing social and environmental challenges.

It begs the question – what if the power of startup innovation could be used as a force for social good? What if business success could mean more than profit? It does and it has.

Not only has social enterprise brought new industries, jobs and investment to our region, it is transforming our communities. At Flywheel, our mission is to help entrepreneurs build and grow successful businesses that do exactly that. Businesses like Ecoshell and Greenway Innovations, recent graduates from our 2024 Sustainable Cincy cohort, who were recently awarded Cincy Inno’s 2025 Startups to Watch.

Flywheel is proud to present our 2024 Impact Report to the community, highlighting the entrepreneurs who are tackling the priority social issues of our region – from housing stabilization, to environmental sustainability to workforce development. In the last three years alone, Flywheel has served over 35 founders and 50 innovators who have earned $4.8M in follow-on investment and created 350 jobs -- over 80% of whom remain active improving lives and growing their businesses right here in Greater Cincinnati. Download the full report and read their stories here. 

Now more than ever, it is critical that we support impact-minded founders in continuing this work. I invite you to contact me directly to learn more and get involved in the exciting programming we have planned for 2025 – whether volunteering as a coach, attending one of our events, or making a financial contribution. Thank you for supporting Flywheel’s mission to empower social entrepreneurs making our world a better place.

With gratitude,

Donna Zaring

Executive Director