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What 80 Acres’ Mike Zelkind learned from building, and losing, a unicorn

Oct 6, 2026

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2 min read

What 80 Acres’ Mike Zelkind learned from building, and losing, a unicorn

Months after 80 Acres shut down, its co-founder reflected on rapid expansion, tightening capital markets and what the vertical farming startup’s collapse can teach other founders.

Kenton Hornbeck

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Archive

What 80 Acres’ Mike Zelkind learned from building, and losing, a unicorn

Oct 6, 2026

•

2 min read

What 80 Acres’ Mike Zelkind learned from building, and losing, a unicorn

Months after 80 Acres shut down, its co-founder reflected on rapid expansion, tightening capital markets and what the vertical farming startup’s collapse can teach other founders.

Kenton Hornbeck
Kenton Hornbeck

News

+1

Beltways debuts highly anticipated modular people mover in Cincinnati

Oct 5, 2026

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2 min read

Beltways debuts highly anticipated modular people mover in Cincinnati

The Hebron-based startup publicly debuted its modular moving walkway, designed to move pedestrians more quickly through airports, convention centers and other high-traffic spaces.

Kenton Hornbeck
Kenton Hornbeck

News

+1

Covington AI startup Flamel.ai set to be acquired by Yext

Oct 5, 2026

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1 min read

Covington AI startup Flamel.ai set to be acquired by Yext

The Covington-based company, founded by Paul Ehlinger in 2022, will bring its AI-powered marketing technology for franchises and multi-location brands to Yext’s platform.

Kenton Hornbeck
Kenton Hornbeck

Profiles

+1

NKY oncologist looks to help doctors navigate AI through TensorBlack

Oct 4, 2026

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3 min read

NKY oncologist looks to help doctors navigate AI through TensorBlack

Dr. Douglas Flora is building a platform to help physicians navigate the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine.

Kenton Hornbeck
Kenton Hornbeck

Events

Who to watch from Kentucky at StartupCincy Week

Oct 4, 2026

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8 min read

Who to watch from Kentucky at StartupCincy Week

Meet the founders, investors and entrepreneurial leaders representing the Commonwealth during four days of startup programming in Greater Cincinnati.

Kenton Hornbeck
Kenton Hornbeck
What is Middle Tech?

Oct 2, 2026

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2 min read

What is Middle Tech?

Kentucky is known for bourbon, horse racing and fried chicken. We want to add another word to that list: innovation.

Kenton Hornbeck
Kenton Hornbeck

Mission Critical

+1

Middle Tech Spotlight Series: Abhi Sastri of FLUIX AI

Sep 29, 2026

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2 min read

Middle Tech Spotlight Series: Abhi Sastri of FLUIX AI

We recorded inside a working data center.

Middle Tech
Middle Tech

Mission Critical

+1

Middle Tech Spotlight Series: Matt Klein of S&K Industrial

Sep 14, 2026

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2 min read

Middle Tech Spotlight Series: Matt Klein of S&K Industrial

AI in Manufacturing: What's Real, What's Hype, What's Next

Middle Tech
Middle Tech

Louisville

+2

Middle Tech Spotlight Series: Patrick Malcor & Wesley Sparks of Ajax Defense

Sep 9, 2026

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2 min read

Middle Tech Spotlight Series: Patrick Malcor & Wesley Sparks of Ajax Defense

Two Army veterans on why defense has a capital problem, not an innovation problem

Middle Tech
Middle Tech
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Middle Tech Newsletter

Middle Tech Newsletter


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