Exclusive: New Rev1 leader boasts of local startup "momentum"

• New president and CEO Jennifer Hankins joins at an inflection point for startups amid AI's domination and the struggle to compete with coastal businesses for funding.

Zoom in: Hankins previously led Tulsa Innovation Labs.

• During her tenure, Tulsa became one of two U.S. regions to win both the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge and Tech Hubs Implementation funding.

What they're saying: A Kansas City native, Hankins is no stranger to the Midwest.

• "Columbus has the very same strengths and opportunities in front of it [as Tulsa], so it's more about how we continue to leverage that momentum and support the next era of companies in the area."

The big picture: Hankins believes Rev1 and Ohio have set up Central Ohio to compete.

• "What it's about is betting — placing that bet on our local community, innovators and founders, and betting on them out loud," she says.
• "It's betting on ourselves, our talent and the strengths that our community offers."