The O.H.I.O. Fund — Origins and Ambitions

On this special episode of The O.H.I.O. Fund Report, I’m joined—for the first time—by the two co-founders of The O.H.I.O. Fund, Mark Kvamme and Ray Leach, as well as the fund’s two founding partners, Jill Meyer and Mike Venerable, to share the inside story of how a bold idea became reality.

We explore the inspiration and origins behind a first-of-its-kind strategy designed to generate returns while accelerating prosperity and shaping Ohio’s future. We discuss how, in our first year, we closed on over $230 million in capital from investors and deployed more than $130 million into 19 sector-diverse investments across Ohio’s economy. We also cover what it has taken to build momentum, forge the most powerful network of investors, founders, and operators across the state, and why Ohio’s moment is now—along with the urgency this opportunity demands.

I’m Jeffrey Stern — Principal at The O.H.I.O. Fund and host of today’s conversation— and I hope you enjoy this exclusive look behind the scenes at our first year as The O.H.I.O. Fund, our reflections on the journey thus far, and where we go from here!

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For more on The O.H.I.O. Fund: check out & subscribe to future content @ www.theohiofund.com
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00:00:00 - The Birth of the O.H.I.O Fund
00:03:05 - Ohio's Economic Landscape and Historical Context
00:06:02 - The Vision Behind the O.H.I.O Fund
00:08:56 - Building a Collaborative Network
00:12:07 - The Urgency of Now: Why Timing Matters
00:14:50 - Capitalizing on Opportunities in Ohio
00:18:14 - The Role of AI and Innovation
00:21:01 - Success Stories and Impact Investments
00:24:04 - Creating a Unified Ohio
00:26:46 - The Future of the O.H.I.O Fund
00:29:51 - Personal Motivations and Collective Ambition
00:34:07 - Reflecting on Progress and Future Aspirations
00:39:12 - Surprises and Insights from the O.H.I.O Fund's First Year
00:50:03 - Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Growth in Ohio
00:54:02 - Embracing Change and Building a New Future