b'OPPORTUNITY LIVES HEREeasy-to-access portal. A platform like this could help startups in the Districtinnovation from the centerleveraging local leaders in financial services, by providing one centralized location for information about the ecosystem branding, and retail. Cintrifuse was launched in 2012 as a catalyst organization serving as a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs looking for resources, programs,binding together three pillars of the citys tech community: a branding partners, or funding. accelerator, a public-private seed-stage investor, and a co-working space. In San Antonio Ecosystem Map (San Antonio, Texas)2020, Cintrifuse started a new initiative: FinTech Frontier.While less robust than the networks built in Baltimore and Cincinnati, SanFinTech Frontier is a future-focused partnership between Cincinnati-Antonios Ecosystem Map provides an example of a first step in compilingbased, industry-leading financial services corporations and fintech-focused resources. The map represents a top-level view of local resources availableentrepreneurs, powered by Cintrifuse. It is designed to accelerate innovation over the course of an entrepreneurs journeyfrom student or reskilledthat specifically is designed to transform financial servicesfrom consumer-employee to startup CEO. Resources are broken into a few categories: studentfacing experiences to back-office operations. entrepreneurship programs (both free and school-specific), startup programs,As a longtime leader in financial services due to the supportive, pro-business spaces for startups, education and training, funding, and advocates. Theselegal environment and favorable tax legislation, Delaware would be a great are the essential pillars needed for a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem.place to invest in an incubator that specifically supports new technology for the Building a similar platform that maps the various resources in the District couldfinancial sector.be a first step in strengthening the existing ecosystem and facilitating new2.2Grow Entrepreneurship Opportunities and Increase Access to Capitalgrowth.Startup Cincy (Cincinnati, Ohio)The StarTUp (Baltimore, Maryland) While still a far way off from becoming the next Silicon Valley, Cincinnati hasThe StarTUp at the Armory is Towson Universitys front door for startups, small become a tech startup model for the Midwest. Many startups are choosingbusinesses, as well as larger corporations in the region. Their state-of-the-art the region as their headquarters due to both the lower costs and the strong26,000 sq. ft. space includes 6,000 sq. ft. of free co-working space and meeting ecosystem thats been built. Startup Cincy is a unified hub for the tech startuprooms where entrepreneurs and executives can connect with each other and community, bringing together a wide variety of resources, supports, space, andto TUs programs and people. Their StarTUp Accelerator is an intensive eight-an annual Startup Weeka week-long event packed full of panels, workshops,week, cohort-based fellowship where ventures take residency and collaborate and discussions for those curious about emerging trends in the innovationto accelerate their business. Accepted ventures receive a $10,000 equity-free space or those wanting to sharpen skills. Registration for Startup Week orstipend as well as mentorship, founder-centric programming and exposure to joining the ongoing Startup Cincy Slack channel is freeallowing anyone tosuccessful ventures who are alumni of this model. A similar program in the easily tap into the existing ecosystem. Much like BMore Tech Connect, StartupDistrict would signal that the Three Rivers Area is open for business to aspiring Cincy acts as a single hub for entrepreneurs to connect and find resources toentrepreneurs and provide those aspiring entrepreneurs with space and support their growth. The Districts entrepreneurs would benefit from a similarresources to thrive.singular front door for resources and support. MORTAR Iron Fund Chest (Cincinnati, Ohio)Section 2.1Expand Opportunities in Fintech The MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy is a fifteen-week course designed for FinTech Frontier (Cincinnati, Ohio)minority- and women-owned businesses. Two years after starting the academy, MORTAR launched their Iron Chest Fund to get cash to entrepreneurs. The Tech-based startups are transforming every part of the financial serviceslaunch campaign was called #100for100 encouraged 100 people, businesses or industry. While much of the attention and investment has been focused onorganizations to donate between $100 to $1,000 to the Iron Chest Fund. The the Coasts, Greater Cincinnati has seized an opportunity to lead dramaticfund provides underwritten access to funding to help MORTAR grads pursue Delaware Three Rivers Area Economic Development Master Plan 158'