The second annual NewCo returns to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky this week and several start-up businesses and related entities from Covington and Newport will be a part of it.

What is NewCo?

Think of it as a gallery hop for start-up businesses - a celebration of organizations that are shaping business and society, and an opportunity to engage and interact with some of the region's most interesting companies whether they be tech start-ups, breweries, makers, or agencies.

The event

NewCo festivals have the focus of a business conference, the feel of a music festival, and the model of an open studio. Participants choose which host companies they want to explore and then gather inside the their home offices. Attendees across town experience firsthand the stories behind these inspiring missions and how they’re changing the face of Greater Cincinnati.

“NewCo Cincinnati is an opportunity to build and strengthen #StartupCincy,” said Wendy Lea, CEO of Cintrifuse, the Cincinnati-based entrepreneur resource that produces the event. “But our community is about more than just startups. It’s about the entire spectrum coming together – BigCos, startups, arts organizations – and maximizing their impact on our region. NewCo Cincinnati builds bridges between people and organizations and celebrates the wonderful things happening all over the city.”

NORTHERN KENTUCKY BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING

Interested in just the organizations from the south side of the Ohio River? Here is a look at the ones participating and what they'll be presenting on:

Spotted Yeti Media 8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at its office (130 West 6th St., Covington)

The media production company's Molly Berrens and Casey Williams present "Using Video to Create Brand Personality".

Grainwell ​ 8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. at its shop (316 West Pike St., Covington)

The woodworking business's Michelle Kirn, who owns the business with two of her sisters, will present "From Makers and Sisters Into Business Partners".

Stockpilz 10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Reser Bicycle Outfitters (842 Monmouth St., Newport)

Founder Darrin Murriner will present "The Value of Together".

Bad Girl Ventures 10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at UpTech (30 West Pike St., Covington)

A panel discussion featuring female entrepreneurs Allison Chaney of Bare Knuckle Digital, Meaghan Dunklee of Wedding Bags, Robin Gentry McGee of Functional Formularies, and Sherry Sims of Black Women's Career Network will explore "How to Be a Bad Girl in a Male-Dominated World".

Rhinomed 10:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Reser Bicycle Outfitters (842 Monmouth St., Newport)

The company's vice president of global sales and marketing, Shane Duncan, presents "Why the Nose?".

bioLOGIC 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at its office (632 Russell St., Covington)

A panel will explore the life sciences incubator in a presentation titled "bioLOGIC: A Place and Space Where Ideas for Improving Human Health Grow Into Businesses".

BLDG 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at its office and gallery (30 West Pike St., Covington)

The creative refuge will present "Millennials in Context: Life in a Creative Startup".

Intrinzic, Inc. 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at its Newport on the Levee office (1 Levee Way, Suite 3121, Newport)

The branding agency's Chris Heile, Sarah Kunce, and Dave Townsend will present "There is No Innovation Without Inspiration".

Hotel Covington 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m. at Braxton Brewing Company (27 West 7th St., Covington)

The independent boutique hotel, which will open soon, is the topic of "The Ultimate Tailored Experience", presented by general manager Jack Olshan and sales director Olga Tsetsotkina.

TiER1 Performance Solutions 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m. at its office (100 East RiverCenter Blvd., Tower 2, Suite 100, Covington)

The rapidly growing tech firm will present, "Growing Pains: Don't Let Growth Threaten Your Culture of Innovation".

UpTech 1:15 - 2 p.m. at its office (30 West Pike St., Covington)

The informatics start-up accelerator is the subject of a panel discussion titled, "What is UpTech?".

Grateful Grahams/NKY Incubator Kitchens 2:45 p.m - 3:30 p.m. at its Covington kitchen (1032 Madison Ave., Covington)

Founder and "chief gratitude officer" Rachel Desrochers presents "Community Change-Making Through Food".

Braxton Brewing Company 2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at its brewery (27 West 7th St., Covington)

Co-founder and CEO Jake Rouse presents "Building Something Special One Pint (or Cup) at a Time".

New Riff Distilling 4:15 p.m. - 5 p.m. at its distillery (24 Distillery Way, Newport)

The distillery's owner and president Ken Lewis and general manager Hannah Lowen present "Independent Progressive Bourbon: Putting a New Riff on an Old Tradition".

Wyzerr 4:15 p.m. - 5 p.m. at its office (910 Madison Ave., Covington)

The survey and data company will present at its new digs in downtown Covington.

The Metropolitan Club 4:15 p.m. - 5 p.m. at its club atop the RiverCenter towers (50 East RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 1900, Covington)

Chairman & Ceo of Corporex, Bill Butler, will be joined by local entrepreneur Cole Imperie and Life Learning Center president Larry Mock will present "A Distinctive City Club with a Philanthropic Mission".

Designed to appeal to university students, young professionals and the “naturally curious”, this one-day event features presentations and office tours from over 95 local Cincinnati companies. Each company provides a unique experience at their location ranging from hands-on workshops to traditional speaker/subject matter expert and educational events. The sessions are 45 minutes long and give festivalgoers a chance to get up close and personal with a diverse mix of businesses.

Some of the host companies include: LISNR – who closed $10 million in Series B funding, The Brandery - one of the nation’s top startup accelerators, Complete Set – a company whose mission is to archive the world's collectibles and help collectors track, buy, and sell them and Rhinegeist - one of Ohio’s fastest growing craft brewers.

“It’s great to see the region embracing this event again,” said Christina Misali, StartupCincy Community Manager and NewCo Cincinnati Event Lead. “Last year was the first time NewCo came to Cincinnati and we touched 1000 people. This year we’ll build on that success and put on an event that’s fun for our ecosystem and brings together the movers and the shakers. You learn, network, and at the end of the day we all get to have a drink – what’s better than that?!?”

NewCo Cincinnati kicks off with a VIP reception at the Transept on Wednesday, July 20 and continues with host company presentations on July 21 from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closing happy hour held at Anderson Pavilion). Tickets are $20 for general admission, $10 for students and $100 for VIP access. Attendees choose up to six sessions.

For ticket information and an event schedule, visit cin.newco.co.

-Staff report

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