CINCINNATI, OH — September 15, 2025 — Develocode, a Cincinnati-based startup, is stepping into a new role with the launch of Founder Fridays, a limited video series gathering the voices shaping the future of AI, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the heartland.
The series will debut October 10, 2025, with an exclusive conversation featuring Mayor Aftab Pureval. Future episodes will highlight founders, civic leaders, and venture capitalists across Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Indiana, stitching together a cross-regional narrative about how the Midwest is becoming the country’s most promising hub for ethical AI.
Recently, Develocode sat down with several innovators, including community and corporate voices, on what they saw as the Midwest region’s place in the national AI discussion. “With AI, it’s even more important that customers and companies are able to connect.” said Rob Richardson, Curator of MidwestCon. “Those connections, that trust & collaboration is what the Midwest is all about.”
The Founder Fridays lineup will feature a diverse group of regional leaders, including Candice Matthews Brackeen, Lightship Capital, Dr. Leah Lewis, Cocoon Technologies, and Prajwal Paudwal, Qualz.ai.
“How are we going to shepherd AI in a human way that’s still able to benefit people’s lives? Ultimately, that’s where we need to put the right guardrails in place and make this (the Midwest) the place for it.”-Marvin Abrinica, Director of UC Venture Lab
Filmed at iconic local venues like City Hall, Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar, and Black Coffee Lounge, Founder Fridays merges startup energy with community storytelling. Each episode blends high-level insight with cultural context, making the case that the Midwest’s combination of technical expertise, affordability, and trusted relationships gives it a once-in-a-generation opportunity to define the nation’s AI future.
“Founder Fridays is a gathering place,” said Marcus Casswell, CEO and Co-Founder of Develocode. “When people hear these conversations, they’ll realize the Midwest isn’t catching up. It’s leading.”
For more information on the Founder Friday series or partnership opportunities, visit develocode.com/founder-fridays.