1819 Innovation Hub lease gives Kroger access to UC students, faculty
University of Cincinnati’s innovation agenda attracts country’s largest grocer
Customers won’t be able to stock up on groceries at Kroger’s newest Cincinnati location. Instead, it’ll be Kroger that will be able to shop for University of Cincinnati talent and opportunities for innovative collaborations.
Kroger announced Wednesday, Aug. 29, that it has leased a 2,500-square-foot space in the UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub. The space will give Kroger a dedicated area in which it can collaborate with UC co-op students, student interns, and faculty members on improvements to technologies developed by the supermarket giant, as well as new innovations.
“Whether it’s raw innovation or enhancing our current products, either way it’s a win,” Chris Hjelm, Kroger executive vice president and chief information officer, told the Cincinnati Business Courier. Hjelm said Kroger’s plans for the space include work on machine learning and artificial intelligence.
“It’s really a creative partnership to understand Kroger’s needs and find students and faculty to help them solve their needs,” UC Chief Innovation Officer David J. Adams said. “It’s a great testament to the work we’re striving to achieve: how to use the strength of UC to fuel and power local businesses.”
The build-out of Kroger’s third-floor space in the 1819 Innovation Hub is underway, and is set to be ready sometime in October.
Featured image at top: The 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/Jay Yocis/UC Creative Services
Read complete story in the Cincinnati Business Courier (full content exists behind a paywall).
Innovate with industry
The University of Cincinnati is the birthplace of experiential learning. UC's 1819 Innovation Hub takes that to a new level by providing students a place where they can interact and innovate with Cincinnati's vibrant business community. Learn how you or your student can become a part of UC's innovative vision for the future.
Related Stories
Before the medals: The science behind training for freezing mountain air
February 19, 2026
From freezing temperatures to thin mountain air, University of Cincinnati exercise physiologist Christopher Kotarsky, PhD, explained how cold and altitude impact Olympic performance in a recent WLWT-TV/Ch. 5 news report.
Blood Cancer Healing Center realizes vision of comprehensive care
February 19, 2026
With the opening of research laboratories and the UC Osher Wellness Suite and Learning Kitchen, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Blood Cancer Healing Center has brought its full mission to life as a comprehensive blood cancer hub.
Generous gift supports renovations to UC Blue Ash Veterinary Technology Building
February 18, 2026
A longstanding relationship between Greenacres Farm in Indian Hill and the Veterinary Technology Program at UC Blue Ash College has led to a generous gift that will support a major renovation project.
CCM Philharmonia presents concert + livestream on Feb. 20
February 18, 2026
Audiences can enjoy CCM Philharmonia's next concert in person or watch at home via livesteam at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. Featuring alumni guest artists Rebecca Barnes, viola; and Jonathan Lee, cello; tickets for the "Midlife Crisis" concert are on sale now through the CCM Box Office. The livesteam is free to watch on CCM's website and YouTube channel.
UC Digital Futures and Cincinnati Fire Museum launch educational video game
February 17, 2026
A new collaboration between the University of Cincinnati's Digital Performance Lab (DP Lab), CCM Acting, UC's School of Information Technology, and the Cincinnati Fire Museum is using gaming technology to bring essential fire safety education to children. The project titled Fire Escape is an interactive video game designed to teach K-12 students how to respond safely during a house fire. It was developed through Digital Futures research support, student game development, and guidance from local fire safety professionals.
BearcatGPT AI platform now available to UC students
February 17, 2026
University of Cincinnati Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) is excited to announce that BearcatGPT, the university’s private and secure AI platform, is now available to all UC students.