Bearcat for Life turns AI into a sales superpower

For that reason, it’s no surprise that the stats have dipped to a 2% average success rate in 2025.

But those telemarketers probably aren’t using Suade, the AI mentor that helps increase cold callers' conversion rates. The startup was founded by University of Cincinnati alum Matthew Terry and backed early on by the 1819 Venture Lab, a hub that has become an essential driver for Cincinnati’s next wave of innovators.

Terry graduated from UC in 2020 and immediately got a crash course in how unforgiving sales can be.

“I started Suade because sales were so hard for me in my first startup,” he says. “I kept thinking, ‘There has to be something in real time that can actually guide you through a call.’ I promised myself my next startup would focus on helping sales reps not just learn but execute sales effectively.”

With Suade, everyone wins: Sales reps feel more confident, companies perform better and customers walk away satisfied.

Terry knew he needed guidance as much as sales representatives need Suade. He found it at the Venture Lab inside UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub, the center that has become a launchpad for founders shaping Cincinnati’s future.

“With UC’s guided support and capital, Suade has been able to further identify its target market as well as refine its go-to-market strategy,” Terry says. “We’ve brought in thousands more in revenue based on the support and mentorship UC has been able to provide.”

The Venture Lab gives founders hands-on startup training, access to seasoned entrepreneurs in residence and the region’s largest pool of nondilutive funding. Members gain entry to utilize the 12,000-square-foot Ground Floor Makerspace at 1819 for fast prototyping.

During the Venture Lab Accelerator, Terry:

• Sharpened his pitch.
• Laid out Suade’s product road map.
• Connected with mentors.
• Gathered feedback.
• Pitched confidently to investors.

He now champions the 1819 Innovation Hub to anyone building something new.

“Connecting with the 1819 Innovation Hub is a priceless opportunity that every founder should experience,” he says. “If you’re new to the startup community, it’s the perfect place to network, gain mentorship and grow as a founder. The Hub not only provides direct access to mentors and peers but also serves as a gateway into the broader Cincinnati and Ohio startup ecosystem.”

Post-Venture Lab, Suade has partnered with multimillion-dollar sales coaching firms, turning their strategies into digital tools every rep can use.

Terry isn’t slowing down.

“We see ourselves completely replacing traditional methods of creating cold call scripts,” he says, “and becoming the go-to place for salespeople to access templates and best practices in sales.”

It’s a bold vision, but that’s exactly what 1819 was built to spark. As Suade matures, its journey shows how innovation, hard work and connections at 1819 can take an early-stage startup into one that, quite literally, is calling shots around the world.

Featured image at top: Sales representative at work. Photo: Elnur Amikishiyev