UC 1819 Innovation Hub ranked No. 23 in Top 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators by Fast Company
The University of Cincinnati is No. 1 among educational institutions
Fast Company announced its eighth annual Best Workplaces for Innovators list, recognizing national businesses that are creating cultures where innovation can thrive at every level. Fast Company congratulated the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub as “a culture of innovation that empowers employees at every level to blaze trails and break new ground.”
In good company
Among the top 100, which includes honorees such as Anthropic, American Express, Chipotle, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Lyft and General Electric, the 1819 Innovation Hub earned a spot at No. 23 for an innovation ecosystem that inspires and supports every employee on its team to turn bold ideas into meaningful impact.
The 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators list recognizes 100 companies across industries such as entertainment, biotech, consumer packaged goods, marketing, education, and healthcare. To make the list, companies met specific criteria and were chosen for their dedication and proven track record of success in areas including investment in innovation, internal programs, and company culture. Fast Company’s editors evaluated each application and conducted extensive research to develop a score for each company. A distinguished panel of judges then reviewed the top-rated companies to determine the final honorees.
Ryan Hays, UC Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President. Photo/Greg Glevicky.
“This team proves day after day that moving at the speed of need is a force multiplier,” said Ryan Hays, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President. “We’re always looking for creative ways to help our partners become smarter, faster and better. That mission fuels the magic behind 1819. We are deeply grateful to our partner companies, founders and funders, as well as to Fast Company for this tremendous recognition of our team and mission.”
Since its inception in 2018, the 1819 Innovation Hub has been recognized for driving measurable economic growth and impact across Cincinnati and the region, helping entrepreneurs launch and grow companies. As part of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the Hub serves as the engine that attracts investors, connecting startups and corporate partners with STEM talent. Nearly 60 startups have been funded through the 1819 Venture Lab accelerator program, with more than $70 million in total investments. And the Office of Commercialization, located within the 1819 building, consistently ranks in the Top 100 Universities for Patents list by the National Academy of Inventors. Among educational institutions, UC is No. 1 in a peer set of companies that define innovation culture in America.
“The most innovative workplaces don’t simply ask their employees to come up with great ideas; they create the conditions that make great ideas possible,” says Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “This year’s honorees understand that innovation is ultimately a cultural commitment that requires empowering people to think differently, take risks, and turn ideas into actions. We’re proud to recognize the companies and executives who are leading by example.”
The full list of honorees is available at Fast Company.
The Fast Company Best Workplaces for Innovators issue is available online now.
Cover photo: 1819 Inovation Hub/Greg Glevicky.
Your next big idea
Innovation is a daily practice at UC. The 1819 Innovation Hub is UC’s front door for industry, inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs. We foster bold thinking and collaborative breakthroughs that shape industries and improve lives — and we move at the speed of need to make them happen.
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