The Cincy Entrepreneur Hall of Fame was created to showcase and honor the Tristate’s pioneering entrepreneurs and their supporting organizations. Presented by Cincy Magazine and a collective of leading business organizations in the region, the inaugural Hall of Fame event, held Aug. 22 at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, was a place to learn about, participate with and demonstrate how much attendees care about our inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event was sponsored by Flagel Huber Flagel, AT&T, KMK Law and Gateway Community & Technical College. Republic Bank was a table sponsor. The community partners were UpTech, Ocean, EO Cincinnati and HCDC Business Center. The nonprofit beneficiary was DePaul Cristo Rey.
By the Editors
Mahendra Vora VOR A VENTURES
When Indian-born Mahendra Vora, chairman and managing director of Vora Ventures and Cincy Entrepreneur Hall of Fame honoree, moved to Cincinnati in 1988 to join a friend who was starting a business, Vora found a calling and a city to call home. His company, Vora Ventures, is now parent company to many platforms like AssureCare, Aquiire, Zakta, CenterGrid, Ascendum, TalentNow and ShakeDeal. “We have worked hard to create thousands of jobs by building high-tech, innovative companies that have generated tremendous returns for our partners, investors, customers and employees. Our belief is that when we support the budding entrepreneurship ecosystem in Cincinnati, everyone wins,” he says. Vora’s companies employ more than 2,100 people, who Vora says are the key to having a successful business. “Don’t say, ‘As soon as I have some more money, I will get better people.’ The first 10 people you hire should be the people who can own entire departments in the company and navigate ambiguity. Your team should be energized, aligned and motivated to accomplish the same goals,” he says. Even after 30 years as an entrepreneur, Vora says he still is still learning and improving. His advice for those just starting out: Be an entrepreneur for the right reasons, build a product that solves a specific pain point and invest in awesome people. “Entrepreneurship is not just a pathway in the world of business, it is a way of life,” says Vora. -Corinne Minard 64
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