Welcome Home: OTR’s Branderyhaus Offers Affordable Living to Entrepreneurs

Written by Robert Leitch.

This week marked the kickoff of The Brandery’s 2015 accelerator program, and the journey from business concept to Demo Day for a select group of startups in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Brandery is widely known around the world, and it is not unusual for entrepreneurs to relocate to work with the best.  For the first time in its history, The Brandery is offering affordable housing to its 2015 class of companies.

“We recruit startups from all over the world,” said Emily Cooper, marketing and operations manager at The Brandery. “When our companies get accepted, the last thing they want to worry about is housing. So we took the friction out of the housing hunt.”

The new housing, called the Branderyhaus, is a slightly subsidized apartment building located in the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood, just a five minute walk from The Brandery. There are a total of 14 two bedroom units in the building, with all utilities and gigabit internet included. Of the 2015 class of companies, six of the 10 teams will be living in the Branderyhaus. The companies not living in-house are local, with any remaining units being offered to other entrepreneurs in the area – startups working with groups like Cintrifuse and CincyTech. All three organizations are southwest regional partners of Ohio Third Frontier.

“This is huge for us,” said Cooper. “We are now able to provide affordable housing to our companies in a high-energy area near our office. We have always believed that providing a work, live, play environment in Over-The-Rhine is a key to keeping companies in Cincinnati.”

Companies moved into the Branderyhaus on a rolling basis in early June, with the 2015 accelerator program officially kicking off this week. Ohio Third Frontier provided funding to help turn the idea of the Branderyhaus in a reality.

“In addition to affordability, our housing will be flexible,” said Cooper. “Each company is allowed to stay in the Branderyhaus for a full year, but if they only want to stay for the duration of the summer program that is fine too. Companies that decide to move to different housing are not locked into a monthly payment.”

The Branderyhaus is a great example of the many unique benefits available to entrepreneurs looking to start their business in Ohio.

“As far as I know, The Brandery is one of the only accelerators in the country supplying housing to their startups,” said Cooper. “This is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to live in the best, most nurturing environment possible for their startup. We couldn’t be more excited to facilitate their move to Ohio.”

We will be following one startup as they progress through The Brandery this summer – from move-in to graduation! Check back for updates and follow their journey with us.