ABRE, Miami University Partnership Shows Impact of Ohio Third Frontier

CincyTech-backed education software platform Abre and Miami University partnered to get help to students and faculty with mental wellness resources is another great example of the impact of the Ohio Third Frontier in accelerating the impact of Ohio-based research on the lives of Ohioans.

Miami’s Center for School-based Mental Health Programs is led by director Cricket Meehan, Ph.D., which was selected to receive $6 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund. In partnership with Abre, Miami University will provide access to resources needed by everyone in the learning community.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted everything, and education ranks at the top of the list. A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that mental health-related emergency room visits nationwide increased 31% for children age 12-17 and 24% for children age 5-11 from March 2020 to October 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.

These are the kinds of partnerships envisioned nearly 20 years ago when the Ohio Third Frontier was created to grow and commercialize technology and innovation in Ohio. CincyTech led the founding investment round just a few years ago. Founded by two teachers turned technologists, Abre provides a next generation solution for administrators, teachers, students and parents to more easily collaborate on education. This latest partnership demonstrates how important schools are in addressing emergent educational needs in society.

Mike Venerable is chief executive officer of CincyTech, a public-private seed-stage investor whose mission is to be a trusted partner in helping to transform ideas into high potential life science and digital companies in Southwest Ohio.