Cincinnati 'startup to watch' raises $4.45M from Midwest venture firms

The AI automation platform targets cloud, data and AI cost management.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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FinOpsly, a Cincinnati-based startup led by two former FIS alumni, has raised a $4.45 million seed funding round backed entirely by Midwest-based capital firms. The artificial intelligence automation platform was named a 2024 Cincy Inno Startup to Watch and plans to use the new funding to triple revenue and further develop its 'value-control' approach to helping customers understand and manage their cloud, data and AI spending.

Why it matters

The successful funding round for FinOpsly highlights the growing strength of the startup ecosystem in Cincinnati and the Midwest region, as local venture capital firms continue to invest in promising local companies. FinOpsly's focus on AI-powered cloud cost management also reflects the increasing importance of controlling cloud infrastructure expenses for businesses of all sizes.

The details

The $4.45 million seed funding round for FinOpsly was led by St. Louis-based Cultivation Capital, with participation from Chicago's Hyde Park Ventures, Cleveland's North Coast Ventures, Cincinnati's Cintrifuse Capital, and Columbus-based 71/70 Angels. FinOpsly's co-founder and CEO Kiran Jain, a former executive at financial technology firm FIS, plans to use the new capital to triple the company's revenue in 2026 and further develop its AI-powered 'value-control' platform to help customers optimize their cloud, data and AI spending.

  • FinOpsly closed the $4.45 million seed funding round in December 2025.
  • FinOpsly was named a 2024 Cincy Inno Startup to Watch.

The players

FinOpsly

An artificial intelligence automation platform based in Cincinnati that helps customers understand and manage their cloud, data and AI spending.

Kiran Jain

The co-founder and CEO of FinOpsly, a former executive at financial technology firm FIS.

Cultivation Capital

A St. Louis-based venture capital and private equity firm that led FinOpsly's $4.45 million seed funding round.

Hyde Park Ventures

A Chicago-based venture capital firm that participated in FinOpsly's seed funding round.

North Coast Ventures

A Cleveland-based venture capital firm that participated in FinOpsly's seed funding round.

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What they’re saying

“FinOpsly helps customers understand and map their cloud, data and AI spends, and it eliminates waste.”

— Kiran Jain, Co-founder and CEO, FinOpsly (Cincinnati Business Courier)

What’s next

FinOpsly plans to use the new funding to triple its revenue in 2026 and further develop its AI-powered 'value-control' platform.

The takeaway

The successful funding round for FinOpsly demonstrates the growing strength of the startup ecosystem in Cincinnati and the Midwest region, as local venture capital firms continue to invest in promising local companies focused on innovative cloud cost management solutions.