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At Refinery Ventures, we believe human capital is the most important part of successful companies. But the Heartland (Great Lakes, Mid-South, etc.) has been held back. Not because we don’t have great talent – we have that in spades, but because we don’t have enough hypergrowth talent. And while there are major university assets across the region, the gap is in entrepreneurial leadership.
At least, that used to be the case.
That’s why we created the X15 Program – to build the most admired network of Hypergrowth entrepreneurial leadership in the world. Right here in the Heartland.
X15 is a distinctly unique professional development program that works to improve the skills, network, knowledge, and leadership of the folks actively building hypergrowth companies in the region today. Because that is also who is going to build the next generation of billion dollar companies.
We want to partner with you to refine your skills as a leader, in whatever form that may take, be that starting a company from scratch, connecting with an existing startup that would benefit from our experience, or just hypercharging your trajectory at your current role.
Successful venture-backed companies require explosive growth. We believe that leaders with prior hypergrowth experience know what’s required to light the fuse, and they know what growth looks like. This is an everyday philosophy at Refinery Ventures, ringing true for our operating partners to our company founders.
X15 was created to support your growth through community and network development with other hypergrowth leaders and through platform support from Refinery Ventures.
X15 members are experienced leaders who've scaled what matters and want to give back. Through X15, you'll connect with innovators, researchers, and founders who are shaping the future—while also mentoring others navigating similar paths. Members contribute to their local innovation ecosystems through advising, relationship-building, and curated events.
Universities and Startups in the Region have talent, intellectual property, and a desire to commercialize. Our program offers you access to relationships and research to serve your curiosity. If you're inquisitive about the future - and the opportunity to have a place in the next technological supercycle - then X15 is where you belong.
This is for the serious builders in our Region. It's an elite group of operators and executors who know what it's like to make something out of nothing. And then scale that rapidly.
We built a curated talent network designed specifically for individuals with hypergrowth experience in the Great Lakes and Mid-South regions, including cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Nashville, Bentonville, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Chicago.
Our network is designed for lifelong learners – those who see the next challenge as an opportunity. Whether it’s emerging technologies, new business models, or evolving talent needs, X15 provides the space to engage, ask questions, and act.
We offer a range of programming to support that exploration:
– Curated peer circles
– Tactical working sessions
– Tech revers pitches
– Deal flow reviews
– The X15 Summit
– And more, all designed to foster insight, connection, and momentum.
Whether you’re launching a company, scaling a new team, or exploring what’s next in your journey, X15 is here to back you. From early-stage ideation to strategic career shifts, our members support each other with honest dialogue and hard-won experience.
We will be hosting a series of events throughout the year that introduce you to new people and new ideas worth pursuing.
Technology from University of Cincinnati Lab2Market Fellows
Cincinnati, OH
Register NowTo learn more about X15, please contact us
Do you know someone who could be a great fit?
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Before Neil Armstrong became the first man to step foot on the moon, he was a pilot for the North American X-15, an experimental hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft that took great risks to break speed barriers and reach the edge of outer space during NASA’s infancy.
Armstrong reached hypersonic speed three times in the X-15 and achieved a max altitude of 207,000 feet, shattering the perception for what was thought possible. X-15 is widely regarded as one of the most successful research programs in aviation history and directly contributed to space exploration.
The X-15 was a Hypergrowth moment for the future of aviation and space exploration. Our program is a springboard to reach new heights and unlock our greatest potential.