On this episode of Scouting For Growth, Sabine VdL sits down with Ron Rock, Managing Director for the Financial Services Sector at JobsOhio, to challenge a common assumption: If you’re building a FinTech or InsurTech business, your next strategic move doesn’t have to be New York or Silicon Valley. It might be Ohio. And yes — the heartland is quietly building a serious edge. Ohio: the FinTech hub hiding in plain sight Ron shares why Ohio is becoming an increasingly attractive base for financial services innovation. It’s the 4th largest financial services economy in the U.S., with a major advantage founders can’t ignore: access. Ohio puts you within a two-hour flight of 75% of U.S. and Canadian financial services industry players—a practical edge for partnerships, enterprise sales, and scaling relationships. Add to that lower operating costs compared to the coasts, and the value proposition gets very real, very fast. The growth formula: economy + ecosystem + talent Ron breaks down what every region needs to become a true innovation engine: a strong financial services economy an ecosystem of players (investors, corporates, startups with traction) talent that matches the jobs of the future And talent is where his message becomes a call to action: if you’re an IT graduate thinking about your career path, financial services should be on your radar. The opportunity in FinTech and InsurTech is growing—and the next generation needs curricula that include AI and low-code environments, not just legacy computing theory. Why Ohio works for testing and scaling Ron highlights another underrated advantage: Ohio is a stable environment for innovation. With fewer catastrophic loss events compared to some coastal markets, startups can test products with less volatility in the background. He calls Ohio a “microcosm” of the larger market — a practical sandbox where you can validate before scaling nationally. JobsOhio: support built for founders (not one-size-fits-all) Ron is candid that early programs weren’t perfect for early-stage startups. So they adapted. JobsOhio now offers more targeted support — including multiple innovation hubs across the state — and connects founders to incentives like the JobsOhio Growth Cap to help earlier-stage ventures build momentum. And that’s Ron’s role in a nutshell: he doesn’t pretend to be the product expert. He’s the connector — the facilitator who listens, understands what a company needs, and links them to the right partners, people, and pathways. Why this episode matters For founders, this conversation is a strategic wake-up call: geography is a lever. If you’re trying to scale in insurance or financial services, Ohio offers access, partnerships, and talent without coastal burn rates. For enterprise leaders, it’s a reminder that innovation ecosystems aren’t only forming in the usual places. Because sometimes the smartest move isn’t where the hype is. It’s where the relationships are easier, the economics work, and growth is actually buildable.