Cincinnati, Flywheel launch ‘Pave The Way’ for pothole repairs

Contributed

Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub and the City of Cincinnati announced the launch of “Pave the Way Innovation Lab,” an initiative designed to identify and scale next-generation solutions for pothole detection, repair and prevention.

This targeted innovation sprint will bring together civic technologists, transportation experts, entrepreneurs, urban planners and other cross-sector collaborators to modernize road maintenance using smarter tools, municipal data, and deeper community engagement.

“Pave the Way is rethinking the way we manage one of the most persistent urban infrastructure issues—potholes—with 21st-century solutions,” said Cincinnati City Councilmember Evan Nolan, who is spearheading the project with Flywheel. “Potholes aren’t just a nuisance—they damage vehicles, burden city budgets, and deteriorate our neighborhoods. This initiative is about more than road repair; it’s about investing in innovation that protects our residents’ quality of life.”

Donna Zaring is the Executive Director of Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub. “By connecting diverse problem-solvers and giving them access to real data, expert guidance and civic insight, we aim to uncover breakthroughs that are scalable, sustainable and immediately relevant.”

Structured Innovation Sprint and Key Dates

The Pave the Way Innovation Lab will follow a structured timeline:

• Screening & Team Selection were Aug. 4 – 24. Applicants were reviewed by a selection committee made up of partners and subject matter experts. Around 10 teams will be chosen and notified in early September.
• Sprint Week (Week of Sept. 8): Selected teams will develop their proposed solutions, receiving expert mentorship and accessing a dedicated data portal to refine their solutions.
• Demo Day (Sept 2): Finalists will refine and present their solutions live at Demo Day in front of community members and a panel of judges. The top solutions will receive a $5,000 grant to further develop their concepts, with additional support available for scaling and piloting.

To learn more, apply as a participant, or inquire about sponsorship, visit https://www.flywheelcincinnati.org/flywheelsocialenterprisehub/innovationlabs.

Tire Discounters is signed on as a presenting sponsor, contributing $10,000 to the project.

Potholes aren’t just frustrating, they impact the everyday driving experience for all of us,” said Crissy Niese, Senior Vice President at Tire Discounters. “We’re proud to support Pave the Way as Presenting Sponsor. This forward-thinking initiative reflects the innovation and collaboration needed to improve our roads and strengthen our community, a mission we’re honored to support.”