Not that Coldplay CEO, Founding CEO of Astronomer

​Startup University: Not that Coldplay CEO, Founding CEO of Astronomer

​Startup University is a semester-long speaker series connecting college students with founders, operators, and builders shaping the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky startup ecosystem.

​This session features a candid conversation with Ry Walker, Founding CEO of Astronomer and current CEO of Tembo, on what it really takes to build and scale high-growth tech companies. Ry will share lessons from founding Astronomer (the company behind managed Apache Airflow), transitioning into new leadership roles, and building developer-focused infrastructure companies in fast-moving markets.

​Hosted at SparkHaus, the series blends honest conversation, actionable insights, and intentional networking to help students build meaningful relationships before they graduate.

​What to Expect

• ​45 minutes of conversation and insights on startups and the ecosystem

• ​45 minutes of Q&A and informal networking with speakers and peers

​Event Details

​📅 Friday, January 30
⏰ 9:00 - 10:30 AM
📍 SparkHaus - Lagoon Media Room
👥 Open to college students from all universities and all majors

​Sessions will be recorded and archived, and select sessions will be live-streamed for regional universities unable to attend in person.
Once registered, a virtual attendance link will also be sent via email.

​Whether you’re startup-curious or already building, this series is your on-ramp into the startup ecosystem.