OnStation: Bringing Digital Innovation to Roadway Construction

When Patrick Russo joined OnStation in 2018 through a Jumpstart mentorship program, he saw an opportunity to transform how roadway construction projects are managed. The traditional approach of wooden stakes and spray paint was ripe for digital disruption, and OnStation had the solution.

OnStation's mobile platform revolutionizes how construction crews navigate and document roadway projects. "If your job site is 6 miles long, knowing where you are actually on the job is very meaningful," explains Russo. The app replaces physical markers with digital precision, allowing workers to easily track locations, take photos, and complete inspection reports directly from their phones.

What sets OnStation apart is its unique ability to connect all stakeholders in a construction project. While most industry software solutions are siloed between contractors and departments of transportation, OnStation creates a shared digital workspace. "We're probably the only platform in our space where both sides can communicate together," says Russo.

The company's growth in Ohio has been remarkable, expanding from a small R&D team to 31 employees, with OnStation's innovative approach transforming how construction crews interact with project data. This expansion has been strategically supported by JobsOhio Growth Capital Fund, which proved to be more than just a capital partner. "JobsOhio fundamentally understood what we were trying to build," Russo explains. "While many investors see construction tech as simply digitizing paperwork, they recognized we were creating an entirely new paradigm for how infrastructure projects are managed and executed. That level of strategic insight is rare."

The partnership has continually deepened through multiple funding rounds. "What makes JobsOhio unique is their commitment to building lasting infrastructure companies, not just chasing quick returns," notes Russo. "They've backed that commitment with maximum investments in both our rounds, but more importantly, they've helped us navigate the complex intersection of technology, construction, and government contracting. In an industry where relationships and credibility are everything, having a partner who understands both the tech and infrastructure worlds is invaluable."

Ohio's business environment has proven ideal for OnStation's development. The state offers a combination of affordable living, strong talent pool, and supportive ecosystem that Russo believes is perfect for building a technology company. The cost advantages are significant - as Russo points out, "Cleveland is especially great. You can have a family and a good school system and a great house, and we've got plenty of land, and you don't have to be making 7 figures to afford it."

The company is now deployed on nearly 2,700 projects, with five departments of transportation in full deployment and contractor usage in another 20+ states.  This growth trajectory continues to accelerate, supported by Ohio's robust infrastructure and business friendly environment.

For Russo, the decision to build in Ohio rather than relocate to traditional tech hubs has been validated by the company's success. "We're a venture-backed technology startup in Cleveland, Ohio," he says proudly. "That's pretty cool."

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