COhatch’s well-engineered success
Matthew Davis ’99 is leading his community-driven workspace and event company to success his own way
•
Published
ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University President Gregory Crawford, left, alumnus Matthew Davis '99, and Farmer School of Business dean Jenny Darroch at the RedHawk50 celebration at Cincinnati's Music Hall in March.
COhatch’s well-engineered success
•
Published
There’s no blueprint for success; founder and CEO of COhatch Matthew Davis ’99 – this year’s No. 1 RedHawk50 honoree – is proof of that.
Davis didn’t come out of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú wielding a Business degree but rather one in Manufacturing Engineering. He said engineering as a base has made all the difference when it comes to his success in the business realm.
“I tell people all the time that Engineering is the best degree,” Davis said. “It teaches you so much and can be applied to any discipline.”
There was only one place Davis wanted to go to school; ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú became the lone recipient of his college application after he learned about the rigor of the Manufacturing Engineering program. He was all-in.
“I remember being intimidated by the curriculum. I thought it all sounded interesting and scary,” Davis said. “If you know me, then you know I was sold on being a part of the program after that.”
From creative problem solving and programming to foundational business courses and exercises in teamwork, Davis applied what he learned at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú to create and expand his vision for COhatch.
As Davis worked his way up the supply chain management ladder after graduation, working for companies like Arthur Anderson, Honda, and Parker Hannifin, he earned his MBA from Ohio State. He fell in love with real estate development as he built out seven Snap Fitness gym franchise locations across Columbus.
“I've been able to take all of (what I learned at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú) with me while building our business and finding new, creative ways to make COhatch a community that not only helps local economies but impacts people's day-to-day lives,” Davis said.
Stumbling across a vacant space in Worthington, Ohio, Davis hatched the idea of a place made for coworking and collaboration.
“With the help of some great and talented friends, I went all in on COhatch at that point which has led to 8-plus years of working and growing our community,” Davis said. Davis’s wife, Jodi, who graduated from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú in 2000, earns his first round of gratitude for her continued support.
COhatch’s first location opened in 2016 for the Worthington community. With hybrid and remote work exploding in popularity in the wake of the pandemic, COhatch has continued to grow into even more communities. With a 314% calculated annual growth rate for 2025, COhatch earned top honors at RedHawk50’s annual gala hosted by the Farmer School of Business. There are now coworking spaces across seven states and several major cities including Columbus, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Charlotte, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Indianapolis.
Growing into adulthood in Oxford played a major role in his career success, Davis said.
“You learn how to socialize and how to build long-lasting relationships (at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú), which might be the most important skill to learn if you're looking at starting and growing a business,” Davis said.
He also recognized the impact that the late professor Osama Ettouney’s mentorship had on him and his future. The then-chair of the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering department helped build his confidence and really made Davis’ time at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú individualized by getting to know him.
Like his path to founding COhatch, Davis believes that “there is no one way or one road to follow to be successful,” he said.
“Now more than ever, you can pursue your purpose and passion at the same time,” Davis said. “Do what you need to do to learn and grow, but spend minimal time on things that truly don't energize you and excite you to get out of bed in the morning. Hint: They most likely involve serving or helping others.”
Helping the communities surrounding COhatch is one of the core values baked into Davis’ business model. Many new coworking spaces are born out of restored community cornerstones; from armories and libraries to markets and hotels, COhatch revitalizes these buildings and turns them into collaborative spaces.
One of COhatch’s newest developments is underway in an old bank building. This new location, in downtown Hamilton, is just a couple miles away from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Regionals’ Hamilton campus.
With several COhatch spaces in reach of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University campuses, COhatch’s BOOST Scholarship grants $1 million in access to its facilities to keep ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students, faculty, entrepreneurship graduates, and alumni chapters connected and collaborating.
Davis didn’t come out of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú wielding a Business degree but rather one in Manufacturing Engineering. He said engineering as a base has made all the difference when it comes to his success in the business realm.
“I tell people all the time that Engineering is the best degree,” Davis said. “It teaches you so much and can be applied to any discipline.”
There was only one place Davis wanted to go to school; ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú became the lone recipient of his college application after he learned about the rigor of the Manufacturing Engineering program. He was all-in.
“I remember being intimidated by the curriculum. I thought it all sounded interesting and scary,” Davis said. “If you know me, then you know I was sold on being a part of the program after that.”
From creative problem solving and programming to foundational business courses and exercises in teamwork, Davis applied what he learned at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú to create and expand his vision for COhatch.
As Davis worked his way up the supply chain management ladder after graduation, working for companies like Arthur Anderson, Honda, and Parker Hannifin, he earned his MBA from Ohio State. He fell in love with real estate development as he built out seven Snap Fitness gym franchise locations across Columbus.
“I've been able to take all of (what I learned at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú) with me while building our business and finding new, creative ways to make COhatch a community that not only helps local economies but impacts people's day-to-day lives,” Davis said.
Stumbling across a vacant space in Worthington, Ohio, Davis hatched the idea of a place made for coworking and collaboration.
“With the help of some great and talented friends, I went all in on COhatch at that point which has led to 8-plus years of working and growing our community,” Davis said. Davis’s wife, Jodi, who graduated from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú in 2000, earns his first round of gratitude for her continued support.
COhatch’s first location opened in 2016 for the Worthington community. With hybrid and remote work exploding in popularity in the wake of the pandemic, COhatch has continued to grow into even more communities. With a 314% calculated annual growth rate for 2025, COhatch earned top honors at RedHawk50’s annual gala hosted by the Farmer School of Business. There are now coworking spaces across seven states and several major cities including Columbus, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Charlotte, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Indianapolis.
Growing into adulthood in Oxford played a major role in his career success, Davis said.
“You learn how to socialize and how to build long-lasting relationships (at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú), which might be the most important skill to learn if you're looking at starting and growing a business,” Davis said.
He also recognized the impact that the late professor Osama Ettouney’s mentorship had on him and his future. The then-chair of the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering department helped build his confidence and really made Davis’ time at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú individualized by getting to know him.
Like his path to founding COhatch, Davis believes that “there is no one way or one road to follow to be successful,” he said.
“Now more than ever, you can pursue your purpose and passion at the same time,” Davis said. “Do what you need to do to learn and grow, but spend minimal time on things that truly don't energize you and excite you to get out of bed in the morning. Hint: They most likely involve serving or helping others.”
Helping the communities surrounding COhatch is one of the core values baked into Davis’ business model. Many new coworking spaces are born out of restored community cornerstones; from armories and libraries to markets and hotels, COhatch revitalizes these buildings and turns them into collaborative spaces.
One of COhatch’s newest developments is underway in an old bank building. This new location, in downtown Hamilton, is just a couple miles away from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Regionals’ Hamilton campus.
With several COhatch spaces in reach of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University campuses, COhatch’s BOOST Scholarship grants $1 million in access to its facilities to keep ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students, faculty, entrepreneurship graduates, and alumni chapters connected and collaborating.
Established in 1809, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Farmer School of Business? Visit the website for more information.