One student presenter in black shirt to room of people at BOSS 2019

Best of Student Startups (BOSS)

Are you looking for a way to make your business idea, product, or service a reality?

Program

Through a series of interactive workshops, students are provided valuable information and coaching to help get startup ideas off the ground. At the end of the program, five teams are selected to pitch idea at the BOSS (Best of Student Startup) Finale. 

The winning team is awarded funding to support the business venture and automatic invitation to be one of eleven ventures invited to pitch at President’s Buckeye Accelerator Pitch Finale in spring 2024. The other nine student ventures will earn a spot through the pre-accelerator Boost Camp. Six student ventures will be chosen for the year-long President’s Buckeye Accelerator and advance their startup for launch with a $50,000 award.   

*Terms and conditions

 

Autumn 2023 Program Timeline

Boss team of 8 students 5 standing and 3 kneeling from 2019 in front of maker space
ProgramActivitiesDateTimeLocation
2023 ApplicationOpensMon. Aug. 75:00 p.m. 
BOSS ApplicationClosesFri. Sept. 2211:59 p.m. 
BOSSOrientationProgram kickoff studentsWed. Sept. 206:30-8:00 p.m. 
BOSS Workshop 1Problem identification, the pitch and why?Tues. Sept.267-8:30 p.m.Mason Hall Rotunda, Second Floor
BOSS Workshop: 2Customer validation, market researchTues. Oct. 107-8:30 p.m. 
BOSS Workshop: 3Storytelling, business modelTues. Oct. 247-8:30 p.m. 
BOSS Preliminary: Pitches Nov. 1-3TBD 
BOSS FinaleSelected students pitchesThurs. Nov. 16TBDWOSU