A student at BOSS enthusiastically presents on stage in a black suit

Best of Student Startups (BOSS)

Where bold ideas transform into impactful businesses

Ohio State is rich with driven creators and change-makers with an ever-expanding interest in entrepreneurship. The Best of Student Startups (BOSS) program supports this community with interactive workshops culminating in a business competition.   

BOSS is a critical part of the Keenan Center's continuum of student programming. The program focuses on supporting the transformation of ideas into sustainable businesses, particularly emphasizing the customer discovery phase. In interactive workshops, participants define customer segments, articulate a value proposition, and conduct customer discovery interviews. Participation in BOSS is encouraged for students interested in advancing to the President's Buckeye Accelerator Boost Camp

BOSS students interact outside the event venue

BOSS Summer Programs - Now Accepting Applications

Applications are live for two specialized summer BOSS programs – BOSS - Space and BOSS - Athletics. 


BOSS General Program - Accepting Applications in August 2025

BOSS is designed to attract individuals with varying entrepreneurial experience or education levels. The general BOSS fall program application window will open in August 2025. 


Joan & Chester Luby Microgrant Prize Program for BOSS

The winning student-led venture from the BOSS fall program will receive $20,000 in funding through the Joan & Chester Luby Microgrant Prize Program for BOSS. The winner will also receive an invitation to pitch at the President's Buckeye Accelerator Finale. The program will also distribute awards of $10,000 and $5,000 during the summer and fall BOSS programs.*

*must meet the terms and conditions

 

Summer 2025 Program Timeline

Program

Activities

Date

Time

Location

Application

Opens

March

 

Online

BOSS Kick-off

Information session

End of April

TBA

Student Entrepreneurs' Center

Breakout session

Program-specific content

End of May

TBA

Virtual

BOSS Full-group session

Interactive group session

June 10

6-8 p.m.

Virtual

BOSS Full-group session

Interactive group session

June 24

6-8 p.m.

Virtual

Breakout session

Program-specific content

Early July

TBA

Virtual

BOSS Full-group session

Interactive group session

July 22

6-8 p.m.

Virtual

Breakout session

Program-specific content

Early August

TBA

Virtual

BOSS Finale

Program-specific showcase

TBA

TBA

Student Entrepreneurs' Center