Students at LaunchpadOSU gather to brainstorm

LaunchpadOSU

Explore real-world challenges, generate new business ideas, and connect with fellow builders

LaunchpadOSU is a series of theme-based startup experiences where you can explore real-world challenges, generate new ideas, and connect with students from across disciplines.

Through guided activities, rapid ideation, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving, you’ll work with a team to develop a business idea around a featured topic or industry.

You don’t need entrepreneurial experience, an existing idea, or a team to participate. LaunchpadOSU is interactive, approachable, and fun – giving you an opportunity to experience entrepreneurship without committing to a formal accelerator or academic course.

You’ll leave with a new idea, meaningful connections, and a better understanding of how you can turn possibilities into action.

Builders will:

  • Team up with students from across disciplines
  • Tackle a real-world challenge and generate bold new ideas
  • Learn directly from experienced founders and mentors
  • Shape an idea into a business concept
  • Pitch for the chance to win prizes

The experience may end with a pitch, but your idea doesn’t have to. Teams can continue building together and take advantage of additional resources to move their concept forward.

Student builders work on business concept at LaunchpadOSU event

Upcoming LaunchpadOSU Challenges

Each LaunchpadOSU Challenge is a standalone event where students team up to tackle a featured real-world problem and build an idea together

  • LaunchpadOSU
    Saturday, October 3 | Beginning at 10:00 a.m.
    Registration link coming soon!
  • LaunchpadOSU
    Wednesday, October 21 - Thursday, October 22 | 5:00-8:00 p.m.
    Registration link coming soon!

ohBUILDS

A fast-paced startup challenge, powered by Whop, where students identify meaningful problems, form teams, and build innovative solutions. In partnership with Miami University and Case Western Reserve University, students from all three universities will collaborate, compete, and turn bold ideas into something with real-world impact. 

Schedule 
  • Friday, September 11 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. 
    Kickoff (includes Dinner) 
  • Saturday, September 12 | Beginning at Noon 
    Build + Mentorship + Competition (includes Lunch and Dinner) 
  • Ohio State vs. Texas Football Watch Party | 7:30 p.m.-TBD 
    Student-led mixer hosted by Builders to follow 

All events are hosted at the Student Entrepreneurs' Center.