BuildingOhio'sstudent-ledunicornsbygivingfoundersmentorship,capital,andacommunityofbuilders.
Our Process
From first contact to unicorn status—here's how we build Ohio's next generation of student-led ventures.
Recruit
We scout and select the most ambitious student founders across Ohio who are ready to build something extraordinary.
Educate
Through hands-on mentorship and proven frameworks, we equip founders with the skills and insights to turn ideas into viable businesses.
Fund
We provide early-stage capital and connect founders with our network of investors who believe in backing students early.
Scale
With ongoing support and resources, we help student-led ventures grow from promising startups to Ohio's next unicorns.
Recruit
We scout and select the most ambitious student founders across Ohio who are ready to build something extraordinary.
Educate
Through hands-on mentorship and proven frameworks, we equip founders with the skills and insights to turn ideas into viable businesses.
Fund
We provide early-stage capital and connect founders with our network of investors who believe in backing students early.
Scale
With ongoing support and resources, we help student-led ventures grow from promising startups to Ohio's next unicorns.
The Ideator
Where your idea becomes a business.
Whether you’ve got a rough concept or a problem to solve, The Ideator program is the place to turn that curiosity into a credible business direction. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll refine your idea, validate your market, and learn the essentials of what it takes to build something real.
You’ll Get
Hands-on workshops, expert guidance, and practical tools to refine your idea and understand business fundamentals—everything from pitching to finance.
Who Should Apply
Aspiring entrepreneurs who want to build a business but need guidance on how to validate their ideas, understand the market, and get their hands dirty.
12-Week Journey
Ideation & Validation
Start by refining your idea. Get real-world feedback, validate your concept, and build a foundation that’s solid enough to move forward.
Business Fundamentals
Dive into key business areas: business models, pitching, finance, and strategy. Start to see how your idea fits into the larger startup ecosystem.
Shape Your Vision
Refine your business model, craft your pitch, and develop the strategies you need to launch. Ready to take the next step toward turning your idea into a real business.
The Accelerator
A 10-week, milestone-driven program for founders ready to go from zero to meaningful traction. Structured support, expert mentorship, and access to the TOP SECRET.
The Journey
Foundation
Define your problem, validate assumptions, and set your 10-week milestones.
Build & Test
Rapid prototyping, customer discovery, and iterating based on real feedback.
Traction
Focus on growth metrics, early revenue, and preparing your investor narrative.
Demo Day
Polish your pitch and present to investors, partners, and the Builders network.
What's Included
- Weekly structured sessions with your cohort
- 1-on-1 mentorship from experienced founders
- Expert-led workshops on growth, fundraising, and product
- Access to the TOP SECRET for early-stage capital
- Demo Day presentation to investors and partners
Who Should Apply
- Current Business Builders members
- Actively building a venture (not in ideation stage)
- Ready to commit 10+ hours/week to your startup
- Focused on reaching meaningful revenue or traction
- Open to feedback and rapid iteration
Ready to accelerate your venture?
Stay in the loop
Get updates on our portfolio companies, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved.