Join us in fostering an environment that champions student entrepreneurship. Witness the presentation of innovative small businesses and side hustles, explore and purchase their distinctive products and engage in networking opportunities with the community. The Student Entrepreneur Market is part of Entrepreneurship Week (E-Week) for the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business. 

The Hatch is a 10-week immersive program that takes student business ideas from concept to the stage, where they pitch their business ideas to investors in front of a live audience, similar to the popular TV show “Shark Tank.” The event can be viewed via a public livestream from 6-8 p.m. on April 11. Watch the livestream Once selected to be part of The Hatch last falls, each BGSU student entrepreneur, or Hatchling, was paired with a mentor who guides them through the entire process. The mentor works with their Hatchling during the program to help students learn important skills such as creating a budget and developing their product or service idea. The Hatch features students from a variety of majors from across BGSU. Learn more about our 2024 Hatchlings At the end of the spring semester, the Hatchlings present their business ideas to alumni investors during the live Hatch event to vie for funds to launch their business idea. This year, due to event sponsors Wood County Economic Development and PNC, over $30,000 in financial start-up support will be awarded to student ventures that present the best solutions and strategies for addressing timely social and business challenges. Historically, alumni investors have also made equity investments, providing real money for students to incubate their businesses and let their ideas fly! The Hatch is presented by the Allen. W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business and the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Live viewing of The Hatch is limited.

Join the Collegiate Entrepreneurial Society in the Schmelz Atrium of the Maurer Center to watch fellow Entrepreneurs compete live in The Hatch

Join us for Leveraging Entrepreneurial Mindset, a dynamic panel discussion on Thursday, April 11, from 2:30-3:45 p.m. in BTSU Theatre, Room 206. This engaging event will feature this year’s esteemed inductees into the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame, alongside past honorees. Gain valuable insights and inspiration from experienced entrepreneurs as they share their journeys and strategies for success.

The Allen. W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business presents the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame on April 10, 2024. The event recognizes BGSU graduates, honorary degree holders and members of the regional community who have achieved distinction for founding, leading or building a new business enterprise for five years or more. These individuals have demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit that has helped to shape our economies and improved our quality of life. This year's honorees include: Rodney Heiligmann '94, '96, '03 President of Life Formations Inc. Thomas Kern '68 Founder/Chairman and Retired CEO of Style Crest Enterprises Inc. Vontoba Terry '03 Co-Founder of UI Global Brands (Urban Hydration)  Read more about our 2024 honorees Tickets are $40 per person or $320 for a table. Register by March 31, 2024. Reception: 6 p.m. Dinner: 6:45 p.m. Program: 7:45 p.m. For questions about event registration, please contact Sarah Brokamp at sbrokamp@bgsu.edu or 419-372-0352.

Speaker is Aly Sterling, founder of Aly Sterling Philanthropy.