Ohio's Startup Event
Featuring Steve Wozniak at Ohio Wesleyan University

Every great startup begins with a powerful idea. In the Ideation track, attendees will explore the foundational phase of the startup lifecycle, where creativity meets practicality. This track will cover topics like identifying market gaps, validating your ideas, building a business model canvas, and creating a roadmap to bring concepts to life. Whether you’re brainstorming your next big idea or refining a promising concept, this track will inspire and guide you toward your entrepreneurial vision.

Once the idea is set, it’s time to launch! The Startup track focuses on the challenges and strategies of building from the ground up. From forming a team and developing an MVP to raising your first round of funding and finding your first customers, this track will provide actionable insights for early-stage entrepreneurs. Learn how to lay a strong foundation for your business, avoid common pitfalls, and set yourself up for sustainable success.

Scaling a business comes with its own unique challenges. The Growth track dives into how startups can expand efficiently and strategically. Topics will include scaling operations, managing growing teams, optimizing product-market fit, leveraging data, and securing follow-on funding. Whether you’re gearing up for rapid growth or navigating the complexities of scaling, this track will help you focus on building momentum while staying true to your mission.

Reaching maturity is a pivotal moment in the startup lifecycle, but it’s not without its challenges. The Maturity track examines what it means to lead an established company, including discussions on long-term strategy, maintaining innovation, navigating market competition, and staying agile in a dynamic business landscape. Learn how to manage stability while continuing to evolve and position your business for sustained success.

The ultimate milestone in the startup journey is the exit. The Exit track explores strategies for acquisitions, mergers, IPOs, and other exit pathways. Hear from founders and experts who’ve been through it all, as they share insights on negotiating deals, maximizing valuation, and planning for life after the exit. Whether you’re considering your options or just curious about what’s ahead, this track offers a clear view of the finish line—and beyond.

Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University 

Opened in 2018, the DEC OWU, 70 S. Sandusky St., Delaware, is a first-of-its-kind liberal arts business accelerator as well as a first-of-its-kind city, county, and educational institute partnership. The center was launched in collaboration with the City of Delaware and Delaware County. Its benefits include connecting members with Ohio Wesleyan student-interns able to assist with accounting, data analysis, event planning, graphic design, market research, volunteer coordination, website creation, or other needs. As the students work, they also gain hands-on experience to help them fulfill their personal entrepreneurial ambitions. Learn more about the DEC OWU and its opportunities for up-and-coming entrepreneurs at www.owu.edu/DEC. 

About the U.S. Entrepreneurship Competition (USEC) at Ohio Wesleyan University 

The U.S. Entrepreneurship Competition (USEC) at Ohio Wesleyan University is for student and professional entrepreneurs who seek to discover a path forward to make their startup dreams a reality. Ohio’s largest entrepreneurship competition, entrepreneurs compete in either a student or professional track for investments in their company. The competition is organized by the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University, a first-of-its-kind liberal arts business accelerator and the first-of-its-kind city, county, and educational institute partnership.

The intersection of for-profit and non-profit businesses is the space where organizations blend elements of both business models, aiming to generate profit while also pursuing social or environmental goals.  It is often achieved through structures like social enterprises, where revenue is used to further a charitable mission, blurring the lines between traditional for-profit and non-profit operations. Social entrepreneurship focuses on generating that revenue for profit to deliver a social good.

The Department of Defense (DoD) works with small businesses and other partners to develop new technologies for national security. Some of the key players are:

• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU): Speeds adoption of commercial technology to solve operational challenges 
• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: Partners with small businesses to meet Army research and development needs 
• Defense Innovation Board (DIB): Provides independent advice to the Secretary of Defense on catalyzing innovation 
• Office of Small Business Programs: Manages small business programs, including SBIR and the Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) 

Through various programs, the DoD provides funding for small businesses and entrepreneurs for new ideas, innovations, and improvements that are directly applicable to our military efforts.