Founded in 2009, the Riata Center has become a vibrant hub for OSU student entrepreneurs, offering immersive, hands-on experiences that turn innovative ideas into real-world ventures.

Startup Support is one of several features the Riata Center an provide students. Your contribution fuels the success of OSU’s next generation of startup companies. Your generosity helps us provide cutting-edge programs and vital resources that empower aspiring innovators and trailblazers to turn their ideas into reality.

The term "elevator pitch" is a short sales pitch, a summary used to quickly and simply define a process, product, service, organization or event and its value proposition. The term itself comes from a scenario of an accidental meeting with someone important in an elevator.

At the Riata Center, we drive innovation and entrepreneurship through our competitions. The Rising Entrepreneur is a competition track at both our Pitch & Poster and Business Plan competitions. Previous competition winners go head-to-head as they prepare and present their best presentation to date.

Students who compete in Riata's Business Plan Competition must submit a 2-5 page business plan/executive summary with an overview of their business, how they will solve the problem/services offered, market overview, business model, prospective customers, marketing strategy, competitive environment, team and capital needed.

The Genius Bar, located in the front area of the Riata Center, is a unique space designed for faculty, seasoned entrepreneurs, and industry experts to share their experiences and knowledge with students from all disciplines. The Genius Bar offers a wealth of insights and guidance to help students along their entrepreneurial journey.

An "angel" is a type of investor, often a wealthy individual, who provides capital and financial support to a fledgling startup in return for an ownership percentage. Students in Riata Startup Experience (RSX) Program, also known as our student incubator program, are often in search of an angel investor. Your donation would help our student run businesses get closer to their goal!