Project Student Innovation
Description
The Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a campus organization open to all students, where they can turn ideas into action. Through hands-on programs, competitions, mentorship, and startup resources, students gain the experience and confidence to explore bold ideas, solve real-world problems, and take meaningful steps in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Project Student Innovation expands these opportunities by generating awareness and philanthropic support for students participating in Riata competitions and the Riata Startup Experience. Funds raised help remove barriers, strengthen the student experience, and provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources they need to compete, create, and grow.
Project Student Innovation helps expand scholarship and award opportunities for students competing in the Student Innovation Expo and Business Plan Competition. By increasing existing awards and creating new opportunities such as the Dreamer & Doer Scholarship, Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship, and Visionary Scholarship, we can recognize more students for their creativity, ambition, perseverance, and entrepreneurial potential.
These awards do more than celebrate a great idea. They provide students with meaningful resources to keep building, testing, and pursuing what comes next, while rewarding the hard work it takes to turn an idea into action.
Together, these opportunities help ensure that more OSU students have a reason to dream bigger, take the next step, and see what’s possible.
Project Student Innovation also helps students in the Riata Startup Experience (RSX) take their next steps toward building and launching a venture. Funding provides access to resources such as mentorship, workshops, industry connections, market research, prototyping, and other early-stage startup needs.
These opportunities give students the ability to test ideas, learn from experienced entrepreneurs, better understand their customers, and turn concepts into action. By providing resources at a critical stage of the entrepreneurial journey, we can help students build confidence, gain real-world experience, and create momentum toward what comes next.
Great ideas are only the beginning. Project Student Innovation helps students take them further.
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$20.09
Groundbreaking Innovator
Founded in 2009, the Riata Center has grown into a vibrant home for student entrepreneurship at OSU, where students gain the experience, confidence, and support to turn bold ideas into real opportunities. Your generosity helps make these transformative experiences possible.
$50
Startup Supporter
Your support helps OSU students turn ideas into action. Through Startup Support and other Riata Center programs, your generosity provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to launch, grow, and succeed.
$75
Elevator Pitch
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive way to communicate an idea and its value. Your support gives OSU students opportunities to develop this essential skill, build confidence, and prepare to turn their ideas into action.
$150
Innovation Expo
Our student Innovation Expo is a fast-paced competition where students explore ideas, sharpen their quick-pitching skills, and put their creativity to the test. The Rising Entrepreneur track takes it a step further, challenging previous competition winners to elevate their ideas, strengthen their presentations, and compete at the next level.
$350
Business Plan
Great ideas need a plan. Through the Business Plan Competition, students turn entrepreneurial ideas into actionable strategies by exploring their customers, market, competition, business model, and resource needs. The experience challenges students to test assumptions, refine their vision, and build a foundation for a viable venture.
$1,500
Genius Bar Level
The Genius Bar brings students together with faculty, experienced entrepreneurs, and industry experts for meaningful conversations and real-world guidance. Students gain valuable perspectives, practical advice, and connections that can help move their ideas forward.
$3,000
Angel Level
Every entrepreneur can use an angel along the way. Through the Riata Startup Experience (RSX), student entrepreneurs are building real businesses and working toward milestones that may include securing their first outside investment. A contribution provides valuable resources that help them strengthen their ventures and take the next step.