Project Student Innovation

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.