TechColumbus and OSU’s Business Builders Club Team-up for Interactive Student-Business Event

On May 20, TechColumbus teamed up with The Business Builders Club - OSU’s undergraduate entrepreneurship organization - to produce the TechColumbus IdeaPitch and Industry Forum, one of the first events of its kind anywhere.  A combination of career fair, business plan competition and forums for discussing industry careers, the program was planned and executed by a group of business and student volunteers as a way to expand and deepen connections between university students and the business community.  This first effort attracted over 175 students and industry representatives. 

There were three components to the event:

• The student-run IdeaPitch competition featured a dozen student business pitches made to a panel of judges – entrepreneurs, industry executives, and investors.  Most students were undergraduates and all came up with very creative business concepts to present. 
• In parallel, four Industry Forums (Healthcare/Life Sciences, IT/Software/Internet, 2 General Business) brought students and professionals together to explore and discuss a breadth of industries and careers.  
• And in the midst of it all (in the atrium area of the TechColumbus facility), 15 companies including Microsoft, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Sterling Commerce, TDCI, OCLC,and Comsys were setup with exhibit tables talking with students about their businesses. 

OSU’s Fisher College, the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences helped market the event to students.  The event was also marketed to Columbus State and Capital University.  TechColumbus drew from businesses and professionals, and the Columbus Chamber also helped promote the event.  The event was sponsored by Sterling Commerce, Fast Switch and PMI (Project Management Institute).

Because energy and interest was high, TechColumbus and The Business Builders Club plan to work with partners again to build on this success.  It was clear that the students appreciated the discussions.  Industry panelists and judges found it rewarding to share thoughts and hear the comments of the students.