Whether you have scribbles on napkins or a full business plan, we want to see your project become reality. Cash prizes of $25,000 are up for grabs. Apply now for The Hatch 2024!

The Hatch banner

Thursday, April 13, 2023 | 6 p.m. | Watch the livestream

The Hatch is a semester long immersive program that takes student and alumni business ideas from concept to the stage! The goal of The Hatch is to engage BGSU students in creative and innovative problem solving for the public good by working to tackle some of the complex problems presented in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities that affect our region. Students will work individually or in teams to explore their idea towards creating a positive social impact for our community.

Students are challenged to develop a prototype of their solution to current problems they identify for a needed service, product, or business that will address one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals such as accessible education, sustainable communities, access to healthcare, support for inclusive culture and the arts, cybersecurity, regional unemployment, etc.  This process is supported through enrollment in an experiential learning based ESHP course where students learn the key concepts and steps to idea generation, opportunity analysis, the business model canvas, business plan and pitch presentation development. Once selected to be part of the Hatch, each BGSU student entrepreneurial team, or Hatchling, is also partnered with an alumni mentor who guides them through the entire process.

At the end of the spring semester, the Hatchlings present their business ideas to alumni investors during the live Hatch event to vie for funds to launch their business idea.  Historically, an average of over $50,000 in financial or in-kind start-up support has been awarded to student ventures that present the best solutions and strategies for addressing timely social and business challenges.  Alumni investors have also made equity investments, providing real money for students to incubate their businesses and let their ideas fly!

Watch The Hatch® 2023 LIVE on YouTube!

Meet the 2023 Hatchlings

This year's Hatchlings represent a variety of colleges across the University. On April 13, a select number of Hatchlings will pitch their business ideas in front of a live audience to see which investors will help their idea fly to new heights.

Elisabeth Baende

Elisabeth Baende, of Perrysburg, Ohio, is a sophomore in the College of Education and Human Development pursuing a bachelor’s in human development and family studies with a minor in creative writing. Baende likes to stay busy with 18 credit hours and is active in several student arts and honors organizations on campus. Elisabeth attends a Christian home fellowship and enjoys writing poetry, working on artwork digitally and by hand and producing new ideas.

What’s Hatching: Versatile Tests, an alternative standardized test to the ACT or SAT based on the way a student learns best

Elisabeth Baende

Emma Crusey

Emma Crusey, of Richwood, Ohio, is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences pursuing a bachelor’s in computer science with a specialization in digital forensics and minors in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Emma is very passionate about the restaurant industry and works as a server in Marysville, Ohio, when not at Bowling Green.

What’s Hatching: A cleaning service that caters to small restaurants and specializes in the cleaning of restaurants and restaurant equipment.

Emma Crusey

Steven Felton

Steven Felton of San Clemente, CA is pursuing his graduate degree at BGSU as part of the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering. Prior to BGSU Steven achieved an associate degree in mathematics from Saddleback Community College and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in chemistry from California State University, Fullerton.

Steven has been actively involved with organized sports since 1980 and professionally has served in various engineering and leadership roles throughout aerospace and technology. Now nearing retirement Steven and his wife Della seek to establish 3RBay Clubs of America, a traveling non-profit organization that promotes philanthropy through participation.

What’s Hatching: 3RBay Clubs of America, a nonprofit organization developed to promote social good, education and prevention of medical debt through America’s pastime – baseball

Steven Felton

Daylon Humphries

Daylon Humphries, of Columbus, Ohio, is a freshman in the Schmidthorst College of Business pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in individualized business. Daylon lost three friends to gun violence in high school and passionately works to reduce gun violence, specifically in the black community. He currently operates a clothing brand that reminds youth to strive for their goals and dreams. Daylon uses the proceeds from the brand to pursue his project, Prophetic Achievers.

What’s Hatching: Prophetic Achievers, a nonprofit organization designed to keep teens and young adults out of trouble by providing resources, guidance and a safe space

Daylon Humphries

Parker Hydrick

Parker Hydrick of Salem, Ohio is a current senior in the Schmidthorst College of Business majoring in finance. He is also a member of the BGSU Baseball team.

What’s Hatching: A food selection app that considers how you’re currently feeling and produces a restaurant or recipe that will satisfy your hunger and provide food for your mood

Parker Hydrick

Ryan Johnston

Ryan Johnston ’22 of Oakville, Ontario (Canada) is currently a Master of Business Administration student continuing his education after finishing his undergraduate degree in finance at BGSU last year. He is passionate about sports and investment. Ryan has been involved with the baseball team for the last five years and also helps other students succeed by working as a graduate assistant tutor.  

What’s Hatching: A food selection app that considers how you’re currently feeling and produces a restaurant or recipe that will satisfy your hunger and provide food for your mood

Ryan Johnston

Chelsea Lee

Chelsea Lee of Cleveland, Ohio is a junior majoring in public relations with a minor in marketing. She is currently a member of BGSU’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and plans on pursuing a career in influencer marketing and content strategy. Chelsea is dedicated to lessening the challenges that minority students experience when purchasing beauty and self-care products in the Bowling Green community by implementing a beauty care vending machine.

What’s Hatching: Just for Hue Beauty Hub, a vending machine filled with hard-to-find, minority haircare products, placed on college campuses to increase access and availability.

Chelsea Lee

Izzy Mraz

Izzy Mraz of Elyria, Ohio, is a sophomore in the Schmidthorst College of Business pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in marketing and a minor in advertising. Izzy is passionate about sports and currently services in leadership positions with the BGSU Women’s Club Soccer Team and the International Football Club. Additionally, Izzy is a proud Thompson Family Scholar and made the Dean’s List last semester. Izzy also enjoys snowboarding, snowmobiling, running, painting, digital design, photography, fashion, nature and traveling.

What’s Hatching: Iz's Yo Design creates artwork and statement pieces of iconic aspects within college towns across Ohio

Izzy Mraz

James Peet

James Peet of Bowling Green, Ohio, is a junior in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering pursuing a bachelor’s in management and technology. As a non-traditional student returning to higher education after 10 years of work and life experience, James brings a unique perspective and appreciation to recognizing and solving issues facing the local and global environment. His primary focus is on closing the loop between wasted groceries, depleted soil and methane production through better compost practices in Wood County, Ohio.

What’s Hatching: Industrial composting company Black Gold will provide efficient ways to manage the natural decomposition of organic materials into beneficial and usable compost for soil amendment

James Peet

Bethanie Ellen Poe

Bethanie Poe of West Chester, Ohio, is a sophomore in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, majoring in visual communication technology with a specialization in interactive media and print.  Bethanie currently works as a barista, is active in the university community and a proud member of BGSU’s Visual Communication Technology Organization (VCTO).  

What’s Hatching: Interchangeable name tapes for sports jerseys that allow fans to swap out names and numbers when players are traded or retire.

Bethanie Ellen Poe

Michael Posadny

Michael Posadny of Perrysburg, Ohio, is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in history and political science. He is a member of the Honors College and works at the BGSU Archives Center located in Levis Commons. Michael values life-long learning and wants to help create more opportunities to educate through fun and interactive learning tools.

What’s Hatching: A unique board game designed to show the player the steps a bill takes to becoming a law, promoting retention of the legislative process for students in the United States

Michael Posadny

Jonah Rosenberg

Jonah Rosenberg of Las Vegas, Nevada, and later Cincinnati, Ohio, is a senior in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering pursuing a bachelor’s in architecture and environmental design. Jonah works as a design specialist with Organized Living. His work demonstrates an unbridled enthusiasm for creating unique, sustainable solutions. As a lifelong student of the natural world, Jonah is eager to bring his passion enhanced ideas to life.

What’s Hatching: An alternative food storage container that extends product shelf life and is sustainable for both consumers and producers.

Jonah Rosenberg

Ryan Schoenike

Ryan Schoenike of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and later of Toledo, Ohio, is a sophomore in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering pursuing a bachelor’s in visual communication technology. Ryan is passionate about serving his community and last year began an internship at CedarCreek church. Ryan is a strong advocate for change and is always striving for improvement and growth. In fall 2022, he accepted a position on campus as a peer advisor for veteran education mentor with the BGSU Office of Nontraditional Military Student Services. As a Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) mentor, Ryan assists staff in helping others discover and utilize campus resources as well as develop programs to best meet students’ needs.

What’s Hatching: Interchangeable name tapes for sports jerseys that allow fans to swap out names and numbers when players are traded or retire.

Ryan Shoenike

Meet the 2023 Mentors

Cal Bowers '96

Vice President of Growth, Robex 

Fred Dannhauser

Area President, Focus CFO 

Paul J. Hooker '75

Former CEO SFERRA Fine Linens
Founder/CEO RallyCap Sports

John Horner '07

Owner and Real Estate Entrepreneur, Core Developments

Khory Katz

Financial Advisor, Edward Jones 

Ed Leedom

Financial Consultant, Webb Financial Group 

Jack Martin

General Manager, Projects Designed & Built 

Rich Myers '71

President, Liberty Software

Brian Powers '95

CEO, Crawford United 

Scott Rupley

Marketing & Planning Director, St. Luke's Hospital 

Chris Tjotjos '80

Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Promethia

Bill Wersell

Small Business Consultant

Jeff Williams

Area President, Focus CFO 

Meet the 2023 Investors

Bethany J. Bryant '91

President
The Private Trust Company N.A.

George Heath '87

Retired Group President
Sherwin Williams

Megan Reichert

Director, Innovation
Mercy Health

Clint Steigerwalt

Director of ProMedica Innovation

Emanuele "Manny" Conti '89

Operating Partner, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe

Hatch Case Studies

Similar to "Shark Tank," not every Hatchling will receive an offer from our alumni investors. But finding success through the Hatch program can mean many things, including the development of a product or business idea. Check out a few Hatchling case studies to learn more. 

The Hatch Case Study (2021) - Sarah Yarger (Clark), 2018 Participant

The Hatch Case Study (2021) - Jacob Kielmeyer, 2017 Participant

The Hatch Case Study (2021) - Corey Jones, 2013 Participant

E-Week Events

The Hatch is part of Entrepreneurship Week (E-Week) at BGSU. View the full listing of 2023 E-week events.

The Hatch 2023 Sponsors

Diamond Sponors

PNC Foundation logo
J. Robert Sebo logo
Wood County Economic Development Commission
O-I logo

Gold Sponsor

JumpStart

Bronze Sponsors

Shumaker


mercy health logo 300

Adobe logo in red

Supporting Sponsors

Coca-Cola Logo
Realizability Logo

hint_logo_052518 copy 

Zen Business

smart solve

BIGGBYCoffeeLogo Horizontal RGB

Updated: 09/05/2023 08:25AM