The Hatch
Meet the 2026 Hatchlings
Ashley Davis
Ashley Davis of Livonia, Michigan, is a second-year student in the College of Arts and Science. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in neuroscience and a minor in business. Davis is involved in clubs such as the Neuroscience Association, Campus H2O and Students of Color in Business. She also enjoys learning new things about the brain, but she also really enjoys playing Animal Crossing and golf.
Anisha Lavender
Anisha Lavender of Cleveland, Ohio, is a third-year student in the College of Education and Human Development. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in interior design. Lavender enjoys painting and baking sweet treats.
Aniya Lavender
Aniya Lavender of Cleveland, Ohio, is a third-year student in the Schmidthorst College of Business. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business analytics and international business, and a minor in marketing. Lavender is involved in Global Management and Leadership Society serving as the vice president, as well as Students of Color in Business as the vice president and marketing lead. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with family and cooking.
What's Hatching: SCANI, a student engagement tool that helps universities understand and improve student life.
Caleb Laytart
Caleb Laytart of Perrysburg, Ohio, is a sophomore in the Schmidhorst College of Business. He is pursuing a bachelor's degree in sales and service marketing. In Laytart's free time, he is involved in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and works as a campus sales rep for Clothes On. He also enjoys painting, running, drawing and hiking.
What's Hatching: Oasim™, an online marketplace platform that connects local farmers, artists/artisans and small producers directly with consumers, making it easier to discover, purchase and support high-quality locally produced goods.
Madison Louth
Madison Louth of Mendon, Ohio, is a senior in the Schmidthorst College of Business. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration with specializations in accounting, business analytics and finance. In Louth’s free time, she enjoys coaching softball, movies and building Legos.
What’s Hatching: Maddie’s NIL Money Lab-Learn, Grow, Win. A subscription-based website empowering athletes to build lifelong financial confidence by transforming financial literacy into an engaging, interactive experience that helps them use their NIL opportunities to create a strong foundation for their future.
Rudrashis Mandal
Rudrashis Mandal of Kolkata, India, is a second-year student at Bowling Green State University. He is pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science and a minor in entrepreneurship. Mandal is an NSF AI-EDGE Research Fellow at Ohio State University and a hackathon winner who has competed at national level competitions including CalHacks and GTHacks. He is a previous founder of Sceudl and Rumi, used and supported by BGSU Residence Life. In Mandal's free time, he is involved in serving as Undergraduate Student Government director of sustainability, International Student Ambassador event coordinator, Green Fund BGSU and volunteering with local organizations. He also enjoys fencing and building solutions for underserved communities through technology, with technical expertise in AI/ML, mobile development and user experience design.
What's Hatching: Curio, an AI-powered educational app making personalized learning accessible and affordable for autistic children ages 2-8
Kien Quoc Ngo
Kien Quoc Ngo of Da Nang, Vietnam, is a third-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Ngo has vast technical and entrepreneurial experience through seven hackathon wins including HackMIT. He has also worked as a software engineer intern at startups backed by Y Combinator, the most successful startup accelerator in the world, such as Magic Hour (Winter 24 batch) and GovGoose (Winter 25 batch). In Ngo’s free time, he is involved with organizing hackathons as the vice president of the BGSU Developer Club, mentoring at top-tier hackathons, such as Georgia Tech’s HackGT and Hacklytics, and teaching English to Vietnamese children at orphanages.
What’s Hatching: blockd, an AI-powered automation engine that lets users generate AI-driven workflows without technical configuration, with over 1,000 waitlist signups and over 200 beta users.
Chelsy Isabel Rafael
Chelsy Isabel Rafael, of London, United Kingdom, is a third-year student at Bowling Green State University and in the Edge Hotel School University of Essex. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in tourism hospitality and event management. She enjoys researching facts about the Bible and finding a new perspective to the readings, rollerskating and collecting stickers.
What’s Hatching: Why go to the theatre when it can come to you? That’s “CW” Cinema on Wheels. By bringing premium movie experiences directly to where people already are, this scalable solution taps into a market eager for social connection, convenience and repeat visits.
Mohammed Shakeel Shaik
Mohammed Shakeel Shaik of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a graduate student at Bowling Green State University. He is pursuing advanced studies with a strong focus on technology, data-driven decision-making and entrepreneurship. Shaik launched and successfully exited a logistics company in India, formally recognized by the government of India. He has been actively involved in student leadership and innovation initiatives, including serving as an online graduate student representative in the Graduate Student Senate and leading teams in competitive hackathons, where his work has been recognized for innovation and impact. His academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of AI, productivity and human behavior.
What’s Hatching: An AI-powered personal goal and wellness support app making personalized and achievable plans for people who are interested but often intimidated by their goals.
Owen Hildebrand
Owen Hildebrand of Waterville Ohio, is a senior in the Schmidthrost College of Business. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sales and services marketing. In Hildebrand's free time, he is involved in multiple student organizations on campus, including the Falcon Entrepreneurial Network which he is president of, the Sigma Chi Fraternity which he is treasurer of, the BGSU Dev Club, and the Business Information Technology club. He also enjoys swimming, gaming, lifting weights, watching television and cooking.
What’s Hatching: Owen is launching an advertising business geared to young people specifically focused on lead generation for financial advisors, offering ways for financial advisors to reach young people in an innovative, modern way.
Meet the Mentors
Ed Leedom ‘89 is the senior vice president of Harbor Fund Distributors. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University and a CFP designation from the College for Financial Planning in Denver. Leedom began his career with Harbor Capital Advisors and later rejoined Harbor Capital Advisor Inc. As a senior vice president, he is responsible for developing and maintaining new and existing institutional client relationships in the Midwest region.
Leedom is mentoring Hatchling Owen Hildebrand.
Robert M. Thompson '91, ‘96 holds a bachelor’s and master’s in economics from BGSU where he is currently on faculty as an adjunct professor in economics. He also serves on the Schmidthorst College of Business Leadership Council.
Thompson is a branch director and senior vice president in wealth management at RBC Wealth Management. He and his team, The TWDS Group, joined RBC in 2022 having spent over 33 years as an entrepreneur in the financial service industry.
Thompson is mentoring Hatchling Madison Louth.
Brian Powers ‘85 holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University, with majors in economics and legals studies. He also holds a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.
Powers has served as president and CEO of Crawford United Corp. since September 2016. He has managed the turnaround of a 100-year-old publicly traded manufacturing holding company, increasing sales from $5 million to a run rate over $200 million. He has implemented strategies for organic growth and integrated 14 acquisitions, and served diverse markets including aerospace, defense, healthcare, marine, trucking and petrochemical.
Powers has been a Hatch mentor for three years. Fun fact: He worked full time as a student at BGSU, including jobs as a factory worker at Century Label & Tag, resident assistant at Kohl Hall, Economics Department research assistant, alumni fundraiser, campus tour guide, night security guard at Founders Hall and zamboni driver.
Powers is mentoring Hatchling Caleb Latart.
Keith Instone ‘86, ‘88 is a Falcon Flame, former employee and adjunct professor in computer science. This is his first year formally mentoring a Hatchling, but he has been informally mentoring off-and-on since The Hatch’s inception.
Instone is currently a user experience consultant and tech ecosystem builder. He has previously served as a research associate at BGSU, an information architect at IBM and tech industry analyst. Fun fact: Keith taught the first-ever World Wide Web class at BGSU in the mid-1990s.
Instone is mentoring Hatchling Kien Quoc Ngo.
Joe Wagner is the strategic marketing director at Owens Corning, where he leads long-range marketing strategy for the retail channel. With more than a decade at Owens Corning, Wagner has built and led high performing marketing teams, driven brand and packaging transformation, and partnered with major retailers including The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menards. His career also includes senior merchandising and brand leadership roles with major retailers. Wagner holds a degree in retail from Miami University and is based in Toledo, Ohio.
He is engaged with BGSU through alumni relationships, serving as a guest speaker in marketing courses and student mentor for the last two years. Additionally, he is a member of the Marketing Advisory Board. Wagner lives in Perrysburg with his wife and three daughters.
Wagner is mentoring Hatchling Rudrashis Mandal.
LeSean Shaw is the co-founder of Actual Reality Technologies and EmpoweredAI, two organizations at the forefront of using artificial intelligence to transform business and community outcomes.
Through Actual Reality Technologies, he helps companies embrace AI, machine learning and data-driven strategies to drive Industry 5.0 innovation, efficiency and growth. With EmpoweredAI, his nonprofit, he’s dedicated to closing the digital divide by teaching underrepresented communities how to leverage AI for literacy, entrepreneurship and career advancement.
Shaw is mentoring Hatchling Mohammed Shakeel Shaik.
Khory Katz is a financial advisor with Edward Jones and a certified financial planner professional. In his work, Katz partners with individuals, families and business owners to build comprehensive financial strategies that align with their long‑term goals. His passion for helping others gain clarity and confidence in their financial lives is at the center of his advisory practice.
Katz is no stranger to The Hatch. He first took the stage in 2016 as a student entrepreneur and co‑founder of Easy Loft Beds, a venture that received funding during the program. His experience as a Hatchling played a formative role in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset he carries into his professional life today – constantly seeking opportunities to improve, innovate and think creatively about solving problems.
Returning to The Hatch as a mentor has been an equally rewarding experience. Khory has mentored three Hatchlings prior to this year, with all of his mentees achieving success either on stage or in the continued development of their ventures following the event. He enjoys helping students refine their ideas, develop strategic thinking and experience the same growth the program sparked in him.
Katz is excited to continue contributing to the entrepreneurial ecosystem at BGSU and to support the next generation of innovators as they bring their ideas to life.
Ebony Carter is the vice president of minority business services and director of the Minority Business Assistance Center. She has worked with small businesses and start-up companies for the past six years assisting with funding opportunities, strategic financial planning and company structural planning. As director of the MBAC, she is appointed by the state to carry out the mission to impact the economic growth of women, minority and veterans in northwest Ohio.
Carter attended the University of Toledo, where she earned her bachelor’s in finance and joined the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She is a proud resident of Toledo and is continuously inspired by the multitude of talented and creative individuals who call the city home. Carter is excited to contribute to the economic impact and normalizing the presence of women and minorities in elevated spaces, while bridging the gap to equitable opportunities for underestimated groups.
Carter is mentoring Hatchlings Ashley Davis, Anisha Lavender and Aniya Lavender.
What is The Hatch?
The Hatch is BGSU’s premier student pitch program. Each year, students from every major apply to become Hatchlings and turn early-stage business ideas into viable ventures. Their business concepts span industries, academic disciplines and personal passions.
The Hatch is more than a showcase. It is a launchpad where students learn to take risks, build confidence and see what is possible when they pursue their ideas with support.
Applications for The Hatch 2027 will open 8/24/26
If selected to be a Hatchling, you’ll enter a hands-on experience that blends creativity and problem-solving as you strengthen your entrepreneurial skills and join a supportive community of students and professionals who want to see your idea take off.
Each Hatchling is paired with a dedicated mentor whose professional experience and guidance will help you move from idea to action. Together, you will:
- Refine your idea.
- Test assumptions.
- Shape your business model.
- Prepare for the live pitch.
The Hatch culminates in a high-energy pitch night in April. Hatchlings present to a panel of judges in front of a large campus and community audience. Students share the journey behind their ideas, answer questions from judges and compete for potential funding to take their concept forward.
We welcome all students from across the University who are ready to explore an entrepreneurial idea.
- No prior business or pitching experience required
- Open to all graduate and undergraduate students of all majors and academic disciplines.
- Must be enrolled as a current BGSU student during both the application period and the full program timeline
- Must be in good academic standing.
How do I get involved?
Getting involved with The Hatch is simple and open to all BGSU students.
Your first step is joining Falcon Incubation, a welcoming starting point where you can explore ideas, build confidence, and begin shaping what you want to pursue. Falcon Incubation helps prepare students for milestones like The Hatch, where participants practice pitching ideas and gain real world feedback as part of their entrepreneurial journey.
No idea yet? No problem.
No business plan or prior experience required.
Open to students from all majors and backgrounds.
Falcon Incubation is a flexible, supportive experience where you can learn, experiment, and grow at your own pace.
Past Events – Watch last year’s Hatch
Updated: 03/13/2026 08:45AM