BGSU students bring business ideas to life through The Hatch program

More than a dozen students pitched their business ideas to alumni investors and audience members as part of The Hatch, hosted by the Shmidthorst College of Business

By Branden Ferguson

The unique Hatch program at Bowling Green State University helps students explore the world of entrepreneurship and innovation regardless of their major, encouraging and supporting students as they turn business ideas into fully developed business plans.

Offered through the Schmidthorst College of Business and supported by Wood County Economic Development Commission, Coca-Cola and donor endowments, the semester-long program allows selected students to gain experiential learning through research, planning, development and presentations. Often called hatchlings, Hatch participants learn key concepts and steps to idea generation, complete opportunity analysis, create business models and pitch their ideas to alumni investors. They are paired with faculty and alumni mentors throughout the process.

BGSU has offered The Hatch program for more than a decade, helping dozens of students bring their business ideas to life while still in college.

Senior Kailee Ransom's business idea, Beam Coffee Bar, is a mobile coffee trailer designed to uplift women. With rotating specialty flavors and iced drinks canned fresh to order, Ransom's plan is to serve challenge cards with every drink to inspire boldness and joy.

During the Hatch program, Ransom met with coffee business owners and a real estate developer, prompting her to pivot to a coffee trailer model. She also connected with a Michigan-based company that builds mobile trailers that ensure food safety. She said building those connections was integral to her success and confidence in her business idea.

"I've wanted to open a coffee shop for the past seven years," Ransom said. "With the support of faculty members and my mentor in the Schmidthorst College of Business, I was able to turn my dream into an official business pitch. The idea I presented to investors was not my first, second, third or fourth idea."

More than 300 students from across campus were in attendance, asked live questions and voted for their favorite ideas. Ransom and Beam Coffee Bar received the "Viral Buzz" award, generating the most excitement and buzz among investors and audience members.

"As a marketing student and a social media intern at BGSU, it felt great knowing that my idea had the most potential to go viral on social media," said Ransom. "As a business owner, virality drives awareness, interest and sales."

First-year management major Michael DeShetler admitted that developing a business and pitching to investors was not on his radar when he came to BGSU. After talking with his classmates and receiving support from his professors, DeShetler stepped out of his comfort zone and pitched his business, Campus Cuts.

"I was talking with other freshmen and found a desire for more haircare options around campus," he said. "I worked with fellow hatchlings to storyboard my idea and developed it from an idea to something feasible that has backing on campus.

"Working with fellow hatchlings and sharing this experience created a feeling of togetherness. I will never forget this experience and know I will keep in contact with my cohort for years."

During the Hatch process, DeShetler embraced the research aspect of the project, surveying fellow Falcons and finding both support and excitement. That support was evident when his pitch was selected for the "People's Choice Award," recognizing Campus Cuts as the audience's favorite business idea and the business with the most potential to impact the surrounding community.  

"Whether you have a full-fledged business plan prepared or a unique idea like me, The Hatch is a perfect resource for students at BGSU," said DeShetler. "From networking and building my foundation to getting my name out there and practicing how I present myself, I came out of The Hatch better than when I went in.

"The Hatch gave me business experience, increased my confidence and prepared me for the ever-changing business world."