Glockner Dare to Dream High School Pitch Competition
Shawnee State University Kricker Innovation Hub hosted the 12th annual Glockner Dare to Dream High School Pitch Competition on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the Shawnee State University Kricker Innovation Hub in Downtown Portsmouth, Ohio. The Glockner Dare to Dream high school pitch competition is an opportunity for local high school teams to present their business idea for a chance to win their share of $31,000 in cash prizes.
Young entrepreneurs, some who are already operating their business and generating income, bring their best ideas to the competition.
L to R: April Perry; Chairman and CEO for Kentucky Farmers Bank, Andy Glockner: presenting sponsor automotive executive and businessman, Adalyn Noble, Elijah Brown and Ryker Noble of Honeysuckle Haven, with program coordinator Mike Thompson and team advisor Josie Collier, Wheelersburg High School.
This year's winning team was Honeysuckle Haven from Wheelersburg High School, with team members Adalyn Noble, Ryker Noble, and Elijah Brown. Their business concept is a greenhouse that also offers a custom event planting and learning experience. Education is at the heart of what they do! Their business is already generating revenue and is up and running (seasonally) at the Noble Family Farms.
2026 Winners List:
1st place - $5,000
Honeysuckle Haven, Wheelersburg
Teacher: Josie Collier
Team members: Elijah Brown, Riker Noble, Adalyn Noble
2nd place - $4,500
Stride Right, Russell Area Technology Center
Teachers: Melissa Wilburn and Aaron Woolum
Team Members: Caleb Glasser, joy Bostic, Zack Brown
TIE for 3rd and 4th - $3,500 each
Fabulous Fudge, Green
Teacher: Erika Merrill
Team Members: Uriah Satterfield, Lexy Gullett, Emma Brown, Liv Jenkins
Purpose, Boyd County
Teacher: Indi Ramsey
Payton Jones, Conner Davis, Josi Crank, Alex Maynard
5th place - $2,500
BEAD, Boyd County
Teacher: Indi Ramsey
The Glockner Dare to Dream high school regional business pitch competition is an annual event held at Shawnee State University that gives area high school students the opportunity to create a business idea and pitch it to a panel of judges for the chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money.
Often, their teachers will help them learn the skills in their classroom necessary to support their business idea. Program facilitator and Tri-State Angel Investment Group board member Mike Thompson goes out to the participating schools for coaching sessions and the semifinal competitions to narrow down which top teams will be coming to the finals on campus at Shawnee State University to represent their schools.
This event exposes high school students to entrepreneurial heroes in our local region and encourages them to dream of becoming one in the future.
This year, 14 teams competed to take home their share of $31,000 in cash prize money. The participating schools were:
Kentucky
Boyd County Career Technical Center
Russell Area Technical School
Ohio
Green High School
Scioto County Career and Technical Center
Portsmouth High School
South Webster High School
Wheelersburg High School
The distinguished panel of judges included:
April Perry; Chairman and CEO for Kentucky Farmers Bank
Faith Knutsen; Director of Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service
Luke Keller; Chief Commercial Officer, Glockner Enterprises
Carl Darling; Tri-State Angel Investment Group
Dean Adam Miller; SSU College of Business & Engineering Technology
Don Perry; Chairman, Tri State Angel Investment Group (TSAIG) and Sr. VP – Investments, Kentucky Farmers Bank
Many thanks to the following sponsors for their continued support!
Glockner’s
Kentucky Farmers Bank (KFB)
Appalachian Investor’s Alliance
Lawrence Economic Development Corporation (LEDC)
VanArt Properties
Commercial Bank of Grayson Foundation
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
TownePlace Suites
McDonald’s
Giovanni’s Ashland KY
Read more information at Shawnee State University Kricker Innovation Hub and reach out to Executive Director Amanda Hedrick - ahedrick@shawnee.edu or Mike Thompson, program coordinator if your school is interested in participating.