Glockner Dare to Dream Pitch Competition

 

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.

This event exposes local high school students to entrepreneurial heroes in our local region and encourages them to dream of becoming one in the future.

The Dare to Dream celebrated is celebrating its 11th year with the event scheduled for March 4th, 2025, at 5PM at the SSU Kricker Innovation Hub.

2025 Program

2025 Winners

Unbridled Creations

Russell High School


2025 Glockner Dare to Dream

The 2025 Glockner Dare to Dream High School Business Pitch Competition (Presented by Shawnee State University) takes place on Tuesday, March 4th 2025 at the SSU Kricker Innovation Hub.

Who can participate?

The Glockner Dare to Dream competition is open to students who attend high schools in the following regions:

  • Ohio: Lawrence, Scioto, Pike, Gallia, Adams, and Jackson Counties

  • Kentucky: Lawrence, Boyd, Greenup, and Carter Counties

Students and teachers with the best entrepreneurial business pitch ideas receive cash awards. In 2024, the program had $42,500 in sponsorship money.

What is a pitch competition?

Entrepreneurial teams consisting of three to five high school students each take the stage to pitch a business idea to a panel of business experts. This can be a high school class project led by a teacher, an after school project led by a volunteer, or a team formed by a group of individual students. There is no obligation or cost to the school or students who participate in this program. A Dare to Dream representative will be available to talk to all participants to assist them in preparing for the competition.

Contacts

If you have questions, contact:
Mike Thompson, Dare to Dream Coordinator
Amanda Hedrick, Executive Director SSU Kricker Innovation Hub

2025 Timeline of Events

November 2024
Letters of Intent are due. See HERE for more information.

February 2025
In-School competitions

February/March 2025
Ohio and Kentucky Semi-finals

March 4th 2024
Final Competition at the Kricker Innovation Hub

Sponsors

Glockner Enterprises

KFB the Better Bank

Appalachian Investor’s Alliance

Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation

Commercial Bank of Grayson Foundation

JAGS, Inc.

Holiday Inn and Towneplace Suites

Tom Wolf, McDonald’s

Ernest Pitt Jr.

VanArt Properties

Dr. Faith Knutsen