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 high school students to entrepreneurial heroes in our local region and encourages them to dream of becoming one in the future.
Dare to Dream Pitch Competition Final is March 3, 2026. Qualifying teams from across the region will compete for prizes.
2026 Dare to Dream Pitch Competition
The Dare to Dream Pitch Competition will celebrate its 12th year with the 2026 event scheduled for March 3, 2026, at 6PM 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 2025, the program included $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.
2026 Timeline of Events
November 2025
Letters of Intent are due. Click HERE for more information.
February 2026
In-School competitions
February/March 2026
Ohio and Kentucky Semi-finals
March 3, 2026
Final Competition at the Kricker Innovation Hub
Contacts
If you have questions, contact:
Mike Thompson, Dare to Dream Coordinator
Amanda Hedrick, Executive Director, SSU Kricker Innovation Hub
Sponsors
Glockner Enterprises
KFB the Better Bank
Appalachian Investor’s Alliance
Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation
Commercial Bank of Grayson Foundation
Holiday Inn and Towneplace Suites
Tom Wolf, McDonald’s
Ernest Pitt Jr.
VanArt Properties
2025 Winners!
Unbridled Creations
Russell High School
