Resources
The University of Cincinnati and the greater Cincinnati entrepreneurial ecosystem offers an array of resources to help you ideate, develop, launch and grow your business or nonprofit
idea. Check out these (mostly free) resources to get started.
University Entrepreneurial Resources
1819 Innovation Hub
The 1819 Innovation Hub, located in the Cincinnati Innovation District, offers a host of programs and services to help you develop a business, prototype a product idea and explore your entrepreneurial skills with leading industry partners.
Legal Services
The College of Law offers two legal clinics where aspiring entrepreneurs can gain assistance on legally organizing their business and crafting contracts to helping founders protect any intellectual property they may need to secure.
Student Organizations and Programs
Several campus organizations and programs offer the opportunity for students to further their entrepreneurial mindset.
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) offers several ways for engineering students to increase their entrepreneurial education including an undergraduate co-op experience that is delivered in partnership with the Center for Entrepreneurship.
College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning
The College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) offers several programs and student organizations whose interests intersect with entrepreneurship.
Other Campus Resources
These additional resources can assist you in getting your idea off the ground.
Other Entrepreneurial Resources
Cincinnati Accelerators and Incubators
Cincinnati Early Funding Sources
Online Resources
To be continued...
Books to Get You Started
To be continued...
Consulting Program
Small Business Institute
The University of Cincinnati is a charter member of The Small Business Institute® (SBI) program and The Small Business Institute Directors’ Association (SBIDA). Located in the Carl H. Lindner College of Business, the SBI facilitates a mutual exchange between students who want to learn more about small business and entrepreneurship, and organizations that want to further their success.
The program is focused on providing customized, confidential management consulting to Greater Cincinnati businesses, and creating a meaningful learning experience for students interested in entrepreneurship, small business, and corporate ventures.
Pitch Competition
IQ Elevator Pitch Competition
Have you ever thought about a new, innovative idea for a product, service or social enterprise? Do you believe it could be the basis for a successful new start-up? Then submit your idea for the next big thing to the University of Cincinnati Innovation Quest Elevator Pitch Competition for the chance to earn part of $20,000 in awards!
Inventors and entrepreneurs of all kinds commonly have to request support from investors to raise capital in order to commercialize their ideas and launch start-up ventures. The IQ E-Pitch competition simulates this experience so students gain real-world experience of what it would like to bring an business idea to fruition.
Idea Development
Bearcat Launchpad
Bearcat Launchpad is a 5-week business model development program for early-stage students to build their venture idea. Each week, students learn the fundamentals of how to build and test a business model and implement what they learn through the development of their own pitch deck and presentation. Students completing the program will be eligible to apply for a $500 Spark grant, powered by the Fealy Bearcat Bridge Fund, to test and develop their venture further, and will be prepared to apply to the 1819 Innovation Hub’s Venture Lab accelerator where they can receive additional entrepreneurial training, mentorship and up to $5,000 in funding.