ideaLabs

Hosted by the Entrepreneurship Education Consortium (EEC), an initiative powered by Young Entrepreneur Institute, ideaLabs brings together college students, educators, community leaders, and business professionals for an unforgettable evening of entrepreneurial energy.

Students compete in one of two tracks—Big Idea or Money Maker—with $10,000 in total prize money on the line. But the real value of ideaLabs goes far beyond the awards: the event fosters real-world skills, builds student confidence, and creates a regional community that believes in the power of young people to lead change.

2026 Winners

The Money Maker Track
Businesses actively generating revenue through sales

1st Place - Padless Controllers
Ava Kirschner
Baldwin Wallace University

2nd Place - Cleveland Laser Engraving
Andrew Selvaggio
John Carroll University

3rd Place - Color Couture
Sophia Dinsmore, Itzelle Guzman, Paige Kaltenbaugh
Ashland University

The Big Idea Track
Business ideas that are 18-months or newer and not yet generating revenue

1st Place - Ashland University College of Aeronautics
Abby Donofrio
Ashland University

2nd Place - Rain or Shine Nail Salon
Rain Wilson
Kent State University

3rd Place - SlickEasy
Ella Schneider and Haley Hightower
Ashland University