Wright Venture

The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is proud to present our third annual Wright Venture student business plan competition. The Wright Venture program, sponsored by the James Family Student Entrepreneurial Program, the Raj Soin College of Business, and the Wright State University Foundation is a fast-paced learning opportunity where Wright State University students compete to win startup funding to help make their business concepts come to life. This innovative program transforms students into entrepreneurs through a hands-on coaching curriculum including special workshop sessions with the Small Business Development Center, free business planning consultations, and one-on-one mentorships with leaders in our business community. 

After weeks of research and planning, three student teams have risen above to become this year’s Wright Venture finalists! Congratulations: Forrest Whitaker, Robert Smith, Kenneth Adams, and Gabriel Tamborski!

The race towards the Wright Venture on-stage finale has already begun. Each of the finalist teams now has a formal pitch video published to our official YouTube channel. The team with the most likes by March 27th will win the special Leader of the Pack challenge. Help support your favorite teams by driving as many likes to their videos as possible before March 27th.  Every like counts, both on YouTube (through your Google account) and Facebook. To stay up-to-date with all the latest video content published by the Raj Soin College of Business, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

This year, we also welcome back four of the previous Wright Venture contestants who remain in business today: Galatune, Fat Bombs Nutrition, Shady Lake Visionaries and Just Modern Tees. Check out their videos below to see what these incredible student startups have been up to since their debut on Wright Venture. You'll also have a chance to show your support by visiting their vendor booths and having the option to purchase their products throughout the Wright Venture event.

Mark your calendars, the Wright Venture Finale is almost here. Those of you who cannot attend the event in person will be able to view the event live online here.