Making Entrepreneurs’ Dreams a Reality…
The U.S. Entrepreneurship Competition (USEC) at Ohio Wesleyan University is for student and professional entrepreneurs who seek to discover a path forward to make their startup dreams a reality.
Beginning July 15, 2025, entrepreneurs will be able to apply to compete in the USEC, Ohio’s largest entrepreneurship competition. Those selected to compete in either the student or professional track will present their ideas to a panel of seasoned and experienced judges on October 25, 2025, on the OWU campus. The winners will be announced that same day.
Any currently enrolled college student or 2025 college graduate in the United States is invited to compete in the student track. Entrepreneurs not enrolled collegiately are invited to compete in the professional division. Both will receive prize packages including a monetary investment in their companies. Visit Awards to learn more.
The competition is organized by the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University, a first-of-its-kind liberal arts business accelerator and the first-of-its-kind city, county, and educational institute partnership.
The 2025 USEC competition will conclude Ohio Wesleyan’s three-day Kickstart Ohio entrepreneurial conference, featuring Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak. Kickstart Ohio, a ticketed event, will be held from October 23-25, 2025, on the Ohio Wesleyan campus. (USEC competitors are not required to purchase tickets or attend Kickstart Ohio, but are invited to do both.)