Ohio State opens 7,000 square foot hub for student startups

Ohio State University launched a new entrepreneurship initiative on Wednesday evening at Pomerene Hall. The event marked the official opening of BuildX, a program designed to support students from the initial idea stage through to investor readiness. University leaders gathered with students and local founders to outline the new resources available to student builders.

BuildX is based in a 7,000-square-foot space within Pomerene Hall. The university set a specific target for the program: launch 100 investable student startups annually by 2030. The initiative also seeks to increase investment in Ohio and expand the local startup ecosystem. The physical space is intended to function as a collaborative environment where teams can test concepts and meet with mentors.

Shereen Agrawal, Associate Vice President for Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship, described the location as a dedicated area for student builders to work and connect. Trevor Brown, the Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, called the space magical. Brown noted that neuroscience research suggests open, airy environments can stimulate innovation. He explained that combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on experimentation allows teams to move ideas from concept to implementation more quickly.

The program introduces a new curriculum starting in spring 2027. Students will have access to two new three-credit-hour BuildX startup labs. These courses will supplement the existing Intro to Software Startups class. One lab is open to any student validating a problem and developing an initial solution. The second lab is reserved for teams that have demonstrated they are ready to build and launch their ventures.

Participants will collaborate with current entrepreneurs, alumni, and local business leaders. Tim Keenan, an Ohio State alumnus and founder of the university's Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship, said the program connects students with peers across different academic disciplines. He described the room as a place where business students, technologists, and engineers can work together to solve problems and build revenue models.

Student teams who progress through the curriculum can join the BuildX Accelerator. Selected teams receive $15,000 in funding, embedded founder coaching, and access to investors. The accelerator ends with a Demo Day event where founders present their business ideas to supporters. Keenan told attendees that the resources are in place and the only remaining step is for students to take action.

The new space in Pomerene Hall is now active. The spring 2027 semester will be the first to offer the full BuildX curriculum. The university expects these changes to streamline the path for student entrepreneurs seeking to establish viable companies in the Ohio market.