

Bobcat Seed Fund
The Center for Entrepreneurship exists to help students from anywhere in the OHIO community get relevant, authentic experience and make an impact – as innovators, entrepreneurs, and social-change makers. Nothing the Center does better exemplifies that purpose than the Bobcat Seed Fund.
Established in the fall of 2018, the Bobcat Seed Fund is operated by students for students. Student entrepreneurs – from any major, any college, undergrad, or graduate student – can apply for grants up to $3,000 to start or grow their new ventures. Applications are reviewed and evaluated by an investment committee made up entirely of students. The process is competitive – not all applications can receive funding – but the seed fund team and the Center try to help all who apply.
Since its inception, the Bobcat Seed Fund has supported a variety of different business ventures, giving its recipients new opportunities to jump-start their careers, graduate debt-free, or enter emerging markets. We are proud of all of our recipients. Our biggest win to date is Matt Benson and eFuse – which won the seed fund’s first grant, has raised $7.4MM to date, and is enjoying explosive growth.
On the Student Investment Committee, we’ve been fortunate to have some of the best and brightest at OHIO be part of that team. Our alumni are early in great careers at places like Apple, Citi, Dell, the Ohio Innovation Fund, Salesforce, K1 Operations, Yale and the University of Michigan (for grad school), and more…
See below to learn more about the Bobcat Seed Fund’s prior investments and the Student Investment Committee.
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eFuseMatt BensonOHIO 2019
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The Cell FixersDrew JonesOHIO 2020
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The Sun Room SkirtsMary Grace MonzelOHIO 2018 (BA) 2019 (MBA)
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Athena PublishingNate FinleyOHIO 2021
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DAHSHURMichael SniderOHIO 2021
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AuguryPhiwe Shongwe & Devin WistendahlOHIO 2019
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OverdoseTony PapeOHIO 2021
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In Fear ofAnnie MuscarellaOHIO 2023
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Ornery Vets CafeMercadies GeorgeOHIO 2022
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So In Hair Extensions Co.Payton GrigsbyOHIO 2022
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Turner Hockey DevelopmentSam TurnerOHIO 2023
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Leanna's LensLeanna SiupinysOHIO 2021
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Mullinberg LandscapingCooper MullenOHIO 2024
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Anderson Automotive and FabricationEric AndersonOHIO 2023
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Swartz Fabrication & RepairGage SwartzOHIO 2022
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Social RoarBryce RohrerOHIO 2022
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Isaac AblemanAccounting & Finance
OHIO 2022
Hometown: Dallas, TX -
Chase McCorkleMarketing & Business Analytics with Global Leadership certificate
OHIO 2022
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA -
Reece Mclanahan-SchluepFinance & Business Analytics
OHIO 2023
Hometown: GreenField, OH -
Jillian MoormanFinance & Business Analytics
OHIO 2023
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio -
Kodjo HughesEngineering, Technology & Management
OHIO 2022
Hometown: Athens, OH -
Emily DenglerCommunications Studies
OHIO 2022
Hometown: Circleville, OH
About the Bobcat Seed Fund
The Bobcat Seed Fund is provided by Ohio University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and is available to all current Ohio University students regardless of their major or field of study. The Fund Provides grants to current Ohio University students or student teams who have identified a business opportunity or, preferably, have already started a business and can demonstrate several important things:
- Team: A talented founder or team of founders who can demonstrate commitment, relevant experience and skills, and passion for their business idea or proposal
- Business Description: A clear and concise statement of the business opportunity and idea
- Value Proposition: A compelling statement of the business “value proposition.” Why should a customer buy this particular good or service? What is the unique or differentiating benefit to the target customer or market?
- Target Market: Description of the target customer or user and the size of the need or problem being addressed by the business. Why is this an attractive market (segment of users)? What market segments will you pursue?
- Goals: What are the short-term and long-term goals for the business? What milestones do you hope to achieve?
- Use of Funds: What is the proposed use of funds and what objectives would the money, goods, or services help the team achieve? Examples might include legal or accounting services, creation of a prototype, website, or software development.
Investment Committee Alumni:
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Brian BakerBusiness Analytics, Management Information Systems & Sport Management
OHIO 2019
Hometown: Athens, OH -
Evan BerrymanFinance & Entrepreneurship
OHIO 2019 -
Rachel CogginsEntrepreneurship & Finance
OHIO MBA 2021
Hometown: Vermillion, OH
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Carolyn FishmanComputer Science, Psychology & Spanish minor
OHIO MSA 2021
Hometown: Chicago, IL
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Patrick KelleyMarketing
OHIO 2019
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH -
Mackenzie KremerFinance, Analytics, & Economics
OHIO 2020
Hometown: Sugar Grove, OH -
Alexis LanierElectrical & Electronics Engineering
OHIO 2020
Hometown: Lancaster, OH -
Grant LehmanFinance & International Business
OHIO 2020
Hometown: Marietta, OH
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Mozika MalobaFinance
OHIO 2019
Hometown: New York, NY
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Molly MarekMolly MarekCeramics & Graphic Design with Marketing minor
OHIO 2022
Hometown: Columbus, OH -
Claire McGeePublic Health & Spanish
OHIO 2021
Hometown: Athens, OH
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Morgan ParkerFinance & Business Analytics
OHIO 2020
Hometown: Willoughby, OH -
Shayla PhillipSport Administration & Communications Minor
OHIO MBA 2021
Hometown: Charleston, SC
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Nick ShambaughSport Management & Marketing
OHIO MBA 2021
Hometown: Concord, OH
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Sierra SmithFinance & Business Analytics
OHIO 2020
Hometown: Cleveland, OH -
Azure StevensEntrepreneurship & Analytics with Marketing Minor
OHIO 2019
Hometown: Columbus, OH