Columbus
November 8-9, 2025
CCAD Design Studios on Broad (390 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215)
Overview
Welcome to GBH’s 24-Hour Hack, a new take on GBH’s flagship social innovation weekend.
Come build a business that makes a difference and earn up to $5K from The Columbus Foundation.
- Pitch your idea
- Form teams
- Start building (with help from us!)
- Win up to $5K to drive your venture forward
All tickets are pay-what-you-can, $15 suggested, $5 minimum. These include 4 meals, hands-on design and prototyping training, and helps us keep the event open to everyone. Don’t hesitate to chat with us if price is an issue.
GiveBackHack is generously supported by The Columbus Foundation and Columbus Code & Coffee.
FAQs
Will we be working 24 hours straight?
Nope. The event is split over two days. You’ll be building on Saturday and pitching on Sunday.
Do I have to pitch an idea?
Nope. You can pitch your own idea or join a team.
Do I have to submit my idea online prior to the event?
Unlike previous years, we don’t have the option to submit your idea online prior to the event. Instead, everyone will be going through a brainstorm exercise on Saturday that’ll help you prepare for your initial pitch.
Do all ideas have a chance at getting funded?
Not all ideas will move forward after initial pitches on Saturday. Once pitches are complete, we’ll vote for top ideas and form teams around the 4 – 7 ideas with the most votes. You must recruit at least three total team members (including the founder(s)) to move forward and have a chance at getting funded on Sunday. If your idea doesn’t move forward, you can join another team!
What types of entrepreneurs does GBH support?
While GBH most often works with technology startups, we support any organization (for- or non-profit) that incorporates non-negotiable social impact. Read more about types of social entrepreneurs here.
Schedule
Saturday, November 8
- 9:00am
- Doors open
- 9:30am
- Breakfast and introductions
- 10:00am
- Ideation session
- 11:00am
- Pitches and team formation
- 12:00pm
- Working lunch
- 2:00pm
- Mentor visits
- 3:00pm
- Free work (optional)
- 9:00pm
- Doors close
Sunday, November 9
- 10:00am
- Pitches due
- 11:00am
- Doors open
- 12:00pm
- Showcase begins
- 1:00pm
- Final pitches
- 1:30pm
- Awards announced
- 2:00pm
- Wrap it up!
Judges
Aaron Stamper
Donor Services Advisor, The Columbus Foundation
Aaron is a seasoned
Brian Suiter
Founder, Downeast Holdings
Brian is the founder of Downeast Holdings, a advisory firm that combines art, philanthropy, and real estate to transform the communities in which it works. He also founded Catalyst Columbus, a 501(c)(3) public-facing art organization, and serves on the Executive Committee for the Board of Lutheran Social Services, one of Ohio's largest nonprofit organizations.
Harley Blakeman
Founder and CEO of Honest Jobs
Harley Blakeman is the Founder and CEO of Honest Jobs - an employment platform helping people impacted by the criminal justice system find better jobs faster. As a for-profit social enterprise, Honest Jobs has raised $3M in venture capital and created a sustainable business model that's driving both scalable revenue and positive social impact. Harley also enjoys advising founders and organizations ... Read More »
Mentors
Amber Hunt
Business Systems Analyst, Huntington Bank
Amber is a Business Systems Analyst at Huntington Bank. Previously, she helped start Planting Life, a GiveBackHack company that helps gardeners plant native plants. She also has extensive experience in non-profits, including leading programs at SWAP Working Holidays and Harbourfront Centre.
Casey Calhoun
Founder, Ranz Calhoun
Casey is the founder of Ranz Calhoun, a software consulting firm for real estate developers and startups. Previously, he was a Senior Analyst at Crawford Hoying.
Doug Cichon
Senior Software Engineer, Angel Kids AI
Doug is the founder of Planting Life, a GiveBackHack company that helps gardeners grow native plants. He's also a senior engineer at Angel Kids AI and, previously, Stanson Health.
Priyam Khan
Project Manager, Accenture
Priyam is a project manager with over 15 years of experience in the public and private sector. Currently, she leads projects across multiple domains at Accenture. Previously, she was a Managing Consultant at Guidehouse and Director of Community and Legislative Strategies at CelebrateOne.
Stephanie Navarro Lopez
Founder, Freedom Pipeline
Stephanie is the founder of Freedom Pipeline, a GiveBackHack and SEA Change alumni that
Nathan Minns
Professional Speaker, Nathan Minns International
Nathan is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, improviser, and creator of Pivot Pitch. He has worked with teams across five continents, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, to improve their communication using principles from improv comedy.
Event Sponsors
Lead Sustaining Sponsor
The Columbus Foundation is dedicated to strengthening and enriching the Central Ohio community through impactful philanthropy and community-driven solutions. Guided by our core values of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, we are committed to supporting initiatives that create lasting change. Our investment in social enterprises exemplifies this commitment, as we believe in the power of entrepreneurial solutions to address complex social issues. Partnering with organizations like GiveBackHack, we aim to empower changemakers to transform visionary ideas into real-world impacts, improving lives and fostering a brighter future for all.
Key Sustainability Partners
Community Leaders
Event Partners
Media Partners
Directions & Parking
Free parking is available in the CCAD lot directly east of Cleveland Avenue!
Facilitators
Owen Myers leads education programs for GiveBackHack, which have reached over a thousand students since 2022. Previously, he was the founder of TeachTo, a GBH-backed edtech startup, and an associate researcher for the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.
Adam is the Community Impact Lead for GiveBackHack, where he oversees community events and programs that empower social entrepreneurs. A co-founder of Wild Tiger Tees, Adam brings his extensive experience in technology and social innovation to his role, guiding teams to create impactful solutions for social issues. He also hosts two podcasts, People Helping People and Green Champions, which focus on ... Read More »
Organizers
Owen Myers leads education programs for GiveBackHack, which have reached over a thousand students since 2022. Previously, he was the founder of TeachTo, a GBH-backed edtech startup, and an associate researcher for the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.
Adam is the Community Impact Lead for GiveBackHack, where he oversees community events and programs that empower social entrepreneurs. A co-founder of Wild Tiger Tees, Adam brings his extensive experience in technology and social innovation to his role, guiding teams to create impactful solutions for social issues. He also hosts two podcasts, People Helping People and Green Champions, which focus on ... Read More »
The ebullient Suzy Bureau (as she was referred to in TechCrunch) is dedicated to building impactful communities & products. Suzy is the Founder of GiveBackHack, an organization that helps bridge the gap between tech & social impact communities through the integration of Lean Startup/Design Thinking. GiveBackHack comes to life via a volunteer-based team of 50+ and has helped vet over 100 social ... Read More »
Lydia Stutzman
Art Director & Designer, Lydiary Design
Lydia is the senior graphic designer at AndHealth and has over 10 years of experience working with nonprofits, social enterprises, and startups. She is on the boards for the Columbus Center for Architecture and Design (CFAD) and Columbus Society of Communicating Arts (CSCA).
Clayton Nelson
IT Specialist, Office of the Ohio Attorney General
Clayton is a versatile professional with a background spanning hospitality, tech, real estate, and finance. His career journey began in hospitality, where he honed his customer-centric approach, and he transitioned into the tech startup ecosystem, igniting his passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. In real estate and finance, Clayton excelled in strategic thinking and risk management. However, ... Read More »
Mason Dorrian
Staff Accountant, GRF CPAs & Advisors
Mason is a Staff Accountant at GRF CPAs & Advisors and a CPA candidate.
Noel Castillon
Co-Founder, Columbus Code & Coffee
Noel is the co-founder of Columbus Code & Coffee and a Technical Support Engineer at Buckeye Innovation.
Wesley Giles
AI Full Stack Software Engineer, CoverMyMeds
Wesley Giles is the founder of SeraphDev and an full-stack engineer at CoverMyMeds.
Shah Syed
Staff Software Engineer, Gap Inc.
Shah is Staff Software Engineer at Gap Inc.
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