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 3 free meals, GBH swag, 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.
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.
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 & Mentors
The list of mentors and judges will be added soon!
Sign up for our mailing list in the footer below to stay in-the-loop.
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.
Event Partners
Community Advocates
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.
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).
Copyright © 2014-2025 GiveBackHack, the launchpad for social impact - Founded 2014.