2026 Central Ohio Showcase Event Awards!
On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 121 changemakers, community supporters, and impact-driven founders gathered at Rev1 at the Peninsula in Columbus, Ohio to celebrate the next wave of local Social Enterprises at the 2026 Central Ohio Showcase Event.
The evening featured 15 businesses, inspiring pitches, local food, cake pops, and a little friendly competition for the Crowd Favorite Award and other cash and in-kind awards.
The ecosystem of support for Social Entrepreneurs in Central Ohio continues to inspire us every year!
SEA Change Showcase Events are the grand finale of our 14-module accelerator program. Graduating participants and selected Spotlight Presenters pitch their sustainable financial model & measurable social impact to a crowd of supporters.
2026 Event Sponsors
Crowd Favorite Award Winner
949 votes were cast for this year’s Central Ohio Crowd Favorite award! 100% of donations raised from this event—both online and in-person—went straight into the hands of the venture who received the most votes.
Thanks to 99 donors, a cash prize pot of $2,345 was built. After the event, an anonymous donor match doubled the award—making it the largest Crowd Favorite award in our 10-year history!
After all the cheers and clicks, the winning business was:
PRETTY TALK LLC
$4,690
Spotlight Presenter Awards
Seven Social Enterprises were are at a point in their journey where it would benefit them to tell more of their story in front of a live audience. Here’s what each was awarded in cash and in-kind support:
HelpNet Solutions
$3,000 CASH + a prototyping lead from The Well CDC
The Gathering of Black Women
$5,000 CASH + $2,000 legal package from Yocum Law
PRETTY TALK LLC
$7,500 CASH
Homegroup
$15,000 CASH + $7,895 package development from Bellwanzo Brand Marketing
Nurse Angela LLC
$16,000 CASH + $7,895 startup collateral package from Bellwanzo Brand Marketing + $1,000 strategic partnership package from Cloud9 Management Services
Barley Moon Botanicals
$18,500 CASH + $7,895 package development from Bellwanzo Brand Marketing + $2,000 legal package from Yocum Law
Frisch Family Farms
$20,000 CASH
In-kind Awards
Thanks to these generous partners, each venture received in-kind support to help them take their next step forward. Here’s what they received:
Hunger Helper
$1,000 8-hour consulting package including IP protection and legal structure support from Greater Columbus Consulting LLC
Sharks & Lilies
$585 3-hour consulting package from Bellwanzo Brand Marketing
Enuva
$150 technology consulting package with Dan Rockwell + pitching opportunity with SparkWorks Innovation
Kindfulness
$125 consulting package for business development from Greater Columbus Consulting LLC
Inspired Finances
$125 consulting package to build community partnerships from Greater Columbus Consulting LLC
Mother’s Trust Alliance
Priceless connections with Mollard Consulting, Cause Impact, and The Tony R. Wells Foundation
2026 Partners & Supporters
Thank you attendees!
To the 518 people who registered, voted, or attended this event to support these Social Entrepreneurs… THANK YOU!
