March 2024 Update:
Since the 7th grade, John Dellick has struggled with mental health issues, reaching the point where he nearly took his own life. Through this journey, John benefitted from the evidence-based practice, peer support, which gave him hope that things would get better.
To give more people access to peer support, Dellick has developed an app called Share + Solve. He is now working with Bounce Innovation Hub toward a beta launch in early May, in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week. Learn more here.
March 2023 Update:
John Dellick, now an MBA student, will serve as a mentor during the Community + Innovation + Technology Hackathon to be held Thursday, March 30th through Saturday, April 1st. "I was flattered as a past participant of Startup Vikes and in other entrepreneurship competitions to be asked to mentor fellow students," he said. "Working together to solve real issues facing Cleveland and Northeast Ohio communities will be challenging but rewarding. I look forward to sharing my expertise with the student participants in the Hackathon."
May 2022:
John Dellick, a senior Management major graduating this semester has participated in three different business idea competitions and won all three in just 1 academic year.
This Spring, John pitched his idea Share + Solve, a behavioral health app for youth positive influence, at the IdeaLabs competition hosted by the Entrepreneurship Education Consortium (EEC). John competed against students from 10 other universities and also at Ignite Open Mic Night, competing against entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio.
To participate in ideaLabs, John submitted a 3-minute elevator pitch video for the first round and was selected as a semi-finalist out of hundreds of submissions to pitch live and in-person at SmartShape.
From there, 10 businesses pitched, 5 were eliminated and then John was one of 5 students who provided a presentation that netted him second place overall in the competition. In addition to a cash prize to further his idea (courtesy of the EEC), he received a mentoring session at Jumpstart, but knows that he can rely on the staff in the Weston Ideation Lab at CSU too.
“I was really happy that Lynn Buchinsky, my professor in my Entrepreneurship class (MGT 443) came out and supported me at this event,” said John. “If it had not been for her, Share + Solve would not be a viable business idea. She pushed be to get involved.”
John also earned second place for Share + Solve at Ignite Open Mic Night in February of this year. Open Mic night was open to entrepreneurs from across the Northeast Ohio Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.
He was selected as one of 9 people to pitch his idea (narrowed down from hundreds of submissions) and was one of three college students at the final pitch competition – and he was also the youngest.
His pitch at Open Mic Night not only netted him a cash prize, but also a planner and a deeper connection with CSU alumna, Alysha Ellis who hosted the competition.
“After Fall 2021 semester, I connected with Alysha who encouraged me to take my idea to larger pitch competitions,” said John. “She was a big motivating factor in my decision to submit to the Ignite Open Mic Night.”
“To see that other people are buying in and see the potential of Share + Solve is encouraging,” John added.
John first pitched his concept, Share + Solve at Startup Vikes in Fall 2021. His team won not only first place, but also the “People’s Choice” award providing an extra bonus award. John also participated in the Every Film Is A Startup program, working alongside Film students on social justice documentaries.
John is currently trying to raise capital to further develop the Share + Solve app, as well as finishing his undergraduate degree. He will graduate with a BBA in Management this semester and has applied for the MBA program at CSU in the Fall.
A transfer student, he earned his Associates degree from Eastern Gateway in Youngstown. He wanted to continue to develop business and management skills which is why he transferred to CSU. He says the transition was easy!
“I have loved my time at Cleveland State,” John said. “I was concerned about leaving Youngstown and moving to Cleveland and leaving everything that was comfortable. It was a big step, but CSU supported me every step of the way.”
“My Math 149 study group and I still stay in touch and meet up to this day,” he added.
“All of the professors at CSU have been very supportive, especially during COVID,” John said. John has an immune deficiency disorder which put him at high risk for in-person classes and attending events. “I have received nothing love from the professors.”
“My business advisor Adam Hemminger found classes for me that I would enjoy that fit my schedule and that I enjoyed,” he added. “There is nothing the College of Business does not do well.”
“I would tell students who are contemplating CSU to pull the trigger. It’s a great experience, being downtown Cleveland is awesome and the business college has been top notch,” John said. “The Rec Center is also great.”
We hope to welcome back John as the CEO of Share + Solve in the future.