Every spring the EEC sponsors ideaLabs, an idea competition where students from across the region compete for recognition as the regional champion. ideaLabs encourages all students, from all disciplines, to think about new venture ideas, apply the feasibility study methodology and answer the three key questions:
Is there a market?
Do the financials make sense?
What resources are necessary?
Each EEC member school holds its own campus idea competition to determine who will represent their institution at ideaLabs.
| Place | Name | School | Idea |
| 1 | Brian Nemire | Hiram College | Citrus Icer |
| 2 | Kevin Metz | Cleveland State University | Matchstick |
| 3 | Chimadika Okoye & Marie Brosovich | Case Western Reserve University | Swipe U-lock |
| Name | School | Idea |
| Bradley Metcalfe | Ashland University | Metcalfe Enterprises |
| Addison Carbone | Baldwin Wallace University | That Someone Special |
| Chimadika Okoye and Marie Brosovich | Case Western Reserve University | Swipe U-Lock |
| Kevin Metz | Cleveland State University | Matchstick |
| Bryan Nemire | Hiram College | Citrus Icer |
| Gloria Kaucic, Rebecca Sigler and Anthony Cobert | John Carroll University | StudyBuddy |
| Jake Wolfe | Kent State University | WolfeCon |
| Patrick Shelby and Danielle Blymier | Lake Erie College | In Her Sights |
| Alyssa (AJ) Nold, Matt Goebel and Adam Stackpole | University of Akron | Ohio Independent Cinema |
| Andrew Rothermel | University of Mt. Union | Rubber Cover |
| Judge | Affiliation |
| Dorothy C. Baunach | President Emeritus, NorTech |
| David Crain, Director | Entrepreneurial Services, MAGNET |
| John Dearborn | President, JumpStart Inc. |
| John Monter | Partner, Centre Partners Management |
| Barbara Morgan | Investment Associate, North Coast Angel Fund |
| Elise Saur | Manger, Transition Advisory Service, Ernst and Young |
| Charles Stack | Founder, FlashStarts.com |