LaunchNET Kent State University

We recently launched our Alumni Cohort with a welcome reception for our Alumni Morgan Startup Grant recipients. Every time we get our entrepreneurs together, we see so much support and excitement between the founders and it’s a great reminder to us all of why programming like this is so important.

We’re grateful to Burton D. Morgan Foundation for being able to support our Kent State alumni entrepreneurs through Morgan Startup Grant funding and aim to continue supporting KSU alumni entrepreneurs as LaunchNET clients through our cohort program launching this fall.

Special shoutout to Anne Johnson, founder and CEO of Anne Cate, for being our guest speaker!

Thank you to everyone that attended and congratulations to the Morgan Startup grant recipients! We look forward to connecting further and growing this community.

🔸On that note, we are currently accepting more alumni entrepreneurs into the cohort. If you would like to join or learn more, contact us at [email protected] 🔸

As part of our offerings we support , and one way we do this is with Morgan Startup Grants!

Morgan Startup Grants allow Kent State alumni entrepreneurs with Ohio-based and Ohio-registered businesses to request up to❗$3,000❗to support their ventures.

Applications are currently open and close on Friday, May 31st.
Eligibility, requirements, and application: https://www.kent.edu/launchnet/alumni

Kent State University Alumni Burton D. Morgan Foundation

In case you missed it, we're currently in the process of hiring a new Assistant Director for LaunchNET Kent State University!

If you (or someone you know) enjoys a dynamic work environment, supporting upcoming entrepreneurs, and creating new solutions — apply below!

Assistant Director, LaunchNET | Kent State University Libraries LaunchNET Kent State University seeks an entrepreneurial and collaborative Assistant Director to join our team. LaunchNET is a department within University Libraries that helps Kent State students, faculty/staff, and alumni transform their ideas into thriving businesses, successful projects, or inno...

Grant opportunity for all Kent State University Alumni entrepreneurs!

Thanks to generous support from Burton D. Morgan Foundation, we will award microgrants to alumni entrepreneurs who apply and meet the criteria.

🔸 Grants range from $500-3,000
🔸 Businesses must be Ohio-based
🔸 Must be revenue generating with $200K or less in gross revenue
🔸 Do not need to be a LaunchNET client prior to applying

Learn more and submit an application: https://www.kent.edu/launchnet/alumni

Julia was instrumental in helping deliver our vision for the 10 Year Celebration. From concept to ex*****on it was so interesting seeing the design process and the results really captured LaunchNET's character.

Read more about the project and meet Julia!

We love hearing the new ideas students have across campus and this event does a great job of showcasing all those innovators 😊

Young Entrepreneurs Learn the Ups and Downs of Elevator Pitches The event gives students a chance to practice their public speaking skills before they enter real-world business situations.

Recap from our 10 year celebration and the unveiling of our Entrepreneurship Suite that happened yesterday! 🧡 A special thank you to Burton D. Morgan Foundation!

We would like to invite you to our 10 year anniversary event and the unveiling of the new Burton D. Morgan Foundation Entrepreneurship Suite! The evening will feature a client showcase, gallery exhibit, guest speakers, hors d’oeuvres and drinks! 🥂 Burton D. Morgan Foundation

🗓: Thursday, Oct.20 | 4-6pm
RSVP:

Survey - Burton D. Morgan Unveiling and LaunchNET Anniversary - Kent State University You are invited to join us for the unveiling of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation Entrepreneurship Suite in the Design Innovation Hub and celebration of LaunchNET’s 10-year anniversary at Kent State University.

We’re celebrating 10 years of LaunchNET at Kent State University! Over the past decade we’ve helped over 2,100 members of the university community pursue their entrepreneurial ventures, established valuable programming, and connected with inspiring individuals.

Check out the full story to learn more about our different initiatives, hear from our clients, and join us for our upcoming celebratory events: https://www.kent.edu/kent/news/kent-states-launchnet-marks-10-years-helping-clients-pursue-their-dreams-and-turn-their
Burton D. Morgan Foundation

The College of the Arts is thrilled to announce that it will once again present Art Without Limits, a day-long event focusing on arts entrepreneurship and developing an entrepreneurial mindset in the arts, on October 7, 2022 on the campus of Kent State University. The program is presented in partnership with LaunchNET Kent State University, Kent State University's Arts Entrepreneurship Student Organization, and the Arts Entrepreneurship Podcast: Making Art Work. More information will be posted soon at https://www.kent.edu/artscollege/art-without-limits.

StarAndia Johnson is a former LaunchNET client and Black Women Bosses participant. She launched her fashion brand (Starandia J. LLC) as a student at Kent State and recently got featured in VoyageOhio magazine!

Check out her interview and see how she got started: https://voyageohio.com/interview/community-highlights-meet-starandia-johnson-of-starandia-j/

Community Highlights: Meet StarAndia Johnson of StarAndia J. - Voyage Ohio Magazine Today we’d like to introduce you to StarAndia Johnson. Hi StarAndia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. I was inspired by my love of fashion and natural dyes! I enrolled in natural dyes classes at Kent State University in my undergrad years and quickly t...

Spreadsheet.com has been a huge asset to LaunchNET when keeping things organized and developing our programs. Read more below on how our Assistant Director, Tabitha Messmore, has made the most of this resource!

Kent State | Spreadsheet.com Customer Stories How Kent State’s LaunchNET Program Uses Spreadsheet.com to Improve Workflows

Last Friday, Darby Harris and Lindsay Erbaugh stopped by the DI Hub to visit the i3 Lab, which was created in honor of their father, Martin (Marty) Erbaugh. Marty was an entrepreneur and longtime advisor to LaunchNET, and his legacy continues with launch of the i3 pilot program.

This semester, five student entrepreneur teams are participating in the pilot program. Through i3, these teams are provided with physical office space on campus, access to machines for prototyping, and connections to resources to build out their business plans. We are so glad we have the support to share this opportunity with the students and excited to see what comes next for the space.

Kent State Design Innovation Burton D. Morgan Foundation

Congrats Aniya!! 🎉🎉🎉
A LaunchNET client and part of our pilot I3 Lab cohort as well!!

Interested in a Summer or Fall internship with the Women's Center?

Our internship application is now open!!

“[It’s important] that they walk away feeling like, hey, there's someone else who gets this, who understands what's happening in my world, even if it's not exactly the same as my situation,”

https://www.kentwired.com/latest_updates/article_5cf05b50-9029-11ec-a720-bb709baae322.html

Starandia J. LLC

Kent State graduate gives advice to starting a business at All the CEO Ladies event Creating clothing dyes out of natural products, making fashion more sustainable and imposter syndrome in the business world were just a few of the topics discussed at the virtual All

LaunchNET Kent State University updated their website address.

What an exciting week at the DI Hub! We had over 100 high school students visit us to learn about LaunchNET and , explore their creative sides, and develop their story telling skills. Thank you to everyone who joined us, we hope to see you at Kent State soon!

"My business is important to me because not only is it a way for me to express myself, but it is also a way for me to connect to the world and encourage others to be uniquely them." We recently had the chance to learn more about Starandia J. LLC and how her business encompasses all her passions and values 🦄✨

Read the full story and join All the CEO Ladies tonight to hear from StarAndia herself: https://www.kent.edu/launchnet/news/client-profile-starandia-johnson

Client Profile: StarAndia Johnson | Kent State University Client Profile: StarAndia Johnson | LaunchNET Kent State launchnet, client profile, student entrepreneur, fashion, entrepreneurship | A client who values community and works to support those around her.

So excited to see our clients growing and succeeding!!

is happening this Friday, February 4th! This free event will showcase a variety of speakers to inspire and educate creative entrepreneurs.

This event will be in-person at the DI Hub with virtual streaming options available. Check out the full list of speakers and register: https://www.kent.edu/artscollege/event/art-without-limits

Art Without Limits is happening on Friday, February 4th! This free event is open to the public and catered towards creative entrepreneurs in the region.

We will be hosting this event in-person at the DI Hub with virtual streaming options available. View a full list of speakers and register: https://www.kent.edu/artscollege/event/art-without-limits

We are partnering with to support at with the ArtsLAUNCH! 2022 grant competition!

Students can submit proposals in one of two categories for the chance to win funding for their art projects. Applications are due next Tuesday, January 18th by 4:59pm. Link in the bio for more info and to apply!

Thank you Burton D. Morgan for the continued support and this amazing grant opportunity!

Excited to officially be part of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation Entrepreneurship Suite 😄👏

Kent State Design Innovation
https://www.bdmorganfdn.org/news/burton-d-morgan-foundation-awards-entrepreneurship-grants-15-colleges-and-universities

Burton D. Morgan Foundation Awards Entrepreneurship Grants to 15 Colleges and Universities in Northeast Ohio | Burton D. Morgan Foundation Burton D. Morgan Foundation Awards Entrepreneurship Grants to 15 Colleges and Universities in Northeast Ohio Burton D. Morgan Foundation Trustees held a special meeting in November to approve an additional round of grants totaling nearly $1 million to bolster the Northeast Ohio entrepreneurial ecosy...

We are working to create new opportunities for Black women on campus with , an “entrepreneurship and leadership program for Black, female student entrepreneurs.”

This program not only focuses on tactile skills, but it also emphasizes finding positive partnerships in , especially in spaces that are dominated by white males.

http://www.kentwired.com/latest_updates/article_d8af2c70-594d-11ec-bad3-73e1de69e82e.html

LaunchNET program looks to uplift Black women in business LaunchNET is working to create new opportunities for Black women on campus. Founded by Tabitha Messmore, assistant director of LaunchNET at Kent S­­tate, and Alicia Robinson, former assistant director of

Check out our newest blog post on how to balance being a student and an entrepreneur! Student entrepreneur and LaunchNET employee 🙌, Angelique Wong, talks about what she’s learned in the process and some advice on how to stay organized and reach your goals.

https://launchblog.mystrikingly.com/blog/9-tips-for-balancing-being-a-student-entrepreneur

9 Tips for Balancing Being a Student Entrepreneur Being a student and an entrepreneur is no easy feat. It is tough to balance work and school let alone running a business. When embarking on this “adVenture” there will be many twis

All the CEO Ladies is taking place this Wednesday and we're talking about Creativity & Confidence! Join us, the Women's Center, and other female entrepreneurs at 5:30pm at the Women's Center.

Register for the meeting here: http://ksulaunch.net/ACL-register2021

Women Biz Wednesday

For the next 5 weeks All the CEO Ladies will be spotlighting 5 fabulous women owned businesses that not only celebrate women entrepreneurs but show that leading is more than ME. These organizations and those who lead them "lift while they rise" being aware of the opportunity to not only run amazing businesses but to positively impact their communities and create sustainable change

We hope you will join us in celebrating them by sharing our posts and by putting your money where your values are. There are several holidays on the horizon and times to gather with friends and family. All our posts will share information about how to get involved and support these organizations. We also encourage you to share other women owned/run businesses that are important to you and your communities.