We coach Kent State founders, innovators, dreamers, and doers!
The latest & greatest from LaunchNET Kent State
Creating a community of Kent State makers, innovators, creators, collaborators, and business owners.
CONGRATULATIONS to our Elevator Pitch winners!
Over 30 students pitched themselves or a business idea in the Library elevator last night! There were quite a few FANTASTIC pitches, which made it hard on the judges.

Four winners went home with $300 checks:
  • Sarah Suntheimer
  • Brianne Cotton
  • Cliford Fumbui
  • Jillian Eddy
Thanks also to our judges: Leanne Cannon, Shanisha Collins, and Mark Salem! 
DIVAS WITH A DREAM RETREAT 2019
Leanne Cannon, friend of LaunchNET & one of our Elevator Pitch 2019 judges, has generously offered a special deal for our students!

You are invited to the DIVAS WITH A DREAM "Let it GO!" RETREAT this Saturday, September 21st for FREE!

Just pay for your own lunch/dinner, and you can partake in this awesome, mindset-shifting and life-transforming retreat.

In addition to a number of in-depth workshops, there is a swimming pool and hot tub where we can soak, float, relax and chat! There is also a wonderful hiking trail, where we can all enjoy fresh air.  

Seating is limited, so you need to call or text Leanne in advance if you would like to attend: (330) 400-9814
learn more about the weekend's agenda
FINAL CALL: The Commons is coming back to Akron!
Final call for Kent State students from any discipline to participate in The Commons Akron Innovation Accelerator Program at Bounce Innovation Hub (9/28, 9/29 and 10/19 from 10 AM – 4 PM each day).  Awesome opportunity for students who want to learn about innovation while working on meaningful projects with well-known northeast Ohio companies!

Find out why we have students & mentors signing up to do it AGAIN!
learn more & apply today!
Join us for PUPPETS & PITCHES at the Kent Creativity Festival!
The annual Kent Creativity Festival provides an opportunity for people of all ages and skill levels to come together to create, share and explore the creation of all forms of art.

LaunchNET is partnering with the KSU Theatre Department to present PUPPETS & PITCHES! Come find us on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the Lester A. Lefton Esplanade
read more about the event
The Entrepreneur Life: A LaunchNET workshop series
"Let's talk about the real-life stuff of entrepreneurship"

STARTS OCT. 2!
Wednesdays from 2-3pm, in the LaunchNET office

Gather with other KSU entrepreneurs to learn, converse, and share. Speakers & snacks!

Watch this space for more info!! 
SkyHack Design Challenge
Are you ready for another SkyHack?  SkyHack is a weekend long event in which students will come together to provide a solution to a challenge or “pain point” relating to the aviation industry.

November 1-3, 2019
Open to students 18 years of age or older from any US college or university, in any area of study.
learn more & sign up
Kent Hack Enough: September 27-29
This is our 8th KHE!
Whether you're totally new to tech & design or a seasoned pro, come spend a weekend making something great with us!
learn more & sign up
PITCH U: Elevator Pitch Competition - Saturday, October 5, 2019
On October 5th, you will:
• Learn how to deliver a winning pitch
• Develop an elevator pitch for your business idea
• Pitch to a panel of early stage investors
• Compete for a chance to win prize money!
First Prize: $4500
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For & About Clients
Client
CONGRATULATIONS!! To our clients Katie Kimble & Anne Skoch, who both have items available for purchase in the Kent Campus Bookstore!! 
Accounting help is Back!
Not sure if you need a vendor's license?
Need help setting up your bookkeeping? 
Have another business finance question?
Sign up to get FREE help in the LaunchNET office!
Limitless Ambition 2019 Fall Social and Fundraiser
Limitless Ambition 2019 Fall Social and Fundraiser
Thursday, October 24, 2019 at The Mustard Seed Market and Cafe, Akron
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Help a fellow LaunchNET client!
Recent KSU alum Carrie Esser is competing for the title of NYX Professional Makeup's 2019 Artist of the Year.

Vote for Carrie Esser at www.faceawards.com every day September 23 - 27!
3 votes per email account
Bookmark the page!
Around the Ecosystem
Dr. Mae Jemison, the first woman of color in the world to go into space, served six years as a NASA astronaut. An engineer, entrepreneur, physician and educator, Jemison is at the forefront of integrating the physical and social sciences with art and culture to solve problems and foster innovation.
Do you live or own a business in Stark County? 
Pitch your idea/business in front of your fellow entrepreneurs and get real-time constructive feedback from our panel of experts.
Start in CLE September Founder Dinner  Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Market Garden Brewery, Cleveland
Stop the Press! How to Get Media Coverage for Your Business  at LaunchHouse Lakewood
Learn best practices for getting press for your business from working journalist and editor Jen Jones Donatelli.
HAkron 4K is the University of Akron's FOURTH annual Hackathon. 
If you want to make something cool, this is the place to do it! Not only do we want you to succeed, we're going to help you do it.
THINKBIG: Employment & Entrepreneurship at Kent State Stark 
THINKBIG is a day of county-wide community conversations. Organized by Stark Community Foundation and Strengthening Stark, the inaugural event is designed to give residents a voice and bring people together to brainstorm solutions to community needs while celebrating the good in Stark County.
Women's Entrepreneurship Day Cleveland – Produced and hosted by Prosper for Purpose
Other Competitions & Opportunities
For undergraduate or graduate college/university students with a company: operating for at least 6 months with at least $500 in generated revenue.
Local & National winners!
Every year, the VentureWell E-Teams Grant Program awards over $650,000 total in grant funding to early-stage science and tech student startups who are on the path to launching innovations with a social, health, or environmental impact.

The Lemelson-MIT Student Prize honors promising collegiate inventors around the country. The Student Prize is open to teams of undergraduate students and individual graduate students who have technology-based inventions.
Deadline: Sep 27 2019 11:59 PM (EDT)
Learning Corner
Why College Is The Best Time To Become An Entrepreneur

If you are determined to start a business early in life, college could be the best place to do it.

Read More
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