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.
Partner Profile: Austin Briggs
We recently chatted with Kent State alum Austin Briggs, who was the first speaker for this semester's Build Your Own Brand (BYOB) cohort on Wednesday evening. 
Great advice from a KSU alum entrepreneur
BYOB: Build Your Own Brand!
Build Your Own Brand: Confidence & Skills for Your Career Speaker & workshop series

Next Session: Wednesday March 4!

BYOB is a series of speakers & workshops designed specifically for underrepresented minority students to build their career confidence, personal brand, and potential for entrepreneurship! 
Find out more & apply
The Entrepreneur Life: Wednesdays at 3pm!
Starts February 5!

Javon Miller, student entrepreneur and LaunchNET Fellow, will host a discussion about the "real life" stuff of being a young entrepreneur.
It's not just about your business (or business idea!), it's about your life.

A new topic each week!
2020 Idea Olympics
Kent State, pitch your business idea or concept for a chance to win $4,000 (across multiple categories) in seed funding.
Leanr more & Apply!
All the CEO Ladies meetup
Wednesday, February 19
5:30-7pm
at the Women's Center

February's meeting will be a conversation with a panel of Kent State female entrepreneurs about working on your vision and juggling all the different aspects of building your dream. 
rsvp for Feb 19
The Commons Akron: Apply your skills. Build your network. Create something awesome.
Your Crash Course in Innovation

Are you a Hipster, Handler, Hacker or a Hustler?  The Commons Akron Innovation and Entrepreneurial Skills Program needs you!  One-page overview.

Two great pilot programs in Akron in 2019:  students from seven area universities doing innovation projects with Akron Children’s Hospital, Consolidus, FirstEnergy, Goodyear, Main Street Gourmet, The J.M. Smucker’s Company and The Timken Company. 

Participate in the next program: February 29 – March 29, 2020!
Learn more & apply today!
Who are your customers??
Find out with UA's I-Corps Site program--all about customer discovery!
Teams work through an intensive 7-meeting critical evaluation, with other startup ideas, mentors, and advisors. 

Many LaunchNET clients have gotten great value from participating! Reach out to your advisor for help in applying.
learn more
Spring Internship, Co-op, and Career Fair
Thursday, February 20, 2020 -
11:00am to 3:00pm

It's time to start preparing for the Spring Internship, Co-op and Career Fair which will be held on Thursday, February 20th in the Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center! The fair is open to ALL majors, KSU campuses, students, and alumni who are seeking internships, co-ops, full-time, part-time, and on-campus student employment opportunities.
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Local Happenings
MORTAR at Bounce is a 15-week accelerator course that helps both existing and aspiring non-tech entrepreneurs learn the nuances of business ownership and build a comprehensive business canvas; the goal being to launch businesses that create jobs and circulate dollars locally.

The program focuses on entrepreneurs who are often ignored. By targeting under-served and redeveloping communities, it offers non-traditional or historically marginalized entrepreneurs the opportunity to use their talents to not just make a dollar, but to positively participate in the rise of Northeast Ohio.

Applications open: Feb. 4 - March 15
February 21-23, 2020
Register now for COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION 
Open to all college and university students, Startup Vikes is Cleveland State University's annual business competition. 
Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Kick-off 02/28 - Friday, February 28, 2020 at Sears think[box]
It takes an incredible amount of courage to risk starting your own business and just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to support a business. Let's spend our Friday lunch time being a piece of this supportive community. 
The Grit Awards celebrate the accomplishments of local companies, businesses, organizations, and people that are elevating our community. Nominations Due by February 27, 2020.
Competitions, Events, Opportunities
Inspiring doesn't begin to cover it.

Each spring, we invite students from around the world to pitch ideas for conscious capitalism ventures that make a profit while also solving a problem. Winners take home thousands of dollars to help make their ideas come true.

Deadline to apply: March 3, 2020
If you're interested in technology, this is a great chance to build up your resume and get experience with companies on the cutting-edge! You can be studying in any area, from STEM to business, communications, marketing and design. 

These are paid internships with a minimum of $15 an hour but you can negotiate for more, and we'll connect you with the companies.
Learning Corner
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