LaunchNET News: Love Sick

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Feb 5 Feb 20

Feb 13 2025

LaunchNET News: Love Sick

There's something in the air

The Latest & Greatest from LaunchNET Kent State

I can feel it in my chest. Something is hitting and prickling and blossoming in there.

Now is it love...or one of the many illnesses going around? Who's to say 🤷🏽‍♂️

Cooties are afoot. Stay safe friends.

Highlights for the Week: scholarships and accelerators, pitch competitions (!), law and order, crafting, impactful hackathons, customer discovery, and client events!

Advising Available In-Person & Virtually

If you are a current client, click the button above to schedule with your advisor.

If you haven't met with a LaunchNET advisor yet, you can sign up at bdmorganfdn.org/neolaunchnet/apply

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News & Announcements

Ask a Lawyer: Workshop & Drop-Ins

Have general legal questions about your startup but don’t know where to start? This session is designed for entrepreneurs who need guidance on various legal aspects of their business. Featuring a workshop and one-on-one drop-ins.

Wednesday, February 19 from 10am-12pm

Virtual Alumni Cohort: Automate Your Business

This session will provide information about using the proper tools for streamlining business operations. Attendees will discover practical strategies to save time, reduce costs and enhance efficiency in their entrepreneurial journey.

Thursday, February 20 from 6-7pm

Join Us

ideaLabs Pitch Competition

Do you have what it takes to represent Kent State at "regionals?" LaunchNET is looking for three entrepreneurs or teams to send to the EEC's ideaLabs pitch competition on April 8, 2025 at Eaton Headquarters in Cleveland. The three selected undergraduate entrepreneurs/teams will receive a $500 microgrant from LaunchNET and have the opportunity to pitch for up to $2,750 in funding.

Apply by Friday, February 28

Learn More & Apply

Crafterpreneur Day

Have a crafting business or always wanted to start one? Join us for Crafterpreneur Day, where you can learn the basics of branding, marketing, and pricing your crafted products. Along with tote bag making and networking throughout the event!

Friday, February 28 from 1-4pm

Join Us

Marty Erbaugh Student Entrepreneur Scholarships

This $1,000 student scholarship will recognize outstanding, motivated graduate or undergraduate Kent State students who are regular clients of LaunchNET. Students do not need to specifically have a launched venture.

Applications due by Friday, March 7

Apply Here

Marty Erbaugh i3 Lab Summer Accelerator

This application is for Kent State student entrepreneurs looking to further their ventures in the Marty Erbaugh i3 Lab accelerator program in Summer 2025. This is a unique, experiential employment opportunity including a $2,000 stipend.

Apply by Friday, March 7

Apply Here

Events & Opportunities

Beyond Startup: Unlocking Your Market with Customer Discovery | Bounce Innovation Hub

Wanting to find and connect with your ideal customers? Join our hands-on customer discovery workshop to develop a clear, documented and specific description of your perfect customer—one with a real need for your solution.

Wednesday, February 19 from 10-11:30am

Impactathon: Design for Extremes | Ycenter x DI

This is a free two-day experiential bootcamp hosted by DI and Ycenter where participants will get hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, complex problem solving, and human-centered design methodology.

What you’ll learn: You'll dive deep into real-world applications of problem solving, creative thinking, and building a business model, all based around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Who this is for: Whether you have an idea you’re working on, or you just want to learn more about design thinking and entrepreneurship, this event is for you.

Key skills you’ll gain: From cause-and-effect analysis to market research, and from stakeholder mapping to prototyping your ideas, this bootcamp will equip you with valuable tools to tackle real challenges.

Friday, February 28 to Saturday, March 1 from 09:00am to 05:00pm
Sign up by February 24!

G.E.A.R. Awards | Women's Center

Just like one gear turns another, the impact of one person working toward a more equitable environment inspires a ripple of change. Join the Women's Center to recognize and celebrate those in our community who are "turning the gears" toward gender equity.

Tuesday, March 18 from 5-7pm

Attend or Nominate

Founders & Friends