As of January 1, 2016, the new name of Blackstone LaunchPad Kent State is LaunchNet Kent State! The office, located on the first floor of the Kent Student Center, assists students, alumni, faculty and staff with all kinds of entrepreneurial activities, as well as innovative programming and activities promoting cross-campus collaboration. With the new year comes a new look and name, but the location, services, and staff remain the same.
The new branding will be marked with a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Thursday, January 28, where Burton D. Morgan Foundation president Deb Hoover and Â鶹´«Ã½ president Dr. Beverly Warren will be the keynote speakers. The festivities will include refreshments, networking with area community leaders and LaunchNET client companies.
The Blackstone Foundation, a catalytic funder of Blackstone LaunchPad programs around the country, has achieved their goal of establishing four strong Northeast Ohio collegiate LaunchPad programs, and we are happy to report that the Burton D. Morgan Foundation has stepped up to embrace them under the NEO LaunchNET umbrella.
In addition to Kent State, NEO LaunchNET contains LaunchNET offices at Case Western Reserve University, Baldwin Wallace University, and Lorain County Community College.
While the office has a new look and new name, the services for the university community–entrepreneurial advising, events, and networking—remain the same. The staff is looking forward to some exciting new programs, as well as signature events, in 2016!
Kent State students, alumni, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit the updated website at to see the new look and sign up for an appointment (in a new, easy-to-use system) to find out more about the office and staff, explore an idea for a venture or project, or get help navigating the startup journey.