Morgan Startup Grants

• Applicant must be Kent State University student or alumni
  • Students can request funding up to a maximum of $1,500
  • Alumni applicants can request funding up to a maximum of $3,000
• Business must be for-profit, based in Ohio and currently revenue generating
  • Alumni businesses must be registered in Ohio
• The business idea or product that the venture is focused around MUST be inspired and/or made/produced by the founder (applicant).
• Business products CANNOT be part of another business (multi-level or pyramid model, franchise, etc.)

As part of your application you will also be uploading the following materials: 

• An elevator pitch video
  • 3 minutes or less and focused on your business and why
    you are requesting funds (video may be unlisted or pw protected).
     
• A completed funding request template
  • Template can be found here

• Completion of at least two venture meetings with member of LaunchNET team
• Completion of post-award survey
• Provide updates via survey 30 days, 60 days, 90 days and 120 days post-award
• Completion of LaunchNET intake form if not current client
• One LinkedIn post about award and/or business progress tagging @LaunchNET Kent State University and @Burton D. Morgan Foundation along with #MorganStartupGrants

• For Students: payments are issued through the scholarship process to your bursar's account and will be issued as a refund to you in a few days, typically through a check in the mail or direct deposit.
• For Alumni: grants will be distributed through the Kent State University Foundation. Grant recipients will be required to complete a W9 form including business name, entity, address, and EIN.

• Burton D. Morgan Foundation-supported educational
  sessions (available to Morgan Startup Grant participants in Fall 2025)
   
• Participate in LaunchNET's programming/event(s) as a guest speaker, mentor, vendor, workshop facilitator etc.