Tools & Resources

Idea Generation

Idea Napkin

Use this idea napkin to think through what you're working on and the elements that surround it such your audience and the value your idea brings.

Bug List

A Bug List — in the context of entrepreneurship and creativity — is a list of things that you encounter throughout your daily life that “bug”, or annoy you. Use this tool to think through what bothers you and how you can possibly resolve those problems.

Value Prop

Your value proposition (“value prop”) is a sentence of two that describes the value your product or service brings to your customer segment. It is the distillation of your business into its essence—it’s your reason for existing and how you will measure whether or not you are succeeding.

Competitor Analysis

This form will help you evaluate the competitive landscape for your venture. Comparing both the direct and indirect competition you will be facing can give you insights into how to set yourself apart, as well as what kinds of hurdles you may need to overcome. 

Market Research

The Library

The KSU research librarians set up a library guide for Entrepreneurship Research to assist entrepreneurs in Market Research, Industry Reports, and Date Research.

Karen MacDonald is the subject librarian for Entrepreneurship and is available to help entrepreneurs with market research, customer profiling, etc.

Students can visit her during open office hours in the Center for Entrepreneurship in the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship:
Monday & Wednesday afternoons (1:00 – 4:00 pm) and Thursdays (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
or contact her via email at kmacdon4@kent.edu

Qualtrics

Qualtrics is the Kent State University survey software. This program is free of charge to University faculty and students. Qualtrics allows teams to build, distribute, and analyze online surveys and polls within an easy-to-navigate and collaborative interface.

Planning

Business Model Canvas - Blank

The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management template used for developing new business models and documenting existing ones. Remember this is a living document and will change and grow as your business does.

Business Model Canvas - Annotated

This canvas is the same as above but features prompts to get you thinking about what information to include in the canvas. 

LaunchNET Lean Canvas

This lean canvas streamlines the original business model canvas to adapt for early sage entrepreneurs. 

Social Enterprise Model Canvas

This template helps social entrepreneurs align their business and social goals. 

Financials

Startup Financials

Think through the costs of your venture, how to price your products/services, and the money you will be bringing in.

Branding for Startups

Branding Considerations: Things to keep in mind as your are developing the brand for your new venture.

Building Your Brand: A sheet to help ypu think through and design the elements of your brand. 

i3 Lab Media Studio

The i3 lab features podcasting and photography equipment to create content for your venture. To access the studio and request time to use the space, check this bookings link or email launchnet@kent.edu. 

Student Multimedia Studio

Located on the 1st floor of the Kent State University Library, the Student Multimedia Studio provides currently enrolled KSU students with a wide range of multimedia equipment, software, and support. At the Student Multimedia Studio, students can create PowerPoint, web, video & audio presentations and e-Portfolios, as well as scan and edit documents and photographs, create graphics and animation and get one-on-one technology support from peer mentors or professional staff.

TechHelp Training

TechHelp Training has classes where you can learn everything from making a website in Adobe Spark to full Photoshop class series. 

University Library Circulation Desk

Check out the Circulation Desk at the KSU Library for cameras, tripods and other useful equipment. This equipment is free to Kent State students and faculty/staff.

Design Innovation Hub

The DI Hub features a makerspace on the first floor that includes a multitude of labs and machines that can help you create initial versions of your products and merchandise. 

TechSTYLELab

The TechStyleLAB is located in the Fashion School at Kent State University and houses a range of digital output devices, such as our wide format digital textile printer and digital laser cutting machine in one collective space to allow for a completely vertical on-demand design/production environment.

Student Multimedia Studio

The Student Multimedia Studio in the University Library houses multiple 3D printers, a podcasting room, an audio recording studio, the Adobe Creative Commons, plus other software that can be used by students to create content and products. 

FabLab

The College of Architecture & Environmental Design also has a FabLab that offers laser cutting, 3D printing and large format color plotting services for students.

Business Pitch

A template to concisely and clearly pitch your business for longer presentations and elevator pitches.

Personal Pitch

A template to share who you are as a person and the value you add. Could be used for interviews or networking. 

Entrepreneurship, especially while in college, can be challenging and stressful.

Make sure to take care of yourself and ASK FOR HELP if you need it! 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (web, call, text)
• Kent State Counseling and Psychological Services
• Kent State Counseling Center
• Townhall 2
• Articles about entrepreneurship self care and mental health

When you want to learn about funding, writing a plan, pitch decks, and more, your LaunchNET advisor is a great resource. 

Here are some more we've found around the web:

• General "required reading" for entrepreneurs

• Pitch decks and presentations 

• Freelancing 

• Funding specifically for female-owned businesses