entrepreneurship
On Oct. 24 at the DI Hub, LaunchNET hosted its annual Elevator Pitch Competition, where 25 students pitched their venture ideas within a 90-second time limit and competed to win funding from a $3,000 prize pool.
"LaunchNET was always there to assist with my business goals while navigating the ups and downs of being a college student." - Jada Hobson, Founder of Destination Dream
We began working with Bradley Smith as he was building up what is now Vinci Learning, a financial education platform for students that gamifies the learning experience. He most recently launched the Wayz to Wealth board game to support this mission — we've already snagged two copies for the office and have had a blast engaging visiting high school students with it.
As a LaunchNET client, Brad has pitched at the Entrepreneurship Education Consortium (EEC)'s ideaLabs competition, received funding via our Morgan Startup Grants, and participated in our end of semester Small Business Showcase.
Two years ago Macara Hitchcock began working with LaunchNET through the Black Women Bosses program for Aila Aura Fitness and Wellness, a transformative hybrid fitness community that combines the practice of yoga with the unique thrill of aerial yoga/hammock to provide students with a holistic journey toward physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Since then she has continued to participate in our grant opportunities and cohorts and has even taken things a step further by getting involved with the Akron startup community at Bounce Innovation Hub through MORTAR and Life's a Pitch!
All semester, student entrepreneurs look forward to the Spring Small Business Showcase, from LaunchNET Kent State.
LaunchNET Kent State hosts special events for student entrepreneurs to network, practice business pitches and share ideas with their peers.
Educators from Brazil visited Northeast Ohio institutions for inspirations in innovative teaching.