We have pulled together a variety of resources for new entrepreneurs: useful articles, websites, tools, contacts, etc. Everything we recommend we have either developed, adapted, and/or used so you know that these are useful and appropriate for someone just starting out.

If you have any questions about any of these, please contact your LaunchNET advisor or the LaunchNET office: 330-672-6700 or launchnet@kent.edu

These tool sheets are available in hard copy in the LaunchNET office.

• Pre-Idea Tree Worksheet

• Idea Napkin: sketch our your idea

• Business Canvases (simple business plans):

LaunchNET Lean Canvas

Business Model Canvas-questions

Blank Business Model Canvas

Social Enterprise Model Canvas

• Start a Business in Ohio

• Your Value Proposition

• Branding for Startups

• Nonprofit Resources

• Presentation Tips 

• Startup Financials

• Resources for making a website

Market research 

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. 

Competitor analysis

We have a form for helping 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. 

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.

TELEPRODUCTIONS

TeleProduction provides the University and surrounding community with a wide range of media services, technical and instructional support.

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.

PROTOTYPING on campus

There are a variety of prototyping opportunities on campus.

The Kent State makerspace, SPARK Innovation Studio, located near The Fashion School & CAED, at 436 E. Main St. (behind Starbucks, enter on Lincoln St.), includes 3D printers, large-scale cutters, a garment printer, and a CNC router.

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.

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

The Student Multimedia Studio in the University Library houses multiple 3D printers, and audio recording studio, plus other software for use by students. 

Want to continue working on a hackathon project? We can help!

At LaunchNET, we have business coaches, legal resources, competitions, and other networks to help you develop your project into a product and/or your team into a business.

Meet one on one with an advisor to map out a plan and make connections that will help you get where you want to go, or compete in one of the many opportunities to win money in the region.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know about upcoming hackathons, competitions, and other events. 

To keep in the loop about hacking activities on and around campus, check out HacKSU.

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