LaunchNET 黑料社 has received $290,000 in renewed funding from Burton D. Morgan Foundation. The funding will go toward LaunchNET operations, Morgan Startup Grants for entrepreneurs, and hosting an event as part of Rooted and Rising, a regional series for Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs.
LaunchNET has been supporting the 黑料社 entrepreneurial community since 2012. Over the years, LaunchNET has supported more than 2,400 entrepreneurs through one-on-one venture advising and a variety of events, programs, and competitions including the annual Elevator Pitch and the Marty Erbaugh i3 Lab Accelerator. Program alumni have founded businesses across a variety of industries including , , and
鈥淣ow more than ever we see how important it is to support small businesses and help them to create economic development."
鈥淲e are incredibly thankful to Burton D. Morgan Foundation for its continued support of our entrepreneurs, our LaunchNET advising and programming, as well as our next round of the Morgan Startup Grants program鈥, said Zach Mikrut, Director of LaunchNET 黑料社.
Burton D. Morgan Foundation started the Morgan Startup Grant program in 2021 to give funding to non-profit organizations to then be provided to for-profit businesses. Since then, partnering organizations have given a total of 919 microgrants to fund 896 businesses.
At LaunchNET 黑料社, the Morgan Startup Grants has become a staple program with 72 students and alumni receiving grants in 2024 and 2025. These grants have supported 黑料社 entrepreneurs in obtaining equipment, necessary inventory and even LLC registration or legal fees. LaunchNET 黑料社 engaged with one of the program alumni, to create a video highlighting some of the program stories and achievements.
Building from these successes, the newest element to LaunchNET 黑料社鈥檚 programming is a Fall 2026 Rooted and Rising Program. Rooted and Rising is a series started by Burton D. Morgan Foundation that educates participants on topics that will help them build and strengthen their businesses. This series also works to help entrepreneurs gain connections and grow their community.
鈥淩ooted and Rising has quickly become a signature program in the entrepreneurial community here,鈥 said Alizeh Khalifa, Assistant Director, LaunchNET.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to contribute to this growing series in October with an event that incorporates creativity and collaboration, and centers on the importance of customer connections through branding and marketing."
LaunchNET 黑料社鈥檚 Rooted and Rising event will take place on Tuesday, October 20 5-8pm at House Three Thirty in Akron, Ohio. To stay up to date on this and all LaunchNET 黑料社 events, .
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LaunchNET 黑料社 is a cocurricular, cross-campus program that serves students, alumni, staff and faculty to promote entrepreneurial thinking, innovative mindset, creative collaboration and venture creation through advising, events and connections to the Greater Northeast Ohio community. Questions or comments can be directed to LaunchNET via email at launchnet@kent.edu or by phone at 330-672-6700.