Morgan Startup Grant 2026

About

A grant program providing funding opportunities for Kent State University students and alumni to support their for-profit business ventures, with grants ranging from $100 to $3,000 based on applicant status and business needs.

Benefits

• 💰Grant Amounts
  Grants range from $100-$3,000 depending on applicant and business status
• 🎓Student Payment Process
  Payments for students are issued through the scholarship process to the bursar's account and will be refunded in a few days
• 🏢Alumni Grant Distribution
  Grants for alumni will be distributed through the Kent State University Foundation, requiring a W9 form
• 📚Educational Opportunities
  Optional opportunities to participate in Burton D. Morgan Foundation-supported educational sessions
• 🎤Networking Opportunities
  Optional participation in LaunchNET's programming/event(s) as a guest speaker, mentor, vendor, or workshop facilitator.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must be a 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/headquartered in Ohio, and currently revenue generating
• Alumni businesses must be registered (LLC, Corp., etc.)
• 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.)

Participation Commitments

• Completion of at least two venture meetings with a member of the LaunchNET team
• Completion of post-award surveys
• Completion of LaunchNET intake form if not a current client
• One LinkedIn post about the award and/or business progress tagging @LaunchNET Kent State University and @Burton D. Morgan Foundation along with #MorganStartupGrants

Target Sector

All sectors

Target Location

Ohio