Ecosystem

**Not only startups have a startup-ish mindset. And it’s pretty important to think and react like a startup even if you’re not building one.** **Startup Social Kaunas** is a monthly meetup, happening every first Tuesday of the month. We welcome everyone – startup founders, service providers, investors, or just anyone curious about the Kaunas startup scene 🫡 We’re starting 2026 with a bang. A basketball-sized bang. For the 35th Startup Social Kaunas, we’re hosting the **CEO of [BasketNews](https://basketnews.com/), [Jonas Miklovas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-miklovas-a85a7536/)** 🏀 **And before you think, “Hey, but is it a startup?”** Well… kinda, yeah. They create digital products, they’re expanding rapidly to global audiences, they keep incorporating new ideas, and they’re constantly experimenting with ways to attract more people worldwide. We’d say that’s definitely a startup-ish mindset. [BasketNews](https://basketnews.com/) is is Europe’s number one basketball media company – but that’s not all. Besides their news website, they run multiple social media channels for different regions, a successful podcast series, and the EuroLeague Fantasy game. Join us on January 6th to hear how BasketNews became what they are today, what strategies they use to keep the startup vibes alive, and what failures or challenges they face along the way. **❗ Don't forget to register!** **When: Tuesday, January 6th, at 6:00 pm (doors open)** **Where: Movie theatre "Daina"** **AGENDA:** 18:00 - Doors open + networking 18:30 - Intro 18:35 - Founders Spotlight: a fireside chat with Jonas Miklovas + QnA from the audience Moderators: [Gytautas Kulakauskas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gytautaskulakauskas/) and [Andrius Veršinskas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrius-ver%C5%A1inskas-7b1563190/) (Head of Business Division at Kaunas IN) 19:35 - networking, snacks, and drinks **Powered by: Confluence Investment** Confluence Investment, a Kaunas-based family office with a history of investing in startups through global funds, is now turning its attention to Kaunas. They are eager to contribute directly to the growth of startups in the city. With a commitment to empowering ambitious founders, Confluence Investment aims to be an active player in helping Kaunas startups scale beyond Lithuania. ❗️IMPORTANT: The event will be photographed. Interview language - English. [sTARTUp Day](https://www.startupday.ee/) is comming (January 28-30). You can use the code **kaunasin15** for a ticket discount;)

**Not only startups have a startup-ish mindset. And it’s pretty important to think and react like a startup even if you’re not building one.** **Startup Social Kaunas** is a monthly meetup, happening every first Tuesday of the month. We welcome everyone – startup founders, service providers, investors, or just anyone curious about the Kaunas startup scene 🫡 We’re starting 2026 with a bang. A basketball-sized bang. For the 35th Startup Social Kaunas, we’re hosting the **CEO of [BasketNews](https://basketnews.com/), [Jonas Miklovas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-miklovas-a85a7536/)** 🏀 **And before you think, “Hey, but is it a startup?”** Well… kinda, yeah. They create digital products, they’re expanding rapidly to global audiences, they keep incorporating new ideas, and they’re constantly experimenting with ways to attract more people worldwide. We’d say that’s definitely a startup-ish mindset. [BasketNews](https://basketnews.com/) is is Europe’s number one basketball media company – but that’s not all. Besides their news website, they run multiple social media channels for different regions, a successful podcast series, and the EuroLeague Fantasy game. Join us on January 6th to hear how BasketNews became what they are today, what strategies they use to keep the startup vibes alive, and what failures or challenges they face along the way. **❗ Don't forget to register!** **When: Tuesday, January 6th, at 6:00 pm (doors open)** **Where: Movie theatre "Daina"** **AGENDA:** 18:00 - Doors open + networking 18:30 - Intro 18:35 - Founders Spotlight: a fireside chat with Jonas Miklovas + QnA from the audience Moderators: [Gytautas Kulakauskas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gytautaskulakauskas/) and [Andrius Veršinskas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrius-ver%C5%A1inskas-7b1563190/) (Head of Business Division at Kaunas IN) 19:35 - networking, snacks, and drinks **Powered by: Confluence Investment** Confluence Investment, a Kaunas-based family office with a history of investing in startups through global funds, is now turning its attention to Kaunas. They are eager to contribute directly to the growth of startups in the city. With a commitment to empowering ambitious founders, Confluence Investment aims to be an active player in helping Kaunas startups scale beyond Lithuania. ❗️IMPORTANT: The event will be photographed. Interview language - English. [sTARTUp Day](https://www.startupday.ee/) is comming (January 28-30). You can use the code **kaunasin15** for a ticket discount;)

Wild Ones: Annual Native Seed Swap January 10, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Join Wild Ones Columbus for their annual native seeds swap. If you have native seeds to share, please label them with the Latin name and common name. The seeds don’t need to be removed from the seed head if you aren’t sure how to do it, but remove as much stem as possible. Bringing seeds is not required. Bring bags or envelopes to store seeds. Inniswood Metro Gardens 940 S. Hempstead Rd. Westerville, OH 43081 Phone (614)895-6216 This event will be held in the Greenhouse/Multipurpose Building located near the east end of the parking lot. Click here to see the Inniswood map. If you have native seeds to share, label each species with this information: * Botanical Name * Common Name Species we will accept: * Species native to our ecoregion (8.2.4) - Best * Species native to Ohio and surrounding states - Good * Straight species only - no cultivars. The seeds don’t need to be removed from the seed head if you aren’t sure how to do it, but don’t leave much stem on the seed heads. Please email the list of species to Mary May so we can prepare information for attendees. You can bring the seeds on the day of the swap, or we can arrange to have them picked up beforehand - just let her know in the email. If you don’t have any seeds to bring, no worries. If you are new to native plants or didn't have time to collect seeds, there are ALWAYS plenty from those that do bring them! We love to see "newbies" at our seed exchange! Also, remember to bring something to put seeds in such as envelopes, paper bags or containers.

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

**History** [Blacklick Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blacklick-woods/), established in 1949, holds the distinction of being the first Columbus Metro Park. Its creation stemmed from a post-World War II push to preserve natural areas amid rapid suburban growth. The land, originally farmland and woodlots along Blacklick Creek, was acquired by the Columbus Metropolitan Park Board through donations and purchases. Early efforts focused on basic trail development and reforestation to combat erosion. The park's name derives from the creek, which early settlers called "Black Lick" due to its dark, mineral-rich waters. By the 1950s, it served as a model for the expanding Metro Parks system. In the 1960s, Blacklick Woods expanded significantly with additional land acquisitions, reaching over 600 acres. A golf course was added in 1964, one of the first public courses in the region, designed to generate revenue for park maintenance. Native American artifacts, including arrowheads from the Adena culture, were discovered during construction, highlighting the area's prehistoric use as hunting grounds. The park introduced interpretive programs to educate visitors on local ecology and history. Flood control measures along the creek became a priority after heavy rains caused damage. These developments solidified its role as a recreational hub. The 1970s and 1980s brought environmental awareness, leading to habitat restoration projects at Blacklick Woods. Invasive species were removed, and native wildflowers were planted in the meadows. A nature center opened in 1976, featuring exhibits on wetlands and forests. The park's slate-covered bridge, a remnant of 19th-century infrastructure, was preserved as a historic feature. Birdwatching gained popularity with the addition of observation decks. Community volunteers played a key role in trail maintenance and cleanups. During the 1990s, Blacklick Woods underwent major upgrades, including paved multi-use trails for biking and hiking. The Walter A. Tucker Nature Preserve, a 53-acre old-growth forest within the park, was dedicated in 1995 to protect rare beech-maple woodlands. Educational partnerships with local schools introduced field trips on topics like stream ecology. The golf course was renovated to improve playability while minimizing environmental impact. Annual events, such as the fall festival, drew thousands to celebrate the park's natural beauty. These enhancements balanced recreation with conservation. In the 21st century, Blacklick Woods has adapted to increasing visitation with sustainable practices. Solar panels were installed at facilities in the 2010s to reduce energy costs. The park now spans 643 acres, offering diverse habitats from wetlands to uplands. Recent initiatives include pollinator gardens and prescribed burns to maintain prairie areas. It remains a flagship for the Metro Parks, inspiring similar preservations system-wide. Ongoing archaeological surveys continue to uncover traces of early inhabitants. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Blacklick Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BLK-map-May-2025-with-extended-greenway_1980px.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike about 4.5 miles by doing a couple loops of the Buttonbush, Tucker, Maple Loop, and Beech trails. Blacklick Woods is a very nice park, but it is generally flat and not strenuous, so this will be one of the easier hikes that we do. **Where We'll Meet** Drive all the way to the back of the park to the parking lot that is nearest the Nature Center. There are restrooms here next to the Canopy Walk. We'll meet near these restrooms. Speaking of the [Canopy Walk](https://www.metroparks.net/blog/canopy-walk-is-your-gateway-to-the-sky/), it's not officially part of the event this time. However, if interested people want to freelance and check it out after the hike (before heading to the brewery), that's okay. **After the Hike** After we're done with the trails, we'll head to [Prost Beer & Wine Café](https://prostcafe.com/) for drinks and [food](https://prostcafe.com/reynoldsburg-prost-beer-and-wine-cafe-food-menu). The actual address of the brewery is [7354 E Main St, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068](https://www.google.com/maps/place/7354+E+Main+St,+Reynoldsburg,+OH+43068/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8838648cfb8d2dbb:0x545274bab130e9bb?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and we should be there by 5:00 if you just want to do that and skip the hike.

Communication is everything in life. You are only as successful as your ability to communicate! \- What if you could confidently talk to anyone? \- What if you had the ability to calmly control every conversation? \- What if you could close that sale\, ask for that date\, make new friends\, repair problematic relationships\, get that raise\, or effortlessly express any idea with confidence? You can! The secret to success relies on your ability or inability to effectively communicate. Attend a free seminar and gain a better ability to communicate. 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215 Hosted by the Church of Scientology of Central Ohio For more information, contact Rhiannon, the Event Host at 614-221-5024

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** GitHub Copilot is rapidly changing how developers write, understand, and maintain code. Powered by generative AI and deeply integrated into modern development environments, Copilot acts as an intelligent coding assistant, helping developers move faster while maintaining quality and focus. In this session, we’ll explore what GitHub Copilot is, how it works, and where it fits into a real-world developer workflow. We’ll break down what Copilot can (and cannot) do, where it can be used, and how licensing differs for individuals and organizations. Most importantly, this talk goes beyond theory with a live, hands-on demo showcasing Copilot inside the IDE and on GitHub, demonstrating how it can assist with code generation, refactoring, learning new APIs, and accelerating day-to-day development tasks. Designed for developers, technical leads, and engineering managers, this session provides a practical introduction to AI-assisted development, highlights best practices for getting value from Copilot, and closes with guidance on how to continue learning and evolving alongside this rapidly advancing tool. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how GitHub Copilot can enhance productivity, improve developer experience, and fit into modern software teams today, not someday. **YouTube Link** TBA

**How to take control of your subconscious and harness its power!** Join us for an eye-opening lecture where the speaker will break down complex ideas in a clear and practical way. You’ll gain insights into: ✅ The true definition of the subconscious ✅ How it generates unwanted emotions ✅ Its real purpose and function ✅ What determines the pressure it exerts on you And the most important topic: **How do you take control of your subconscious!** But this isn’t just another lecture where you sit and listen passively. It’s interactive and engaging—you can ask questions at any time. 📅 Reserve your spot now! Seats are limited, so don’t wait too long to sign up. Location: 1266 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215 Hosted by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation