LaunchPad
Practical Business Education. Local Pathways. Real Growth.
Powered by Kaufman Foundation
What is LaunchPad?
“This isn’t theory – it’s practical, actionable, and designed for people at every stage of their business journey.”
- It is built on the nationally recognized Kaufman Foundation FastTrac® curriculum, enhanced and tailored to each group
Designed For:
- Early-stage entrepreneurs
- Existing small businesses ready to stabilize or scale
Format:
- Cohort-based (peer learning + accountability)
- 8-10 week duration
- Facilitated by certified practitioners
- Focused on doing, not just learning
Program Structure:
- Duration: 8-10 weeks (customizable for sponsor needs)
- Sessions: weekly 2-3 hour sessions. Mix of Guided workshops, Hands-on work time, peer discussion, 1:1 touchpoints
- Between sessions: applied assignments directly tied to participants’ businesses
LaunchPad Course Overview:
Week 1: Ideate
Start making your idea a reality and explore the journey of becoming an entrepreneur.
Week 2-3: Position
Find a place for your idea in the market, understand your customers and solidify your business model.
Week 4-5: Lock in
Commit to reaching your market, making a sale and protecting your business.
Week 6-8: Refine
Perfect your strategy before launch and make sure your finances are in order.
Week 9-10: Launch
Plan for opening, leading and growing your business.
Creating Impact
Why Sponsor a Cohort?
Launchpad is workforce development, economic development, and community development – together.
Measures of Success:
- Businesses launched or stabilized
- Improved financial readiness
- Increased access to capital
- Stronger ties between entrepreneurs and local institutions
- Communities with more resilient, rooted businesses
Why Partner With Us?
We are more than a curriculum provider:
Our Promise:
- High quality delivery
- Cultural and contextual relevance
Our Role:
- A trusted intermediary
- A strategic partner
- A translator between institutions and entrepreneurs
Our Commitment:
- Strong follow-through
- Warm handoffs into the local ecosystem
Our Promise:
- High quality delivery
- Cultural and contextual relevance
Cost and Customization
Program costs vary based on cohort size, duration, and level of support. LaunchPad is designed to be:
- Sponsor-funded
- Subsidized or fully free to participants
Customizable options:
- Language-specific cohorts
- Industry-specific cohorts
- Embedded lender or sponsor participation
- Additional coaching or technical assistance
Participant Expectations
Commitment
Time & Attention:
- Weekly session attendance
- 2-4 hours/week of applied work
- Active participation and peer engagement
Mindset:
- Weekly session attendance
- 2-4 hours/week of applied work
- Active participation and peer engagement
Outcomes:
- Clear value proposition
- Viable business or growth model
- Financial projections & funding readiness
- Go-to-market plan
- Confidence and credibility to move plan forward
- A trusted local network
Next Steps: Bringing LaunchPad to your Community
We invite you to:
- Reach out — Let’s talk about your goals.
- Choose your format — In-person, online, or hybrid.
- Launch together — We’ll co- promote, facilitate, and deliver results.