●  Connecticut pilot in development  •  For ages 16–20

THE PROGRAM

From an idea to a business.

This is entrepreneurship education you can touch, test, build, measure, and present. The goal: young people with real-world business experience and a foundation for what comes next.

Smiling young founder talking with her teammates beside a laptop

FOUNDER'S PLAYBOOK
10 weeks. Real experience.

THE SKILLS THAT MATTER

A toolkit for real-world founders.

Participants learn in context, practicing the skills that business owners use every day.

Business development

Ideas, customers, value propositions, business planning, and problem-solving.


Money management

Budgets, revenue, expenses, profit, cash flow, taxes, and bookkeeping.


Brand & digital presence

Logos, visual identity, websites, email, online tools, and technology.


Marketing & sales

Reaching audiences, telling your story, gaining customers, and building trust.


Leadership & network

Communication, mentors, professional relationships, and decision-making.


Pitch & growth

Presenting a venture, reviewing results, and identifying next steps for growth.


THE 10-WEEK EXPERIENCE

Your path from idea to impact.

Explore the proposed week-by-week flow. Each stage combines learning with a real business task.

This roadmap is a proposed structure built from LaunchPad's learning goals, not a published class schedule. Actual sessions and services may vary by cohort and business needs.

LEARN TO RUN THE NUMBERS

It's your business. Know your numbers.

LaunchPad gives each participant access to a managed business startup budget of up to $10,000 for eligible business needs. The point is to learn how to use resources strategically, not spend every dollar.

Participants will make decisions about purchases, timing, and trade-offs, supported by the program's review and disbursement process. Important: The $10,000 is not handed to participants as cash. It is allocated to approved business development and operating needs managed by the program.

$10,000

Managed business budget

Potentially supports websites, equipment, branding, inventory, marketing, software, and other business needs.

$1,000

Allocated participant compensation

Creates a practical lesson on how owners are compensated, with appropriate records and tax guidance.

Track expenses, understand profitability, and learn the difference between business and personal money.

Young presenter pitching ideas on a flipchart to a small group

LAUNCHPAD PRESENTS
Pitch Day • Your moment

THE FINISH LINE IS A STARTING LINE

Pitch what you've built.

At the proposed Pitch Day and graduation, participants will present more than an idea: their business, brand, customer, startup decisions, financial picture, lessons learned, and vision for growth.

  • Share the journey with family and community leaders.

  • Demonstrate real business and financial skills.

  • Leave with a clearer plan for what happens next.

GOOD QUESTIONS, REAL ANSWERS

Frequently asked questions.

Who is LaunchPad for?

The proposed Connecticut pilot is designed for young people ages 16–20 who want to explore or build a business. Final eligibility and application details will be announced when enrollment is ready.

Do I need to have a business idea already?

You can share where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, even if you're still exploring. Specific selection criteria will be confirmed before the pilot opens.

Will I receive $10,000 in cash?

No. Each participant will have access to a $10,000 managed startup budget designated for approved business needs. LaunchPad oversees how the startup funds are distributed.

What is the $1,000 participant compensation?

The program budget allocates $1,000 per participant during the 10-week experience. The details of timing, eligibility, and payment administration will be finalized before participation.

Is LaunchPad accepting applications now?

The pilot is in development; a launch date and formal application window have not been announced here. You can express interest and contact our team for updates.

Will my business automatically be profitable or legally formed?

The goal is to help participants develop and launch real businesses with practical support. Exact business formation and operating steps vary by venture, and financial success cannot be guaranteed.

How can a business or professional help?

LaunchPad welcomes conversations with prospective mentors, guest speakers, service providers, community partners, and funding supporters. Explore the Partner With Us page to see the possibilities.

Ready to write your first CEO chapter?

Tell us you're interested, and we'll help you connect with the team.