Launch Pad - Startup Business Accelerator

Yes. Recent Launch Pad Scholars have been featured on Shark Tank, raised millions in startup capital, hired many employees, and enjoyed careers where they control their destinies.

No. Launch Pad does not take an equity stake in any student startups. Grants, sponsorships, and the University support us. We maintain relationships with various capital providers (angel investors, banks, and startup accelerators). We can make the appropriate introductions if they are interested in you and your idea. Because we are employees of the University of Wisconsin, we cannot officially represent you or your business in discussions with these organizations.

Yes. You can receive up to three university credits through the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics. Still, participation in Launch Pad does not mean you are automatically enrolled in a course. One of the many benefits of being in Launch Pad is that participants can take an independent study course to complement participating in the program. This option is available to any undergraduate or graduate UW-Whitewater students. You are NOT required to be a business student; you are only required to meet academic performance requirements that would allow you to be accepted into the business college. When you enroll in this course, your performance will be determined by the Launch Pad directors.

The initial period in the Launch Pad program starts and ends with an academic semester. However, unlike many accelerators where participants have a short window to complete all developmental stages necessary to solicit capital in a few weeks, we allow a longer preparatory process. Long-term solid growth prospects warrant the provision of ongoing coaching and access to resources beyond the end of the initial semester. We require evidence of progression toward self-sufficiency and viability as a condition of continued participation in Launch Pad. Existing participants may reapply after the initial semester to continue their status.

We can provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and support for student entrepreneurs during the summer and the academic year. If an entrepreneur decides to participate in the program during the summer, however, we may require that they be present for occasional roundtable meetings during the summer period. We will try to schedule these roundtable meetings conveniently for the participants.

No. We serve all undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Arts and Communication, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and Professional Studies, College of Letters and Sciences, College of Integrated Studies (Rock County) and School of Graduate Studies.

No. Some of our most successful entrepreneurs are first- and second-year students. We select individuals with passion, resilience, intelligence, and high-quality, scalable business ideas. The presence of these factors is not necessarily related to academic progression.

Yes. Our directors and mentors all have "real-world experience." They have founded startups, held executive or board positions on startups, invested in startups, and consulted with startups. Additionally, they have acted as judges or successful coaches for statewide and national business plan contests.

Yes. Initial Launch Pad participation requires participants to be undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled at UW-Whitewater. Previous participants may be able to continue in the Launch Pad program. Still, these individuals would be strongly encouraged to continue with other programs associated with the University and the community. Through the Whitewater Innovation Program, additional programs are available for UW-Whitewater faculty and external regional startups.

Weekly Launch Pad meetings typically take place in Hyland Hall. One-on-one coaching meetings can be held face-to-face or via web meetings (based on the coach and student's availability).