Launch Pad

Yes, here are a few.

• Hubspot
• Whitewater University Innovation Center
• UW-Whitewater CEO
• Elance
• GoDaddy
• Hootsuite
• Live Plan
• SquareSpace
• Insightly
• Intuit QuickBooks
• United States Patent and Trademark Office
• Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
• TED

Launch Pad helps students start new businesses even if they just have an idea or help grow existing businesses. The idea or business could be anything from a tech startup, to a retail store, to an art gallery or eCommerce store, and more! Launch Pad is available to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 

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. Want to hear directly from Launch Pad Scholars? Just check out this video to hear directly from Launch Pad Scholars. 

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 (angels, super angels, venture capital firms, 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 System, however, we cannot officially represent you or your business in discussions with these organizations.

Applicants for the Launch Pad program submit an application, which is then reviewed. Approved applicants are invited to provide a 3-minute pitch on their startup idea. The pitch includes the applicant's background, the market to be served,  the market need, the product or service, and the sustainable competitive advantage.

Yes. You can receive up to three university credits through the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics, but 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 CoBE student; you are only required to meet academic performance requirements that would allow you to be accepted into CoBE. 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. Applications must be submitted one month before the first semester in which a participant wishes to participate. 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 make every effort to schedule these roundtable meetings conveniently for the participants. 

No. We serve all undergraduate and graduate students from all colleges within the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, including the College of Arts and Communication, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and Professional Studies, College of Letters and Science, 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 the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Continuation in the Launch Pad program may be available for previous participants. Still, these individuals would be strongly encouraged to continue with other programs associated with the University and the community.  Additional programs are available for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater faculty and external regional startups through the Whitewater Innovation Program.

Launch Pad training typically takes place in Hyland Hall.  One-on-one coaching meetings are commonly held at the Whitewater University Technology Park Innovation Center.  This facility is rapidly becoming a hub of entrepreneurship, innovation, and business growth in Wisconsin. This state-of-the-art facility is home to students, faculty, and regional startups, which fosters synergies rarely available in many other startup accelerators.  Some meetings may also be held at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater University Center.