It goes without saying: starting a business is difficult. Even securing basic needs, such as locking down an office space, can stress people with great ideas to the point of giving up their pursuit.
Enter the Founder’s Launchpad, a summer program designed to help would-be entrepreneurs transition from idea to execution by connecting young professionals with the resources to help them succeed.
Started three years ago by the Marriott School’s Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (CET), the Founders Launchpad is offered to the winners of the some of the school’s biggest competitions, such as the Miller New Venture Challenge, the Business Model Competition, and the Big Idea Pitch, among others. This summer nineteen teams participated, receiving an office space, mentoring, funding, and the opportunity to network with like-minded peers.
“Beyond the money we received, we’ve seen huge benefits from the Founders Launchpad,” says Ryan Smith, founder and CEO of startup Recyclops. “We’ve received great office space that has made life easier for our team and surrounded us with fellow entrepreneurs who are dreaming big. Access to mentorship and networking have proved invaluable.”
Associate CET director Steven Fox helped oversee the program this summer. He is impressed with the goals that the teams have been able to make and achieve.
“Part of measuring the success of the program comes when the teams report each week on their goals,” he says. “We are able to see the roadblocks they encounter and have conversations about how to overcome those obstacles.”
To learn more about BYU’s entrepreneurship competitions and prizes, visit marriott.byu.edu/cet.