Launchpad COLA Incubator
The 12 week incubator to turn your tech idea into a real business.
If you’re serious about taking the next step, the Launchpad Incubator gives you the structure and support to make it happen.
Validate your product, sharpen your business model, and get real traction.
Whether you're testing a fresh idea or finally ready to turn your side hustle into a real business, our low-barrier tech incubator helps you:
>>> Validate your startup idea — with a proven framework from the Founder University curriculum
>>> Refine your plan and go-to-market strategy with expert support and real-world guidance
>>> Match with mentors — get practical guidance from business builders who have been there
>>> Pitch your business— get investor-ready, make connections in our venture network, and present your business at our public Pitch Night!
CURRICULUM:
In-person sessions will be held on Thursdays from 7-9 a.m. at the Boyd Innovation Center In Five Points, Columbia, led by a community of experienced founders and operators.
12-week Curriculum Inspired by Jason Calacanis’ Founder University
WEEK 1
Founder Basics
Qualities of a founder, startup ideas, IP protection, naming your startup
WEEK 2
Bootstrapping & MVP Planning:
Bootstrapping vs fundraising, no-code tools, value proposition validation
WEEK 3
Building MVP & Business Models
No-code MVP development (Part I), SaaS and marketplace models
WEEK 4
Refining MVP & Understanding Users
Customer profiles, competition research
WEEK 5
Elevator Pitch & Finding First Users
Crafting pitches, user acquisition strategies
WEEK 6
Marketing & Acquisition Strategies
Marketing plans, TAM analysis
WEEK 7
Iterating on MVP & Demoing Product
User feedback iteration, product demos
WEEK 8
Metrics & Balancing User Feedback
Tracking metrics, prioritizing feedback
WEEK 9
Team Building & Competitive Analysis
Hiring strategies, competitive matrix creation
WEEK 10
Financials & Pitch Preparation
Budgeting, pitch deck creation
WEEK 11
Scaling Team & Refining Pitch
Team expansion plans, pitch practice
WEEK 12
Fundraising & Scaling Your Startup
Fundraising process, scaling strategies
FINAL EVENT
Public Pitch Night!
We host an exciting public event where you will have the opportunity to pitch your business on stage to the Columbia community and beyond!
Launchpad COLA FAQ
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No, but we meet in person every Thursday from 7 am - 9 am at the Boyd Innovation Center. To get the most out of the program, we strongly encourage attending the majority of sessions in person.
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Nothing. This program is completely free!
Your time, focus, and founder mindset are all you need to invest.
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No, we do not. The program is truly free.
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Perfect! That's exactly what this program is for. If your idea involves technology in any way – an app, software, hardware, product, processes, devices, new innovations, etc. – apply. We'll help you validate and shape it into something viable.
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Congratulations! Yes, you can still apply.
Coursework is self-guided so that you can focus on areas most relevant to your business and stage.
Founders with traction report immense value from the program, including the content, the community, and the accountability. -
Absolutely! Development skills aren't required. We'll cover MVP building using AI and no-code tools, plus provide guidance on how you can find the right technical partners for your business.
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Nope! Launchpad is designed to take you from idea to launch. We'll walk you through everything, including business formation.
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This is a serious 12-week commitment for founders ready to build something real. Beyond our Thursday 7 am - 9 am sessions, expect curriculum work, mentor meetings, and guided checkpoints on your own time. It's intensive, but that's what it takes to build a solid foundation and get pitch-ready.
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ColaStarts is our pre-accelerator focused on idea validation and customer discovery. While Launchpad includes those topics, it goes far beyond, using proven curriculum from Jason Calacanis' Founder University to take you from validated idea to launch-ready business. Not sure which fits? Apply and we'll guide you to the right program!
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If you've got a tech-related business idea, apply! The application takes just a few minutes, and our team will help point you toward the best resources – whether that's Launchpad or another BIC program.
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We'll review applications on a rolling basis and get back to you about next steps. If your application is chosen to move forward, you’ll have a screening call with the BIC team. Applications close on Sunday, September 21st.
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A lot!
You'll pitch your business at a live public Pitch Night. You’ll gain lifetime access to the program materials and our founder network, plus ongoing peer groups, and continued support through Boyd Innovation Center programs, and any other resources we can point you to for your best next steps to success!
Apply For
Launchpad COLA
In-person sessions will be held on Thursdays from 7-9 am at Boyd Innovation Center in downtown Columbia, led by a community of experienced founders and operators.
If you’re accepted, you’ll join a tight-knit group of founders meeting weekly at the Boyd Innovation Center for practical support, honest feedback, expert guidance, and the chance to pitch your idea on stage.
Applications close Sunday, September 21st.