The Community
A network that outlasts the program.
Launchpad Community connects founders, mentors, and operators
across every market we run, from Greenville to NYC.
across every market we run, from Greenville to NYC.
40+
Companies Advised
Launchpad Tech Village is our Greenville HQ at 25 Goldsmith St. Founders cowork there around the clock. Cohorts meet there each week. Community events run there year-round. It's the physical proof that Launchpad Community is a real place you can walk into.
Coworking
Cohort sessions
Community events
This Community shows up in person.
Events are where the Launchpad Community gathers in real time. We run three named formats: Webinars throughout the year, Graduations at the close of every cohort, and Tailwind Tech Summit, our annual flagship. Each format brings Founders, mentors, and operators into the same room, online or in person, across every Launchpad market.
Webinars – recurring online sessions for founders, mentors, and the broader Community- Graduations – end-of-cohort showcases where Incubator Founders present what they've built and signed.
- Tailwind Tech Summit – Launchpad's annual flagship gathering, bringing the full Community together across markets.
- Founder Friday – first Friday of every month at Tech Village, Founders meet over pizza. GVL founders only.
Talk To Us
Who it’s for
Founders, mentors, partners, sponsors, and local operators who want a working relationship with the people building tech across the Launchpad markets.
Outcome
Direct access to founders, mentors, and capital, plus signal on what's actually getting built across the Launchpad network right now.
We build the mentor bench by hand.
Launchpad mentors are operators we recruit personally. Most have built, sold, raised, or run something founders are still trying to do for the first time. We match mentors with founders by hand; both sides opt in. Mentors work alongside cohorts during the 12-week Incubator and stay close to founders after. The work is real. So is the access to deal flow, founder relationships, and standing inside the Launchpad network.
- Time commitment – a handful of hours per cohort phase, scaled to your bandwidth.
- Format – Cohort sessions, 1:1 founder time, and ad hoc help when founders ask.
- What you get back – deal flow visibility, founder relationships, and standing in the Launchpad network.
- Mentor from anywhere in the US – out-of-region perspective expands founder networks and brings outside alpha.
Become a Mentor
Who it’s for
Founders, operators, and investors who've already done the hard parts and want to put time back into the next group of builders.
Outcome
Founders get pattern recognition they can't buy, faster decisions, and a working relationship with someone who's already shipped.
Every Launchpad market in one room.
Circle is where the Launchpad Community lives between events. Founders, mentors, partners, and alumni from every market connect in one place to share resources, ask questions, and stay close to deal flow. It's free for current Incubator founders and Ignite companies. Everyone else joins as a paid member for $50/month. Sign-up happens on Circle directly.
- Cross-market network – every Launchpad market connected in one digital space.
- Member-only channels – dedicated spaces for founders, mentors, and Ignite companies.
- Webinar archives, working resources, and live discussion threads – searchable and always on.
- Direct line – to mentors, partners, and other founders inside the network.
Join the Community
Who it’s for
Current and graduated founders, Ignite companies, mentors, partners, investors, and operators who want to plug into the network year-round, across markets.
Outcome
The relationships, resources, and signal that compound after the cohort ends, in one place that doesn't go quiet between events.
FAQ
Common questions about Community
Three categories. If you have a question we haven't answered, send it through Circle and we'll fold it into this page.
Are Launchpad events open to non-members?
Most are. Tailwind Tech Summit and Graduations are open to the public. Some webinars are gated to Community members. Event pages flag access clearly.
How do I RSVP for an event?
Each event has its own listing with an RSVP link. Webinars use online registration. In-person events route through the local market's event page.
Can I propose a topic or speaker?
Yes. Members can pitch webinar topics and guest speakers through Circle. Tailwind Tech Summit programming is curated, so reach out directly with strong proposals.
What does a mentor commitment look like?
A few hours per Cohort phase. Some mentors run a single workshop. Others stay close to Founders for the full 12 weeks. We scale to bandwidth.
Do I need to be in Greenville?
No. Mentors operate out of every Launchpad market and remotely. Pick the Cohort and market that fits your network and your time zone.
How are Launchpad mentors chosen?
Mentors are recruited individually by the Launchpad team and current mentors. We look for operators who've built, sold, raised, or run, and who give without keeping score.
Is the Circle Community free?
Free for current Incubator Founders and Ignite companies. $50/month for everyone else. Sign-up happens on Circle directly, not through this page.
Can I work from Tech Village without a program?
Yes. Tech Village offers drop-in, day-pass, and monthly membership access for non-members. Visit the Tech Village page for current rates and schedules.
Can I join Circle without being in a program?
Yes. Anyone can join Circle as a paid member for $50/month. You'll get cross-market access to threads, events, and Community at large.
Get Started
Plug into the Community.
If you want a sense of the Launchpad Community before you apply to a program, Circle is the front door. Join us there.
