Want to Help a Local Founder Get Started? Become a Launchpad Mentor

Every founder in the Launchpad program is matched with a mentor. The seed grant gives them money to start, and the mentor gives them someone who has already made the early mistakes and can help them avoid a few.

Launchpad is a CodeBoxx Foundation program for early-stage entrepreneurs in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay. Most of the founders are working on their first business. They usually have a real skill and a workable idea. What they often lack is someone to ask: how to price a service, whether to form an LLC now or later, how to find a first customer, what to do when a plan stops working.

You do not need to have built a large company to be useful. Business owners, freelancers, marketers, accountants, developers, designers, and operators from any industry can help. The most useful mentors are people who answer questions honestly and follow through on what they say they will do.

Mentors commit to a few hours a month with their matched founder. Launchpad provides the tools so you are not building the structure yourself. Most mentors say the hardest part is the first conversation, and the rest tends to take care of itself.

If you have experience that could save a new founder some time and money, apply to be a mentor here. Questions can go to keara@codeboxxfoundation.org