Every entrepreneur starts with an idea.

But turning that idea into a sustainable, growing business requires more than passion. It takes strategy, accountability, community, and the willingness to keep learning.

That’s where LaunchPad comes in.

As Startup Cherokee’s flagship business growth program, in partnership with Kennesaw State University’s HatchBridge Incubator, LaunchPad is designed to help entrepreneurs move beyond simply running their businesses and begin leading them with intention. Through expert instruction, practical exercises, peer collaboration, and real-world application, participants gain the tools they need to make smarter decisions and accelerate growth.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your foundation, improve operations, or prepare for your next phase of growth, LaunchPad equips you with actionable strategies you can put to work immediately.

More Than a Business Class

Entrepreneurs wear a lot of hats.

One day you’re handling marketing. The next, you’re managing finances, sales, customer service, operations, and long-term planning. It’s no wonder many business owners find themselves feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

LaunchPad was built to help entrepreneurs step back, evaluate the big picture, and develop a clear path forward.

Participants learn how to identify the problem they’re solving, validate their assumptions through customer discovery, develop a compelling value proposition, and build a business model that creates, delivers, and captures value. By the end of the program, entrepreneurs leave with more than ideas. They leave with a plan grounded in real-world insights and data.

“For me the biggest takeaway was community and clarity.  I didn’t know what I didn’t know…Honestly doing LaunchPad was the best thing, not only for my business, but for myself. I gained community, got to ask questions, and got the perspective of other entrepreneurs.”

— Gaby Evers, GBF Translations

 

What Participants Learn

Strategic Planning for Growth

Growth doesn’t happen by accident.

Over six weeks, LaunchPad participants work through a proven process designed to turn ideas into actionable plans. Through expert instruction, hands-on exercises, customer discovery, and peer collaboration, entrepreneurs learn how to identify opportunities, validate assumptions, and build stronger businesses with confidence.

The result is a clearer vision and a roadmap for achieving it.

Marketing That Moves the Needle

Many entrepreneurs start with a solution they believe customers need. But sustainable growth requires validating those assumptions.

LaunchPad helps participants identify the problems they are solving, discover who their customers are (and are not), and collect unbiased data through customer interviews and real-world feedback. Participants learn how to test assumptions, refine their value proposition, and better understand what truly drives customer decisions.

The program also introduces key concepts such as the Business Model Canvas, providing a framework for how a business creates, delivers, and captures value. Participants explore customer acquisition strategies and learn how to calculate Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), helping them understand what it takes to bring one customer in the door and grow sustainably.

“The marketing segmentation exercises were incredibly valuable. They really helped me see things more clearly.”

— Jamie Foreman, Menagerie On Main

Systems and Operations

As businesses grow, so does complexity.

LaunchPad explores ways to improve efficiency, streamline operations, and create systems that support sustainable growth. Whether participants are preparing to hire employees, expand services, or scale production, building the right foundation is essential.

Leadership and Mindset

Business growth often requires personal growth.

LaunchPad encourages participants to think like leaders, overcome common entrepreneurial challenges, and develop the confidence needed to make difficult decisions and pursue bigger opportunities.

The Power of Community

One of the greatest benefits of LaunchPad isn’t found in a workbook or presentation.

It’s the relationships.

Entrepreneurship can feel isolating, especially when you’re making important decisions on your own. LaunchPad brings together business owners from different industries who share a common goal: building stronger businesses.

Participants learn from one another, offer support, exchange ideas, and often continue those relationships long after the program ends.

“LaunchPad gave us people to be around, to be soundboards, to bounce ideas off of. It gave us wisdom through the people who taught and shared their experiences…I still have a long term group of friends I can call who are walking alongside us in the same season.”

— Meg Davidson, Mayberry Acres

 

Real Businesses. Real Growth.

LaunchPad graduates represent a wide range of industries and stages of business. Some entered the program looking for direction. Others joined with ambitious growth goals. What they share is a commitment to investing in themselves and their businesses.

Since its launch in 2024, participants have used LaunchPad to refine their business models, strengthen their marketing efforts, improve operations, increase confidence, and create plans for future expansion.

Their success stories continue to strengthen Cherokee County’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“I left LaunchPad, even from the first day, with formulas and processes to make me feel more like a founder – like I’m building something bigger than myself and creating jobs for others and less like I’m building a job for myself. It’s as easy as a math problem.”

— Bryttany Hyde, The Little Sober Bar

 

Is LaunchPad Right for You?

LaunchPad is designed for Cherokee County entrepreneurs who are exploring a new idea, developing a product, or building an early-stage startup.

You may be a good fit if you:

  • Have a business idea and want to turn it into a clear plan
  • Want to better understand your customers and market opportunity
  • Are willing to test assumptions and collect real-world feedback
  • Need practical tools and frameworks to guide decision-making
  • Want accountability, mentorship, and support from experienced entrepreneurs
  • Value learning alongside other founders and innovators
  • Are committed to building a strong foundation for future growth

A New Cohort Is Coming Soon

If you’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to focus on your business growth, now is the time to start paying attention.

Applications for the next LaunchPad cohort are open now, and space is limited. Applications are due on Sep. 14 at 12 p.m.

The entrepreneurs who get the most from LaunchPad are the ones who decide to invest in themselves before they’re “ready.” They recognize that growth doesn’t happen alone – and that sometimes the best way to move forward is to learn alongside others who are on the same journey.

Whether you’re looking for clarity, confidence, strategy, or community, LaunchPad can help you build the momentum needed to reach your next milestone.

Learn more and apply today at StartupCherokee.com/LaunchPad. Your next stage of growth starts here.