Education
LaunchPad
Embark on a transformative journey with the dynamic partnership between the Cherokee Office of Economic Development and HatchBridge Incubator.
No more guesswork with this free 6-week bootcamp series.
This hands-on transformative experience, delivered in partnership with facilitators from KSU’s HatchBridge Incubator, allows cohort members to embark on an in-person, bootcamp style journey to validate, build, and grow their idea or venture.
Is LaunchPad right for you?
LaunchPad was created for Cherokee County emerging entrepreneurs that are looking to validate, build, and grow their idea or venture.
LaunchPad will give you the real-time guidance, tools. and frameworks needed to refine your business.
Whether you are exploring a new idea, developing a product, or building an early-stage startup, this 6-week bootcamp series is designed for you.
Next Bootcamp
Date & Time
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6
From 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Location
One Innovation Way, Woodstock, GA 30188
For more information contact Lee Smith, Program Manager at LSmith@CherokeeGA.org or 770.345.0600
Application
Where will you go with LaunchPad?
Join our exciting LaunchPad Bootcamp series! We’ll help you turn your early-stage startup into a solid plan ready to take off over the course of 6-weeks.
Week 1: Ideate
- Explore new opportunities by developing a deep understanding of the problem statement
- Identify the needs of target customers willing to pay for satisfactory solution
- Establish personal and business goals aligned with the vision
Week 2: Discover
- Investigate authentic opportunities and collect unbiased data
- Optimize initial solution design through targeted customer interviews
- Analyze competitors and alternate solutions
Week 3: Refine
- Refine understanding of the market and validate assumptions
- Map the customer buyer journey to identify key touchpoints
- Focus efforts on creating a minimum sellable product
Week 4: Validate
- Test hypotheses and gather feedback through prototypes or early versions of the product
- Refine messaging and pricing models based on customer insights
- Assess feasibility and pivot strategies as needed
Week 5: Iterate
- Bring results from previous customer conversations
- Learn how to use your findings
- Iterate your experiments to keep learning
Week 6: Prepare
- Define north star metrics for tracking success
- Develop a framework for accountability and ongoing process
- Explore legal and financial structure for incorporation
Walk Away With
Idea Deck
Founder Checklist
Business Model Canvas
Customer Connections
Meet the Facilitators
Colin Ake
Director of Incubation & Commercialization, KSU
More about Colin
I deeply enjoy innovation and iteration, tackling challenging problems, building and leading teams, and taking on roles that impact the world around us. I have experience in building and leading teams, business model development for deep technology startups, designing and running entrepreneurship programs, building coalitions, and managing programs. Building new programs that serve communities of people is an extremely rewarding process that I am fortunate to get to spend time doing in multiple areas of life.
I have a passion for building business models that will enable the sustainable and commercial exploration of space. There’s a lot of work to do to build more companies that sustain themselves on commercial revenue outside of LEO. Let’s get to it.
Graham Gintz
Associate Director,
HatchBridge
More about Graham
I am passionate about novel applications of technology and the quest to build companies from the ground up. A lifelong learner and practiced entrepreneur, I am energized by relationships with technologists challenging the status quo.
I am grateful to have a breadth of international experience as a strategy consultant and am always happy to speak with new founders about strategy, business development, and industry trends. Hoping to dabble into angel investing in the near future.
Lee Freeman-Smith
Programs Manager,
Cherokee Office of Economic Development
More about Lee
Program leader with 25+ years of experience driving community-focused initiatives across nonprofit, workforce, and civic sectors. I specialize in designing and managing programs that build partnerships, engage stakeholders, and deliver measurable impact.
My work spans strategic planning, operations, event coordination, and coalition-building—always with a focus on sustainability and outcomes. I’ve led efforts in workforce development, education, and community engagement, and now apply that experience in economic development to help build thriving local ecosystems.
Passionate about connecting people, creating opportunities, and developing programs that make a difference.
We're Here to Help
Questions? Reach out to our team of passion-fueled and professional individuals and let us help you find a solution.