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.
Check back later for our next LaunchPad cohort dates!
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
TBA! Check back later for our next bootcamp dates.
Location
One Innovation Way, Woodstock, GA 30188
For more information contact Lee Smith, Director of Programs at LSmith@CherokeeGA.org or 770.345.0600
Application
Check back for next application cycle.
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
Lauren Lange
Community Program Manager,
HatchBridge Incubator
More about Lauren
Lauren Lange is the Community Program Manager at HatchBridge Incubator, where she supports founders through practical, accessible entrepreneurial education. She brings a people-centered approach to program design and delivery, helping entrepreneurs clarify ideas, test assumptions, and build businesses grounded in real customer needs.
Prior to joining HatchBridge, Lauren spent seven years at the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), Georgia’s state startup incubator, where she worked on entrepreneurial education programming and helped hundreds of founders gain the skills and confidence needed to scale their technology startups.
She also worked with EI² Global at the Georgia Institute of Technology, supporting communities in building and strengthening their entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her work ranged from developing programs for Mainstreet businesses to university commercialization offices.
Lauren holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in International Affairs from the Georgia Institute of Technology, with a focus on global development and science and technology.
Mark Feinberg
Entrepreneur-In-Residence,
HatchBridge Incubator
More about Mark
Mark Feinberg is a multi-time founder and entrepreneur with multiple exits across consumer-packaged goods, food, retail, and technology. His career spans early-stage startups through scaled operating roles, with experience building, funding, and exiting businesses across diverse markets.
Mark is the co-founder of Tame the Noise, a coaching and consulting practice that helps founders, executives, and organizations cut through complexity to build aligned, sustainable businesses and lives.
He serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at HatchBridge Incubator where he leads venture development, commercialization strategy, and ecosystem building at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact.
Steven Monzon
Community Program Manager, HatchBridge Incubator
More about Steven
Steven Monzon is the Community Program Manager at HatchBridge Incubator, where he supports its mission to cultivate an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, education, and community needed to build and grow successful businesses.
With more than 15 years of experience in program management, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community building, Steve has dedicated his career to creating pathways to opportunity.
Previously, he supported hundreds of early-stage startups and built a robust network of mentors and industry experts at the Zahn Innovation Center at The City College of New York. Most recently, he led The Academy at Tommy Nobis Center, a workforce development program connecting young adults with disabilities to career training and meaningful employment. Across his work, Steven is passionate about building strong communities and helping people access the relationships, resources, and confidence needed to move their ideas and goals forward.
Lee Freeman-Smith
Director of Programs,
Cherokee Office of Economic Development
More about Lee
Lee Smith is the Director of Programs at the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, bringing more than 25 years of experience leading community-focused initiatives across the nonprofit, workforce development, and civic sectors.
She specializes in designing and managing high-impact programs that foster collaboration, strengthen partnerships, engage stakeholders, and deliver measurable results. Her expertise includes program management, operations, event leadership, and coalition building, with a focus on creating sustainable initiatives that drive long-term community and economic growth.
Throughout her career, Lee has led workforce development, education, entrepreneurship, and community engagement efforts that connect people with opportunities and strengthen local ecosystems. She oversees entrepreneurial initiatives where she works alongside entrepreneurs, mentors, and community partners to support the growth of innovative businesses.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and passion for building meaningful connections, Lee is committed to creating programs that empower people, strengthen communities, and generate lasting economic impact.
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.