Launch Pad Ignition 2012: Where we’re headed
Launch Pad Ignition is recruiting its second class of high-growth tech companies for our accelerator in New Orleans. Our mission is to launch great companies, and we’re making some changes to the program this year to better serve the founders and stakeholders in Ignition.
It’s not about funding, it’s all about traction
Through a relentless focus on building your business and getting customer traction with your product you’ll better position your company to raise capital. We’ll focus on customer development and lean startup fundamentals to define what traction means for you, and iterate your product and customer acquisition strategy until you get there. Ideally, you’ll be generating revenue by Launch Fest, which will put you in the drivers seat for raising capital on your terms.
We’re looking for the best companies, regardless of stage
The one-size-fits all accelerator approach makes it challenging to engage with companies that have already raised capital but that still want to be part of Ignition. We’re doing away with the fixed funding approach and are engaging on more flexible terms that don’t set or impact your valuation. The value of Ignition is in our mentor network, lean startup curriculum, and network reach outside of New Orleans, not the funding. We’re doing away with the investment and engaging with companies on the following terms: a 3% stock warrant grant with 1% of that going into a founders collective so each company has a shared stake in every company in the class. We’ll still be active in fundraising for Ignition companies, but it will be a more nuanced approach, not exclusively focused on the pitch at Launch Fest.
Expanding your network, building ties to New York and Silicon Valley
It’s definitely possible to build a great tech company in New Orleans, but the reality is you need strong ties to both coasts. Customers, advisors and investors that you need in your network are in those hubs, and we will help you establish a strong network through access to our committed mentors and the mentors we bring to New Orleans during Ignition and the road show trips we take to SXSW, TechCrunch Disrupt in New York and San Francisco as part of Ignition.
A collective of companies launching together
Fundamentally, Ignition is a group of companies committed to doing what it takes to be successful. As a mentorship-driven program, our core value is the expertise, accountability and access that our mentors and founders provide for each other. In addition to the mentor-lead curriculum, Ignition provides workspace at Launch Pad, a designer and iPhone developer in residence, and access to free or discounted business support services offered only to Ignition companies.
It’s not about funding, it’s all about traction
Through a relentless focus on building your business and getting customer traction with your product you’ll better position your company to raise capital. We’ll focus on customer development and lean startup fundamentals to define what traction means for you, and iterate your product and customer acquisition strategy until you get there. Ideally, you’ll be generating revenue by Launch Fest, which will put you in the drivers seat for raising capital on your terms.
We’re looking for the best companies, regardless of stage
The one-size-fits all accelerator approach makes it challenging to engage with companies that have already raised capital but that still want to be part of Ignition. We’re doing away with the fixed funding approach and are engaging on more flexible terms that don’t set or impact your valuation. The value of Ignition is in our mentor network, lean startup curriculum, and network reach outside of New Orleans, not the funding. We’re doing away with the investment and engaging with companies on the following terms: a 3% stock warrant grant with 1% of that going into a founders collective so each company has a shared stake in every company in the class. We’ll still be active in fundraising for Ignition companies, but it will be a more nuanced approach, not exclusively focused on the pitch at Launch Fest.
Expanding your network, building ties to New York and Silicon Valley
It’s definitely possible to build a great tech company in New Orleans, but the reality is you need strong ties to both coasts. Customers, advisors and investors that you need in your network are in those hubs, and we will help you establish a strong network through access to our committed mentors and the mentors we bring to New Orleans during Ignition and the road show trips we take to SXSW, TechCrunch Disrupt in New York and San Francisco as part of Ignition.
A collective of companies launching together
Fundamentally, Ignition is a group of companies committed to doing what it takes to be successful. As a mentorship-driven program, our core value is the expertise, accountability and access that our mentors and founders provide for each other. In addition to the mentor-lead curriculum, Ignition provides workspace at Launch Pad, a designer and iPhone developer in residence, and access to free or discounted business support services offered only to Ignition companies.
Applications open December 15.
