Launch Academy

Our Launch Academy is an 8-month entrepreneurship certificate program that supports creative and social entrepreneurs at the idea stage in starting your business and laying the foundation for your business to thrive.

Through the Launch Academy, you will gain the education, tools, and resources to:

• Clarify your business idea and market;
• Test and get feedback on your business concept;
• Create a go-to-market plan;
• Define your business model and social impact; and
• Develop your growth strategy

Below are the courses included in Launch Academy.

Learn more about the courses you will take in our Launch Academy.

Average time commitment for our Launch Academy course work is 8-10 hours / week dedicated to building your business, and includes the following weekly activities:

Building a business is a process of continuous improvement. As business owners, you will receive feedback from customers, employees, and partners on regular basis through informal conversations and more formal surveys and other tools. And, you will use that feedback to refine your business strategy.

Through the Launch Academy, we also provide you with regular feedback to start and grow your business. You will receive informal feedback from mentors and peers on your weekly business development activities. In addition, you will receive more formal feedback through progress reports designed to provide you with documented feedback on your business and personal development and next steps for your business at regular intervals throughout the bootcamp.

In order to complete the Launch Academy and receive a Certificate of Completion, you must meet the following requirements:

• Comply with the attendance policy;
• Submit all required activities for completion of each course in the program; and
• Meet all financial obligations to Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative.

A Certificate of Completion will be issued to each entrepreneur who has successfully completed the program within thirty (30) days of the end of the program.

We select up to 8 businesses per location to participate in the Launch Academy in each enrollment period.

Selection Criteria

• Have an idea for a creative or social enterprise
• Have knowledge of the field in which you are starting a business
• Have a willingness to commit to a process to understand the customer need for your business concept, testing your solution, and using feedback to develop a basic growth strategy
• Current resident of the Boston, Chicago, or Oakland / East Bay Metro Areas
• At least 18 years or older as of the application deadline or if under 18, have legal guardian consent
• At least intermediate level English language skills
• Able to commit up to 10 hours per week to building your business

Admissions Process

To be considered for the Launch Academy, you must apply online. After each application deadline, our local Program Directors will review all applications for the Launch Academy and select the top applicants for interviews.

Based on interviews, our Program Directors will select up to 8 businesses per location to participate in the Launch Academy. We will notify all applicants of our selection decisions at least one week prior to the start date of each enrollment period.

Our Launch Academy is offered during the following times.

The cost of the Launch Academy is $5,050 which consists of a one-time $50 non-refundable registration fee and program fees of $5,000.

Given the current economic circumstances, we are providing entrepreneurs with a subsidized cost on the program fee, which will be determined based on household income, as well as a payment plan over the 8-month enrollment period. Below are the monthly program fees based on household income levels.

Below are the total program fees for the Launch Academy over the 8-month enrollment period based on household income levels.

In addition as a business owner, you will need to invest in the basic costs of starting and growing your business. You should be prepared to pay these basic costs of doing business on your own. These costs are estimated at:

• $250-$500 one-time setup costs for purchasing your website domain and business licenses
• $100-$200 per month for subscriptions to maintain your website, file management system, office technology, and phone / video conferencing

Do I have to be a resident in one of those metropolitan areas (Boston, Chicago, or Oakland / East Bay metropolitan areas) to apply?

We are committed to supporting the local economies where we run our programs. As such, you must be a resident in a metropolitan area where we have a location, either Boston, Chicago, or Oakland / East Bay metropolitan areas.

What is the value of the Launch Academy?

The full value of our Launch Academy is $5,000. Given the current economic situation, we are subsidizing the majority of the cost of the Launch Academy for all entrepreneurs of color. By completing the Launch Academy, you will have the knowledge, tools, and network necessary to start your creative or social enterprise.

What kind of businesses are you looking for?

We encourage those who are passionate about creating sustainable impact in their community to apply. Some of the entrepreneurs we have worked with in the past include, but are not limited to, those in arts and culture, health and wellness, food and beverage, retail and eCommerce, manufacturing, and services industries.

What kind of positive social, environmental, and economic impact are you looking for?

We are looking for entrepreneurs who believe in advancing principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy. This includes business concepts that provide for cultural expression, create good jobs, advance worker ownership and democracy, utilize sustainable production methods, shift to zero waste, among other practices.

What happens after I complete the Launch Academy?

As a Launch Academy graduate, you may be eligible to apply for and receive admission into our Small Business Academy. Our Small Business Academy is a 16-month entrepreneurship certificate program that supports creative and social entrepreneurs in developing plans, improving operations, accessing capital, and strengthening leadership capabilities to build thriving, resilient businesses.

Are Launch Academy entrepreneurs eligible to become member-owners of Uptima?

All Uptima entrepreneurs who complete a certain level of our programs and are in good standing on their program fees are eligible to become member-owners of Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative. Entrepreneurs who are interested in becoming member-owners will need to go through the membership process.

What does it mean to be a member-owner of Uptima?

Becoming a member of Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative means you become a part of a cooperative community that invests in each other, shares in our profits, and has a say in how we are run.