Applications Open for OU Startup Launchpad
Startup OU has opened cohort applications to its Startup Launchpad programs. Startup Launchpad encompasses all of Startup OU’s venture creation and launch programs, all of which are industry agnostic, meaning these programs are designed to support aspiring, first-time, and even experienced entrepreneurs starting a business in any industry at any scale.
Startup OU engages all startup and small business concepts, regardless of size or industry sector. Served businesses include: main street/service-based business and consumer products; scalable software and digital technology; and advanced research. This broad intake approach allows our organization to capture and engage a number of diverse founders.
Startup OU’s founder-centric approach ensures aspiring and early founders are supported through all elements of the startup process. The organization's launch programs are adaptive to an entrepreneur’s individual needs, while still tackling common problems all early-stage founders face.
Key programs accepting aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs include Startup Launchpad's Idea Lab and Build Accelerator.
Idea Lab
The Idea Lab offers aspiring entrepreneurs an on-ramp to entrepreneurship through a dynamic, 4-week pre-acceleration program aimed at those with an idea for a potential business. This program is specifically designed to explore and test idea viability, as well as challenge aspiring entrepreneurs to determine whether they can and/or should chase down their idea.
The Idea Lab employs a “do it with us” approach, where our team will work alongside these ideators to determine if their idea has a meaningful opportunity at becoming a solution to a real customer pain point. Additionally, the Idea Lab leverages structured training and mentoring to provide aspiring and early-stage founders an understanding of core startup concepts, while also helping to connect these ideators with others in our community that can help them move their ideas forward.
Importantly, the Idea Lab is runs concurrently with the Build Accelerator (12-week program), so ideators have the option to transfer to the Build Accelerator after completing the Idea Lab and continue to build their idea at the same pace. Detailed program offerings and programming schedules are available here.
Build Accelerator
The Build Accelerator is a 12-week, venture acceleration program that aims to help early-stage entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses around their ideas. Building on insights learned through the Idea Lab, this program trains builders in how to incorporate and leverage customer insights into operational business frameworks, supplemented by training in general business areas like marketing, finance, legal, and management.
The program helps builders identify market opportunities, rapidly develop prototypes, and generate a foundational template for their business. Specifically, builders exit the program with a built out: (i) value proposition, (ii) minimum viable product, (iii) business plan, (iv) go-to-market strategy, and (v) venture pitch. Detailed program offerings and programming schedules are available here.
Applications to Startup Launchpad close on January 24, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
About Startup OU
Anchored at the University of Oklahoma, Startup OU is an entrepreneurship hub that fosters and champions the next generation of innovators and emerging talent. Our organization serves as an entry point into the University of Oklahoma, state, and regional startup ecosystems; a connection point for startup founders and university resources and talent; and a launch point for university-affiliated and community startups into the state and regional economies. Our organization serves aspiring, first-time, and experienced entrepreneurs across the central Oklahoma region, regardless of their affiliation with the University of Oklahoma. However, our organization offers touchpoints for anyone interested in exploring opportunities in the entrepreneurship space.
