The University of Louisville’s LaunchIt program recently showcased the progress made by participants who completed the entrepreneurship bootcamp. This program, offered through the UofL Office of Research and Innovation as part of the Mid-South NSF I-Corps Hub, provides an intensive course focused on Steve Blank’s lean launchpad methodology. The bootcamp is designed to help innovators and entrepreneurs test their ideas or products in the real world to determine their viability in the market.
The LaunchIt program has now introduced a more accelerated three-session ‘short course’ that can be completed virtually in the summer. This new format aims to provide entrepreneurs with a flexible training option that fits into their busy schedules. The curriculum, taught by experienced entrepreneurs from the Office of Research and Innovation and UofL College of Business, includes coaching, mentoring, and lessons on customer discovery, product validation, and other essential considerations for launching a technology-focused product or company.
In the summer of 2024, UofL piloted the short course with 13 teams participating, including representatives from UofL, Northern Kentucky University, and University of Kentucky. One of the participants, Connor Centner, a post-doctoral researcher in the UofL J.B. Speed School of Engineering, used the course to advance a cutting-edge therapeutic ultrasound technology aimed at combating cancer cells and enhancing the body’s immune response against tumors.
Centner praised the LaunchIt Short Course for providing him with valuable guidance on customer discovery and product-market fit from experienced entrepreneurs. He emphasized the practical experience gained through the program, which helped him gain insights into the market and understand customer needs to enhance the chances of success for his technology.
Following the short course, teams have the option to continue onto the more comprehensive eight-week program offered twice a year or focus on additional customer discovery. All participating teams are eligible for microgrants to support their customer discovery efforts post-graduation from either course.
LaunchIt course director, Jamie Rush, highlighted the importance of entrepreneurial training for individuals across various sectors. The team behind LaunchIt aims to expand access to entrepreneurial tools through the short course, making it available to a wider audience, including UofL students participating in the Bluegrass Biodesign program.
The upcoming full session of LaunchIt, starting in spring 2025, is currently enrolling until Jan. 24, 2025. Additionally, the next short course will be offered in summer 2025. This program seeks to equip individuals with the necessary tools to advance new products, community projects, business initiatives, and more, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship in driving innovation and progress.
