This document summarizes an accelerator program called Launch Pad Ignition. It connects founders to mentors, office space, and capital. The 12-week program in early 2012 will focus on developing minimum viable products, investment pitches, and demonstrating traction. Founders will gain access to mentors' national networks and events like SXSW to generate exposure for their companies. The goal is for startups to launch products, show revenue growth, and be well-positioned to fundraise by the program's end. Applications are open through January for the February program.

1. Startups,
start your engines.

2. IGNITION
A mentorship-driven startup accelerator.
Built on a proven framework for success.
Launch Pad Ignition connects talented We’re accelerating the high-growth
founders to a national network of mentors, companies that will be the job creation
a workspace and access to capital. and economic engines of our country.
A refined approach that leverages our
MENTORS
natural resources and connects
founders to a national network.
Our focus is stage-agnostic so we can
engage with the best companies to
generate traction.
CAPITAL

3. IGNITION
Startups are hard.
We improve your odds of success by launching a group of
companies in an accountable, collaborative environment
with a network of mentors who want to help.
We do it because we love it.

4. 2011 CLASS
Curriculum Focus:
•Product development - MVP
•8-Minute investment pitch
•Building National Network
•Customer Development
•Demo Day

5. 2012
We’re iterating:
•Stage agnostic
•3% warrants
•Individualized approach to funding
•Open to different outcomes:
•fundraising, bootstrapping, incubating
•Focus on traction over funding
•Plugging you into our national network

6. SCHEDULE
•12/15 - Applications open
•1/15 - Applications close
•2/1 - Acceptances
•2/13 - Ignition kick off
•2/21 - Mardi Gras
•3/9-13 - SXSW Interactive (Austin)
•3/11-17 - New Orleans Entrepreneur Week
•5/3 - Launch Fest
•5/25ish - NYC - TechCrunch NY
•6/10ish - SF/SV - West coast road show

7. WHO
Should I apply for Ignition?
We’re looking for:
•Multiple co-founders
•Balanced team - hacker & hustler
•All founders in NOLA for Ignition
•Commitment
•Scalable businesses - high-growth
•Businesses we can impact - primarily tech
•Ability to demonstrate traction by Launch Fest

8. WHO
What if I’m almost there?
In some cases, we will:
•Matchmake a co-founder (business or technical)
•Allow product built by contractor for MVP
•Allow virtual teams

9. WHO
What you can expect in Ignition:
•12 weeks - Feb 13 - May 3 (+ NY, SF travel)
•Weekly schedule of sessions @ Launch Pad
•Curriculum with events led by mentors
•Office hours by mentors
•National network of mentors & investors
•PR strategy for cohort
* the Ignition founders to buy you a beer when you need it most

10. RESULTS
Goals by Launch Fest
•Product - MVP or more
•Demonstrable traction (ie: revenue)
•Kick-ass 8-min pitch
•Financial model & strategic plan for company
•Leveraging national networks
•SXSW, TechCrunch Disrupt NY, SanFranNOLA
•National exposure - AngelList, TechCrunch, etc

11. APPLY
Applications open Dec 15- Jan 15
•Apply early - rolling acceptances
•Unified application through TechStars
•Last year 115 applications, this year expect 2-3x
•1st round - based on info provided
•2nd round - phone interview
•3rd round - in-person interview
•Feb 1st - acceptances
launchpadignition.com
@lpignition