Startup incubator + accelerator for the AI era
Founders build companies. Launchpad builds founders.
Assembly, our incubator, takes you from idea to tested in 12 weeks. Ignite, our accelerator, takes launched founders through go-to-market and investor readiness.
Assembly meets in person in your city three times a year, or online every six weeks. Next cohorts start January 2027, capped at 20 founders each.
190+
founders
130+
mentors
13
cohorts
3 cities + online
more coming soon
Programs
Which one are you?
Assembly · the Launchpad Incubator
“I have an idea.”
12 weeks to find out if it's worth betting on.
$500. No equity. Starts January 2027.
Explore AssemblyIgnite · the Launchpad Accelerator
“I've launched. Now I need to grow.”
Two years with a team of advisors and a Navigator on your hardest problems.
$150/month + 3% common equity. Not a cash investment. Mostly virtual.
Explore IgniteWhy Launchpad
Four reasons founders pick us.
Taught by builders.
The people running your class have built companies.
Honest by design.
20 founders max, real customer feedback, and a clear answer on whether to keep going.
Low risk to start.
$500 and no equity gets you into Assembly.
A team, not a mentor.
Ignite puts advisors on your specific problem, when it comes up.
Built for the AI era
AI superpowers, with people two steps ahead.
Gantry, our AI co-pilot (beta), lets you do the work of a whole team, any hour you're ready to build: research, plans, drafts and product. And it's plugged into the people who've been there: mentors, advisors, other founders and Launchpad alumni. AI plus a network two steps ahead gets you further, faster, and helps you grow into the leader your company needs.
Assembly OS
Runs the incubator. Your lessons, your cohort's work and your mentor sessions live in one place, so you keep moving between weekly classes.
Ignite OS
Runs the accelerator. You and your Navigator decide what to tackle and when, and the right advisors come in as each challenge comes up.
Founders
Founders, in their own words.
From Assembly and Ignite founders.
“12 weeks. From an idea sitting in the Notes app on my phone, to building an MVP and becoming a tech founder pitching investors.”
Melanie B., Dirty Hippie · Assembly New York, now in Ignite
“Before joining Launchpad, I had the idea and the tool, but I didn't yet have a real business.”
Tom B., AmICompliant · Assembly Greenville, now in Ignite
“The Launchpad startup accelerator helped validate the idea and business model for Rethrow, providing the right level of mentorship and guidance that I needed as a solo founder building a technology company.”
Dustin E., Rethrow AI · Ignite founder
“Launchpad gave me what every founder needs and can't buy: people who've built before, honest feedback, and a network that opens doors.”
Eugina J., YOUnifiedAI · Assembly, Myrtle Beach
Built in Greenville. Building founders everywhere.
Your idea won't wait. Neither will the next cohort.
Apply now. Hear back in two business days.
