SPN LaunchPad: Solutions Accelerated

State Policy Network’s LaunchPad is an ecosystem where social and business entrepreneurs hone innovative solutions to address pressing problems related to human freedom and civil society in the states. A team of transformative thinkers, like-minded innovators, and veteran entrepreneurs will serve as LaunchPad Advisors and will help create this ecosystem.

We will invite up to 10 idea entrepreneurs to advance their projects at one or two-day LaunchPad in-person events, where they will pitch their ideas to the Advisors. Projects selected for the LaunchPad in-person event will receive initial seed funding.

Idea entrepreneurs who successfully complete the in-person event will be evaluated for potential advancement to the LaunchPad Incubator Plus. Projects that successfully complete the Incubator Plus are eligible for significant seed funding and continued support.

---

Get LaunchPad Updates Delivered to Your Inbox

Sign up for LaunchPad updates

Receive reminders about opportunities and deadlines, as well as stories and tips to inspire and accelerate your innovative ideas.

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email
• Organization
• Confirm your interests:
  • Select All
  • Education
  • Economy
  • Healthcare
  • Workplace Freedom
  • Nonprofit Best Practices
  • Professional Development
• Email
  This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

---

The LaunchPad Experience: An Overview

1. The Discovery Phase: In the months leading up to the two-day event, the SPN team will work with each project and its project owner to prepare for maximizing their time at the Incubator Event.

2. The Incubator Event: The in-person event is a co-creation process where assumptions are tested, ideas are improved, and an action plan is developed in concert with the Advisors. These individuals are subject matter experts, successful entrepreneurs, and transformative thinkers. A handful will be grant makers and investors. The Advisors are self-organizing and are free to choose where they lend their expertise.

3. The Incubator Plus: Idea entrepreneurs who successfully complete the Incubator Event and who need key resources to successfully launch, advance to the Incubator Plus. At this phase, the project owner receives the type of intense structure, training, mentorship, and investor networking required to potentially move toward remarkable success. Projects that successfully complete this phase are eligible for seed funding. They will also be invited to share their idea at SPN’s Annual Meeting.

---

Selection Criteria

For SPN's next LaunchPad Incubator Event, up to 10 projects will be selected.

We are looking for leverage: perhaps a new business model, reduction of institutional barriers in a particular arena, serving a currently underserved or ill-served market, using technology to advance key reforms, moving reform research into a private-sector industry, etc.

Who we principally serve in SPN’s LaunchPad:

Social and idea entrepreneurs in the non-profit space whose projects solve problems that: 1) expand individual liberty and human well-being, and 2) drive market-based solutions that can reduce the size and scope of government. Occasionally the project may logically move toward a for-profit endeavor.

Each project submitted should meet these conditions:

• Expands individual liberty and human well-being.
• Market-based solution that reduces the size and scope of government.
• Approaches a public policy or civil society problem in a new, different, or creative way.
• Has potential to make a significant, measurable, and tangible difference.
• Can have initial success inside a reasonable timeframe (1-3 years).

The organization's project decision-maker and executor must attend all of the in-person LaunchPad Incubator Event.

---

SPN LaunchPad: The pivot that made all the difference for Libertas Institute

Success Story: Since participating in SPN's LaunchPad event, Libertas Institute's project has led to the adoption of regulatory sandboxes in Utah, a solution that gives new businesses and entrepreneurs a chance to flourish without being crushed by burdensome regulations. Libertas Institute is now using its expertise and experience to take this solution across state lines.

Empowering the Empire Center to turn a big idea into an actionable business plan

Accelerating the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs' solution through expert feedback

---

Recognition for SPN LaunchPad

---

SPN LaunchPad is a registered trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office.