Stage 2 · The Academy

Launch Lab built the spark. The Academy builds the business.

A 10-month, 48-session program for Launch Lab graduates — pairing each student with a year-long mentor and culminating in a real investor pitch at Demo Day.

Sessions

Month program

$500

Demo Day seed prize

Launch Lab vs. The Academy.

Two stages, two very different levels of commitment.

Swipe to see The Academy column →

Aspect	Launch Lab	The Academy
Duration	9 sessions	48 sessions (10 months)
Eligibility	Any Clark County teen, 13–18	Launch Lab graduates only
Support	Session coaches	Year-long mentor
Deliverable	Validated business idea	Complete business model with projections
Customer interaction	First sales	Ongoing customer management
Final event	Pitch Night ($250 prize)	Demo Day investor pitch ($500 prize)

The Four Phases

Ten months, four phases.

1
Build the Real ModelReconstruct Launch Lab concepts into complete business models with genuine financial projections and revenue strategies within six weeks.
2
Go Public AgainA mid-program public sales event backed by actual financial data.
3
Run It for RealThree-month period managing real customer relationships and weekly revenue reporting, including potential pivots.
4
Demo DayPublic investor pitch event where students present operating businesses to community leaders and investors.

Mentorship

One mentor. Ten months.

The program pairs each student with a single Clark County business professional for the entire ten months. Mentors provide real-world guidance without grading authority, deliberately creating cross-community relationships between students and professionals from different backgrounds.

Launch Lab graduates only

The Academy is the second stage of the pipeline.

Clark County teens ages 13–18

Same age range as Launch Lab.

No cost, permanently free

Regardless of a family's income.

Starts September 2027

Requires a full-year commitment.

FAQ

Questions people actually ask.

Can I join The Academy directly, without Launch Lab?

No — Launch Lab is the required entry point.

Does the program stay free regardless of family income?

Yes, permanently, regardless of a family's income.

What if my Launch Lab business didn't work out?

Unsuccessful Launch Lab businesses can be rebuilt in the Academy.

Who does Demo Day pitch to?

Actual investors, not just judges.

The path to The Academy starts at Launch Lab.

Cardinal Community Center, Winchester, Kentucky. Launch Lab launches Fall 2026; The Academy launches September 2027.

Start with Launch Lab See Launch Lab details