Launching toward positive adolescent health outcomes
Launch is designed to support teams as they move their innovations from the prototype stage to market-ready solutions. The program helps innovators learn more about their end users, decide when to iterate or pivot, and explore different funding models.
What we offer
Deep expertise
Learn about topics that are important to the success of your innovation, such as market testing and developing a pitch. Trainings are led by Launch staff, a group of professionals experienced in adolescent health and entrepreneurship.
Funding
Accelerate your idea’s growth with financial resources. Each team accepted to Launch will be awarded up to $120,000.
Individualized coaching
Join forces with a coach who can help your team identify and address your unique needs.
Connections & capacity-building
Find the support you need to test innovations and build capacity—because it takes more than funding to reach success.
Supportive cohorts
Expand your professional network by engaging with fellow innovators focused on addressing similar problems.
Integrated end user engagement
Conduct research to understand whether your ideas resonate with your end users, and connect with youth who work with Launch for real-time feedback.
What we look for
We’re looking for people with ideas that can improve the status quo. We believe that with the right resources to ignite their ideas, anyone can be an innovator.
You should join Launch if you:
- Are part of a team of 3 to 5 people developing a solution that addresses a problem in health outcomes for youth
- Are passionate about improving the health ofyoung people
- Have feedback from end users after testing or implementing your solution
- Are excited about pivoting and improving your solution based on market testing
- Are ready to advance your innovation from a prototype to a solution that’s ready for market
We’re extra excited about:
- Teams that represent a range of lived experiences
- Innovators who have implemented a solution multiple times
- Teams who have ideas about what success looks like for their solutions
Your commitment
Your participation in Launch will require at least 8 hours of time per month during the accelerator, with more time needed in the months with in-person training.
By joining Launch as a team working to develop an innovation, you agree to:
- Attend up to three in-person gatherings over the course of a year (1-3 days each)
- Watch recordings monthly to learn about new topics; then participate in monthly virtual events to apply your learnings and connect with your cohort
- Connect monthly with your coach for virtual coaching sessions
- Spend independent time, as a team, working on and testing your solution
- Complete specific activities after each monthly training to advance your innovation
- Ask for support when you need it
Launch program
Innovators who join Launch will work alongside their Launch coaches and cohort members for a full year. See below for more details about the Launch journey and what you’ll learn along the way.
Month 1
- Cohort begins with an in-person kick-off and training session
- Learn about the Launch Impact Canvas
In-Person
Months 2-5
- Learn to articulate your value proposition and identify and run small tests to shape your innovation
- Consider how you might make the innovation available to others
Virtual
Month 6
- In-person presentations for all IDTs
- Ongoing support from coaches
In-Person
Months 7-11
- Bi-weekly coaching (virtual)
- On-demand training (virtual)
- Identify the funding mechanism and initial outcomes for your innovation
- Pilot test all or some of your innovation
Virtual
Month 12
- Pitch your innovation at Ignite: Launch Pitch Day, the premier event for adolescent health innovation.
- Receive feedback on your pitch and chart your next steps for after the accelerator.
Virtual
About Launch
The program was established in 2023 and is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Population Affairs.
Launch recruited its first cohort of innovation teams in August 2024. The accelerator will support a total of five cohorts of innovators.
