Launch USA
What’s your big idea?
The Mitchell College of Business and the Melton Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation are proud to introduce Launch USA – Big Ideas Challenge. This new program is a unique opportunity for teams and individuals to develop business ideas, receive funding, transform thinking and make an impact on the Gulf Coast community.
Who is eligible?
University of South Alabama students, faculty, staff and alumni are eligible to participate as teams or individuals.
How does this work?
Following the application period, up to ten teams will be selected to participate in the inaugural program. Each team will receive an initial $2,000 stipend, contingent on the completion of certain milestones, to support their work on their concepts. The first milestone is the completion of the Launch USA – Big Ideas Bootcamp. This intensive training program will include sessions on intellectual property, business formation, digital marketing, market research analytics, nonprofit formation, prototyping, fundraising and much more. Following the completion of the boot camp, teams will be assigned a mentor to guide the continued development of their concepts. During this phase, each team will receive an additional $3,000 stipend to continue early-stage development and prepare their pitch. The program will culminate in August with the Big Ideas Pitch Competition where teams will present their business plan to a team of judges who will then distribute prizes up to $10,000.
Important Dates:
Mar. 28, 2025: Application deadline
Apr. 7, 2025: Invitations extended to the participants
Apr. 22 - 24, 2025: Launch USA Bootcamp
May - July 2025: Bi-Monthly Mentoring & Continuing Education
Aug. 26, 2025: Launch USA – Big Ideas Pitch Competition