Accelerators can provide valuable resources to founders looking to take their companies and products to the next level in their growth. But one area where they often fall short is community. Launch House, founded by Brett Goldstein, Michael Houck, and Jacob Peters, has set out to change that by creating a community-first, people-first approach to supporting budding entrepreneurs.
“We’re a community for founders. Builders. More broadly, people who are just trying to build the future,” Goldstein shared. “The idea is that if you give community to founders, engineers — people building these companies that impact the lives of millions and billions of people — and you make them compassionate and whole people, then they will build compassionate and whole companies, which makes the users and the people who are affected by those companies more compassionate and whole.” Goldstein is optimistic that this ripple effect will help improve outcomes and opportunities for the customers or end users of those new companies, making the world a better place in the long run.
This differs greatly in comparison to the approach of most accelerator companies, which are focused primarily on profit gains and moving cohorts through programs as efficiently as possible. Launch House approaches this differently, offering a membership-based platform rather than a program-based one, allowing members to take advantage of more resources, events, and connections than a typical accelerator. It addresses the need for people to belong by bringing them together in dedicated in-person and online cohorts. These work groups help bring together entrepreneurs with the same goals and challenges in a noncompetitive environment where they can brainstorm and uplift one another.
Entrants to Launch House gain a level of visibility with industry investors through a unique pathway to fundraising. Sessions focused on the topic feature key industry leaders and entrepreneurs who share tactics to help naturally bring about investment in up-and-coming brands. Investors and big-name tech industry names mix with groups at program events designed as information-sharing sessions rather than competitive networking environments with everyone vying for attention. Those connections form organically as a result of collaboration and storytelling, leading to more grounded and informed investments on all sides.
How Launch House invests in its members is novel as well. Rather than requiring the standard 5%-10% equity in every business that passes through its doors, the program accepts a membership fee that covers access to all programs and resources. Funding is covered, when applicable, through its separate capital arm, House Capital. The entity, which made a $10 million debut with its fund, selectively invests in entrepreneurs who show promise and are in the act of fundraising themselves. “There are so many mission-driven founders and inspiring companies that we meet through the Launch House community,” said Brett Goldstein. “House Capital gives us a new way to accelerate them on those missions to solve real problems and move the world forward.”
The way Launch House presents information to its members is also different from the session-heavy, info-dump tactics of most accelerators. Goldstein and his team understand the importance of getting the best information across in the most practical way possible so that their members can immediately see a change in their businesses. To that end, programs are often presented in short sprints or courses that front-load essential information and then underscore principles through discussions and workshopping. Rather than being spoken at, members are active participants in dialogues with Launch House founders, staff, and speakers.
Additionally, Launch House is embracing the metaverse, looking for new ways to reach and impact founders who are unable to take the time (or make the move) to a physical site. Offering online cohorts with complete access to communities and subcommunities based on various criteria, from location to business focus, expands their reach while enriching a wider variety of founders than traditional accelerator programs. Dedicated Discord servers and squads, a complete content library, and unlimited digital programs ensure that no matter where a member is based, they can work to optimize their business concept and prepare to bring it to market efficiently and effectively. And that’s what Launch House is all about: helping founders grow, connect, and raise funds for their businesses in impactful ways.
