Most startup courses teach you to plan. Launchpad teaches you to find out. In ten weeks, you will prototype your idea and put it in front of real customers not to validate a plan, but to learn things you can't learn any other way. What you discover in the market will reshape your thinking, and conviction, more than any interview or business model canvas ever could. That cycle of building, testing, and adjusting is the core skill this course develops. The goal isn't to graduate with a finished company. It's to graduate with the tools, instincts, and conviction to keep going because all founders pivot, dramatically, in the years that follow. Branch Metrics started as a smart pet collar. Sequel started as a tampon for athletes. What Launchpad builds is the founder, not the specific business they walk in with (we know that will change). The course is staffed largely by Launchpad alumni founders who have been where you are (recently). Before applying, spend time on the alumni pages (https://www.launchpad.stanford.edu/alumni) and reach out to a few Launchpad Alumni directly. Their experience is your best honest preview of what Launchpad is. Graduate students and Seniors only. No exceptions. You must attend 2 office hours and then apply to launchpad in early March look at the website for latest information. launchpad.stanford.edu
4 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
Most startup courses teach you to plan. Launchpad teaches you to find out. In ten weeks, you will prototype your idea and put it in front of real customers not to validate a plan, but to learn things you can't learn any other way. What you discover in the market will reshape your thinking, and conviction, more than any interview or business model canvas ever could. That cycle of building, testing, and adjusting is the core skill this course develops. The goal isn't to graduate with a finished company. It's to graduate with the tools, instincts, and conviction to keep going because all founders pivot, dramatically, in the years that follow. Branch Metrics started as a smart pet collar. Sequel started as a tampon for athletes. What Launchpad builds is the founder, not the specific business they walk in with (we know that will change). The course is staffed largely by Launchpad alumni founders who have been where you are (recently). Before applying, spend time on the alumni pages (https://www.launchpad.stanford.edu/alumni) and reach out to a few Launchpad Alumni directly. Their experience is your best honest preview of what Launchpad is. Graduate students and Seniors only. No exceptions. You must attend 2 office hours and then apply to launchpad in early March look at the website for latest information. launchpad.stanford.edu
Offered in Spring 2027 at Stanford University.