As we wrap up an exciting year of growing the LaunchPad community together, we wanted to share a quick recap of our journey to date and our vision for 2026. Whether you’re a current entrepreneur in the program, a dedicated bookkeeper mentor, a partner who referred small businesses to the program, or a strategic advisor who has supported us since the early days — we’re grateful you’re here. Your belief in this work is what makes LaunchPad possible.
Program Highlights
The LaunchPad program was created by the Makahakama Foundation, in partnership with The Acceleration Project, to help under-resourced entrepreneurs build lasting financial confidence — through hands-on, human mentorship rooted in community partnerships.
After a successful 5 month pilot in 2024 with 10 Bay Area entrepreneurs, LaunchPad opened its doors to entrepreneurs across California in July 2025. Based on the learning from the pilot we made key improvements, expanded access, and saw firsthand how transformative the right guidance can be.
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Entrepreneurs like Sayra of Space Lounge are proving what’s possible when personalized bookkeeping mentorship meets strong, community-rooted support: confidence grows, skills sharpen, and businesses thrive. Huge gratitude to our referral partners—like Main Street Launch—and our incredible mentors, including Angelina of Alpha Business Services, who bring this vision to life every day. |
Looking Ahead: 2026 Vision + Growth PlanWe’re preparing for our biggest year yet by increasing our footprint and investing more intentionally in our partner relationships. National ExpansionStarting January 2026, we will start accepting applications from under-resourced entrepreneurs nationwide. To support the growing pipeline of entrepreneurs, we are also actively looking to grow our bench of qualified mentors. If you know of entrepreneurs or bookkeepers who might be a good fit for LaunchPad, please have them visit our website to learn more and fill out an application: Entrepreneurs receive a $500 grant upon successful completion of the 4 month program milestones. Bookkeeping mentors receive a $1000 stipend for each entrepreneur they support. |
Announcing the LaunchPad 501(c)3 Partner and Corporate Sponsorship ProgramsTo help us fuel our exciting growth plans, we are looking to actively build out strategic partnerships with community organizations and corporate sponsors across the US. We are launching two new programs:
Learn more about the LaunchPad Partner Program in this blog article. Existing LaunchPad partners will be required to complete the Partner Application form for continued participation in 2026. 🙏 Thank You for Being Part of This MovementEvery mentor, community partner, corporate sponsor and supporter helps us move closer to our vision: a world where every entrepreneur—regardless of income or background—has the clarity and confidence to build a financially resilient business. Here’s to growing our impact together in 2026. Warmly, The LaunchPad Team |