Frequently Asked Questions

What is Launchpad?

Launchpad seeks to design, develop and launch new social ventures by providing funding, social capital and entrepreneurial expertise. 

Our emphasis is on social impact through innovation, sustainability and scalability; we are looking for real breakthroughs in achieving social impact that break the mould of existing thinking and approaches.

What support can Launchpad offer me?

We provide intensive support in the form of financial, intellectual and social capital. Launchpad engages with ideas as a social entrepreneur, looking to partner at an early stage and inject a strongly entrepreneurial drive.

This support is aligned through our early stage social venture funds focussed on specific challenge areas. Currently, Health Launchpad (long term conditions) and Learning Launchpad (practical learning). 

What kind of projects will Launchpad support?

We work with projects at an early stage of development and look to add the funding, social capital and entrepreneurial expertise to see them succeed.

This could be ideas that need to be turned into a new venture or existing ventures still at an early stage of development. The ventures we look to support can be social enterprise, commercial or not-for-profit; our goal is social impact.

Critically we are looking to support ideas that are particularly innovative in how they achieve social impact, can be delivered in a sustainable way and are scalable, replicable so their impact is beyond a local level. 

How do you select projects?

We initially engage with projects that fulfil our criteria in an informal manner - probing its elements, conversing with founders or experts and analysing the landscape it seeks to work in such that the Launchpad team can make a decision on the most viable projects to progress with. Decisions to progress are made through internal Launchpad meetings once such an analysis of the project has been completed and a basis for how the project may be developed and supported is established. If agreement is reached by the team, the project is taken forward to an investment committee meeting where a formal decision on the funding will be decided.

What kind of support can I receive in addition to funding?

We recognise that funding is always a critical element however for innovative projects there is also a need for clarity of vision, clear project direction and the ability to build momentum around emerging themes. The Launchpad team contains individuals with a vast array of backgrounds, all who may support projects to be realised - be it via very hands-on or more light-touch or advisory approaches. Launchpad's aim is to accelerate social innovations by helping new ventures to be realised. Projects therefore get individualised support alongside funding in order to provide the project with the best chance of success.

I have an idea - what happens now?

Please submit your idea via the website to the relevant fund. Your submission will be initially evaluated based on the questions completed in the application process to assess the combination of social impact, innovation, sustainability and scalability.   If of interest a member of the Launchpad team will then contact you to discuss the idea and its background with you.

If my project is approved funding, does Launchpad then own it?

Launchpad's involvement is to help realise the social venture and we will work with you to develop the most appropriate model for achieving social impact.   Based on how we work with you this might involve a discussion about equity stakes, partnerships or other arrangements.

If I submit an idea what is to stop Launchpad stealing it?

Launchpad wants to realise the most promising social innovations and with a small team we are best placed to support others to drive ideas into reality. As such, our preference is to work with idea originators to progress their vision. In some cases ideas may be submited to us where there is no team in place or the originator does not want to drive the project forward. In these cases Launchpad will explore the best approach to achieving social impact by bringing together a team or delivery partners.