Thank you for joining this event! 

Your idea matters. And we believe this is the perfect time to de-risk, vett, validate and start something. We are here for you and we believe in you!

Launch1000 Frequently Asked Questions for Launchers

 

Reminder:  Launch1000 Workshop Recordings

https://entrepreneurready.com/launch-1000-workshop-recording
Password: launch1000

 

 

  • Need to Reset your password:
    1) Go to https://westchester.entrepreneurready.com/ and
    2)  Click the “Forgot your password?” link on the page
    3)  Enter your email address
    4)  Click the “Send me reset password instructions”
    5) An email message with a reset password link will be sent to you

 

Contact Information

  • Locked out of the platform and not able to log-in: Email [email protected]
  • Westchester County (For questions about the grant, laptop support or general inquiry):
    Email [email protected] with “Launch1000” in the Subject line of your email
  • Entrepreneur Ready (For questions about the program):
    Email [email protected] or [email protected] with “Launch1000” in the Subject line of your email

Technical Platform Questions

Question: Who do I contact for a technical support issue with the platform?

Answer:

  • Hit the refresh button.
  • If the problem persists, restart your computer
  • If you still have a problem, use the “Chat with Us” button on the bottom right of the page to send the issue to technical support

Question: My video isn’t loading on a step. What do I do?

Answer:

  • Hit the refresh button.
  • If the problem persists and you are using Chrome, check the Chrome Help
  • If you still have a problem, use the “Chat with Us” button on the bottom right of the page to send the issue to technical support

Program Questions

Questions: What is the schedule of the workshops for my Phase?

Answer:  Below and/or the Welcome Page for your Phase.

Phases                                         Workshop 1                       Workshop 2

Phase 1                                    Mon 6pm ET                   Wed 6pm ET

Phase 2                                    Mon 7pm ET                   Wed 7pm ET

Phase 3                                    Mon 8pm ET                  Wed 8pm ET

Phase 4                                    Tues 6pm ET                Thurs 6pm ET

Phase 5                                    Tues 7pm ET                Thurs 7pm ET

Phase 6                                    Tues 7pm ET                 Thurs 7pm ET

Phase 7                                    Tues 7pm ET                 Thurs 7pm ET

The weblink to access your workshop is https://entrepreneurready.com/launch-1000-workshop-access

Question: What is the role of my Online Acceleration Coach?

Answer:

Each Launcher has an online coach who is responsible for assisting your progress throughout the program. Online coaches change as you progress through the program. Remember to ask your questions early in the day to assure you get feedback by the next day!
The role of your Online Acceleration Coach is to help you as you go through the process.  They are NOT there to provide you advice on if your business will or will not work – you will gather data and facts during the process to make that decision. s” button on the bottom right of the page to send the issue to technical support

Question: What is the time expectations for each phase of the program based on working on my idea/the program 10+ hours a week

Answer:  It will vary, but we have put approximate times for each phase below and/or on the Welcome Page for each phase.  Do not worry or get discouraged if it takes you longer – continue to take steps and make progress – you got this!

Phase 1 (Me, My Why & My Idea) :  Two weeks

Phase 2 (Who Cares):  Four – Six weeks

Phase 3 (My Idea):  One to Two weeks

Phase 4 (Finding Clients, Donors Before Launch): Four to Seven weeks

Phase 5 (The How): Two weeks

Phase 6 (Creating Raving Fans): Two to Three weeks

Phase 7 (Show Me the Money): Two weeks

Answer:

Send an email to [email protected] and ask for help.

Question: How do I know if I have feedback from my Online Acceleration Coach?

Answer: There are two ways you will see feedback from your coach.

  • If your coach has given you feedback in the Action Step, you will receive an email notifying you that you have feedback and you will see the feedback in the Action Step.
  • If your coach has given you feedback in the Review Step you will NOT receive an email but will see the feedback in that step on the platform.

Question: How do I know what I am supposed to do in each phase?

Answer: Each phase has a Welcome page that provides you all the information about what you need to do for that phase.

Question: Where can I find information on the performance based grants?

Answer: Completion grants will be available to Launchers who complete the Launch1000 program in full. Those Launchers who achieve market validation evidence, (KPI’s) for their product/service, during the program will be eligible to receive larger grants to assist with startup expenses.

Question: What do I do in the Launch1000 Slack Channel and how do I access?

Answer: There is a Launch1000 Slack Channel for each phase of your journey. As you progress you will have more and more channels to connect with other Westchester County residents and fellow Launchers.  Some phases ask you to do specific activities in the Slack channel.  At other times, it is acceptable and encouraged to use for random interactions, connecting and networking to drive value to your idea and your life.  At the end of every phase we give you the option to share your story in the Slack Community Forum and create one specific ask for assistance. The only requirement is that your ask is non-monetary, you cannot ask for money from any launchers. Engage as you desire on the Launch1000 Slack Channel.

* Note: Please refer to the Code of Conduct on each channel as a reminder for what is appropriate and what is not appropriate to post in the channel.

Question: What is the purpose of the Feedback Survey?

Answer:  At the conclusion of each phase of the program we ask for you to complete a five minute survey. Your critical feedback helps us clarify the program, so it can better support you. Once you’ve completed this step, your coach will then review all prior action steps and launch you into the next phase of the program.

Question: How do I get into Fast Track?

Answer: You get FastTracked when you meet certain progress milestones.  Go to the Fast Track tab on the platform and let us know when you have reached any of these Success Markers:

KIVA Questions

As a part of Launch1000’s unique user benefits, all launchers have the chance to access start-up business loans of up to $15,000 at 0% interest. Entrepreneur Ready is a trustee of Kiva Lending, a non-profit organization specializing in microloans.

 

Unlike traditional bank loans, Kiva loans don’t require a minimum credit score, years of cash flow documents, or collateral. There are many uses for start-up loans and you don’t need to have an established business to qualify.

 

In order to be considered, you must meet the minimum criteria:

 

  • You and your business must be based in the United States.
  • You must be over 18 years old.
  • You must be using the loan for business purposes.
  • Your business must not be engaged in any of the following activities: multi-level marketing / direct sales; illegal activities (e.g., gambling, scams); or pure financial investing (e.g., stocks)
  • You cannot currently be in foreclosure, bankruptcy, or under any liens.
  • You must be willing to demonstrate your social capital by having a small number of your friends and family make a loan to you.
  • Non-profit organizations are eligible to apply as long as you can provide proof of revenue over the last 12 months.

 

If you would like to be endorsed by Entrepreneur Ready, please reach out to your coach and let them know you are interested. All launchers who have finished Phase 4 are automatically qualified for an endorsement. However, if your past experiences prepare you for an early application, you may receive an endorsement before Phase 4. Again, please reach out to your coach to see if you qualify.

https://www.kiva.org/borrow/4TD4RHWKXJ56034YJM5QJHUQ5A

Kiva makes all lending decisions; Entrepreneur Ready is not involved in any decision-making regarding who gets a loan. However, if you receive an endorsement from Entrepreneur Ready, it may improve your chances of securing a Kiva loan.

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Grant Information and Questions

Launchers who complete the full (7 Phase) Launch1000 program and record all success markers achieved during the program are eligible for a $2,500 grant.

 

There will also be $2,500 Enhanced Grants available to those who complete the Launch1000 program and demonstrate economic traction by achieving at least two of the following success markers before December 16, 2021:

 

  • Earned Revenue During Program
  • Funding, Investment of Any Kind
  • Client/Donor Traction: MOUs, Letter of Intent, Betas
  • Hired Contractors To Work on Idea/Venture
  • Strategic Partnerships: MOUs, Letter of Intent, Betas

Grants are intended to be spent on launching or furthering the Launchers’ business idea:

  • Marketing, sales, website design, social media, advertising collateral, professional photos or video
  • Hiring contractors or employees
  • Buying inventory
  • Joining a Chamber of Commerce or other Business Organization
  • Rent (retail space, farmers market or other types of selling venue, warehouse or production space, office space)
  • Equipment purchases, including technology and software
  • Insurance, accounting, or legal expenses
  • Additional entrepreneurial education or other training programs relevant to the venture

Graduation:

  • Online celebration September 30, 2021 at 6:00 pm (Subject to change under the conditions of COVID-19)
  • Second graduation dates TBA

By accepting the Launch1000 grant funds, Launchers agree to provide quarterly updates to the Launch1000 team and Westchester County for 24 months after completion of the program. In addition, you will also be asked to provide quarterly updates about sales growth, job growth, investments received, and spending within Westchester and complete all required post-program surveys. The subjects of reporting revenues will be detailed in the Grant Attestation paperwork.

Westchester County has made a significant investment into this program and each participant. It is critical for the County to understand the impact of this investment on the economy of Westchester, and we are dependent on reporting from each Launch1000 participant to develop that understanding.

 

** Completion Grants are available for all eligible individual Launchers.

** There’s only one Enhanced Grant available per venture in the Launch1000 program. If multiple individuals are in one venture, each participant is eligible for a Completion Grant, but only one Enhanced Grant is available to the venture.

 

Receiving Your Grant:

The following information is required in the county’s grant paperwork:

  • Name of Launcher
  • Name of Business Venture
  • Tax ID or social security number
  • Physical address of Launcher or business
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address

 

The county will send these details to the Community Capital of NY, who will physically process and issue the grants to you. Each Launcher will receive from CCNY a Grant Attestation Letter, instructions on how to complete it, as well as an ACH form, a W-9, and a request for a canceled check. Grants will be issued on a rolling basis to Launchers, as they complete and return all that info to CCNY. It may take up to 2 weeks to issue the grants, following the submission of a complete package of paperwork.

Bookmarks

[email protected]
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