JSV LAUNCHPAD
Build Something Real This Summer. JSV Launchpad is a 10-week, in-person summer program from Jackson Square Ventures for early-stage student founders who are serious about building companies.
Apply NowABOUT THE PROGRAM
Each summer, a small cohort of teams comes together in San Francisco to spend 10 weeks building, iterating, and selling. Launchpad is not an internship or a classroom experience. It's a program for founders with a bias toward action, designed to help teams make meaningful progress in a short amount of time, and leave the summer with real momentum.
Founders work side by side out of JSV's office in Jackson Square, epicenter of San Francisco's AI activity. With hands-on support, founders go from idea to incorporation, MVP, early customers, and investor readiness.
Teams arrive at different stages—some with a clear idea and early team, others still refining the problem—but all are focused on building something real. The program emphasizes learning by doing, with a lightweight structure designed to support progress without getting in the way of execution.
Whether teams return to complete their degrees or decide to pursue their company full time, the goal is the same: to help founders move faster, learn more, and build better companies.
WHAT EACH TEAM RECEIVES
Everything You Need to Build
- • $35,000 in funding, invested on a SAFE
- • Workspace in JSV's San Francisco office for the duration of the summer
- • 1:1 mentorship with experienced founders, operators, and investors
- • Group sessions covering product, design, founder-led sales, go-to-market strategy, and fundraising preparation
- • Direct exposure to the pre-seed and seed investor community
- • Support with company formation at the start of the program, if a team has not yet incorporated
MENTORSHIP & PROGRAMMING
Lightweight Structure. Serious Support.
Programming is intentionally lightweight and founder-driven, designed to complement building—not distract from it.
- • Weekly office hours with JSV partners
- • Mentor matching, pairing each team with a JSV partner with relevant domain experience
- • Weekly founder meetups to share progress, challenges, and lessons learned
- • Guest sessions with experienced founders, operators, and investors
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
By the End of the Summer:
- • A formed company
- • A working MVP
- • Early users or customers
- • Sharper conviction around what to build next
- • A clear plan for what comes after Launchpad
Previous Launchpad participants have gone on to raise pre-seed funding from JSV, Precursor Ventures, and other leading early-stage investors.
MENTORS
Builders Who've Been There.
Ziplines Education
The Athletic (acquired by New York Times) + Eternal
Roo
Jellyvision
Precursor Ventures
Stand
BEYOND LAUNCHPAD
JSV's engagement doesn't end after 10 weeks. Alumni remain part of the Launchpad network and stay connected to the broader JSV ecosystem of founders, mentors, and investors.
Applications are now open.
If you're ready to spend the summer building with the backing, capital, and mentorship of Jackson Square Ventures, we'd love to hear from you.
What is JSV Launchpad?
JSV Launchpad is a 10-week summer startup program from Jackson Square Ventures for student founders who want to spend the summer building a company rather than pursuing a traditional internship.
Who is Launchpad for?
Launchpad is designed for student founders, including MBA students and graduate students, who want to explore building a company.
What funding do teams receive?
Each Launchpad team receives $35,000 in funding from Jackson Square Ventures, typically invested using a SAFE.
Where does the program take place?
Launchpad takes place in person in San Francisco. Teams work from the Jackson Square Ventures office.
Do founders need a team or an idea before applying?
Founders can apply with an existing team and idea, but it is not strictly required.
What happens after Launchpad ends?
Many teams continue building their companies after the program. Some Launchpad alumni go on to raise pre-seed or seed funding.
How do founders apply?
Applications can be submitted via the Launchpad application here.
What is JSV Launchpad?
JSV Launchpad is a 10-week summer startup program from Jackson Square Ventures for student founders who want to spend the summer building a company rather than pursuing a traditional internship.
Who is Launchpad for?
Launchpad is designed for student founders, including MBA students and graduate students, who want to explore building a company.
What funding do teams receive?
Each Launchpad team receives $35,000 in funding from Jackson Square Ventures, typically invested using a SAFE.
Where does the program take place?
Launchpad takes place in person in San Francisco. Teams work from the Jackson Square Ventures office.
Do founders need a team or an idea before applying?
Founders can apply with an existing team and idea, but it is not strictly required.
What happens after Launchpad ends?
Many teams continue building their companies after the program. Some Launchpad alumni go on to raise pre-seed or seed funding.
How do founders apply?
Applications can be submitted via the Launchpad application here.