LaunchSA says relaunch drew thousands, plans Waypoint program and more funding events

Matthew, a representative of Geekdom and the contractor operating LaunchSA, told the City of San Antonio committee that the relaunch of LaunchSA (October 2023'024 year) produced a refreshed space, new branding and renewed outreach to the small-business community. "We really see ourselves as an ecosystem hub between the partner organizations, resources, and the small business owners and entrepreneurs here in San Antonio," Matthew said.

LaunchSA provides one-on-one advising, workshops and partner-led programming from its location at the central library and through off-site events. Geekdom reported 200 events since the relaunch, roughly 4,000 attendees at those events, and more than 1,100 businesses and entrepreneurs supported through its one-on-one assistance process. About half of requesters are new entrepreneurs and the other half are existing businesses, the presenter said.

The program directs clients through an assistance request form and internal research to referrals or a meeting with a business adviser. Matthew said business planning, strategy and access to funding are among the most common requests. LaunchSA also launched LaunchSA Link, a public directory of partner organizations; the presenter said 61 partners are listed.

Looking ahead, Geekdom outlined a set of initiatives: applications opening soon for the Waypoint program (an eight-week, 0-to-1 cohort for people starting businesses); a return of a culinary accelerator in the fall; and a funding resource fair planned for next month to connect banks and funding partners with business owners. The Business Chronicle series of district events will continue, and staff said the organization is considering elevating the district event model into a conference/summit.

Council members asked how business owners find LaunchSA. Matthew pointed to community outreach, library partnerships and referrals among business owners and said LaunchSA has been working to build relationships with banks; the presenter said bankers have engaged with LaunchSA during the access-to-capital fair and have referred clients for business planning assistance. Council members recommended further outreach to lawyers who form LLCs and to bar and restaurant associations; Matthew welcomed introductions.

Council members also asked for more granular data by council district and program-level breakdowns of technical assistance and funding outcomes. Director Brenda Hicks Lawrence, director of economic development for the city, said LaunchSA is a city initiative managed through a contract (up to five years) and that the city will continue to solicit and review performance as part of regular contract oversight.

The presentation included a small-business example: the presenter highlighted Lava Lopez, owner of Capet, as a local owner who re-engaged LaunchSA advising for growth and funding work.

Staff said they will provide district-level client counts and more detailed breakdowns on services and funding outcomes on request. Several council members encouraged continued partner outreach, more events inside neighborhoods and tracking of the sources of capital clients pursue.

Ending note: Council members said they were generally pleased with the relaunch metrics and urged continued outreach and measurement; staff said they expect to brief council roughly every six months and will provide the requested program-level data.