Launchpad Begins New Initiative to Advance Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Opportunity in St. Petersburg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Launchpad Begins New Initiative to Advance Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Opportunity in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — September 17th, 2026 — Launchpad, a new St. Petersburg initiative focused on entrepreneurship and economic opportunity, is addressing one of the most difficult challenges facing aspiring entrepreneurs: turning a promising idea into a viable business. Leaders from across the city’s business, entrepreneurial, investment, education, nonprofit and civic communities are working together to strengthen entrepreneurship, prepare the workforce for an AI-enabled economy and shape St. Petersburg’s next chapter of economic growth.

Launchpad builds on CodeBoxx Foundation’s work preparing people for careers in the technology economy, extending that mission to helping people build the businesses and jobs of the future. It will partner with businesses, schools, investors, nonprofits, government and existing entrepreneurial organizations to find gaps, connect resources and support initiatives that produce results people can measure.

A central part of Launchpad’s work will be helping early stage entrepreneurs access what’s often called friends-and-family capital, the relatively small amount of early funding needed to validate an idea, build a prototype, get a business off the ground and start reaching customers. That funding usually comes from personal and family networks, and many capable entrepreneurs simply don’t have access to it. Launchpad also connects entrepreneurs with experienced mentors, technology guidance, potential customers and investors, the kind of network many established founders already have.

Founders who get that support tend to hire locally, spend locally and stay rooted in the neighborhoods where they started. Individual businesses add up to opportunity across the community.

Its early work is organized around six priorities: entrepreneurship, AI and technology, workforce development, capital, using St. Petersburg as a living lab for new solutions, and community impact. Launchpad will start with a small number of initiatives, track results such as entrepreneurs supported and jobs created, and report on its progress publicly.

“St. Petersburg already has talented people and organizations doing important work,” said Irv Cohen, founder of CodeBoxx Foundation. “Launchpad is here to bring those people together, find where we can do more collectively, and turn good ideas into results and new jobs.”

Get Involved

Launchpad is looking for entrepreneurs, organizations and leaders who want to take part, either as an early participant or as a partner helping guide the work. Anyone interested can reach out at ke***@****************on.org or www.codeboxxfoundation.org/launchpad

About Launchpad

Launchpad is a St. Petersburg-based initiative connecting entrepreneurship, technology, workforce development, investment and community partners around the city’s economic future. It operates as a program of CodeBoxx Foundation, a Florida 501(c)(3) public charity.