Launchpad Application

Northeastern University Oakland is seeking early-stage, gap-closing tech founders for our Cohort 2 of the Social Innovation Launchpad. Gap-closing ventures are built to close a specific, named inequity affecting Oakland and East Bay communities.

Extra consideration will be given to founders building responsible AI-native products, inspired by the Kapor Foundation's Responsible AI Principles. These founders have thought from day one about who their start-up serves and who it could exclude or harm, what data it depends on, how they'd notice if it stopped working well for real people, and how they'd explain its decisions to those affected by them.

The strongest applicants can speak to all these goals at once:

Their venture is addressing a clearly named gap for Oakland/East Bay communities
The founder demonstrates an understanding of who their customer is and how their product or service solves an existing problem or unmet need
The founder has demonstrated thought about responsible technology and/or AI use, bias, and side effects for their specific users

Deadline: Monday, August 24, 2026, 11:59 PM

Name

Business Name

Primary Contact Name

First NameLast Name

Email Address

example@example.com

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Location

Website

LinkedIn Profile

Is your entity incorporated?

What is the legal structure?

Current team size (including founders)

How did you find out about the Launchpad?

Are you based in the East Bay (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties), or are you a Northeastern University student?

Describe your business in 3-5 sentences. What does it do, who does it serve, and what makes it different?

What specific, named gap or unmet need does your venture address for Oakland or East Bay communities? Be specific about the challenge and who's affected. (3-5 sentences)

Which best describes where you are right now?

What concrete evidence do you have that people want this? (e.g., customer interviews, paying users, letters of intent, waitlist, repeat pilot usage, referrals) If you don't have this yet, what's your plan to get it in the next 90 days? (3-5 sentences)

Is AI central to your venture?

Regarding responsible AI, name one specific way you've considered how your technology could exclude, mislead, or harm people, and what you're doing (or planning to do) about it. (3-5 sentences)

Does your entity generate revenue?

Approximate annual revenue for 2026

Where does your funding come from?

If your venture has received INSTITUTIONAL funding, what type and how much?

What is your path to financial sustainability for your start-up? (3-5 sentences)

What are the top 3 challenges holding your business back right now? Be specific. (1 sentence per challenge)

List three goals you want to achieve by the end of the program? (1 sentence per goal)

Is there anything else we should know about your venture, your vision for impact in Oakland or the East Bay, or why you're applying? (Optional, 100 words max)

This program requires regular participation in workshops, mentorship sessions, and cohort meetings. By checking this box, you confirm that you or a company principal will actively commit to all required activities and sessions.

Social Innovation Launchpad Fall 2026 Cohort Application

Applicant and Venture Information

Incorporation and Team Details

Business Overview

Customer Discovery and Traction

The Technology

Revenue, Impact, and Challenges

Challenges and Goals

Additional Information and Confirmation