For four years now, the College of Business has hosted the LaunchU Accelerator, an intensive multi-step program that gives small businesses and upstarts the tools for success through real-world application and mentorship. Sept. 11 was the culmination of this process, a final pitch where the finalists of the accelerator present their businesses to a panel of judges. It’s all quite light-hearted, but the cash prizes and the rigorous judging makes it a real nail-biter towards the end.
In many ways, what the College of Business is doing here exemplifies Loyola’s Jesuit values, according to President Xavier Cole.
Ultimately, it is about helping people; encouraging creativity and uniqueness, fostering it, and helping to refine it into something that can in turn help people. Each and every business that was presented in some way seeks to help, whether it’s a free shuttle service for students and city residents, a specialized cosmetic service to bring dignity to the sick and disabled, or even a gecko breeding business that helps promote climate activism.
Every founder’s reason to be a part of the program was slightly different, though all shared a commonality. Many cited the mentorship and experiential learning as reasons, but the founders were also all passionate about their projects–no matter the exact reason for signing up, all had the ability to harness their passion within the context of this program.
“LaunchU is an experience that every person on this campus that has a dream of starting a business should invest in. The program is completely free except for your energy and time. There are not many experiences like that in life and Mr. Sam McCabe and everyone else that make LaunchU possible are genuinely miracle workers to me,” said Kat Lee, a junior nursing student at Loyola and one of the winners of the prize.
Lee’s love for animals that she has been able to turn into a lucrative business stood out to the judges. In a landscape of animal cruelty and environmental unawareness, Katamaran Reptile Ranch stands out as a humane source for low maintenance pets that enter homes happy and healthy.
Lee conveyed just how much the LaunchU accelerator has aided in this noble endeavor; the curated mentorship gave her the tools to get serious, seeing things through the business point of view while not losing sight of the overall mission. The win has set her forward and shows just how much of a launch pad this program can be.
“I am elated and grateful for the results of this year’s LaunchU pitches. I am overjoyed to be the grand prize winner, but that would not have been possible without the support team provided by LaunchU- especially Mr. Mickal Adler, Sam McCabe, and Abbey Lovett,” Lee said.
The LaunchU Accelerator is not just about winning a prize, according to many of the founders. The outcome of the program, the experience, the perspective, and all the accrued learning that happens throughout the five-month-long period is itself a win. It promotes discipline and drive, while caring for the whole person, per St. Ignatius de Loyola. There is a reciprocal striving, between the hard-working founders and all that have their back every step of the way.
“Running your own small business may seem glamorous, but it is a lot of hard work and struggle between the victories. Have a standard beyond excellence and a goal above victory, and you will be successful,” Lee said. “Do not compare yourself to others, reflect on yourself and do not allow your haters to drag you down no matter what. Focus on your goals, your future, and what you need to do to succeed and success will follow you.”
