Launching toward equitable sexual health outcomes
Join Launch to participate in a cohort experience supporting innovation in adolescent sexual health. Learn more about what we offer, what we’re looking for, and the cohort specific program.
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What we offer
Deep expertise
Participate in workshops and trainings led by Launch staff, a group of professionals with expertise in youth sexual health and entrepreneurship.
Funding
Accelerate your idea’s growth with financial resources. Each team accepted to Launch will be awarded up to $150,000.
Individualized coaching
Join forces with a coach who can help your team identify and address your unique needs.
Connections & capacity-building
Find the support you need to test innovations and build capacity—because it takes more than funding to reach success.
Supportive cohorts
Expand your professional network by engaging with fellow innovators focused on addressing similar problems.
Integrated youth engagement
Conduct research to understand whether your ideas resonate and engage with youth every step of the way.
What we look for
We’re looking for people with ideas that can improve the status quo. We believe that with the right resources to ignite their ideas, anyone can be an innovator.
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You should join Launch if you:
- Are part of a team of 3 to 5 people developing a solution that addresses a problem in sexual health outcomes for youth
- Are passionate about improving the sexual health of young people
- Have feedback from end users after testing or implementing your solution
- Have ideas for how to improve your solution
- Are ready to participate in a 12-month program to accelerate your idea
We’re extra excited about:
- Teams that represent a diverse range of lived experiences
- Innovators who have implemented a solution multiple times
- People who have ideas for the end goal for their solutions
Cohort 1 program
Innovators who join Launch will work alongside their Launch coaches and cohort members for a full year. See below for more details about the cohort 1 Launch experience.
In-Person
Virtual
MAY 2024
may 1 – 19, 2024
Applications open
Submit your ideas for consideration. Our team will reach out to selected innovators to move to the next stage.
Virtual
JUNE 2024
EARLY JUNE, 2024
Step 2 applications
Selected teams receive invitation for step 2 of the application.
Virtual
LATE JUNE, 2024
Step 2 applications due
The Launch team will invite selected innovators to provide more information, which may include a budget and other materials.
Virtual
JULY 2024
LATE JULY, 2024
Launch Cohort 1 Selected
Teams selected to join Launch Cohort 1 will be notified by email.
Virtual
AUG 2024
August 28-29, 2024
Cohort 1 kick-off meeting
Gather with us in person at the RTI campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina for a two-day kick off to meet the team and make plans for the year.
In-Person
NOV 2024
NOVEMBER, 2024
Virtual presentations to the cohort
Virtual
JAN 2025
january 2025
Cohort 2 recruitment begins
Check back for more updates!
FEB 2025
FEBRUARY 2025
Pitch presentations & training
Gather with us in person at the RTI campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina to connect with the cohort, pitch phase 2 plans and ideas, and participate in additional training.
In-Person
AUG 2025
August 5, 2025
Demo Day
Gather with us in person at the RTI office in Washington, DC to demo your innovations and celebrate your progress!
In-Person
SEPT 2025