LAUNCH JOCO

ENTREPRENEURS WANTED

Are you an entrepreneur or small business owner looking for business development services, education, resources and funding opportunities? LaunchJOCO is a county-wide collaborative initiative supporting and developing entrepreneurs and small businesses across Johnston County.

LaunchJOCO PROGRAMS

LaunchNOW

Do you have a business concept that you may or may not have executed yet? LaunchNOW partners with the Johnston Community College Small Business Center to assist with building your business framework. Meet with a professional business counselor and attend free courses while testing for value proposition and feasibility. Topics to be covered include Financial and Corporate Structures, Sales and Marketing, Basic Bookkeeping, Understanding Your Tax Responsibility, and more. This program is ideal for entrepreneurs who are considering startup or in the early stages of opening. After completing LaunchNOW with the Small Business Center, you will be invited to reapply for the 2025 Launch NEXT Program.

LaunchNEXT

Are you an established business that is now generating income and looking to strengthen and grow in scale? LaunchNEXT is here to help you level up your business and network. If selected, participants are required to commit to a 14-week (once a week) Business Training/Entrepreneurship Academy Education Course, as well as 6 months of mentoring (approximately 2-4 hrs/month) one-on-one with a local business professional. Upon successful completion of NEXT, participants will be eligible to apply for grants based on participation and performance in the program. Each class begins with dinner at 5:30 and class from 6-9 p.m. from January to April 2024 (every Tuesday except March 26). Each class will end with a homework assignment (approximately 2-3 hours) designed to assist you in the growth and strengthening of your business. Mentoring is from May to October culminating in a graduation celebration in November.

Launch joco checklist

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

Launch Spanish checklist

READY TO JOIN LaunchJOCO?

APPLY NOW

GET INVOLVED - BE A MENTOR

If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, community leader, or someone who wants to give to those in the early stages of business, then being a LaunchJOCO Mentor is for you! Having a successful mentor relationship can play a critical role in the future success of our students and can be extremely fulfilling for the mentor. The expectation is that you are available to meet with your student at least 4 hours a month from May through November 2024. Learn more and apply for this mentorship opportunity by applying here.

LaunchJOCO Mentor Application

2023 CALENDAR

INFORMATION SESSIONS

To learn more about LaunchJOCO and how you can benefit from the combination of business and financial resources the program provides, please register to attend an information session:

AUGUST 14 - BENSON, NC

AUGUST 22 - CLAYTON, NC

AUGUST 24 - SELMA, NC

INTERVIEWS

SEPTEMBER 25-26

CLASS OF 2023 GRADUATION & CLASS OF 2024 KICKOFF CELEBRATION

NOVEMBER 28

2024 CALENDAR

Orientation and Live Plan Log In
January 25 - 6 p.m.-8 p.m. - Johnston Community College Workforce Development Center, Room 2024

CLASS SCHEDULE
*all classes are held at Johnston Community College Workforce Development Center, Room 2024, 135 Best Wood Drive, Clayton, NC 27520
from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. (includes dinner)
January 30 - Entrepreneurship Foundations: Mission and Vision
February 6 - Value Proposition and Canvas
February 13 - Market and Competitive Research Pt 1
February 20 - Market and Competitive Research Pt 2
February 27 - Pricing Models and Strategies
March 5 - Location and Facilities
March 12 - Intro to Financials
March 19 - Mentor Match Night
March 26 - NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK
April 2 - Credit Class and Mentor Notifications
April 9 - Financial Forecasting Pt 1
April 16 - Financial Forecasting Pt 2
April 23 - Schedule/Milestones/Pitch

End of Education Social/Celebration TBD
April 30 - 5:30-8:30p.m.

Mentoring
April 25 - Mentor Orientation
May 1-Oct 31 - (minimum 4 hours/month)

EMBARK
November 19 - Class of 2024 Graduation/Pitch Presentation and Class of 2025 Reveal

2023 LaunchJOCO PRESENTED BY

GOLD SPONSOR
Douglas McClentic Architect

PROGRAM KICK-OFF SPONSOR
Craig Davis Properties

VIDEOGRAPHER SPONSORS
Deacon Jones Auto Group Business Elite
MedicalTraining.me

WEEKLY DINNER SPONSORS
Accentuate Staffing
Chefella's Catering and Event Planning
Douglas McClentic Architect
High Point Bookkeeping
HomeTowne Realty - Angelina Corroo
JNOW Magazine
KS Bank
Mobile First Card
snaCKs Provision Company

PROFESSIONAL HEAD SHOT SPONSOR
KS Bank

SILVER SPONSOR
Johnston County Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

STUDENT SPONSORS
Dollar General - Distribution Center
HomeTowne Realty - Angelina Corroo
Johnston County Economic Development
Nobles Insurance Agency, Inc.
Tay and Sons Enterprise

GRADUATION DIPLOMA SPONSORS
Black Castle IT
MedicalTraining.me
GRADUATION REGISTRATION SPONSOR
One80 Counseling
GRADUATION BEVERAGE SPONSOR
Pit Stop Smoke Shop LLC
GRADUATION HIGH TOP TABLE SPONSORS
KS Bank
Riverside Savings Bank
GRADUATION SELFIE PHOTO BOOTH SPONSOR
First Flight Federal Credit Union