Launch Academy

What Launch Academy does

Launch Academy is a private, not-for-profit tech incubator and accelerator headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in April 2012 by Ray Walia, Roger Patterson, and Jesse Heaslip, and joined in September 2012 by co-founder Alex Chuang, the organization supports early-stage tech founders through structured mentorship, education, peer community, and direct investor access. Its core products are the LaunchPad Program (a subscription-based incubation program priced at $200/month per company with a 6-month minimum, or $2,000/year per company, granting access to hundreds of mentors, weekly events, Demo Days, and a $700K perks package including AWS, Azure, Stripe, GitHub, and Microsoft credits), the Maple Program (an international founder accelerator bundled with Canadian Startup Visa immigration support, for which Launch is a government-designated organization), and Launch Builders (recurring demo-night meetups). The organization also operates the Traction Conference (ranked a Top 10 marketing conference in North America by Inc.), the CxO Summit & Dinner Series, a network of podcasts (Founder Journey, Ask Me Anything, Bits & Bytes, Traction, NextWave), and self-paced online courses (Traction University, Fundraising in North America, Revenue Factory, Launch Your Startup) distributed via Thinkific.

Launch Academy does not develop proprietary technology products; its platform is a service-based incubation model centered on a 12,000 sq ft Gastown headquarters, a global community of 100,000+ entrepreneurs reached through Traction, and a network of 6,000+ incubated founders from 100+ countries. Since 2012, 300 alumni have grown their companies to Seed and Series A stages, collectively raising $2.5B+ in funding and creating 3,800+ jobs. Notable alumni include Thinkific, Later, KOHO, Flutterwave, Covalent, Klue, Battlefy, Wealthbar (acquired by CI Financial), Finn AI, and smartARM.

The business model is multi-streamed: recurring LaunchPad membership subscriptions, corporate event and program sponsorships (Smythe LLP, Microsoft, Global Relay, AWS, Stripe, GitHub, Informa Financial), online course sales via Thinkific, immigration consulting fees through the Startup Visa pipeline (287 entrepreneurs from 38+ countries served since 2017), and conference ticketing. GTM is community-led and event-driven, anchored by Traction Conference, Launch Builders meetups, the podcast network, and a 200,000+ newsletter subscriber base, with sales-led motion for the international Maple/Bespoke program. Operations are run by a lean 1-10 person core team supported by a deep mentor bench.

Name

Launch Academy

Legal name

Launch Academy

Website

https://launchacademy.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Launch Academy is a Vancouver-based, not-for-profit tech incubator and accelerator founded in 2012 that supports early-stage tech founders through the LaunchPad membership program, Maple international immigration accelerator, the Traction Conference, courses, and a 100,000+ entrepreneur community, having incubated 6,000+ founders from 100+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation and Acceleration Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK), Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Tech accelerator programs
• Founder mentorship programs
• Startup visa consulting
• Entrepreneurship education courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. LaunchPad Membership Fees: Monthly membership at $200/month per company (6-month minimum commitment) or Annual at $2,000/year, providing access to mentorship, events, investor connections, perks, and the global founder community.
2. Program & Event Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors support Launch's programs (Maple, LaunchPad), events (Demo Days, Pitch Competitions, Investor Matchmaking, CxO Events, Global Trade Missions), and digital content across website, newsletters, and social channels.
3. Educational Courses & Training: Revenue from courses including Traction University, Fundraising in North America, and Launch Your Startup program.
4. Immigration & Settlement Consulting Services: As a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa Program and referral partner for Global Skills Strategy, Launch provides immigration pathway services for tech founders and their families. Since 2017, helped 287 foreign entrepreneurs from over 38 countries navigate Canada's startup visa program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Launch Academy is a tech incubator and accelerator that provides structured startup incubation through its LaunchPad membership program ($200/month or $2,000/year per company), delivering mentorship, investor connections, weekly events, and perks worth up to $700K. It also runs the Maple Program for international founders seeking Canadian immigration via the Startup Visa Program, and offers educational courses, demo events, and the annual Traction Conference to support entrepreneurs from idea through Series A.

Product overview

Launch Academy is Western Canada's leading tech incubator and accelerator offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services for entrepreneurs. The core offerings include the LaunchPad Program (incubation/acceleration with mentorship, perks, and investor access), the Maple Program (immigration-focused international accelerator), and Launch Builders (product demo events). Supplementary services include Traction Conference (annual tech conference), educational courses via Thinkific (Revenue Factory, Fundraising, Traction University), multiple podcasts (Founder Journey, Ask Me Anything, Bits & Bytes, Traction), and CxO networking events. The organization functions as a soft landing pad for startup founders, providing education, mentorship, lean metrics, and networking opportunities across a global community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LaunchPad: Tech incubator and accelerator program for startups looking to learn and grow with fellow entrepreneurs driven to build global technology businesses.
• Maple Program
• Maple Bespoke
• Launch Builders
• Traction Conference
• CxO Summit & Dinner Series
• Traction Series
• Launch Your Startup
• Revenue Factory
• Founder Journey Podcast
• Ask Me Anything Podcast
• Bits & Bytes Podcast
• NextWave Podcast
• Launch Ventures

Products and services

• LaunchPad Program A tech incubator and accelerator program for startups that provides mentorship, weekly events, investor connections, fundraising workshops, a global network of founders, and perks worth up to $700K including AWS credits, Azure credits, Stripe credits, Microsoft, and GitHub. Priced at $200/month or $2,000/year per company with a minimum 6-month commitment.
• Maple Program An international accelerator program designed to help emerging tech companies expand their business to North America through immigration pathways. Helps tech companies identify the best immigration path for their team and families via Startup Visa, Express Entry, Provincial Nomination, or Global Talent Stream. Programs temporarily paused in 2024 pending IRCC policy review.
• Traction Conference An annual tech conference ranked among the top 10 marketing conferences in North America by Inc. Magazine, bringing together leaders from the fastest-growing tech companies to share business advice via webinars, retreats, and conferences. Creates networking opportunities with Fortune 500 leaders, high-growth startup founders, investors, and media. Traction Conf 2022 was held in Vancouver with speakers from Atlassian, UiPath, Twitter, Mercury and many more.
• Launch Builders Meetup An event series featuring demos of the newest products coming out of Vancouver, providing tech builders and entrepreneurs a platform to showcase their latest innovations while connecting with like-minded product enthusiasts. Events held in Downtown Vancouver (Microsoft Vancouver, Global Relay Space) with demos and networking over food and drinks. Tickets sold through Luma platform.
• Traction University An online educational platform offering courses for entrepreneurs on growth strategies and business development, delivered via Thinkific for self-paced consumption.
• Revenue Factory Course An online course focused on revenue generation strategies for startups and growing businesses, sold through Launch's dedicated course platform.
• Fundraising in North America Course An online course covering fundraising strategies and practices for North American markets, delivered via Thinkific for self-paced consumption.
• Launch Your Startup Course A startup course for first-time founders to help turn ideas into reality, providing structured education for entrepreneurs at the ideation or early building stage.
• CxO Summit & Dinner Series Quarterly C-suite executive dinners and an annual pre-Traction CxO Summit bringing together executives from all over North America (Vancouver, San Francisco, Dubai, and other locations) for cross-border networking.
• Founder Journey Podcast A podcast featuring conversations with founders about their startup journeys, experiences, and lessons learned. Available on Apple Podcasts and via pod.link.
• Ask Me Anything (AMA) Podcast A podcast featuring Q&A sessions with entrepreneurs and tech leaders sharing insights and advice. Available on Apple Podcasts.
• Bits & Bytes Podcast A podcast covering tech industry topics, featuring conversations with founders and industry experts. Available on Apple Podcasts.
• Traction Podcast A podcast bringing leaders from the fastest-growing tech companies to share business advice, covering topics from AI to growth marketing. Available on Apple Podcasts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300 of 6,000+ incubated entrepreneurs grew to Seed/Series A stages and raised over $2.5B in funding
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Smythe LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSmythe LLP, a BC-based accounting firm, has been Launch's partner for over a decade providing accounting and financial expertise to the startup ecosystem. Their involvement extends to key programs including the Maple Program and LaunchPad Program.
• Microsoft VancouvercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMicrosoft Vancouver sponsors Launch Builders events, providing venue for meetups. Launch Builders events held at Microsoft Vancouver have been sell-out editions.
• Global RelaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal Relay partnered with Launch in 2025 to launch The Vancouver Tech Hub. Also presenting sponsor of Launch Builders Demo Night events.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationAWS provides cloud computing credits as part of the $700K perks package available to LaunchPad members.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationStripe provides credits as part of the $700K perks package available to LaunchPad members.
• GitHubcoreTechnology or IntegrationGitHub provides development tools and credits as part of the $700K perks package for LaunchPad members.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft provides Azure credits and other resources as part of the $700K perks package for LaunchPad members.
• Government of Canada / IRCCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunch is a designated organization of the Canadian Government's Startup Visa Program and a referral partner for the Global Skills Strategy Program. This government partnership enables Launch to help foreign entrepreneurs obtain permanent residency in Canada.
• Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISSofBC invited Sam Chan, VP of Programs at Launch, as a guest speaker for their Business Club Meeting on strategic approaches to digital transformation.
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunch partnered with EBRD and the Embassy of Canada in Serbia to conduct a workshop on 'Global Expansion for Balkan Tech Companies via Canada' with over 40 executives and government officials.
• Cube Business Media / INNOVATEwestcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLaunch Academy partnered with INNOVATEwest as Lead Growth Partner, hosting a special edition of Launch Builders on the expo floor. Launch also brought its networks of entrepreneurs and investors to the two-day tech and innovation conference.
• Boast.AIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaunch and Boast.AI co-hosted an exclusive Traction CxO dinner in Dubai, bringing together founders and venture capitalists from Canada, USA, and the UAE region.
• IntercomcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntercom provides customer messaging platform credits as part of the $700K perks package for LaunchPad members.
• AutopilotcoreTechnology or IntegrationAutopilot provides marketing automation credits as part of the $700K perks package for LaunchPad members.
• BC Tech AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBC Tech Association partnered with the Government of British Columbia to induct Ray Walia into the BC Innovators Hall of Fame, recognizing Launch Academy's contribution to BC's tech ecosystem.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Y Combinator: Y Combinator is the global benchmark tech accelerator with thousands of portfolio companies and unmatched brand. It serves a similar early-stage founder cohort but operates at vastly larger scale and with a for-profit, equity-driven model rather than Launch's nonprofit structure.
• Techstars: Techstars runs a global network of mentorship-driven accelerators with equity-based participation. It competes for the same Seed-stage tech founders Launch targets and offers a comparable mentorship-plus-investor-access value proposition at much larger scale.
• MaRS Discovery District: MaRS is a large Toronto-based innovation hub supporting entrepreneurs across multiple sectors with programming, capital, and community. It overlaps with Launch on Canadian startup ecosystem support but operates at broader, multi-vertical scale rather than Launch's tech-startup focus.
• 500 Global: 500 Global is a large global venture firm and accelerator running seed programs across emerging markets and North America. It competes for international founders seeking to scale into the US/Canada and overlaps with Launch's global trade mission approach.

Direct peers

• Antler: Antler is a global early-stage investor and accelerator with strong presence in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America and an explicit founder-immigration angle in several markets. It is the closest comparable to Launch's immigration-anchored accelerator model and competes for the same international founder cohort.
• DMZ (Toronto Metropolitan University): DMZ is one of Canada's leading tech incubators, based in Toronto, supporting early-stage startups with mentorship, investor access, and programming. It is the most direct Canadian peer to Launch Academy, competing for national mindshare and international founders entering Canada.
• Creative Destruction Lab (CDL): CDL is a Canadian seed-stage program for massively scalable, science- and technology-based companies affiliated with the Rotman School of Management. It targets a more technical founder than Launch but is a comparable Canadian institution competing for ambitious startup talent.
• Founder Institute: Founder Institute is a global pre-seed accelerator and startup launch program with a structured curriculum model. It overlaps with Launch's educational, cohort-style founder development approach and serves similar early-stage, idea-to-MVP founders worldwide.
• Highline Beta: Highline Beta is a Toronto-based corporate venture and venture builder partnering with large enterprises to build and invest in startups. It is comparable to Launch's Maple and Bespoke programs for international founders expanding into Canada, but operates more from a corporate-venture angle.

Others

• Forum (peers include Vancouver Startup Week organizers): Vancouver Startup Week is a community-led, volunteer-run annual startup festival in Vancouver. It is thematically adjacent to Launch's Launch Builders and Traction events and shares the same geographic founder community, though it does not run structured incubation programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LaunchAcademyHQ
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@launchacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/LaunchAcademyHQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/launch-academy-hq
• Instagraminstagram.com/launchacademyhq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments11 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Launch Academy