Brattleboro, VT – Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) is excited to announce the return of Launchpad, its cornerstone entrepreneurship course, beginning March 17, 2026. This dynamic 6-week course is designed to help aspiring and early-stage business owners transform their ideas into viable ventures. Offered both in person and virtually, the program is accessible to participants across the county and continues to see strong engagement, with seventy-nine registrants over the past two years.
Organized and facilitated by the BDCC and featuring expert contributions from regional specialists, Launchpad provides a supportive environment where participants gain real-world knowledge, develop practical business tools, and connect with resources to bring their ideas to life. Previous programs showcased presenters from various organizations including Think Dynamic Digital, The Looker Lab, SCORE, The Better Business Bureau, The Keene Sentinel and many more.
“Through BDCC’s LaunchPad series, I was able to get a handle on many aspects of my new, growing, business. Each week focused on a new topic that offered incredibly helpful information and resources that I never knew existed,” says Tracy Corriveau from Mama T’s Sweet Spot.
“Every business is unique, but successful businesses share common foundations: strong planning, continuous learning, and resilience,” says Toscano, BDCC’s Small Business Solutions & Transitions Manager. “Launchpad gives entrepreneurs those foundations in an engaging, supportive, and resource-rich format.”
Course Highlights:
Start-to-Finish Business Planning using LivePlan software
Business Entity Deep Dive: Learn the pros and cons of sole proprietorships, LLCs, corporations, and more
Marketing & Branding: Craft your elevator pitch and develop your online presence
Financial Forecasting: Build your first set of real-world financial projections
Legal and Tax Basics: Understand the steps to register and operate legally in Vermont
Launch Strategy: Prepare to fund, open, and grow your business
The course also features one-on-one lab hours with BDCC staff for personalized support and access to BDCC’s robust network of technical assistance providers.
Details:
Start Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Schedule: Weekly sessions for 6 weeks
Format: Hybrid (In-person at BDCC offices & virtual via Zoom)
Cost: Free (thanks to support from BDCC’s Instig8 program)
Entrepreneurs from Windham County and beyond are encouraged to apply. Whether you’re still shaping your business idea or actively seeking to grow your early-stage venture, Launchpad offers a roadmap to success.
BDCC LaunchPad Lab Hours are held every Tuesday at the BDCC offices from 10:30am to 12pm when the LaunchPad program is not in session. New this year, Lab Hours will also be held monthly on Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pm. Keep an eye on the BDCC website for details on date and location. Lab hours are drop-in and for entrepreneurs at any stage of their business. Lab hour days and times will vary while the LaunchPad program is in session.
Register for Launchpad Today
Space is limited. To sign up or learn more, visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/what-we-do/business-assistance/launch/ or contact Anthony Toscano at atoscano@brattleborodevelopment.com.
About BDCC
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) is a private, nonprofit economic development organization with the mission of investing in the drivers of the regional economy so that people, businesses, and communities in Southern Vermont can thrive. In addition to its private nonprofit leadership role in regional business acceleration and expansion programs and projects, economic, workforce and community development programming, BDCC also serves as the State of Vermont’s certified Regional Development Corporation (RDC) for the greater Windham County area (including Windham County and the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg, Winhall and Weston). BDCC is one of 12 RDCs throughout Vermont. BDCC’s activity is made possible in part by a grant from the State of Vermont through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. For more information visit: https://brattleborodevelopment.com/
About BDCC Launch
BDCC presents a suite of services, programs, and ecosystem development activities focused on small and emerging businesses. Previously referred to as our INSTIG8 program, BDCC Launch is the region’s center for quality entrepreneurship training, scale-up services, and innovation. Our entrepreneurially focused programming strategically fosters a safe environment for creative entrepreneurs to try, fail, learn, build, explore, and connect to other like-minded individuals while developing their business concepts and models. We offer a series of workshops, events, and spaces for intentional co-working. BDCC is a catalyst for an engaging, business-minded, creative community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and instigators as they start and grow. https://brattleborodevelopment.com/businessassistanceservices/startup-and-growth/
