Do I have to be based in Durham?

Yes. Launch Proof is for businesses with a Durham address.

How long does the program run?

Twelve bi-weekly sessions, plus the opening pitch and the closing recalibration pitch.

What if I'm thinking about shutting my business down?

That's a real outcome and a welcome one. Launch Proof is built to help you make a clear go or no-go decision. If the honest answer is no, you'll leave with that clarity and your $5,000.

Is there financial support?

Every business that completes the program receives $5,000 to invest in whatever they decide to do next.

What if I apply and pitch but don't make the final five?

You won't leave empty-handed. You'll get honest, direct feedback on your business from the panel, plus access to the Icehouse Entrepreneurship Program, a self-paced online course you can work through on your own schedule, ending in an optional certification you can share with employers or on LinkedIn.

Can I participate if I have a full-time job?

Yes. The bi-weekly format and hybrid sessions are built to work around a real schedule.

Launch Proof | Knox St. Studios

Launch Proof

Durham's accelerator for business owners ready to find out what's really working.

Apply Now Spring 2026 Cohort

About Launch Proof

You built something. You found the resources, put in the work, and got it off the ground. But the numbers aren't telling the story you expected, and you're starting to ask the harder question of whether the way you're running this is the right way.

Launch Proof is built for that moment. Over twelve sessions, you'll get honest feedback from people who want you to succeed, sharpen the fundamentals most owners skip on the way up, and get a clear read on where you go from here. That might mean pushing forward with sharper numbers. It might mean pivoting. It might mean walking away with a clear head and a new plan. All of those are real outcomes, and the program is built to help you reach the right one.

We won't tell you only what you want to hear. We will tell you the truth, and we'll be in your corner while you work through what it means.

Launch Proof is run in partnership with the City of Durham's Office of Workforce Development as part of building a stronger small-business community across the city.

The Process

The Pitch

Ten businesses pitch to a panel of judges. This is where it starts, and we don't pull punches. The panel digs into your idea, helps surface the blind spots every owner has, and gives our team a real read on where you're starting from. The point isn't to tear you down, it's to make sure you leave knowing where you actually stand. Five businesses are selected for the full program. The five that pitch but aren't selected don't walk away empty-handed. They leave with honest, direct feedback on their business and access to the nationally recognized Icehouse Entrepreneurship Program, a self-paced course built on the mindset and methods of everyday entrepreneurs, with the opportunity to earn a certification in entrepreneurial mindset fundamentals.

Program Timeline

Duration:
12 bi-weekly sessions

Cohort size:

5 businesses

Format:
Hybrid, a mix of in-person sessions at Knox St. Studios and virtual

Investment:
$5,000 to each business that completes the program

Applications close:
June 22

Program kickoff:
Week of July 6

Frequently asked questions

APPLY

Ready to Launch?

Applications close June 22. We're selecting ten businesses to pitch and five to go all the way. If you've got a real business and a real question, we want to hear from you.

Apply Now